The Kuril Islands belonged to Japan but were occupied by the Soviet Union immediately after World War II. The Soviet Union at one stage pledged to return two of them to Japan, but negotiations fell through because Japan demanded return of all four.
Gemba was quoted by Japanese media on Thursday as saying, “Korea‘s involvement in the development of the Kuril Islands is unacceptable and extremely regrettable as it seems to be based on acknowledging Russian sovereignty over the territory.” Gemba has already complained to Russia and delivered the same message to the Korean government.
Moscow is carrying out a massive development project in the Kuril Islands to strengthen its control over them. Around 50 staff of a small building firm in Korea went to Etorofu, one of the four Kuril Islands, on May 19 to build a sea wall. The construction project is reportedly worth about W53 billion (US $1 = W 1,180).
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reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com