S. Korea urges Japan to stop provocation on Dokdo

SEOUL/TOKYO, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea called on Japan Friday to stop its provocative territorial claim to Dokdo, a set of rocky islets in the East Sea.

Dokdo is South Korea's territory that fell prey to Japan's aggression and occupation of the Korean Peninsula during its militaristic past, the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

It was responding to reports that the Japanese government plans to send a vice minister-level official to a controversial event organized by local authorities in connection with Dokdo.

The Japanese prefecture of Shimane marks "Takeshima Day" on Feb. 22 to highlight Japan's claim to Dokdo.

The Abe administration announced that it would again dispatch Yasuyuki Sakai, parliamentary vice minister of Cabinet Office to the ceremony.

Speaking at a press briefing in Tokyo, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the decision is in line with efforts to publicize Japan's territory, which is a fundamental issue.

But South Korea said Japan should first face up to its history.

lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)