Japan: "Korea Conducted Unauthorized Marine Surveys After New Government Inauguration... Relentlessly Tarnishing Our Prime Minister's Reputation"

Matsuno Hirokazu, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Amid Japan's claim that a South Korean vessel entered and navigated within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) located south of Dokdo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rebutted, calling it "legitimate activity."

Matsuno Hirokazu, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated at a press conference on the 17th, "A South Korean state-owned company conducted marine surveys within Japan's EEZ south of Takeshima," adding, "The Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel took appropriate measures in the area."

He continued, "We have conveyed to the South Korean side that we cannot tolerate survey activities by South Korean vessels within Japan's EEZ," but also said, "We have not confirmed whether marine surveys were conducted within our EEZ by the vessel in question."

Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa also attended a House of Councillors committee meeting that day and reported, "The Japan Coast Guard took measures such as issuing warnings to the South Korean survey vessel." Many lawmakers commented, "This incident occurred around the time of the inauguration of South Korea's new government."

In this context, Sato Masahisa, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized at an internal party meeting, "(South Korea's provocation) is no exaggeration to say it mercilessly smeared Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's reputation."

He also raised issues regarding the timing of the South Korean marine survey vessel's navigation, which occurred while Foreign Minister Hayashi was visiting South Korea to attend President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' failure to proactively disclose the matter, urging, "We must ensure this never happens again, and if it recurs, respond firmly."

In response, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated regarding the Sankei Shimbun report titled "South Korea Conducts Unauthorized Survey in Takeshima (竹島, the name Japan claims for Dokdo) EEZ," "The government holds the position that Japan's objections to legitimate activities conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and relevant domestic laws are unacceptable."

Meanwhile, South Korea and Japan have not finalized the EEZ boundary in the East Sea, resulting in overlapping claims over certain maritime areas.