South Korea's president has visited islands also claimed by Japan, in a move that raised diplomatic tensions. Lee Myung-bak flew to the islands, which are known as Dokdo in South Korea and as Takeshima in Japan.

Both South Korea and Japan put their historical claim to the islands, and the issue is still to be resolved. The islands provide a major fishing station and are a prospective source of natural gas. The dispute over these islands is a major hurdle to the otherwise improving relations between the two countries.

As per South Korea, Dokdo was recognised by Japan as South Korean territory in 1696 but Japan claims that the islands are under its sovereign jurisdiction since the mid 17th Century. It argues that its sailors have been using it as a navigational port, docking point for ships and a rich fishing ground since then.