South Korea requests extra security for diplomatic missions in Japan after man hurls box of excrement at consulate

The South Korean embassy in Tokyo has asked Japanese police to step up security at Seoul’s diplomatic missions across the country after a box containing excrement was hurled into the grounds of the consulate general in Yokohama.

The embassy is apparently concerned that recent incidents by individuals from both sides could escalate further.

The box was found by consular staff on Sunday and had a note attached that read, “This is in revenge for the explosion at Yasukuni.”

On November 23, a small bomb detonated in a public toilet at the controversial shrine in central Tokyo. Police have detained a South Korean national, identified as Chon Chang-han, who has withdrawn an earlier admission that he planted the device.

The box lobbed into the grounds of the consulate also reportedly bore the name of a Japanese organisation that has carried out protests against Korean businesses in Tokyo, although police declined to comment on the case.

Police are examining security video footage at the consulate general and are focusing their investigation on a man who can be seen throwing the box over the wall on Friday.