ID :
198573
Mon, 08/01/2011 - 17:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/198573
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S. Korea refuses entry to 3 Japanese opposition lawmakers+
SEOUL, Aug. 1 Kyodo - South Korea refused entry on Monday to three Japanese opposition lawmakers planning to visit a South Korean island near a pair of disputed islets upon their arrival at Seoul's Gimpo International Airport, compelling them to return home later in the day.
Yoshitaka Shindo, Tomomi Inada and Masahisa Sato of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, who arrived from Tokyo's Haneda airport in the morning, finally gave up entering South Korea after the Japanese government asked South Korea in vain to reconsider its rejection, Shindo told Japanese reporters who were accompanying them.
Upon their arrival, South Korean government officials told the three their visit could ''trigger actions that would threaten public safety'' and sought their swift return to Japan.
The Japanese lawmakers remained unconvinced and called on the officials to give detailed explanations for denying their entry.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, they were planning to inspect Ulleungdo, which serves as the administrative and military base for the South Korean-controlled islets called Dokdo in Korea and claimed by Japan as Takeshima.
The lawmakers said they do not intend to renew territorial claims to the disputed islets, but the South Korean government said the refusal of their entry was based on the nation's immigration control law.
Shindo told the South Korean media at the airport, ''Takeshima is Japanese territory. Our positions are different and we need to talk to each other on the issue.'' He also warned that Seoul's denial of the LDP members' entry would evolve into a ''big diplomatic problem.''
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano has expressed Japan's ''deep regret'' over an unusual step taken by South Korea and said Tokyo was making a last-ditch effort to urge Seoul to let the lawmakers in.
''The lawmakers intended to inspect the island legally and in light of our friendly relations, we very much regret that South Korea took such a measure,'' Edano said at a press conference.
The Japanese Embassy in Seoul had asked the South Korean government to allow the three to enter the country.
In Tokyo, Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto summoned South Korean Ambassador to Japan Shin Kak Soo prior to the three lawmakers' decision to return home and conveyed his regret over the entry ban and urged Seoul to reconsider the rejection.
Matsumoto also expressed regret over a visit Monday to the contested islets by South Korean Special Affairs Minister Lee Jae Oh and called for the cancellation of a planned South Korean parliamentary committee meeting on the islets on Aug. 12.
The LDP members traveled to Seoul despite South Korea's decision last Friday to slap an entry ban on them on the grounds their safety could not be guaranteed and their visit would negatively affect bilateral relations.
Their plan to visit Ulleungdo has ignited a storm of protests in South Korea. At Gimpo airport, more than 200 people took part in a protest rally, with some carrying a banner that showed a picture of the disputed islets and a slogan urging Japanese to stay away from the area.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported Monday that the immigration control law allows an entry ban on people who could harm the country's interests or public safety, and that the justice ministry had expressed concerns about potential clashes between the Japanese lawmakers and angry civic groups if they were allowed in.
Under the same law, Masao Shimojo, a Takushoku University professor versed in the islets dispute, was denied entry Sunday at Incheon International Airport near Seoul. He had been scheduled to travel to Ulleungdo with the lawmakers, but returned home earlier Monday.
Before departing for South Korea, Shindo said, ''If we don't go, it would mean we've bowed to intimidation.''
''A question will arise about the friendly relations between Japan and South Korea if South Korea refuses our entry,'' Shindo said.
The Chosun Ilbo, a Seoul daily, suggested Monday the LDP lawmaker ''must be out of his mind'' if he feels he must visit Ulleung to understand how Koreans feel about Japan's territorial claims, as he could easily find out by asking the many Koreans living in Japan.
''There is only one reason why he wants to come to Ulleung Island near Dokdo. He wants to put on a political stunt highlighting his efforts to reclaim the Korean islets so he can win votes,'' it said in an editorial.
''It is a clear provocation for Japanese lawmakers to come to Korea to highlight their country's highly dubious claim and is tantamount to insulting all Koreans,'' the daily said. ''That type of thinking...shows how ignorant they are of the atrocities their ancestors committed'' on the Korean Peninsula.
Ulleungdo, about 120 kilometers east of the Korean Peninsula and 90 km away from the contested islets, is a popular tourist site.
Yoshitaka Shindo, Tomomi Inada and Masahisa Sato of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, who arrived from Tokyo's Haneda airport in the morning, finally gave up entering South Korea after the Japanese government asked South Korea in vain to reconsider its rejection, Shindo told Japanese reporters who were accompanying them.
Upon their arrival, South Korean government officials told the three their visit could ''trigger actions that would threaten public safety'' and sought their swift return to Japan.
The Japanese lawmakers remained unconvinced and called on the officials to give detailed explanations for denying their entry.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, they were planning to inspect Ulleungdo, which serves as the administrative and military base for the South Korean-controlled islets called Dokdo in Korea and claimed by Japan as Takeshima.
The lawmakers said they do not intend to renew territorial claims to the disputed islets, but the South Korean government said the refusal of their entry was based on the nation's immigration control law.
Shindo told the South Korean media at the airport, ''Takeshima is Japanese territory. Our positions are different and we need to talk to each other on the issue.'' He also warned that Seoul's denial of the LDP members' entry would evolve into a ''big diplomatic problem.''
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano has expressed Japan's ''deep regret'' over an unusual step taken by South Korea and said Tokyo was making a last-ditch effort to urge Seoul to let the lawmakers in.
''The lawmakers intended to inspect the island legally and in light of our friendly relations, we very much regret that South Korea took such a measure,'' Edano said at a press conference.
The Japanese Embassy in Seoul had asked the South Korean government to allow the three to enter the country.
In Tokyo, Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto summoned South Korean Ambassador to Japan Shin Kak Soo prior to the three lawmakers' decision to return home and conveyed his regret over the entry ban and urged Seoul to reconsider the rejection.
Matsumoto also expressed regret over a visit Monday to the contested islets by South Korean Special Affairs Minister Lee Jae Oh and called for the cancellation of a planned South Korean parliamentary committee meeting on the islets on Aug. 12.
The LDP members traveled to Seoul despite South Korea's decision last Friday to slap an entry ban on them on the grounds their safety could not be guaranteed and their visit would negatively affect bilateral relations.
Their plan to visit Ulleungdo has ignited a storm of protests in South Korea. At Gimpo airport, more than 200 people took part in a protest rally, with some carrying a banner that showed a picture of the disputed islets and a slogan urging Japanese to stay away from the area.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported Monday that the immigration control law allows an entry ban on people who could harm the country's interests or public safety, and that the justice ministry had expressed concerns about potential clashes between the Japanese lawmakers and angry civic groups if they were allowed in.
Under the same law, Masao Shimojo, a Takushoku University professor versed in the islets dispute, was denied entry Sunday at Incheon International Airport near Seoul. He had been scheduled to travel to Ulleungdo with the lawmakers, but returned home earlier Monday.
Before departing for South Korea, Shindo said, ''If we don't go, it would mean we've bowed to intimidation.''
''A question will arise about the friendly relations between Japan and South Korea if South Korea refuses our entry,'' Shindo said.
The Chosun Ilbo, a Seoul daily, suggested Monday the LDP lawmaker ''must be out of his mind'' if he feels he must visit Ulleung to understand how Koreans feel about Japan's territorial claims, as he could easily find out by asking the many Koreans living in Japan.
''There is only one reason why he wants to come to Ulleung Island near Dokdo. He wants to put on a political stunt highlighting his efforts to reclaim the Korean islets so he can win votes,'' it said in an editorial.
''It is a clear provocation for Japanese lawmakers to come to Korea to highlight their country's highly dubious claim and is tantamount to insulting all Koreans,'' the daily said. ''That type of thinking...shows how ignorant they are of the atrocities their ancestors committed'' on the Korean Peninsula.
Ulleungdo, about 120 kilometers east of the Korean Peninsula and 90 km away from the contested islets, is a popular tourist site.
