The South Korean government has lodged a strong protest against Japan’s persistent sovereignty claim over the Dokdo islets. This comes in response to Japan’s annual Diplomatic Bluebook 2025, which was released on Tuesday and included the same claims that South Korea considers “provocations.”
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry summoned Taisuke Mibae, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, for an official protest. The protest came shortly after Japan’s Foreign Ministry published the annual report, which was also presented to a Cabinet meeting in Tokyo.
Strong Response to Repeated Claims
In its commentary, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry vehemently objected to Japan’s inclusion of sovereignty claims over Dokdo, referring to the islets as “an integral part of South Korean territory.” The government emphasized that the claims were unjust and baseless both historically and under international law.
“The government strongly protests against the Japanese government’s repeated inclusion of unjust sovereignty claims over Dokdo, which is clearly an integral part of our territory,” the statement read. “The government urges the Japanese government to immediately withdraw such claims,” the Ministry added.
In Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook, the islets, known as Dokdo in South Korea, are referred to as Takeshima. Japan’s claim states, “Takeshima is clearly an inherent part of Japan’s territory, both in light of historical facts and under international law.” It further alleges that South Korea continues to “illegally occupy Takeshima.”
South Korea’s Firm Stance
In response, South Korea emphasized its unwavering stance on the issue, asserting that the country would firmly reject any provocations from Japan regarding the sovereignty of the Dokdo islets. South Korea’s commentary explicitly stated, “The government once again clarified that we will respond firmly to any provocation by Japan regarding Dokdo going forward.”
Interestingly, the term “provocation” had been omitted in South Korea’s responses to Japan’s claims in the 2023 and 2024 Diplomatic Bluebooks. However, with the change in administration following the ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, the term made its reappearance in the 2025 response, signaling a shift in tone.
History of Japan’s Claims
Japan has consistently maintained its claims over Dokdo since 2008. This claim asserts that South Korea’s presence on the islets is an illegal occupation. Japan has included this position in its Diplomatic Bluebook annually since 2018, and it has been a point of contention between the two nations for years.
The 2025 edition of the Diplomatic Bluebook continues to reference South Korea’s “illegal occupation” of Takeshima. Japan has published the Diplomatic Bluebook every year since 1957, and its stance on the Dokdo islets has remained unchanged.
Wartime Labor Disputes and Diplomatic Communication
The 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook also mentions the ongoing issue of wartime labor, specifically the successful lawsuits filed by Korean plaintiffs against Japanese companies. It suggests that the matter could be addressed through a third-party reimbursement scheme, which was proposed by the Yoon administration in March 2023. Under this scheme, donations from Korean companies that had benefited from funds provided by Japan under the 1965 treaty are used to compensate the plaintiffs.
Japan’s 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook also reiterates the importance of maintaining strong communication with South Korea. The report emphasized, “The Japanese government will continue to maintain close communication with the South Korean side” on various issues.
A Shift in Language: ‘Partner’ Role for South Korea
The 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook reflects a shift in the language used to describe South Korea. After a notable absence of the term in earlier editions, Japan referred to South Korea as a “partner” for the first time in the 2024 edition. The 2025 version reaffirmed this language, emphasizing the importance of the bilateral relationship.
“South Korea is an important neighboring country with which Japan should cooperate as a partner in addressing various challenges facing the international community,” the 2025 report stated. It also highlighted the continuing importance of Japan-South Korea relations, particularly in light of regional challenges such as North Korea.
Ongoing Tensions
The dispute over the sovereignty of Dokdo remains a major point of contention between South Korea and Japan. Both nations continue to assert their claims, with diplomatic tensions persisting despite efforts to maintain communication and cooperation on other issues. As South Korea protests Japan’s claims in the 2025 Diplomatic Bluebook, it is clear that this longstanding issue is unlikely to be resolved in the immediate future.
