South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon says South Korea has vowed to protect the country's territorial integrity in the Dokdo island dispute with Japan.

Dokdo island, known as Takeshima in Japan, is a volcanic island east of South Korea, which both South Korea and Japan have claimed sovereignty over.

Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, Ban Ki-moon said the Dokdo island is about the territorial integrity of South Korea.

The issue flared up this week when a Japanese civilian light airplane tried to fly over the Dokdo island on Tuesday morning.

The Japanese flight gave up the attempt after South Korea refused to grant permission.

(CRI.com March 10, 2005)