Korea is poised to lodge a strong protest if Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi pays another visit to the Yasukuni war shrine on August 15, Korea's Independence Day, as he has hinted. The date also marks the end of World War II. A visit by Koizumi would likely aggravate tensions between Korea and Japan over historical events.

While the Japanese leader has yet to voice his intentions, chances are that Koizumi will visit the shrine on Tuesday morning as a final gesture of respect before his term expires next month.

Arirang News