``Fishery Diplomacy`s Belated Response again,`` People`s Criticism Rises

As Japanese newspapers reported that Japan and Russia have reached a provisional accord to prohibit the third countries, including South Korea, from fishing operation in waters off the Southern Kuril Islands from next year, people are raising critical voice, asking `what has our government done until such a situation, in which we may lose our fishery, took place?`.

Especially, some point out that Japan fooled our government again since the report came out just before the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro`s visit to Seoul on 15th.

People`s criticism and point are convincing because the government allowed the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi`s visit to Seoul despite the fact that Japan has not shown improvement on the issues of the distortion of history textbook, dispute over saury fishery, and Prime Minister Koizumi`s visit to Shrine.

Responding to such a criticism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) stated that ``the government will summon the Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Terada Terusuke, and deliver the message that `South Korea`s traditional fishery profits should not be damaged`.`` The MFAT also added that the government will raise this issue and will obtain sincere response from Japan in the summit talk between President Kim Dae-Jung and the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro.

A government official also commented that ``since Japan barely arranged the Prime Minister Koizumi`s visit to Seoul, the government trusts that Japan will respond to this issue with sincerity.``

In relation to this, it was known that the government planned to prepare for alternative plans, such as continuation of fishing operation in waters off of the Southern Kuril Islands through an additional discussion between South Korea and Japan, and the assurance of sufficient alternative fishing grounds, even if Japan and Russia reach to the final agreement on the prohibition of the third countries` fishing operation in waters off of the Southern Kuril Islands. In order to accomplish these plans, the government sent a fishery official to Russia on September 21st, and discussed with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Roshukov. It was reported that the government emphasized the following issues as such; if possible, the South Korea can continue fishery operation; the result of Japan-Russia discussion should not damage South Korea`s fishery profits; our fishing boats should be able to continue fishing operation through a satisfactory agreement among the three countries.

However, it is unknown how effective the government`s belated `fishery diplomacy` would be. A government official also commented that ``Japan-Russia negotiation seems to have advanced, and the result of the negotiation cannot but be disadvantageous to us.``

Experts criticize saying that ``fishing operation on saury in waters off of the Southern Kuril Islands relies on South Korea-Russia agreement, but does not have any legal ground. The government should have made diplomatic efforts earlier in order for the situation not to become disadvantageous to us.``

Boo Hyung-Kwo bookum90@donga.com