1. The Japanese government’s announcement on February 5 of its plan to create an office to oversee territorial issues is a deeply regrettable move demonstrating its failure to fully repent for its imperialist past. The Government of the Republic of Korea strongly protests this regressive move and demands that Japan immediately withdraw it.

2. It is an indisputable fact that Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory, historically, geographically, and under international law. Therefore, there is no territorial dispute between the ROK and Japan. The ROK government strongly calls on the Japanese government to stop laying hollow claims to Korean territory, look squarely at its past and work with sincerity to settle issues caused by its past wrongdoings.

                         Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation