The diplomatic row over these small, remote Pacific islands continues to simmer.<br/> <br />On Sunday, South Korea unveiled a new monument on one of the isles, which is also claimed by Japan.<br/> <br />The ceremony was meant to cement Korea's claim to the chain, which is believed to sit atop billions of dollars of natural gas deposits.<br/> <br />"Dokdo is clearly South Korea's territory historically, geographically and under international law," says security minister Maeng Hyung-ku.<br/> <br />Last week, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak drew the ire of Japan for visiting the islands, which Tokyo calls Takeshima.<br/> <br />The feud is one of several between the countries of east Asia, who are jockeying to control the resource-rich waters of the Pacific.
