Seoul Fires Back at Tokyo’s Latest Territorial Move
South Korea has slammed Japan’s renewed claims to the East Sea islets known as Dokdo (in Korea) and Takeshima (in Japan), calling the move a major setback for regional diplomacy. The dispute flared up this week after Japan’s foreign minister reiterated the territorial stance during a Diet speech. 🇰🇷⚔️🇯🇵
‘No Compromise on Sovereignty’
South Korea’s foreign ministry issued a fiery statement on February 20, demanding Japan immediately retract its claims. "Dokdo is clearly our territory—historically, geographically, and legally," the ministry declared, vowing to respond firmly to any provocations. The rocky islets, located halfway between the two nations, are home to Korean residents and guarded by South Korean police.
A Stumbling Block for Relations
Analysts say the spat could strain efforts to improve Seoul-Tokyo ties, which had warmed recently over economic cooperation. The ministry warned Japan that such claims "undermine trust" and urged Tokyo to focus on building a "future-oriented partnership." Meanwhile, social media in both countries lit up with hashtags like #DokdoIsOurs and #TakeshimaTruth.
