South Korea said Tuesday it had protested Japan’s continued territorial claims to the disputed islets located between the two countries. The rocky outcrops are called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, and they remain a persistent source of tension in bilateral relations.

The latest objection from Seoul came after Japan maintained its long-running position on the islets. South Korea rejects those claims and treats Dokdo as its territory, making any renewed assertion by Tokyo a sensitive diplomatic issue.

The dispute over Dokdo/Takeshima has resurfaced repeatedly over the years, often straining ties between Seoul and Tokyo. Because the matter touches on sovereignty and national identity, even routine statements can trigger formal protests and sharpen political friction.

Tuesday’s development shows that the territorial disagreement remains unresolved despite broader efforts to manage relations between the two neighbors. As long as both sides continue to restate opposing claims, the islets are likely to remain a recurring flashpoint.