Japan, South Korea spar over islands
- 12 years ago
A helicopter carrying South Korea's president touches down on a disputed island in the Pacific Ocean on Friday.
While it only lasted a day, this visit by Lee Myung-bak touched off a diplomatic firestorm with Japan, which also claims the island - and several others in the area.
(SET UPS OF GEMBA)
On Saturday, Japan's foreign minister said his country would seek an international ruling on the issue.
(UPSOUND)
"We are looking to bring this case to the International Court for Justice," Koichiro Gemba says, "to seek a peaceful solution"
(A SECOND OF GEMBA SPEAKING BUT NOT UPSOUNDED)
South Korea has twice rebuffed smiliar Japanese efforts in the past.
The islands, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, lie midway between the two countries.
Although the island chain is relatively small, it is believed to contain natural gas deposits worth billions of dollars.
While it only lasted a day, this visit by Lee Myung-bak touched off a diplomatic firestorm with Japan, which also claims the island - and several others in the area.
(SET UPS OF GEMBA)
On Saturday, Japan's foreign minister said his country would seek an international ruling on the issue.
(UPSOUND)
"We are looking to bring this case to the International Court for Justice," Koichiro Gemba says, "to seek a peaceful solution"
(A SECOND OF GEMBA SPEAKING BUT NOT UPSOUNDED)
South Korea has twice rebuffed smiliar Japanese efforts in the past.
The islands, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, lie midway between the two countries.
Although the island chain is relatively small, it is believed to contain natural gas deposits worth billions of dollars.