S. Korean president’s gift renews island rift

By Hiroshi Uesugi / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

11:18 JST, January 22, 2022

SEOUL — A gift box from President Moon Jae-in to ambassadors and foreign media in South Korea with what appears to be a depiction of the disputed Sea of Japan island of Takeshima on the cover has drawn a strong protest from the Japanese government.

The Japanese Embassy in Seoul said Friday it was presented with the gift, given in the names of Moon and his wife to mark the Lunar New Year, but refused to accept it.

The embassy conveyed Japan’s position of sovereignty over Takeshima, which is located in Shimane Prefecture, and lodged a strong protest.

The island is called Dokdo in South Korea.