The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 25 issued a statement expressing its "deep regret" over Japan's approval of a textbook with inaccurate claims on Dokdo Island. (Korea Heritage Service)

By Lee Dasom

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 25 expressed "deep regret" over the approval of a Japanese school textbook with inaccurate claims on Dokdo Island and urged an immediate correction.

"We have made it clear that any Japanese claim on Dokdo Island is unacceptable," a ministry statement said. "We express deep regret over the Japanese government's tolerance of a textbook containing many inaccurate historical content such as on the comfort women victims of the Japanese military and forced labor, as well as descriptions downplaying the nature of coercion."

"We urge the Japanese government to sincerely uphold the spirit of apology and reflection on the past that it has previously acknowledged," it added. "Since future-oriented bilateral relations must be based on a correct understanding of history, we expect a responsible attitude by the Japanese government toward the education of future generations."

Earlier that day, the Japanese government approved a high school textbook with inaccurate information on Dokdo.

dlektha0319@korea.kr