South Korean maritime police and naval special forces aim their weapons after rappelling down from a navy UH-60 copter during their exercise on islands called Dokdo by South Korea and Takeshima by Japan, October 25, 2013.
Japan has officially protested at South Korea for staging military exercises on a disputed group of islands in the Sea of Japan, which are controlled by Seoul but claimed by Tokyo.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Friday the South Korean land drill on Takeshima, referred to as Dokdo by South Korea, violated the sovereignty of Japan.
“It’s totally unacceptable and extremely regrettable,” Suga said referring to the military drill.
Suga stressed Japan’s territorial sovereignty on the islets under international law.
Diplomatic relations between Japan and South Korea became tense after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak made a surprise visit last year to the East Sea islets. Following the visit, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Tokyo had recalled its ambassador to Seoul.
The islands lie roughly half way between the two countries and have been under the control of South Korea since the end of Japanese colonial rule after World War II.
South Korea controls the islands, said to have large deposits of natural gas and oil, with a coast guard presence and plans to enhance maritime research in the area, also rich in marine life.
KA/HJL
Japan protests S Korea drill on islands
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