Kuril Fishing Dispute Widens as Russia and Japan Exchange Words

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it was inappropriate for Japan to object to Korean fishing boats operating in waters off of the Kuril Islands.

The islands are Russian territory, the ministry said, dismissing Japan's claim to them. The southern Kurils were seized by the Soviet Army from Japan in 1945.

In Tokyo, Japanese media reported, Shigeo Uetake, Japan's senior vice-minister for foreign affairs, summonedVassily Dobrovolsky, the temporary Russian ambassador, and Choi Sang-yong, the Korean ambassador, and severely pro-tested the fishing activities.

Mr. Uetake reportedly asked that Russia stop the fishing and said, "It is highly regrettable that Russia is not withdrawing its saury fishing allotment for Korean fishermen in waters off of the four Kuril Islands, and that Korea has resumed fishing in the waters with Russian permission."

"Saury fishing by Korean fishermen is a purely commercial issue that has nothing to do with the territorial dispute," Mr. Choi replied. He urged Japan to sanction Korean fishing in waters off of Sanriku within Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Korean fishing boats began operating in the disputed waters Wednesday night after last-ditch negotiations between Japan and Korea failed Monday.

by Nahm Yoon-ho