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| ROK Insists Research in Disputed Waters Despite Japan's Opposition |
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South Korean government said on Wednesday that it will conduct a maritime research plan in disputed waters in the East Sea next month despite Japan's warning against it. "Japan has no right to request a halt to the plan as we conduct research in our maritime territory," South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon told reporters. Ban's remarks was a response to Japan's request that South Korean government cancel its plan to conduct research on ocean currents in the waters near the disputed islets of Dokdo, which Japan also claims sovereignty and calls "Takeshima". South Korean government announced on June 1 that two research ships will carry out the survey from July 3 to July 14. Japan's Coast Guard warned later that it would dispatch patrol ships to block South Korea's research ships if South Korea presses forward with the plan. South Korean and Japanese diplomats concluded a two-day negotiation over the exclusive rights to the waters around Dokdo early this week in Tokyo without any obvious breakthrough. The two side agreed to meet again on the issue in September in Seoul to seek a diplomatic solution. The bilateral ties between the two neighbors were strained in April when Japan announced a survey plan in waters near Dokdo while South Korea strongly warned against it. Japan canceled the plan in late April after the two sides comprised on a pact through diplomatic contact. Dokdo, which has been controlled by South Korea since 1950s, lies 90 km southeast of South Korea's Ulleung Island and 160 km northwest to Japan's Oki island. (Xinhua News Agency June 15, 2006)
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