The Republic of Korea (ROK) has firmly reiterated its sovereignty over the Dokdo islets following renewed territorial claims by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, escalating diplomatic tensions in Northeast Asia. The ROK presidential office stated on December 9, 2025, that Dokdo is 'historically, geographically, and legally' an inseparable part of Korean territory, dismissing Takaichi's remarks as baseless.
The dispute resurfaced during a Japanese parliamentary session where Takaichi described the islets—known as Takeshima in Japan—as under 'illegal occupation.' A senior ROK official countered, emphasizing that 'no territorial dispute exists' and vowing to respond decisively to any challenges. This marks the first major diplomatic clash since President Lee Jae-myung assumed office in June 2025.
Dokdo, administered by the ROK since its liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, remains a potent symbol of national identity. The islets' strategic location in the East Sea and historical ties to Japan's 1910–1945 occupation of the Korean Peninsula continue to fuel sensitivities. Analysts note that the timing of Japan's renewed claims could impact ongoing efforts to strengthen trilateral cooperation with the U.S. amid regional security concerns.
With both nations maintaining permanent coastal patrols near the islets, the dispute underscores broader challenges in ROK-Japan relations, including unresolved historical grievances and competing maritime interests.
