ID :
117136
Sat, 04/17/2010 - 08:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/117136
The shortlink copeid
Japan protests over S. Korean geological survey around Takeshima+
TOKYO, April 16 Kyodo -
Tokyo lodged a protest with Seoul on Friday after a South Korean
government-affiliated research institute announced it will conduct a geological
survey in the area around disputed South Korean-controlled islets called
Takeshima in Japan.
It is the first time that Tokyo has openly expressed to Seoul its tough stance
on the issue related to the islets called Dokdo in South Korea. The survey is
being seen as an attempt by South Korea to step up control of the two small
uninhabited islets in the Sea of Japan.
But Tokyo has not decided whether to pursue a tougher stance, which some fear
could affect bilateral coordination in dealing with the North Korean nuclear
standoff.
The Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute has said that the survey,
which could aid construction of facilities around the islets, will be conducted
between April 15 and May 10. The survey is expected to involve drilling
activities to analyze the firmness of the bedrock.
Following the announcement, Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
Tetsuro Fukuyama told South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul Hyun on Friday
that the survey ''is unacceptable'' and that it should be suspended
immediately, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a press release.
In relation to the Takeshima issue, South Korea protested against Japan at the
senior-working level on April 6 because the Japanese Foreign Ministry claimed
in its 2010 Diplomatic Bluebook that the islets are ''obviously Japan's
territory.''
The protest lodged by Japan on Friday was at a higher level, reflecting Japan's
intention to show its tough stance on the issue.
''This is a serious situation and cannot be overlooked,'' a Japanese government
source said.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama continues to place importance on
bilateral ties and is apparently hoping to prevent the situation from becoming
more serious, according to sources close to him.
The two countries have long been at odds over the sovereignty of the islets.
The year 2010 is also seen as a historically sensitive year as it marks a
century since Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula in 1910.
==Kyodo
Tokyo lodged a protest with Seoul on Friday after a South Korean
government-affiliated research institute announced it will conduct a geological
survey in the area around disputed South Korean-controlled islets called
Takeshima in Japan.
It is the first time that Tokyo has openly expressed to Seoul its tough stance
on the issue related to the islets called Dokdo in South Korea. The survey is
being seen as an attempt by South Korea to step up control of the two small
uninhabited islets in the Sea of Japan.
But Tokyo has not decided whether to pursue a tougher stance, which some fear
could affect bilateral coordination in dealing with the North Korean nuclear
standoff.
The Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute has said that the survey,
which could aid construction of facilities around the islets, will be conducted
between April 15 and May 10. The survey is expected to involve drilling
activities to analyze the firmness of the bedrock.
Following the announcement, Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs
Tetsuro Fukuyama told South Korean Ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul Hyun on Friday
that the survey ''is unacceptable'' and that it should be suspended
immediately, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a press release.
In relation to the Takeshima issue, South Korea protested against Japan at the
senior-working level on April 6 because the Japanese Foreign Ministry claimed
in its 2010 Diplomatic Bluebook that the islets are ''obviously Japan's
territory.''
The protest lodged by Japan on Friday was at a higher level, reflecting Japan's
intention to show its tough stance on the issue.
''This is a serious situation and cannot be overlooked,'' a Japanese government
source said.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama continues to place importance on
bilateral ties and is apparently hoping to prevent the situation from becoming
more serious, according to sources close to him.
The two countries have long been at odds over the sovereignty of the islets.
The year 2010 is also seen as a historically sensitive year as it marks a
century since Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula in 1910.
==Kyodo
