Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
South Korea’s Parties Condemn Japan’s Claims to Dokdo
On October 25, South Korea’s two main parties condemned Japan’s claims to Dokdo on the island’s national day.
Dokdo is controlled by South Korea, while Japan also claims sovereignty over it.
South Korea’s Democratic Party said Dokdo is Korean territory and pledged to continue legislative and policy efforts to protect it.
The opposition People Power Party urged the government to go beyond protests and respond more actively to Japan’s claims.
Both parties said Japan’s repeated claims hinder better relations between the countries.
The calls reflect a shared position in South Korea that the country’s sovereignty over Dokdo must be defended.
South Korea’s Democratic Party and People Power Party condemned Japan’s claims to Dokdo on Oct. 25, South Korea’s Dokdo Day.
The Democratic Party said the island is South Korean territory and pledged continued legislative and policy efforts to protect it.
The People Power Party called for the government to respond more actively and uphold firm diplomatic principles.
Both parties thanked members of the Dokdo Guard for protecting the territory.
The parties said Japan had repeated its claims in this year’s diplomatic and defense white papers.
- Who
- South Korea’s Democratic Party and People Power Party.
- What
- Both parties condemned Japan’s claims to Dokdo. The People Power Party also urged a more active government response.
- When
- Oct. 25, South Korea’s Dokdo Day. The article was published in 2026.
- Where
- South Korea; the statements concerned Dokdo.
- Why
- Japan repeated its claims to the island in this year’s diplomatic and defense white papers.
Democratic Party
People Power Party
Government response
Democratic Party
Said the government and party would protect South Korean territorial sovereignty through consistent responses and continued legislative and policy efforts.
People Power Party
Asked whether the government was responding effectively and said it should go beyond simple protests.
Diplomatic approach
Democratic Party
Called for firm principles and a consistent response to Japan’s claims.
People Power Party
Called for firm diplomatic principles and for South Korea’s position to be communicated consistently to the international community.
Japan repeated its claims to Dokdo in its diplomatic and defense white papers.
South Korea’s Democratic Party and People Power Party issued statements condemning Japan’s claims on Dokdo Day.
- Date
- Oct. 25
- Occasion
- South Korea’s Dokdo Day
- Parties
- Democratic Party; People Power Party
- Japanese documents cited
- Diplomatic white paper; defense white paper
- Island
- Dokdo
What people are saying
Dokdo is clearly an inherent territory of the Republic of Korea historically, geographically and under international law.
Repeating them does not change history or shake the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea.
We cannot help but ask whether our government is responding substantively to Japan’s repeated groundless claims each year.
It is necessary to show a clear principle and an active response to protect Dokdo, rather than stopping at mere protests.