South Korea has strongly denounced the Japanese foreign minister's remarks that his country will not back down from its territorial claims to the Dokdo islets.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Seoul's Foreign Ministry spokesman said Seoul will not tolerate the "groundless claims" and will firmly respond to any attempts by the Japanese government to undermine South Korea's territorial sovereignty over Dokdo.
The statement said the Japanese government is again raising outrageous claims in contrast to its pledge to work toward improving bilateral relations.
Speaking to lawmakers Tuesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida called South Korea's easternmost Dokdo islets Japanese territory and said Japan will consistently convey its claim over Dokdo.
 "Facebook")
