South Korea Denounces Japan's Takeshima Claim, Vows Firm Response

South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a separate briefing that Dokdo is clearly South Korean territory, from historical, geographical, and international-law perspectives, and pledged to respond firmly to any unfounded Japanese claim. The ruling party denounced the remarks as irresponsible and provocative.

Kim Nam-kook, a spokesperson for the ruling Democratic Party, criticized the Japanese prime minister’s stance in writing, saying that Sanae Takai’s assertion that Dokdo is Japanese territory and his pledge to inform the international community amount to a naked territorial provocation that denies historical facts and international law. He stressed that Dokdo is not a subject for negotiation or dispute.

According to reports, Takai made the claim during the lower house Budget Committee on the 12th, arguing that he would make sure the international community recognizes Dokdo as Japanese territory.

Takai also spoke about the prospect of sending government ministers to Takeshima Day events, saying that the environment should be created to realize such a plan in the future. He had previously suggested that, in the past, minister-level officials could attend Takeshima Day rather than lower-ranking officials.

Since Takai became prime minister last October, the Takeshima Day ceremony held on the 22nd of last month saw attendance by a deputy-level official, in line with established practice. The previous consideration of elevating attendance to a ministerial level had not occurred in that ceremony.

Dokdo, known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan, are a pair of islets in the Sea of Japan/East Sea that are claimed by both countries. Seoul administers the islets and emphasizes Korea’s sovereignty, while Tokyo asserts its own claims. The dispute remains a touchstone of national identity and regional diplomacy.

The issue matters to the United States because it touches the core security framework in East Asia. A sustained dispute between two U.S. allies—the United States, Japan, and South Korea—can complicate alliance coordination on deterrence against North Korea, regional defense planning, and broader economic and technology supply chains. In addition, rhetoric over sovereignty can affect regional stability, investment, and the reliability of partner ties that Washington counts on for a united approach to regional security and trade.