South Korea strongly protests Japanese defense white paper’s territorial claim to Dokdo

South Korea lodged a strong protest against Japan's repeated claim of sovereignty over Dokdo, which was reiterated in Japan's annual defense white paper released on August 4, 2026. The South Korean government urged Japan to immediately withdraw the assertion, which it deems unjust and contrary to historical, geographical, and international legal evidence.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Park Doo-soon stated that the Republic of Korea (ROK) government unequivocally maintains that Dokdo is an integral part of its territory. He emphasized that Japan's claims have no bearing on South Korea's sovereignty and vowed a firm response to any future provocations. To formally convey this protest, the ministry summoned Kazuo Chujo, the deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.

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The government of the Republic of Korea strongly protests against the Japanese government's repeated inclusion of unjust sovereignty claims over Dokdo, which is clearly an integral part of the ROK territory historically, geographically and under international law, in the ‘Defense of Japan 202’ released on Aug. 4, 2026. The ROK government urges the Japanese government to immediately withdraw such claims.

The 2026 "Defense of Japan" white paper, approved by the Japanese Cabinet, refers to territorial disputes concerning "Japan's inherent territories," specifically naming the Northern Territories and Takeshima (Japan's name for Dokdo). Maps within the white paper label Dokdo as "territorial dispute surrounding Takeshima Island" and depict it within Japan's territorial waters and air defense identification zone, despite its location within South Korea's ADIZ.

This marks the 22nd consecutive year since 2005 that Japan has included such claims in its defense white paper. Despite these territorial assertions, the Japanese government also described South Korea as a "partner and important neighbor" with whom Japan must collaborate on international tasks. The paper also expressed concern over Japan's expanding maritime military influence and outlined plans for cooperation with allies.

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The ROK government makes it clear once again that the Japanese government’s unjust claims over Dokdo do not have any impact on the ROK’s sovereignty over it, and that the ROK government will continue to respond firmly to any of Japan’s provocations over Dokdo.