Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said Wednesday his ministry will firmly protect the nation's maritime territories, including the easternmost islets of Dokdo. "(The ministry) will firmly protect maritime territories, including Dokdo," Kang told a parliamentary session. Kang's remarks came two days after Rep. Lim Mi-ae of the main opposition Democratic Party raised an issue that matters surrounding Dokdo have been excluded from the oceans ministry's policy reports under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Dokdo lies closer to South Korea in the body of water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Source: Yonhap News Agency