South Korea Protests Japanese Event Over Disputed Islands

South Korea has lodged a strong diplomatic protest against a Japanese government‑linked event that it says promotes an unjust territorial claim over a fiercely contested group of islands — a flashpoint in relations between the two Asian neighbours that reflects deep historical wounds and ongoing geopolitical tension.
Investing.com
The islands at the heart of the dispute are known in Korea as Dokdo and in Japan as Takeshima. The rocky outcrops lie in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) and have strategic significance due to nearby fishing grounds and possible natural gas hydrate resources. Although South Korea maintains effective control, stationing a police detachment on the islands, Japan continues to assert sovereignty.
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‘Takeshima Day’ Event Spurs Protest
On 22 February 2026, authorities in Shimane Prefecture in western Japan held an annual “Takeshima Day” event to commemorate its claim over the disputed islands — a date marking when Tokyo first incorporated the islets into its administrative framework in 1905. The ceremony has been observed by the Japanese prefectural government since 2006 and often draws national attention.
Seoul Economic Daily
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “strong objection” to the event and was particularly critical of the attendance of a senior Japanese government official, saying annual ceremonies like this “constitute an unjust assertion of sovereignty over South Korean territory.” The ministry urged Japan to abolish the event immediately and cease what it described as “groundless claims” over the islets.
Seoul Economic Daily
Formal Diplomatic Protest
In a formal diplomatic move, Seoul summoned Hirotaka Matsuo, the deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to lodge its protest. South Korean officials told the Japanese envoy that Dokdo is “clearly our territory historically, geographically and under international law” and warned that continued assertions increase friction between the two neighbours.
koreatimes.co.kr
The protest comes amid simmering tensions rooted in a fraught history — especially Japan’s colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, which left deep scars and mistrust. Territorial disputes like Dokdo/Takeshima remain highly symbolic for many Koreans, who view Japanese claims as a denial of that painful history.
A Persistent Source of Strain
Although the Takeshima/Dokdo dispute involves a tiny cluster of rocky outcrops, it continues to strain diplomatic relations and complicate broader cooperation on security, trade, and regional diplomacy. South Korean leaders argue that Japan’s repeated claims — in events, policy documents, and public statements — undermine trust and hinder efforts to build forward‑looking ties.
Investing.com
In recent years, similar protests have flared when Tokyo has included the islets in official policy papers or when Japanese lawmakers or ministers have reaffirmed claims in speeches. Seoul has responded with diplomacy and public statements asserting control and invoking historical, geographical, and international legal bases for its position.
Economic and Strategic Dimensions
Beyond historical and legal arguments, the dispute has economic and strategic implications. The waters surrounding Dokdo/Takeshima are rich in fishery resources sought by both countries’ fishing fleets. Seoul has also cited potential subsea natural gas hydrate deposits that could be worth billions of dollars, adding an element of economic stake to an already emotional dispute.
Military and diplomatic cooperation between Japan and South Korea — both key U.S. allies in maintaining stability in Northeast Asia — has faced periodic setbacks due to unresolved historical and territorial issues. These disputes have at times derailed broader strategic dialogues, including trilateral cooperation involving the United States on regional security challenges.
Calls for a New Approach
South Korean officials and analysts alike say sustained friction over territorial claims hampers both countries’ ability to work together on pressing regional issues such as North Korea’s nuclear programme, China’s rise, and economic integration. Some experts suggest that reframing historical disputes in forums of shared education and cultural exchange could foster better mutual understanding, though progress remains slow.
For now, Dokdo/Takeshima remains a potent symbol of unresolved history and competing national narratives. South Korea’s latest protest underscores how even routine local events in Japan can trigger significant diplomatic pushback in Seoul — and how territorial disputes, however longstanding, can continue to shape bilateral relationships in East Asia.