S.Korea FM reiterates sovereignty over Dokdo

South Korea's Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon on Thursday reiterated South Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo island, a small islet located on the midway between South Korea and Japan.

"I would like to make clear that from all points of view -- historically, geographically and from the view of international law -- Dokdo is a territory of the Republic of Korea," Ban said during his weekly press briefing.

"We will deal with all issues (related to Dokdo) based on our firm position that Dokdo is our territory," he said.

Ban made these remarks after a group of right-wing Japanese activists failed to land on the Dokdo, which is called Takeshima in Japan, earlier Thursday.

The South Korean foreign minister also expressed regret over the incident.

Dokdo is a group of tiny, rocky uninhabitable islets located about midway between the South Korea and Japan. The sea around Dokdo contains rich fishing grounds.

Since 1954, the South Korean Coast Guard has been stationed there as a symbol of Seoul's ownership, but Japan has often claimed its right to the islets.

Source: Xinhua