South Korea has issued a formal protest against Japan's renewed territorial claims to the islets known as Dokdo in Seoul and Takeshima in Tokyo, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two East Asian neighbors. The dispute centers on a cluster of islets in the Sea of Japan, which both nations assert historical and legal rights over.
In a statement released on February 20, 2026, South Korea's foreign ministry condemned remarks made by Japan's foreign minister during a Diet session reiterating Tokyo's claims. The ministry labeled the assertions "unjust" and demanded their immediate retraction, emphasizing that such claims "will have no impact whatsoever on South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo."
The statement underscored Seoul's resolve to "firmly respond to any provocations," urging Japan to recognize that persistent claims over the territory hinder efforts to build "future-oriented relations." South Korea maintains that its sovereignty is irrefutable under historical, geographical, and international legal frameworks.
Observers note that the dispute risks complicating bilateral cooperation on regional security and economic initiatives. The islets have long been a flashpoint, with South Korea stationing a small police force there since 1954.
