ID :
25780
Tue, 10/21/2008 - 16:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/25780
The shortlink copeid
Lawmakers visit Dodko to `defend` against Japan`s claims
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- A group of South Korean legislators were to make a rare trip to Dokdo later Tuesday in the face of repeated territorial claims by Japan to the rocky islets.
The visit is part of a one-day excursion by the members of the parliamentary
defense committee to inspect the country's defense posture. Legislators will also
go aboard Seoul's largest landing ship, which is named after Dokdo.
The assembly committee has been auditing government offices, including the
headquarters of the three armed services, since earlier this month. The regular
parliamentary inspection ends Thursday.
The visit follows a renewed attempt by Tokyo to lay claim to the islets, which
have been effectively controlled by South Korea since shortly after the country's
liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
"Every one of our people knows Dokdo is historically our territory and works to
defend that territory," Rep. Kim Sung-hoi of the ruling Grand National Party
(GNP) told Yonhap in a telephone interview. "Our visit is part of these efforts
to protect Dokdo."
Tokyo announced in July a plan to describe the South Korean-administered islets
as Japanese territory in school textbook manuals starting in 2012. Shortly
following, Presidential Spokesman Lee Dong-kwan expressed "deep regrets and
disappointment" at the Japanese government's decision.
Japan has yet to amend its plan.
The Seoul government has tried to keep low-key on the issue, fearing that
repeated quarrels over the islets could lead the international community to
believe there is a valid territorial dispute. Many suspect that is exactly what
Tokyo is aiming for.
Lawmakers, however, have been much more vocal.
Rep. Chun Yu-ok, a ruling party member of the parliamentary committee on maritime
affairs, suggested on Monday the government subsidize ferry fares for foreign
tourists to Dokdo to help increase international awareness of Seoul's control of
the islets.
Another GNP legislator, Kang Sung-chun, proposed on Tuesday that the country
designate the area surrounding Dokdo as a national marine park.
"If the area around Dokdo is designated as a national park, we can manage the
islets at the national level rather than entrusting regional governments with the
task, while also demonstrating our control of the islets internationally," said
Kang, a member of the parliamentary committee on environment and labor.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- A group of South Korean legislators were to make a rare trip to Dokdo later Tuesday in the face of repeated territorial claims by Japan to the rocky islets.
The visit is part of a one-day excursion by the members of the parliamentary
defense committee to inspect the country's defense posture. Legislators will also
go aboard Seoul's largest landing ship, which is named after Dokdo.
The assembly committee has been auditing government offices, including the
headquarters of the three armed services, since earlier this month. The regular
parliamentary inspection ends Thursday.
The visit follows a renewed attempt by Tokyo to lay claim to the islets, which
have been effectively controlled by South Korea since shortly after the country's
liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.
"Every one of our people knows Dokdo is historically our territory and works to
defend that territory," Rep. Kim Sung-hoi of the ruling Grand National Party
(GNP) told Yonhap in a telephone interview. "Our visit is part of these efforts
to protect Dokdo."
Tokyo announced in July a plan to describe the South Korean-administered islets
as Japanese territory in school textbook manuals starting in 2012. Shortly
following, Presidential Spokesman Lee Dong-kwan expressed "deep regrets and
disappointment" at the Japanese government's decision.
Japan has yet to amend its plan.
The Seoul government has tried to keep low-key on the issue, fearing that
repeated quarrels over the islets could lead the international community to
believe there is a valid territorial dispute. Many suspect that is exactly what
Tokyo is aiming for.
Lawmakers, however, have been much more vocal.
Rep. Chun Yu-ok, a ruling party member of the parliamentary committee on maritime
affairs, suggested on Monday the government subsidize ferry fares for foreign
tourists to Dokdo to help increase international awareness of Seoul's control of
the islets.
Another GNP legislator, Kang Sung-chun, proposed on Tuesday that the country
designate the area surrounding Dokdo as a national marine park.
"If the area around Dokdo is designated as a national park, we can manage the
islets at the national level rather than entrusting regional governments with the
task, while also demonstrating our control of the islets internationally," said
Kang, a member of the parliamentary committee on environment and labor.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
