Japan Protests South Korea's Military Drills on Disputed Islands

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Friday, that it has "lodged a protest with South Korea regarding military drills conducted on the disputed islands," stating that it is "extremely regrettable." In a statement, it was disclosed that a senior diplomat from the South Korean embassy in Tokyo was summoned, and the Japanese embassy in Seoul also summoned a senior South Korean official to deliver the protest. The ministry added: "Takeshima is undoubtedly an essential part of Japanese territory, in light of historical facts and based on international law... The drills carried out by the South Korean military are unacceptable." Japan and South Korea have long been embroiled in disputes over sovereignty over a group of small islands known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, located in the middle of the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea. A South Korean military official stated: "The military exercises were conducted in the East Sea to fulfill our mission of protecting our territory, people, and property," adding, "The South Korean military conducts military exercises periodically every year."