South Korea, Japan agree on 'speedy' efforts to mend ties in working-level talks

South Korea and Japan agreed Thursday to continue communication in a "speedy" manner to improve bilateral ties during their working-level diplomatic consultations held here, the foreign ministry said, amid a renewed stand-off over the East Sea islets of Dokdo.

Lee Sang-ryol, the ministry's director-general for Asian and Pacific affairs, and his Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, held the session, as a diplomatic spat flared anew following Tokyo's protest over Seoul's regular maritime survey near Dokdo.

"The two sides agreed to continue communication between the diplomatic authorities of the two countries in a speedy manner for the restoration and improvement of relations between South Korea and Japan," the ministry said in a press release.

Despite their shared desire to enhance bilateral relations, tensions were palpable about the Dokdo issue.

Lee defended Korea's maritime survey as a "legitimate" practice.

"Director-General Lee stressed that Dokdo is clearly our inherent territory historically, geographically and by international law," the ministry said in a press release.

"He also said that (Korea) cannot accept any issue raised by the Japanese side with regard to a legitimate activity that proceeds in accordance with international law, including the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea and domestic laws," it added.

The Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency is expected to continue the survey through June 18.

Funakoshi, who also doubles as Tokyo's top nuclear envoy, plans to attend a trilateral meeting with his South Korean and U.S. counterparts, Noh Kyu-duk and Sung Kim, respectively, in Seoul, Friday, to discuss cooperation in dealing with North Korea's recent provocations and resuming dialogue with Pyongyang. (Yonhap)