Briefly

SOUTH KOREA

Japan's claims over Dokdo islets rejected

South Korea's presidential office reaffirmed on Tuesday that the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo are unequivocally South Korean territory, rejecting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's renewed claim over the islets in the East Sea, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday. A senior presidential official dismissed Takaichi's remarks made during a parliamentary session earlier in the day, stressing that no territorial dispute exists over Dokdo. "Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory historically, geographically and under international law," the official said. "We will sternly and firmly respond to Japan's unjust claims over Dokdo." During the Japanese House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting held on Tuesday, Takaichi echoed a claim raised by a ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker that the islets, called Takeshima by Japan, are under "illegal occupation" by South Korea. Takaichi argued that the islets constituted Japan's "inherent territory" and said her government would work to reinforce its position both at home and abroad, reported The Chosun Daily on Tuesday. South Korea has long protested against Japan's renewed territorial claims to the disputed islets lying halfway between the two countries, called Dokdo by South Korea and Takeshima by Japan.

UKRAINE

Zelensky says ready to hold elections

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that his country will be ready for elections in 60 to 90 days if the United States and Europe guarantee security for such a vote, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. "Moreover, I ask now, and I declare this openly, that the United States help me, possibly together with European colleagues, to ensure security for the elections. And then in the next 60-90 days, Ukraine will be ready to hold elections. I personally have the will and readiness for this," Zelensky told reporters. He said that while the United States is not yet ready for Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, negotiations on providing stable security guarantees are underway.

MOROCCO

22 killed as two buildings collapse

Two four-story buildings collapsed overnight in the Moroccan city of Fes, killing 22 people in the second fatal collapse there this year, authorities said on Wednesday. Morocco's state news agency reported that the two residential buildings housed eight families. Sixteen people were injured in the collapse and sent for treatment at a nearby hospital. Authorities said the neighborhood had been evacuated and search and rescue efforts were ongoing. It was unclear what caused the collapse or how many people were unaccounted for on Wednesday morning. Fes is Morocco's third-largest city and one of the hosts of this month's Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Xinhua - Agencies