South Korea has doubled down on its sovereignty over the Dokdo islets after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reignited tensions by calling the territory part of Japan's "inherent lands." The ROK presidential office declared Tuesday that "no debate exists" about the East Sea islands, calling Japan's claims "historically baseless."
Why This Matters in 2025
This clash comes as President Lee Jae-myung’s administration marks its first major diplomatic challenge since taking office in June. With both nations hosting major global events this year – including Osaka’s 2025 World Expo – the dispute could strain economic and cultural ties.
Flashpoint of History
Dokdo (called Takeshima in Japan) has been under ROK control since 1945, when Korea broke free from Japanese colonial rule. Many Koreans view Tokyo’s claims as reopening old wounds: "It’s like arguing about who owns a stolen family heirloom," said Seoul National University historian Park Ji-young.
What’s Next?
While Japan plans to "reinforce its position globally," South Korea has deployed coast guard units to the islets. As TikTok videos of Dokdo’s rocky shores trend locally, analysts warn the dispute could chill cooperation on shared challenges like North Korea’s missile tests.
