Envoy Carrying Letter On Text Back to Japan

It appeared likely that South Korea's ambassador to Japan, who was recalled last week over a controversial Japanese history textbook, would return to Tokyo Wednesday. Ambassador Choi Sang-yong has booked a seat on the Korean Air flight to Tokyo on Wednesday evening.

A Foreign Ministry official cautioned, however, that "The return has not yet been finalized."

Another government source said that Mr. Choi would deliver a letter from Foreign Minister Han Seung-soo to his Japanese counterpart, Yohei Kono, who expressed his "awareness" on Monday of the strong feelings in South Korea over Japan's approval of a history textbook that critics say whitewashes Japan's wartime crimes on the Korean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Foreign Minister said Tuesday that the government would employ all "diplomatic ability" so that the Japan's history textbook issue can be resolved soon.

Speaking at the National Assembly's Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee, Mr. Han said, "We will deliver our peoples' fury to the Japanese government, through Ambassador Choi's return to Tokyo."

Anti-Japanese sentiment has been rising in Korea, and protests have spread through Korean communities in the United States. Some 20 Korean associations there said they planned to participate in rallies and campaigns to boycott Japanese goods.

by Ahn Sung-kyu