Japan protests reported Korean military drill for defense of Dokdo islets

This aerial photo shows Korea's easternmost Dokdo Islets, taken on Sept. 2, 2021. Korea Times file

Japan lodged a stern protest with the Korean embassy in Tokyo and Korea's foreign ministry over a military drill reportedly practising the defence of disputed islands, the Japanese government said Friday.

The two nations have long been at loggerheads over the sovereignty of the group of islets called Dokdo in Korean, which lie about halfway between the East Asian neighbours in the East Sea.

South Korea's defence ministry said in a statement that the country's military has been conducting a routine military drill for the defence of the islands every year.

The islands are controlled by Seoul but also claimed by Tokyo.

This month's drill by Korea marks the fourth under the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap news agency reported.

Seoul and Tokyo have sought to improve relations, amid shared concerns about China's growing might, dogged by historical disputes stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Yoon has made it a priority to mend ties with Tokyo since taking office in 2022.

Last week, Korea and Japan held high-level economic talks for the first time in eight years. (Reuters)