Seoul: South Korea conducted regular defense drills near its easternmost islets of Dokdo on Thursday, a military official confirmed. This event marked the first such exercise conducted under the administration of Lee Jae Myung.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Navy and Coast Guard were involved in the exercises in the East Sea, which are part of regular drills designed to defend South Korea's territory and protect its citizens' properties. Unlike previous drills, the exercise did not involve the Marine Corps, maintaining a scope similar to the biannual drills from the previous year.

Historically, some of these drills have included fighter jets and landing maneuvers on the islets. However, recent exercises have been carried out with a more subdued approach. Dokdo remains a contentious issue between South Korea and Japan, as Tokyo continues to assert its sovereignty claims in policy documents, public statements, and educational materials.

The recent drills were conducted just two days after South Korean foreign and defense ministries summoned Japanese Embassy officials in Seoul to express objections following Japan's reiterated territorial claims to Dokdo in this year's defense white paper. In response to South Korea's defense activities, Japan has previously issued complaints through diplomatic channels.

South Korea has maintained effective control over Dokdo, with a small police presence, since the end of Japan's colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. The nation initiated defense drills in the area in 1986 and has conducted them biannually since 2003. The last exercise occurred in December.