Taipei: Taiwan announced a significant change in its immigration system on Wednesday, deciding to refer to South Korea by its full name, 'South Korea', instead of simply 'Korea'. This move is described by officials as a reciprocal measure in an ongoing naming dispute with Seoul.

According to Anadolu Agency, the change, which took effect on March 1, affects official documents such as foreign resident certificates issued to South Korean nationals. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry stated that this decision was made in response to South Korea's electronic entry card system, which labels Taiwan as 'China (Taiwan)' in the 'departure point' and 'next destination' fields.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taiwan's representative office in South Korea have lodged strong protests, urging South Korean authorities to amend the labeling to safeguard Taiwan's national sovereignty and the dignity of its people. Taiwanese authorities emphasized that the adjustment is based on reciprocity and hinted at possible further measures if there is no response from Seoul by the end of the month.

South Korean officials, however, asserted that the current labeling has been in place since 2004 and that Taiwan has been aware of it. Yonhap News Agency reported a Seoul official stating, "We are reviewing the matter in consideration of various factors. This is not a new issue. We will address it appropriately based on our fundamental position."

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations since 1992, when South Korea established ties with China, both Taiwan and South Korea have continued to maintain unofficial economic and practical cooperation through representative offices in their respective capitals.