Press Releases 04~05

U.S. Embassy Refutes Press Reports

March 16, 2005

The Internet and print versions of the Seoul Shinmun carried a piece today stating that Joseph Yun, U.S. Embassy Political Minister-Counselor designate, supported Japan on the Dokdo/Takeshima Island issue. This story, based on comments from a participant in a March 11 meeting in Washington, D.C., is completely false. Mr. Yun did not take any side on this issue, and the story completely mischaracterizes Mr. Yun's comments.

U.S. policy on the Dokdo/Takeshima Island issue has been and continues to be that the United States does not take a position on either Korea's claim or Japan's claim to the island. Our hope is that the two countries will resolve the issue amicably.