Japan Again 'Distorts Dokdo'... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Summons Japanese Charg? d'Affaires to Urge 'Immediate Retraction' (Comprehensive)

2020 Japan Diplomatic Bluebook Claims 'Takeshima is Japan's Inherent Territory'
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: "Clearly Our Inherent Territory, Will Respond Firmly"
'South Korea is an Important Neighbor' Phrase Revived After 3 Years

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Korea over Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishing the Diplomatic Bluebook, which labels Dokdo as 'Takeshima' and provides an unjust explanation.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 19th, Kim Jeong-han, Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Bureau, called Soma Hirohisa, Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building this morning to lodge a protest.

Director-General Kim is believed to have expressed regret regarding the part of the Japanese Diplomatic Bluebook that labels Dokdo as Takeshima and distorts the explanation. Charg? d'Affaires Soma did not respond to reporters' questions about the Japanese government's position upon entering the building.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs included in the 2020 Diplomatic Bluebook, reported to the Cabinet in writing this morning, the labeling of Dokdo as Takeshima, stating it is Japan's inherent territory and that Korea is illegally occupying it.

In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson also issued a statement urging the immediate withdrawal of the unjust territorial claims over Dokdo. Spokesperson Kim In-cheol said, "We strongly protest and urge the immediate withdrawal of Japan's repeated unjust territorial claims over Dokdo, which is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically, and under international law, as stated in the Diplomatic Bluebook."

He added, "The government once again makes it clear that Japan's unjust claims have no effect on our sovereignty over Dokdo, which is Korea's inherent territory, and we will firmly respond to any provocations regarding Dokdo."

Meanwhile, the Japanese government reinserted the phrase "important neighboring country" referring to Korea in this Diplomatic Bluebook after three years. However, the expression about developing Korea-Japan relations into a new future-oriented era was excluded. The Bluebook also described issues such as GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement), the Japanese military comfort women issue, Korean lawmakers' visits to Dokdo, and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant treated water as unconstructive provocations by Korea, stating that Japan will continue to demand correction of violations of international law and other matters.