(Photo: Yonhap)
Japan reportedly called off agreed-upon talks between President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga during the Group of Seven summit due to South Korea's regular exercise to defend its easternmost islets of Dokdo.
An official from Seoul's foreign ministry, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Yonhap News on Monday that the tentative meeting between the two leaders had fallen through.
"We think it is regrettable that the Japanese side did not respond to the pull-aside plan, which the two sides had agreed on at a working level, due to the annual drills to safeguard the East Sea territory."
The official was referring to the military maneuvers that South Korea conducts twice a year to strengthen the defense of Dokdo.
Japan has persistently laid claim to the islets, which it calls Takeshima.
Tensions over the rocky outcroppings reignited recently, as Dokdo appeared on the map of the route of the Tokyo Olympic torch relay, sparking concerns that such a move could undermine the Olympic spirit.
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