Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Chairman Park Seongman: "Dokdo Was, Is, and Will Remain Territory of the Republic of Korea"

Condemning Japan's "Takeshima Day" Event
Calling for a "Firm Diplomatic Response"

The Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (Chairman Park Seongman) issued a statement expressing deep regret over Shimane Prefecture in Japan holding the so-called "Takeshima Day" event on the 22nd, and calling for the immediate repeal of the "Takeshima Ordinance," which embodies a distorted perception of Dokdo.

Since enacting the "Takeshima Day" ordinance in 2005, Shimane Prefecture has continued to hold related events every year from 2006 onward, repeatedly making unilateral territorial claims over Dokdo. In particular, from 2024 it has further fueled controversy by selling so-called "Takeshima Curry" at the prefectural government cafeteria, which features curry shaped like the East Sea and a flag reading "Takeshima (竹島)" planted on a model of Dokdo.

Park Seongman, Chairman of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council

Chairman Park Seongman stated, "Using food, which is part of everyday life, as a medium to express a particular view of history can cause pain and concern to the people of neighboring countries," adding, "We need to seriously reflect on whether such attempts truly contribute to mutual understanding between Korea and Japan and to building a future-oriented relationship."

Chairman Park also said, "Dokdo was, is, and will continue to be the territory of the Republic of Korea, and I hope that the government and diplomatic authorities will continue to respond calmly yet firmly through diplomacy grounded in principle."

Yeon Gyusik, Chairman of the Special Committee for the Protection of Dokdo of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, pointed out, "Issues of history must be addressed based on facts and a responsible attitude, not distortion; otherwise, the burden will ultimately be passed on to future generations." He went on to stress, "Any challenge to the sovereignty and territory of the Republic of Korea is absolutely unacceptable," adding, "Shimane Prefecture must repeal the 'Takeshima Ordinance,' and the Japanese government must also fully recognize the serious impact that Shimane Prefecture's actions may have on bilateral relations."