Watching China

Both sides give up some of their territorial claims

SEOUL: South Korea’s coastguard said yesterday it had stepped up patrols near islands at the centre of a territorial dispute with Japan, a day after Seoul recalled its ambassador in anger at new Japanese claims to the rocky outcrops.

South Korea's coastguard said on Tuesday it had stepped up patrols near islands at the centre of a territorial dispute with Japan, a day after Seoul recalled its ambassador in anger at new Japanese claims to the rocky outcrops.

of both countries. South Korea’s coastguard said in a separate statement on Tuesday that it had strengthened its early warning system, "as a preventive measure against any possible attempt by Japanese right-wing elements sailing to Dokdo."

South Korea is set to recall its ambassador from Tokyo in protest after Japan said it would write about a longstanding island dispute in school teaching guides.

Seoul protests Tokyo's plan to refer to disputed islands as Japanese territory in teaching guides

"We want to avoid a situation where Japan-South Korea relations are influenced by each and every issue, and I hope both sides will calmly respond."

South Korea said on Monday it would recall its ambassador from Tokyo in protest after Japan said it would write about a longstanding island dispute in school teaching guides.