Cheong Wa Dae denied media reports Friday that Seoul notified Tokyo of President Lee Myung-bak’s trip to Dokdo a day earlier.

An official from the presidential office said it didn’t make sense to inform Japan in advance because the President visited South Korean territory.

“Why would we let Tokyo know of President Lee’s trip to our own territory in advance?” he said asking for anonymity.

Other officials also denied several Japanese media outlets’ report on the alleged notification of the South Korean leader’s unprecedented trip to the islets.

Japan insists that Dokdo is part of its territory.