SOUTH KOREA, August 11 ---- South Korea's president is expected to visit islands also claimed by Japan, in a move set to raise diplomatic tensions between the two nations.Lee Myung-bak's spokeswoman said the president would, weather permitting, fly by helicopter to the islands. Japan's foreign minister has urged him to call off the visit, saying it would impact on ties.

The islands are known as Dokdo in South Korea and as Takeshima in Japan.Both South Korea and Japan say they have a historical claim to the islands, and the issue has been a persistent irritant in relations.The islets, which are roughly equidistant from the two countries, are small but lie in fishing grounds which could also contain large gas deposits.

If the visit is made, it would go against our country's position and so we strongly urge its cancellation, Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba told journalists. "We must respond to it firmly."He said the visit "would definitely have a large impact" on ties.The South Korean president will first visit Ulleung Island before flying on to the disputed area, reports said. Mr Lee would be the first South Korean leader to visit the islands.
Source: bbc.co.uk