Claiming 'Dokdo is Japanese Territory' Again in Japan's Diplomatic Bluebook
Foreign Ministry Strongly Protests by Summoning Japanese Consul General
Positive Evaluation for Designating Korea as a 'Partner'
The South Korean government immediately urged Japan to retract its claim in the 16th diplomatic white paper that Dokdo is Japanese territory.
In a statement issued under the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on the same day, the government said, "We strongly protest 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 white paper released on the 16th, and we urge an immediate retraction."
It added, "The government once again makes it clear that any claims by the Japanese government regarding Dokdo, which is the inherent territory of the Republic of Korea, have no impact whatsoever on our sovereignty, and we will continue to respond firmly in the future."
Earlier, Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko reported the '2024 Diplomatic White Paper' at the Cabinet meeting, which included the claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory. The diplomatic white paper, published annually by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April, records recent international situations and Japan's diplomatic activities.
Japan has repeatedly claimed in the diplomatic white paper that "in light of historical facts and international law, Dokdo is Japan's inherent territory."
On the morning of the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Miwae Daisuke, the Charg? d'Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Korea, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to lodge a protest. When entering the building, Miwae did not respond to reporters' questions about what he would say.
Relatives of victims forcibly mobilized during the Japanese colonial period are celebrating after the Supreme Court ruling on the appeal trial of the damages claim lawsuit filed against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and others, held on the morning of December 28 last year at the Supreme Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Through the diplomatic white paper, the Japanese government also stated that it "cannot accept" the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling ordering Japanese defendant companies to compensate victims in lawsuits related to forced mobilization during the Japanese colonial period.
Regarding this, Im Suseok, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requested at a regular briefing that Japan inherit the awareness of past cabinets and allow the establishment of a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship.
He explained, "I understand that a significant portion of the diplomatic white paper is devoted to the South Korean government's solution regarding the Supreme Court ruling on forced mobilization announced on March 6 last year," adding, "It also includes content that Japan inherits the historical awareness of past cabinets, including the Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi joint declaration."
He continued, "The government hopes that Japan will continue to firmly inherit the historical awareness of past cabinets it has expressed so far and work to develop a future-oriented bilateral relationship," emphasizing, "Our government will continue efforts to ensure the smooth recovery of damages for victims in accordance with the purpose of the forced mobilization solution."
Meanwhile, spokesperson Im positively evaluated Japan's designation of South Korea as a "partner" in the diplomatic white paper for the first time in 14 years.
He said, "We see some improvement in the description related to South Korea compared to the previous year, including newly adding the term 'partner' to define the relationship with South Korea," and added, "Ahead of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, we hope both countries will closely cooperate to build a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship."
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