ID :
207924
Mon, 09/19/2011 - 06:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/207924
The shortlink copeid
Defense Minister Kim supports military presence on Dokdo
SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin on Monday supported stationing troops on the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo.
"If the government makes the decision (to send troops to Dokdo), then the military will put forces there," Kim said during the annual parliamentary audit. "Rotating troops on Dokdo would be one way to do so."
Kim was responding to a question posed by Kim Ok-lee, a Grand National Party (GNP) lawmaker, on whether the military was considering sending soldiers to the volcanic outcroppings in the East Sea.
Last month, Hong Joon-pyo, head of the ruling GNP, argued the government should put Marines on Dokdo to strengthen its sovereignty control of the islets. The foreign ministry later voiced its support for the option.
The idea was broached after Japan renewed its territorial claims to Dokdo in its annual defense white paper in August. South Korea has been trying to maintain "quiet diplomacy" over the issue, since strong reaction to each Japanese claim would only play into Tokyo's hands. Ruling party lawmakers have argued the government should more actively show its determination to protect Dokdo.
Defense Minister Kim on Monday defended South Korea's approach to the Dokdo issue. It summoned the Japanese military attache at the Japanese Embassy in August to lodge a formal complaint after the defense white paper was issued.
"During our defense talks, we deliver the position of our defense ministry that we will respond strongly to any attempt to infringe upon our sovereignty on Dokdo," Kim said.
Japan's claims over Dokdo have long been a thorn in relations between Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea rejects Japanese claims because it regained independence from Japan's 36-year colonial rule in 1945 and reclaimed sovereignty over its territory, including Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula. Since 1954, South Korea has stationed a small police detachment on Dokdo.
"If the government makes the decision (to send troops to Dokdo), then the military will put forces there," Kim said during the annual parliamentary audit. "Rotating troops on Dokdo would be one way to do so."
Kim was responding to a question posed by Kim Ok-lee, a Grand National Party (GNP) lawmaker, on whether the military was considering sending soldiers to the volcanic outcroppings in the East Sea.
Last month, Hong Joon-pyo, head of the ruling GNP, argued the government should put Marines on Dokdo to strengthen its sovereignty control of the islets. The foreign ministry later voiced its support for the option.
The idea was broached after Japan renewed its territorial claims to Dokdo in its annual defense white paper in August. South Korea has been trying to maintain "quiet diplomacy" over the issue, since strong reaction to each Japanese claim would only play into Tokyo's hands. Ruling party lawmakers have argued the government should more actively show its determination to protect Dokdo.
Defense Minister Kim on Monday defended South Korea's approach to the Dokdo issue. It summoned the Japanese military attache at the Japanese Embassy in August to lodge a formal complaint after the defense white paper was issued.
"During our defense talks, we deliver the position of our defense ministry that we will respond strongly to any attempt to infringe upon our sovereignty on Dokdo," Kim said.
Japan's claims over Dokdo have long been a thorn in relations between Seoul and Tokyo. South Korea rejects Japanese claims because it regained independence from Japan's 36-year colonial rule in 1945 and reclaimed sovereignty over its territory, including Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula. Since 1954, South Korea has stationed a small police detachment on Dokdo.
