An unidentified person who is thought to be a Japanese national has committed another form of a hate crime against South Korea in the U.S.

A one-meter long stake was found in New Jersey on Friday, stabbed into the ground just next to a statue honoring women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japan during World War Two. Next to the stake was a sign saying “Dokdo is Japanese territory.”

Another sign carrying the same message was found on top of the statue.

The South Korean society and the city’s authorities condemned the act and said they would work to find the perpetrators behind the act.

Earlier that day before noon, a sticker also bearing the words “Dokdo is Japanese territory” in English was found on the building of the South Korean consulate in New York.

The sticker was 5 square centimeters in size and the consulate has requested the New York police investigate the matter.