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South Korea to recall Japan envoy | South Korea to recall Japan envoy |
(20 minutes later) | |
South Korea says it is to recall its envoy to Japan in the latest flare-up of tensions over disputed islands. | South Korea says it is to recall its envoy to Japan in the latest flare-up of tensions over disputed islands. |
The foreign ministry said Japan had reasserted its claim to the islands, which are under South Korean control in waters between the Asian neighbours. | The foreign ministry said Japan had reasserted its claim to the islands, which are under South Korean control in waters between the Asian neighbours. |
The fresh claim to Japanese ownership of the islands - known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan - was reportedly made in a book for teachers. | |
The islands sit in rich fishing grounds which may also contain gas reserves. | The islands sit in rich fishing grounds which may also contain gas reserves. |
'Disappointment' | |
The islands were subsumed under Japanese colonial rule along with the rest of Korea in the early 20th Century. | |
But there is a dispute as to whether they were covered by Japan's renunciation of sovereignty over its occupied territories following its defeat in World War II. | |
Both countries say they have the stronger historical claim to the islands. | |
On Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak expressed "deep disappointment and regret" about Tokyo's fresh claim of sovereignty over the islands, reportedly made in a teacher's guide to middle-school textbooks. | |
President Lee has sought to cultivate better ties with Tokyo. In April he held the first full summit meeting between the two in three years. |