Music Group's Japan Tour Promo Map Leaves Out Contested Islets, Drawing Public Outrage

K-pop boy group TREASURE / Courtesy of YG Entertainment

K-pop boy group TREASURE has found itself amidst a brewing controversy after using a promotional map that omitted the easternmost islets of Dokdo, a longstanding area of territorial dispute between Korea and Japan. The incident occurred during a fan event at Ariake Arena in Tokyo where the 10-piece group unveiled the map showcasing cities for their upcoming 2024 Japan tour "Reboot." The map omitted Dokdo, a move that sparked criticism and reignited tensions over this territorial disagreement.

Korea has maintained control over Dokdo, stationing permanent security personnel on the islets since 1954. In contrast, Japan claims sovereignty over Dokdo, contending that it acquired the islands as terra nullius in 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War. This territorial dispute remains an ongoing sensitive issue between Seoul and Tokyo, and TREASURE's promotional map has brought it back to the forefront of public attention.

Online reactions in Korea ranged from labeling the act as unpatriotic to criticizing the group's keenness to tap into the lucrative Japanese market while disregarding historical and territorial sensitivities. Noted figures like Seo Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University and an advocate for Korean cultural influence, expressed concern that this incident could inadvertently fuel Japan's territorial claims.

Amidst the controversy, YG Entertainment, the group's management company, has yet to comment on the matter. TREASURE, a prominent K-pop group since their debut in 2020, features a blend of Korean and Japanese members, showcasing their global appeal and cultural diversity.

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