Seoul 'prepared' to defend islets

SEOUL (Kyodo) South Korea said in its 2008 defense white paper, issued Monday, it is "fully prepared" to defend its territory, including the islets in the Sea of Japan claimed by Japan.

"(We) are fully prepared to firmly defend territories on the East, West and South sea, including Dokdo," the paper says.

In its previous defense paper, issued in 2006, a mention about the islets said "patrolling efforts have been strengthened over maritime areas under our jurisdiction, including Dokdo."

Japan's territorial claim to the South Korea-controlled islets, known as Takeshima in Japan, has sparked anti-Japanese rallies in South Korea whenever Japan has renewed its claim.