Statement of Condemnation
- 1.Gyeongsangbuk-do strongly protests against Japans baseless claims pertaining to Dokdo Island, an inherent territory of the Republic of Korea, in the 2023 Defense of Japan White Paper published by the Japanese government, and demands the immediate withdrawal of such claims.
- 2.Together with the citizens of Gyeongsangbuk-do, we strongly condemn the continued attempts at distorting history and provoking a territorial conflict against Dokdo Island, an inherent territory of the Republic of Korea, which the Japanese government repeats every year through its Defense of Japan White Paper.
- 3.As the Provincial Governor entrusted with the governance of Dokdo, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, I declare once again to the global community that Dokdo Island has historically been and continues to be the sovereign territory of Korea both geographically and under international law.
- 4.The Japanese government must immediately cease its absurd and baseless claims over Dokdo Island, and take the lead in improving Korea-Japan relations by reflecting on its misdeeds in the face of historical truths.
July 28, 2023
Lee Cheol-Woo Governor, Gyeongsangbuk-do