(LEAD) S. Korea expresses 'deep regret' over Japan's approval of textbooks distorting history

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SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Tuesday voiced "deep regret" after Japan approved high school textbooks distorting historical facts on its easternmost islets of Dokdo, urging Tokyo to correct the issue.

Kim Sang-hoon, director general for Asia-Pacific affairs at Seoul's foreign ministry, lodged the complaint as he called in Taisuke Mibae, minister at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, in protest of the announcement.

"The government expresses deep regret over the Japanese government's approval of high school textbooks that distort historical facts based on its own historical perspective, and we strongly urge Japan to rectify this issue," ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a commentary.

The ministry strongly protested that the Japanese government's repeated approval of textbooks containing unjust claims over Dokdo -- South Korea's inherent territory historically, geographically and by international law.

"We firmly state that we do not accept any claims by Japan regarding Dokdo," Lee said.

Dokdo has long been a recurring source of tension between the two neighbors, as Tokyo continues to make the sovereignty claims in its policy papers, public statements and school textbooks.

South Korea maintains a small police detachment on the islets, effectively controlling them.

The ministry also denounced Tokyo for allowing textbooks to contain descriptions diluting the coercive nature of wartime forced labor and sexual slavery by the Japanese imperial army during World War II.

"We urge Japan to sincerely uphold and implement the spirit of apology and atonement that it has expressed regarding historical issues," Lee said.

"A future-oriented relationship must be built on a correct understanding of history. We expect the Japanese government to take a responsible approach in educating future generations," he added.

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