South Korea-Japan Dispute Over `Resumption of Saury Fishing`

As Korean fishing boats began the operation of saury fishing in waters off the southern Kuril Islands since Monday, the Japanese government protested to the Korean Ambassador in Japan over the fishing, and decided to ban the operation of Korean fishing in waters of Sanriku adjacent to the southern Kuril Islands.

Uedake Shikeo, vice-minister of the Japan`s Foreign Affairs, called in Choi Sang-Ryong, Korean Ambassador in Japan, and complained that ``it is regretful that Korean fishing boats are in operation in waters off the southern Kuril Islands, which are Japan`s territory, without permission from Japan.``

In response to the complaint, Ambassador Choi demanded for the withdrawal of the ban on the operation of Korean fishing boats in waters of Sanriku saying that ``this operation, as a pure matter of fishing, has nothing to do with the issue of territory.``

Uedake urged the Russian acting ambassador in Japan Tovrovoliski not to allow other countries, such as South Korea, to operate the fishing activities in waters off the southern Kuril Islands. Prior to this, Tanaka Makiko Minister of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday night, and urged South Korea and Russia to respond earnestly to the Japan`s demand for the ban on the fishing operation, arguing that waters off the southern Kuril Islands are Japan`s territory.

The Japanese government and the ruling party decided to ban the operation of Korean fishing boats in waters of Sanriku, which was agreed at the South Korea-Japan fishery pact, as a countermeasure against the fishing operation of Korean fishing boats in waters off the southern Kuril Islands on Monday.

The Japanese government issued a conditional permission to Korean fishing boats on July 28th, which stated that ``the operation of fishing in waters of Sanriku is permitted if Korean fishing boats do not enforce the fishing operation in waters off the southern Kuril Islands without Japan`s permission.``

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