A group of South Korean lawmakers on Tuesday visited an isolated set of islands at the heart of a territorial dispute with Japan – a move likely to stoke tensions with Tokyo still more.
Seventeen members of the parliamentary National Defence Committee flew to the Dokdo islands (known as Takeshima in Japan) on military helicopters for a day-long visit, an aide to committee member Han Ki-Ho said.
The trip – labelled a government inspection session – was aimed at checking security measures around the islands guarded by the South’s coastguard, the aide said.
On Monday, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Osamu Fujimura had called on the Seoul MPs to cancel their visit, warning it would jeopardise bilateral ties.
The islands, which lie between the two countries, are controlled by South Korea but claimed by both nations.
Their long-standing row over ownership boiled over in August when South Korean President Lee Myung-bak made a surprise visit to the islets.