S.K. ship surveys contested area; Tokyo protests

Vessel briefly intercepted by Japanese Coast Guard ship

A South Korean ship completed its maritime survey in an area of the East Sea that Japan claims to be part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), raising hackles in Tokyo, according to Seoul government officials.

The survey of currents and salinity in the area, located near the South Korean islets of Dokdo also claimed by Japan, was confronted by a Japanese Coast Guard ship, which demanded the South Korean ship halt its research activities. There were no physical clashes, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said, and the South Korean ship was able to complete its planned survey yesterday.

Tokyo’s Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Yoshinori Katori issued a statement, calling the survey "quite regrettable" and demanding an immediate halt to it, the ministry said. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi delivered a letter of protest over the maritime survey to South Korean Ambassador to Japan Ra Jong-yil.

In its statement, Tokyo urged Seoul to open talks as quickly as possible to establish a system under which the two nations would be required to notify each other before entering areas that both claim.

Japan, which suspended its own April maritime survey of the area in the face of South Korea’s opposition, said it is considering resuming its survey, though it stopped short of confirming an exact time frame.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Japan’s reaction, saying that it wants to remind Tokyo that it has to notify Seoul before conducting a maritime survey in the area, while urging the Japanese government to step up efforts to ensure the issue does not undermine bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, the ship will return to the southern port of Busan on Thursday before departing for another research trip in the East Sea, sources said.