South Korea to Stand Firmer on Dokdo Islets
Posted by chungdahmculture on April 9, 2010
The government pledged Thursday to stand firm on any attempts to challenge Korea’s sovereignty over the Dokdo Islets in the East Sea.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade came up with the firmer stance on the matter after Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, according to reports, said there would be no change in Japan’s position that Dokdo belongs to Japan.
Kim Young-sun, spokesman of the foreign ministry, told reporters that the government will take every necessary measure step by step to ensure that Dokdo is recognized as Korean territory.
“Some media outlets called the ministry’s Dokdo policy quiet diplomacy. But I disagree. The term is incorrect,” Kim said.
Hatoyama’s remarks were construed as meaning that his Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will uphold the position of his predecessor from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on the islets.
Since taking office last September, Hatoyama has been low-key when it comes to Dokdo. Refraining from raising thorny issues between the two countries, Hatoyama had called for better relations with neighboring nations, including Korea.
On Tuesday, the Diet approved the government’s diplomatic bluebook, an annual report on foreign policies and activities, which described Dokdo ― called Takeshima in Japanese ― as part of Japan’s territory.
The diplomatic bluebook came a week after education authorities there approved five school textbooks that asserted Dokdo belonged to Japan, sparking a wave of protests here.
Korea has stationed a police contingent on the islets since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Korea Times
