Japan Protests South Korean Maritime Research Near Dokdo

Japan has lodged a strong protest against South Korea's maritime research activities near the disputed islets of Dokdo, which Japan claims as its own territory under the name Takeshima.

According to a statement released by Japan's Foreign Ministry on August 7, the Korean research vessel 'Tamhae 3' was observed deploying objects, described as wire-like, into the sea within Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) west of Takeshima. Japan asserts that South Korea did not seek prior consent for this research.

In response to the alleged violation, Masahisa Kanao, Director-General of Japan's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, summoned Lee Sang-ryeol, Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo. Simultaneously, Kazuo Chujo, Minister for Political Affairs at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, conveyed a similar protest to Lee Min-kyung, Director-General of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs's Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau. Both conveyed Japan's strong objection, stating that conducting research in Japan's EEZ without prior approval is unacceptable.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of recurring territorial disputes. Japan reiterated its claim over Dokdo as its inherent territory in its first defense white paper since Prime Minister Fumio Kishida took office. The South Korean government consistently rejects these claims, emphasizing that Dokdo is unequivocally Korean territory based on historical, geographical, and international law principles. Seoul maintains that it cannot accept any Japanese assertions regarding its territorial sovereignty.