By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Advertisements for Japanese condoms were removed from subways in Seoul following a fresh round of public fury over Japan's renewed claims to Korea's easternmost islets Dokdo.

Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines No. 1-4, had put ads for Japanese company Okamoto's condoms on the interior of 40 subway trains on lines No. 2 and 3 last Friday.

The ads, 54 by 39 centimeters, were placed next to the train doors _ one of the most eye-catching spots. They did not have a picture related to a condom, but had phrases such as ``No. 1 in Japan.''

The subway operator, however, removed all the ads Tuesday even though the contract had not run out, saying they may be against ``public sentiment.''

``Apart from the inappropriateness of condom ads inside subway cars, we thought it could run counter to public sentiment following the eruption of a fresh dispute over Dokdo,'' a Seoul Metro official said.

She said the breach of contract and possible indemnity is a matter between Okamoto and the subway operator's subcontractor in charge of ad management.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr