Japan Strongly Protests South Korean Research Vessel's Activities Near Dokdo

The Japanese government announced that it has lodged a strong protest against South Korea, claiming that a South Korean research vessel is conducting marine research activities around Dokdo.

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 7th that it confirmed the South Korean research vessel Tamhae 3 lowering a wire-like object into the water within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) west of Takeshima (Japan's name for Dokdo).

The ministry added that there was no prior consent or application from the South Korean side regarding the vessel's research activities.

Regarding these research activities, the ministry stated that Masaaki Kanai, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed to Minister-Counselor Lee Sang-ryeol at the South Korean Embassy in Japan that conducting the survey without prior consent is unacceptable and strongly protested. At the same time, Kazuo Chujo, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in South Korea, delivered a similar strong protest to Lee Min-kyung, Director-General for Asian and Pacific Affairs at South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Japanese government, which claims sovereignty over Dokdo, routinely protests whenever South Korea conducts marine research around the islands.

In response, the South Korean government has consistently rejected Tokyo's claims, stating each time that Dokdo is undeniably an inherent territory of South Korea historically, geographically, and under international law, and that any claims by Japan regarding territorial sovereignty are completely unacceptable.

(Photo provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk's research team at Sungshin Women's University, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.