Kim Ji-soo joined The Korea Times in 2006, and worked on such desks as culture and politics and is currently a member of the Editorial Board. Previous workplaces include The Korea Herald and the Korea JoongAng Daily.
Lee speaks out on Dokdo
By Kim Ji-soo
Breaking his silence on new Japanese textbooks that once again lay claim to Dokdo, President Lee Myung-bak said that the islets are South Korean territory no matter what happens.
“I have refrained from saying much as President, but I share the same sentiment as the public,” said Lee, in reference to Tokyo’s claim to the rocky islets in the East Sea.
“We effectively control (Dokdo) … which is different from claiming from afar that its theirs,” the President said, as he asked for a calm but stern response.
He said, “We are asked why Korea does not respond directly, but such a response is not a wise way.” The President added that “We will continue to strengthen our effective control (over Dokdo).”
He said that Seoul should ignore Tokyo’s attempts to take the dispute over Dokdo to the International Court of Justice, as Seoul effectively controls the islets located 87 kilometers southeast of Ulleung Island.
On Wednesday, Japanese education authorities approved 18 middle-school history, geography and ethics textbooks, 12 of which contained territorial claims to Dokdo. Some even stated that Korea has illegally occupied the islets. Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Kim Sung-hwan called in the Japanese ambassador Wednesdsay to protest the approval, but the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae remained silent until Friday.