According to Yonhap, the South Korean government expressed strong protest on April 4 against Japan's release of a 'Defense White Paper' asserting sovereignty over Dokdo (known as 'Takeyama' in Japan), and urged Japan to immediately withdraw its claims. This is the 22nd consecutive year since 2005 that Japan has asserted Dokdo's sovereignty in its 'Defense White Paper'.
According to Park Doo-chun, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, at a regular press conference on the same day, from historical, geographical, and international law perspectives, Dokdo is undoubtedly part of South Korean territory. The Japanese government has repeatedly claimed sovereignty over Dokdo in its 'Defense White Paper'. South Korea strongly protests this claim and urges the Japanese government to immediately withdraw such claims.
The South Korean government reaffirms that any improper claims by Japan will not affect South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo. In response to any provocations from Japan regarding Dokdo, South Korea will resolutely counter them.
According to reports, the Korean Foreign Ministry summoned the Chief Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Korea, Nakao Kazuo, that afternoon to express protest to the Japanese side.
