The military occupation of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, though as an isolated incident of no concern to us, has many in the public and official halls of power due to the implications it poses for our own territorial sovereignty. The complicity of Washington in the action is also especially worrying to Korean officials. However, Tokyo’s announcement of its enhanced prioritisation of territorial integrity has been cause for alarm nationally. Although analysts suspect it to be aimed towards Russia, we cannot remain complacent, lest the beast come knocking when we least expect it. The Dokdo Islands, a core territory of the Republic of Korea, have for decades been wrongfully claimed by Tokyo even after they were successfully recaptured from Japanese imperialist aggression. Members of Lee’s cabinet and the national security community have privately expressed concern that this massive win for Japan may embolden them to press their illegitimate claims over the Dokdo Islands more aggressively, and that preparations should be made to strengthen our position in the area. President Lee, although distrusting of Japan, is apprehensive about provoking Tokyo too much during a time in which South Korea must keep all doors for cooperation open, but has assured the National Assembly that he was ready to respond sufficiently if Japan turned its ire towards Seoul. The public, however, has been less kind. South Korean tabloids have been running scare pieces on the issue, including a cartoon depicting the Japanese Prime Minister pushing over a series of dominos, the smallest labelled ‘Senkaku Islands’ and the final domino labelled ‘Asia’, while a caricature of Uncle Sam pats him reassuringly on the shoulder. Protests outside the Japanese embassy, although a regular occurrence, have seen a swell in numbers, with placards ranging from ‘Hands off Korea’ to support for reparations for comfort women. Fearing a violent altercation causing a diplomatic incident, police have been deployed to maintain a perimeter around the building, but rocks and bottles have still made it over the embassy walls on occasion.

To Japan

The Japanese Ambassador has been summoned before the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has reminded them that Seoul considers the Dokdo Islands core Korean territory and will treat them as such. They have reiterated that although Japan is considered a potentially important cooperation partner in the region, recent statements by the Japanese Government have aggressive connotations that have been cause for concern for the new administration. The Minister is seeking assurances that at least the status quo will be maintained in regards to the ongoing dispute over the islands and states that failure to do so will result in appropriate action from Korean authorities.

To The United States

The Foreign Affairs Minister has also requested a meeting with the American Ambassador to discuss the issue. They seek to reassure Washington that Seoul will not currently escalate the dispute unprovoked, but insists that the US either support legitimate Korean sovereignty or reassure the Lee administration that they will remain neutral on the issue. They also remind the Ambassador that if trilateral cooperation is to occur, Tokyo cannot be allowed to press its illegal claims.