Seoul has denounced Tokyo’s fresh claim to South Korea's Dokdo islets. 

In a spokesperson’s statement on Monday, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said it strongly protests a repetition of unjust claims on Dokdo, which is sovereign South Korean territory historically, geographically and according to international law, and gravely demands an immediate withdrawal of the claim. 

It also called on the Japanese government to immediately stop its vain efforts regarding the South Korean islets and deeply reflect on how the right historical perception is the cornerstone of future-oriented relations between the two countries. 

The remarks were made in response to Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who claimed Takeshima, the Japanese name for Dokdo, belongs to his country during the Japanese Diet’s regular session earlier in the day.

It's the eighth straight year since 2014 that Tokyo's top diplomat has made the territorial claim during the annual speech outlining the direction in diplomatic policies.

Motegi also criticized a recent South Korean court ruling that ordered Tokyo to compensate sex slavery victims, saying it is "very regrettable" and a "totally unthinkable" situation in terms of international law and bilateral ties. 

In return, the South Korean Foreign Ministry urged Japan to work together to restore the honor and dignity of the South Korean victims based on its promise to bear the responsibility over the matter in a 2015 bilateral deal.