South Korean government said on Wednesday that it will conduct a
maritime research plan in disputed waters in the East Sea next
month despite Japan's warning against it.
"Japan has no right to request a halt to the plan as we conduct
research in our maritime territory," South Korean Foreign Minister
Ban Ki-moon told reporters.
Ban's remarks was a response to Japan's request that South
Korean government cancel its plan to conduct research on ocean
currents in the waters near the disputed islets of Dokdo, which
Japan also claims sovereignty and calls "Takeshima".
South Korean government announced on June 1 that two research
ships will carry out the survey from July 3 to July 14.
Japan's Coast Guard warned later that it would dispatch patrol
ships to block South Korea's research ships if South Korea presses
forward with the plan.
South Korean and Japanese diplomats concluded a two-day
negotiation over the exclusive rights to the waters around Dokdo
early this week in Tokyo without any obvious breakthrough. The two
side agreed to meet again on the issue in September in Seoul to
seek a diplomatic solution.
The bilateral ties between the two neighbors were strained in
April when Japan announced a survey plan in waters near Dokdo while
South Korea strongly warned against it. Japan canceled the plan in
late April after the two sides comprised on a pact through
diplomatic contact.
Dokdo, which has been controlled by South Korea since 1950s,
lies 90 km southeast of South Korea's Ulleung Island and 160 km
northwest to Japan's Oki island.
(Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)
