The IOC replied to the letter earlier this week and said it had spoken to the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee regarding the islets on the map of the Olympic Torch Relay, but was told it was a "purely topographical expression" with "no political motivation whatsoever".

A spokesperson for the Ministry told South Korean news agency Yonhap that it would send further correspondence to the IOC as the row continues to rumble on.

"We express deep regret over the IOC's response and [we] plan to send another letter on our position," the Ministry said.

"Even though the Tokyo Olympics should be an Olympics of peace and harmony as it is being held at a time when the entire world is suffering from COVID-19, Japan is rejecting requests to delete Dokdo [from the map]."

It added it is "very disappointed by Japan's attitude".

South Korea claim the islets under the name "Dokdo", while Japan recognise them as part of their territory as "Takeshima".

The Ministry is reportedly looking to protest in other ways, including sending South Korean IOC members to the IOC headquarters in Switzerland, as well as meeting with Japanese IOC members.

Known neutrally as the Liancourt Rocks - as named by French whalers in 1849 - Japan and South Korea both claim the islands as their own territory, as well as North Korea.

South Korea controls the islands.

The islands are regarded as important to all nations laying claim to them due to security and fishing rights.

In line with the United Nations' exclusive economic zone rule, nations can fish within 200 nautical miles of their coastline.

Natural gas may also be extracted from the islands.

The diplomatic row between South Korea and Japan has been a constant presence in the build-up to the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, set to open on July 23.