South Korea asserts islet claim heightening tensions with Japan

Seen as an unmistakable assertion of Seoul’s sovereignty over the territory, the trip is expected to worsen the already strained relationship between the two countries.

Japan’s Prime Minster responded with strong protests, saying Tokyo will be resolute, and recalling its ambassador from Seoul.

The dispute over the islets, called Takeshima in Japan, comes at the center of a growing security alliance between South Korea, Japan, and the United States. Analysts suggest the dispute will also hinder US goals of strengthened trilateral relations.

Lee is the first South Korean president to visit Dokdo, gaining praise from his ruling party while receiving criticism from the opposition party, which characterized the trip as a ploy to deflect recent failures by the administration. Meanwhile, the situation has been aggravated by unconfirmed reports.

Japanese media reported that Seoul notified Tokyo of the planned visit but South Korean officials rejected those reports. The unprecedented landmark trip comes days before Korea’s Liberation Day, celebrating Korea’s independence from Japan after thirty-six years of colonial rein.