<Anchor>
It is said that the Japanese ambassador to Korea sent President Moon Jae-in a gift for the Lunar New Year holiday, that is, sent it back as is.
The gift box had an island and a sunrise scene painted on it, which is why it was reminiscent of Dokdo.
Our government replied that Dokdo is clearly our territory.
This is reporter Bae Jun-woo.
<Reporter> The
Blue House recently sent gifts to embassies in Korea under the names of President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-suk on the occasion of the Lunar New Year holidays.
Traditional wines such as Gimpo Munbaeju, honey, chestnuts, and plum juice are included.
It was sent to 15,000 people, including ambassadors from various countries, every year on Lunar New Year and Chuseok, and Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Aiboshi returned this gift to the Blue House yesterday (21st).
It is said that it was because of the picture of Dokdo on the gift box, and the Japanese media reported it all at once.
When I checked directly with the Japanese embassy in Korea, they repeated the forced claim.
The gift box picture is reminiscent of Dokdo, where the sun rises first in Korea.
[An official from the Japanese Embassy in Korea: There is a picture that can be seen as Dokdo (Takeshima), but Japan's position on Dokdo (Takeshima) is summarized and returned...
.]
It is known that the Japanese embassy also delivered a protest that "it is unacceptable", saying, "Even in light of historical facts, it is Japan's own territory even under international law."
Some analysts say that the Japanese ambassador's actions include the Japanese government's intention to forcibly highlight the Dokdo issue.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not comment on the return of the gift, but made a brief position that "Dokdo is our own territory that is clear historically, geographically and under international law."
The Blue House also said that there is no need to make a special position.
(Video editing: Jeong Seong-hoon, CG: Choi Ha-neul)