Islam Times - Japan recalls its ambassador from South Korea over island dispute

Islam Times - Tokyo has recalled its ambassador from Seoul in a sign of protest against South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak's surprise visit to the disputed islands in the Sea of Japan.

"In protest, we are temporarily pulling out Ambassador Masatoshi Muto from the Japanese Embassy in Korea. Additionally, we passed the message to the Korean ambassador that we were given no choice but to take suitable measures against it,” Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said on Friday.

Despite the two states’ cooperation in trade and tourism, the issue of islands has been a source of dispute between the two states for decades.

The islands, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, lie roughly half way between the countries and have been under the control of South Korea since the end of Japanese colonial rule after World War II.

South Korea controls the islands with a coast guard presence and plans to enhance maritime research in the area also rich in marine life.

On Satruday, Gemba announced that Tokyo is planning to file a suit with the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute with South Korea.

This is while, Japan's plan to take the dispute to the international court needs South Korea’s agreement.

However, Seoul had previously rejected Tokyo’s similar plan in the 1950 and 60s.

The Islands are said to have large deposits of natural gas and oil.