In the midst of fears over the rising tensions between Japan and Korea over the former’s plans to conduct a hydrographical survey in the waters surrounding the Dokdo islets, the unwavering determination to defend the homeland can be seen in the eyes of a soldier guarding the area. Korea Vows to Stop Japanese Incursion Near Dokdo What Force Will Counter Japan's Designs on Dokdo? Japanese Provocations Over Dokdo Intensify Tensions Run High Over Japan’s Dokdo Research Trip Calls to Abandon Silent Treatment of Japan Grow Louder Japanese Nomenclature Encroaches on Korean Waters Dokdo Bound Research Vessel Departs Tokyo Harbor A Call to Diplomatic Arms Mystery Japanese Ships Strike Out Japan Calls Off Dogs in Dokdo Dispute Japanese Minister’s Visit Over Dokdo Crisis Inconclusive Ministry of Education Steps Up Dokdo Education Korea-Japan Compromise Ends Dokdo Standoff Korea ‘Will Push Ahead With Naming Dokdo Seafloor’ Korea to Explain Dokdo Problem to Int’l Community President Roh Draws Dokdo Map for Kofi Annan Korea Resumes Project to Name Seabed Near Dokdo Fine Words From the President -- Again Much Fighting Talks and a Disappointing Result

Ban was answering a question from Uri Party lawmaker Choi Sung in the National Assembly. Asked if Korea will seize the Japanese research vessel if it violates the EEZ in the course of what Japan claims is a hydrographic survey near Dokdo, Ban said, “Concrete steps will be determined depending on how the situation progresses.” The chief diplomat agreed with commentators that it is “highly likely that Japan is attempting to turn the sensitive Dokdo area into an area of territorial dispute by violating our sovereignty over the islets.”

Feathers were ruffled when the minister expressed disappointment that opposition Grand National Party leader Park Geun-hye will not attend a Cheong Wa Dae meeting on the issue. “I think that bipartisan consultations are more necessary than ever to resolve such critical issues as Dokdo,” he said. Opposition party members responded by asking if it made a difference if dozens of politicians “have lunch and talk about it” when the government has “no clear position on the issue” and denounced Ban’s remark as “inappropriate.” Ban in response apologized for “any miscommunication” in delivering his message.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on Monday said it will continue to adhere to a policy of not taking sides on the issue of Japanese designs on Korea’s Dokdo islets. A State Department official said the U.S. is hoping that the two countries can resolve the issue in an amicable manner.

(englishnews@chosun.com )