South Korea blasts Japan over renewed claims on disputed islets

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea Friday blasted Japan over renewed claims on disputed islets.

“We strongly protest against Japan's unjust claims to Dokdo (islets), which is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically and by international law, and we urge Japan to retract the statement immediately," said Lim Soo-suk, the foreign ministry spokesperson.

Seoul’s broadside at Tokyo came following Japan’s renewed claims in its latest defense white paper over South Korea-controlled islets, according to Yonhap News.

Tokyo said the disputed islets were part of its own territory and the issue with Seoul "still remains unresolved."

Japan refers to the islets as Takeshima and claims them as its territory, while Seoul calls them Dokdo islets.

“South Korea will take stern action against any action by Japan in relation to Dokdo and Tokyo's claims to the islets do little to change the fact that it belongs to South Korea,” Lim said.

He called on Tokyo to “realize” that claims on the disputed islets “do not help efforts to move bilateral relations forward in a future-oriented manner.”