North Korea on Sunday accused Japan of trying to plot another invasion of the Korean Peninsula by claiming sovereignty over the Dokdo islets.



In an article carried by the Rodong Sinmun, an organ of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, Pyongyang chastised Tokyo by pointing out that just because it persists in making ludicrous claims, such actions do not change the fact that the islets in the East Sea belong to Korea.



"Historically, geographically and by international law, Dokdo belongs to Korea," the daily pointed out.



It said that recent moves by Japanese forces to conduct an exercise to reclaim an island from unlawful occupation shows the extent to which the country will go to steal land from others.



The Rodong Sinmun, which effectively reflects the views of the North's leadership, said efforts to re-invade the Korean Peninsula is a foolish dream that will never be realized. Japan had colonized the Korean Peninsula in the early part of the 20th century.



It then called on the country to first reflect on the inhumane atrocities it committed in the past instead of trying to claim Dokdo as its own.



Japan has regularly claimed Dokdo, situated 87.4 kilometers from Ulleung Island, as its own and argued that the small South Korean police force and some fishermen there are illegally occupying its territory.



Seoul has ignored such claims and warned Tokyo's stance is not conducive to better South Korea-Japan relations. Pyongyang has sided with the South on this issue and has been active in attacking Japan for its hostile attitude. (Yonhap News)