Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) – South Korea sent a ship to survey waters near two islets whose total surface is equal to .39 Km2, in a move that threatened to raise tensions with Tokyo. Known as Dokdo in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese, they are held by Seoul but claimed by Tokyo. The survey is scheduled to last until July 14.

The 2,533-tonme 'Haeyang 2000' left the port of Busan on Sunday night with some 20 crew members on board, said an official from South Korea's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Trade, to conduct a survey of pollution levels.

Yonhap news agency reported the South Korean coast guard planned to escort the ship on the survey, presumably to ward off any Japanese interference. The coast guard did not immediately confirm or deny the report.

The tiny islets, about equidistant between Japan and South Korea, are held by Seoul but claimed by Tokyo after its colonial occupation of Korea in 1910-1945.

A South Korean garrison has occupied the two tiny islands since 1954.

In 1965 talks to normalise relations between the two countries saw discussions about the issue postponed.

Talks held in 1996 about their respective maritime borders were interrupted in 2000.

The latest move is part of a series of mutual provocations that began last year when the governments of both countries started sending warships and survey vessels to the islands. Under international law, each country has rights to explore and use marine resources within 370 kilometres from its shores.

It seems there is no doubt, from a historical perspective, that Korea should enjoy sovereignty of the islands. Prof Mark Seldon of Cornell University said: "Data from historical archives bear Korea out. It can claim possession from the time of the Silla Dynasty (in 8th century)."

Japanese diplomacy has sought to overrule the case of history by presenting a document stating that the Kingdom of Korea ceded the two islets to Japan in 1905, but no one has able to prove its authenticity.