South Koreans swim to disputed islands amid Japan row
News On Japan via BBC -- Aug 15
More than 40 South Koreans have begun a relay swim of more than 200km (124 miles) to islands also claimed by Japan amid a serious diplomatic row between the two neighbours.
The swimmers are headed for the islands known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.
Their swim follows the first-ever visit of a South Korean president to the islands on Friday.
The visit has infuriated Japan, which recalled its ambassador to South Korea.
The islands, which are roughly equidistant from the two countries, are small but lie in fishing grounds which could also contain large gas deposits. A South Korean coastguard detachment has been stationed there since 1954.
The team of swimmers, led by South Korean singer Kim Jang-hoon, plan to reach the islands on Wednesday, which marks the anniversary of the country's liberation from Japan in 1945.
Source: BBC
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