Takeshima / Dokdo dispute flares up again
When the Japanese government released an official instruction manual recommending that middle schools teach children about the territorial dispute over the Liancourt Rocks, it was very careful in its wording:
While the manual describes the Russian-held northern territories as an “integral part of our country’s territory” and states they are “unlawfully occupied” by Russia, the ministry decided to avoid using similar expressions in respect of Takeshima, which is also a disputed territory, in consideration of South Korea’s feelings.
South Korea, which has included heavy propaganda about the islets in its school lessons for years, reacted with rage towards Japan. The South Korean government recalled its ambassador, protesters hurled eggs and tomatoes at the Japanese embassy in Seoul, ads for Japanese products were pulled from the Seoul subway system, and at least one sick child was ignored by a brain dead nationalist parent. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has vowed to take “strategic counter-measures” against Japan’s territorial claim.
A protester with a sign in Japanese proclaiming that Korea is Dokdo territory.
Oh Young-jin (foolsdie@koreatimes.co.kr), assistant managing editor of the Korea Times, wrote an opinion piece urging resistance against Japan:
For the rest of the world, it should be kept in mind that Korea is the first line of defense and offense, and that if it crumbles, it would soon be the turn of other countries.
How should Japan respond? The Asahi’s English edition ran a very good editorial the other day about the current flare up in the dispute over the Liancourt Rocks:
The manual issue amounts to nothing more than a rehash of the Japanese government’s official stand on the Takeshima issue. In fact, existing textbooks from four publishers already contain passages on Takeshima. The great majority of Japanese citizens hope to maintain good bilateral ties. Tokyo should seize every opportunity to explain this fact clearly and patiently to Seoul.
We can appreciate South Korea’s anger. But that said, it is also a fact that the manual states objectively that South Korea and Japan have always been at odds over Takeshima’s ownership.
Both sides should present their arguments, agree to disagree, and try to resolve the dispute calmly. That is the only way to go.
The Japanese government has taken just such a position, urging calm and calling for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
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