SOUTH KOREA/FILE: South Koreans protest against Japan over disputed islands

Record ID: 213904

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA/FILE: South Koreans protest against Japan over disputed islands
  • Date: 22nd February 2013
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF CHILDREN WEARING KOREAN TRADITIONAL COSTUME SINGING WHILE HOLDING SOUTH KOREA'S NATIONAL FLAGS SOUTH KOREA'S NATIONAL FLAGS MORE OF CHILDREN SINGING
  • Embargoed: 9th March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: At Sea, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
  • City:
  • Country: Korea, Democratic People's Republic of At Sea
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2P3A1YOUVKIJ7S5IAYW0ZE074
  • Story Text: Seoul activists and children hold an anti-Japan rally, urging its neighbour to drop its claims over disputed islands called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.


    About 150 South Korean activists and children gathered outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Friday (February 22) to denounce Japan's territorial claim over the disputed islands, called Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan.
    Japan's Shimane Prefecture has designated February 22 as Takeshima Day, claiming the islands are Japanese.
    "Japan designed "Takeshima Day" to take away Dokdo. That's why we are here in front of the Japanese embassy to awaken them (from their ignorance) and to show our resolution and we urge Japan (to drop the claim over disputed islands). Dokdo is our territory," said protest leader Gil Jong-song.
    Children danced to the song "Dokdo is Our Territory" while others waved South Korean national flags.
    During the rally, a protester tried to stab himself in opposition to Japan's claims to the island. Police managed to stop him and he was taken to hospital.
    Some South Koreans and police are currently living on the islands. Japan says the islands are part of its sovereign territory illegally occupied by South Korea.
    Japan's relations with South Korea frayed badly last year after outgoing South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited the disputed islands. South Koreans also harbour bitter resentment of Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945.
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