Seoul Escalates Dispute Over Contested Islands as Japan Marks Takeshima Day

South Korea has intensified its objections to Japan’s annual commemoration event, escalating tensions over territorial claims in the region. On February 22, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally lodged a protest against Japan’s observance in Shimane Prefecture, signaling deep discontent over what Seoul views as an infringement on its sovereignty.

Japan’s Annual Ceremony Reignites Regional Tensions

The Takeshima Day event, held annually in Shimane Prefecture, has long served as a flashpoint between the two neighboring nations. South Korean officials characterized the commemoration as a challenge to their nation’s territorial integrity, prompting an immediate response from government authorities. The ministry’s official statement emphasized that the ceremony represents an unreasonable assertion of claims over territory that Seoul insists belongs exclusively to the Korean peninsula.

South Korea Reaffirms Its Sovereignty Position

Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly-worded statement reaffirming that Dokdo—the Korean name for the disputed islands—constitutes an unquestionable part of South Korean territory. The government grounded its assertion in historical precedent, geographical evidence, and established international law principles. Officials called on the Japanese government to discontinue what they consider provocative commemorative activities and to acknowledge Seoul’s legitimate sovereignty claim.

A Long-Standing Maritime Territorial Conflict

The dispute over these strategic islands in the Sea of Japan remains one of the most persistent conflicts affecting bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo. To reinforce its territorial claim, South Korea maintains a permanent police presence on the islands, a visible manifestation of its commitment to defending sovereignty. The ongoing disagreement reflects deeper historical tensions and competing interpretations of diplomatic agreements, making the annual Takeshima Day ceremony a recurring diplomatic flashpoint that strains relations between the two East Asian nations.