The government on July 13 condemned Japan's latest territorial claim to Dokdo Island as seen in this year's defense white paper of the Japanese Ministry of Defense. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Kim Eun-young and Yoon Hee Young

The government on July 13 blasted Japan's territorial claim to Dokdo Island in this year's edition of Tokyo's defense white paper.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Choi Youngsam said in a regular briefing, "The government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) strongly protests against the Japanese government's reiteration of futile territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly an integral part of Korea's territory in terms of history, geography and international law, in the 'Defense (White Paper) of Japan 2021' released on July 13, and calls for an immediate withdrawal of such claims."

"The ROK government particularly expresses strong regrets regarding the Japanese government's recent intensification of its unjust claims over Dokdo including, but not only, those made in the 'Defense of Japan 2021.'"

He added, "The Korean government makes clear once again that the Japanese government's unjust claims do not and will not have any impact on Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo, an integral part of Korea's territory, and that the Korean government will respond strictly and firmly to any provocation over Dokdo." 

Lee Sang-ryol, the ministry's director-general for Asian and Pacific affairs, summoned to the ministry Hirohisa Soma, deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to lodge a protest.

Japanese Minister of Defense Nobuo Kishi on July 13 unveiled this year's defense white paper in a Cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

The paper is an annual series of documents through which the Japanese Ministry of Defense outlines its national security environment and defense policy. The latest edition said "territorial issues related to the Japanese territory of the Northern Territories (the four Kuril Islands of Russia) and Takeshima (the Japanese name for Dokdo) remain unresolved." 

Japan's defense white paper for this year released on July 13 claimed Korea's Dokdo Island as Japanese territory. (Japanese Ministry of Defense)

eykim86@korea.kr