— South Korea summoned Japan’s ambassador on Wednesday to protest Tokyo’s renewed claims to a group of disputed islets — a spat that could sour a rare outpouring of sympathy toward Seoul’s former colonial ruler following a devastating earthquake and tsunami.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Japan approved middle school textbooks that make unfounded claims to the islets, which have long been at the center of disputes between the Asian neighbors. They are effectively controlled by South Korea but are claimed by Japan.
“We express our deep disappointment and regret over the history textbooks … that justify and beautify
