Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that the landing was carried out despite Japan’s advance protests and requests to call it off. The act was provocative in light of Japan’s stance on its sovereignty over Takeshima, which is called Dokdo by Koreans.

Monday's trip to the disputed islet followed a similar visit by another group of South Korean lawmakers last month, which was led by the chairman of the Education Committee of the National Assembly.