South Koreans swim to disputed island
- 12 years ago
Swimmers cheer as they prepare to stir the waters, literally, between Japan and South Korea.
On Monday, singer Kim Jang-hoon and more than 40 others set off for the Dokdo islands, as they are known in Korea, which are at the heart of a long-going row that has heated up in recent weeks.
The journey to the islands the Japanese call Takeshima will be done in stages and take about three days - time well spent to support South Korea, according to the swimmers.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN SINGER KIM JANG-HOON SAYING:
"Dokdo is undeniably our territory, so we do not have to shout that it's our territory. We will enjoy swimming the journey to Dokdo, so that Dokdo will not feel alone and we will familiarise ourselves with Dokdo. Dokdo belongs to the Republic of Korea, so we will shout, 'Go for it with the Republic of Korea'."
Last week, Japan promised to take South Korea to court after President Lee Myung-bak visited the islands.
The territory is located equidistant from both countries and is believed to have vast natural gas resources.
On Monday, singer Kim Jang-hoon and more than 40 others set off for the Dokdo islands, as they are known in Korea, which are at the heart of a long-going row that has heated up in recent weeks.
The journey to the islands the Japanese call Takeshima will be done in stages and take about three days - time well spent to support South Korea, according to the swimmers.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN SINGER KIM JANG-HOON SAYING:
"Dokdo is undeniably our territory, so we do not have to shout that it's our territory. We will enjoy swimming the journey to Dokdo, so that Dokdo will not feel alone and we will familiarise ourselves with Dokdo. Dokdo belongs to the Republic of Korea, so we will shout, 'Go for it with the Republic of Korea'."
Last week, Japan promised to take South Korea to court after President Lee Myung-bak visited the islands.
The territory is located equidistant from both countries and is believed to have vast natural gas resources.