SEOUL – South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lodged a strong protest against Japan's hosting of the annual 'Takeshima Day' event, which marks Japan's claim to the disputed islets of Dokdo, known as Takeshima in Japan. The event, held on February 22nd in Matsue, the capital of Shimane Prefecture, saw the attendance of a high-ranking Japanese government official, further fueling tensions between the two nations.

In a statement released on the same day, the South Korean Foreign Ministry urged Japan to immediately abolish the event, reiterating its stance that Dokdo is an "inseparable part of the sovereign territory of the Republic of Korea." The ministry's spokesperson emphasized that Japan should cease its "unjustifiable claims" over Dokdo and instead adopt a "humble attitude" towards history.

The 'Takeshima Day' event has been held annually since 2006, following the enactment of a local ordinance by the Shimane Prefectural government in 2005. The move was widely seen as a response to South Korea's increasing efforts to assert its sovereignty over Dokdo.

Dokdo, a group of rocky islets located in the East Sea (Sea of Japan), has long been a point of contention between South Korea and Japan. South Korea maintains that it has historical and legal ownership of the islets, while Japan continues to assert its claims. The issue remains a significant obstacle in the already strained relations between the two countries.