Japan - South Korea Dispute over Islands Intensifies

A long dispute over a group of islets rapidly increased last week when South Korea sent a flotilla of 20 patrol ships to the location, when discovering Japanese coast guard trying to conduct an official survey in surrounding waters.

South Korea warned it will take "stern measures" if Japan continues to send survey ships near the islands named Tokto in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese. South Korea showed its power over the islands by placing its coast guard on high alert and sending 20 vessels to the area in order to warn Japan to stay away.

The islands are at the same distance from both countries, but South Korea has police forces present there. The Dokdo islets, now under control of South Korea, are located some 89 km southeast to South Korean Uleung Island and 160 km northwest to Japanese Oki Island.

Japan started annexing the Korean Peninsula in the early 20 century and completed it in 1910. Still, South Korean and Japanese officials are still seeking a diplomatic resolution to the issue. South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon called in Tokyo's ambassador, Shotaro Oshima, for discussions.

"There are talks ongoing between the capitals to resolve the issue. There are some people claiming territorial rights to former colonies that were once acquired through a war of aggression," a South Korean official stated.

"We are now in a difficult situation. Problems cannot be solved just by goodwill and we need wisdom and courage," said South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. However, political analysts say that South Korea may be overreacting to a simple mapping mission.