JAPAN/SOUTH KOREA: Dozens of South Koreans protest outside Japanese embassy in Seoul over set of desolate islets at centre of territorial dispute

Record ID: 467907

  • Title: JAPAN/SOUTH KOREA: Dozens of South Koreans protest outside Japanese embassy in Seoul over set of desolate islets at centre of territorial dispute
  • Date: 21st February 2006
  • Summary: (W1) SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (FEBRUARY 21, 2006) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT RALLY; PROTESTORS BURNING JAPANESE FLAG THAT SAYS "SHIMANE PREFECTURE TAKESHIMA DAY" / POLICE SNUFFING FIRE OUT BURNING FLAG; PROTESTOR (5 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 8th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA3FANBOR799WZXVM1G9S8HWLO0
  • Story Text: Dozens of South Koreans protested outside the Japanese embassy in Seoul on Tuesday (February 21, 2006) over a set of desolate islets at the centre of a territorial dispute between Seoul and Tokyo.
    The protestors burned the Japanese flag and chanted anti-Japan slogans outside the embassy.
    Regional analysts said the dispute over the islands, called Tokto in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, is likely to intensify over three South Koreans taking up residence there and by Japan's rural Shimane Prefecture marking its Takeshima Day on Wednesday (February 22).
    "We, with the people of the world, will surely receive an apology and compensation for their anti-humanitarian, anti-democratic and anti-global ways," Park Chan-sung, President of the citizens coalition for the protection of the Tokto Islands who participated in the rally.
    South Korean officials said on Monday (February 21) a South Korean fisherman, his wife and a crew member have taken up residence on the set of desolate islets.
    Fisherman Kim Sung-do, 65, and his wife Kim Shin-yul, 68, and Lee Ye-gyun, 57, an activist who helps them with their fishing, will be the first South Korean civilians in nearly a decade to live on the islands, officials said.
    The Kims lived there for a few years until 1996 when their home was destroyed in a storm.
    In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated Japan's stance on the island.
    "Japan's position towards Takeshima has been clear and consistent: We will insist what we have to insist while making utmost efforts to avoid stirring stir up public sentiment in both countries, " he told reporters.
    South Korea maintains a small garrison of police on the islands that have almost no flat surfaces or fresh water.
    South Korea's Maritime Ministry refurbished a building for fishermen on the island where the trio will be living. It comes complete with a kitchen, living quarters and a generator.
    Stocked with supplies of food, water and fuel to run the generator, the settlers plan for now to stay until the end of the summer, the county official said.
    The islands are about the same distance from the mainland of Japan and South Korea.
    About a year ago, tensions flared over the islands at about the time Shimane moved to establish its Takeshima Day. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun threatened diplomatic war with Japan over the dispute.
    Two South Koreans lopped off their fingers in protest, another man set himself on fire while another killed himself by jumping off a bridge over the Han River in Seoul.
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