Lee, Bush to Discuss Dokdo

By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak is expected to raise the issue of a U.S. geographical agency's decision to deny South Korea's sovereignty over the Dokdo islets during his planned summit with U.S. President George W. Bush in Seoul, early August.

Annoyed by the news that the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) changed Dokdo's status to ``undesignated sovereignty'' from its previous recognition of it as South Korean territory, Lee instructed officials Sunday to deliver his concerns to the United States, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

``Given the strategic importance of Dokdo and the diplomatic impact of the BGN's decision on Seoul-Tokyo relations, Lee may raise it as a topic during his summit with Bush,'' an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

Cheong Wa Dae said it was too early to talk about a summit agenda.

``We are talking with U.S. officials through the embassy in Washington about the BGN's decision,'' a presidential spokesman said. ``The question is why the BGN changed its stance on Dokdo. We are not sure yet about whether Lee will bring it up during his meeting with Bush.''

Lee strongly scolded some diplomats over the BGN's decision, saying, ``Such a thing shouldn't have happened,'' according to the spokesman.

Many observers say the government may dismiss Seoul's Ambassador to Washington Lee Tae-sik for lack of coordination with the U.S. government over Dokdo. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan also faces growing calls to step down for the recent diplomatic blunders regarding Dokdo and North Korea.

``Korea's embassy in Washington has been very busy preparing for Bush's visit to Seoul and working out details of the free trade agreement between Seoul and Washington,'' a foreign ministry official said. ``It may have failed to pay attention to Dokdo because of the busy schedule.''

President Lee has shown no official regret over the U.S. agency's decision, but many officials in Seoul say it will pour cold water on Seoul's efforts to foster a stronger alliance with Washington. It is also a fresh blow to Lee's pragmatic diplomacy, which has been criticized for disputes with Japan and North Korea.

Bush plans to visit Seoul on Aug. 5-6 on his way to Beijing to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr

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