The presidential office reaffirmed that Dokdo, in the East Sea, is indisputably South Korea’s territory, rejecting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent claim.

A senior presidential official made the comments when asked about Takaichi's remarks on Tuesday, stating that there is no territorial dispute over Dokdo.

Earlier Tuesday, Takaichi told the House of Representatives Budget Committee that Takeshima, Japan’s name for Dokdo, was historically and under international law, Tokyo's territory.

Seoul's presidential office said the islets are an integral part of Korean territory historically, geographically and under international law, and that South Korea will respond sternly to Japan’s unjust claims.

It was the presidential office’s first strongly worded position under President Lee Jae Myung on a sensitive bilateral issue.