Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi 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 Two Koreas May Discuss Japan’s Dokdo Incursion 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 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

From the outset, Minister Yu demanded that Japan give up its plans for the survey mission. He said the waters surrounding Dokdo are part of Korea's exclusive economic zone and not a place Japan can enter unannounced and take a survey of the seafloor, adding it was impossible to treat the issue as anything but a matter of national sovereignty.

Yachi responded Japan's plans for the survey were in accordance with international law, and said that Korea must promise that it will not register new place names with the International Hydrographical Organization.


Concerning Japan’s demand to revoke plans for the registration of new Korean place names with the IHO, Yu said, “We are preparing pertinent data, and we have never announced any plans for registration with the IHO in June.” He added Tokyo “seems to be overreacting.” In the morning, Yu told reporters Japan’s plan was to turn the Dokdo islets into a disputed area. “It is intolerable that it tries to affect the issue of territorial claims over the Dokdo islets,” he said. “In any case, we have to mobilize every resource, even force, to block their attempts.”

Yachi before departure from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport had said, “We are not sure what the result will be, but we have to seek a solution based on international law. I will discuss this in a cool and serious manner.” He did not reply to questions from reporters when he arrived in Seoul.

On the ongoing negotiations between Korea and Japan, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said in a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Kim Won-ki that he believes Koreans should not worry too much about the issue.

(englishnews@chosun.com )