North Gyeongsang Province strongly condemned Japan’s claim to Dokdo, islands also known as the Liancourt Rocks, as reiterated in the 2026 Defense White Paper released on June 4th. The province views the assertion of Japanese sovereignty over Dokdo as unacceptable and has demanded its immediate retraction. This is not the first time Japan has made such claims in its defense reports, consistently sparking outrage from South Korea. Officials in North Gyeongsang Province emphasized Dokdo’s clear historical, geographical, and international legal basis as Korean territory. They stressed that Japan's continued claims undermine trust and hinder regional stability. The province plans to continue its efforts to reinforce its sovereignty over the islands and counter Japanese assertions through diplomatic and public awareness campaigns. The renewed dispute is expected to further strain relations between South Korea and Japan.