The first vice-minister of Land and Seas in charge of the base construction, when questioned at a session of "the National Assembly" on March 8 as regards the change of the name, tried to dodge the responsibility for it, saying the base has been called East Sea Comprehensive Marine Science Base since November of 2009.

But, it was disclosed that various data released by the group for measures for managing Tok Islets last year and this year contained the expression of "Tokdo" as regards the name of the base. This touched off criticism, raising questions as to "Didn't the authorities read the face of Japan" and "Didn't they change the name for fear of diplomatic friction with Japan". He replied: "It is hard to say there was not such part."

The ministers of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Land and Sea were reported to have boycotted the meeting, feeling guilty.

As seen above, the authorities are keen to please Japan becoming evermore undisguised in their ambition to grab Tok Islets as the days go by. This behavior is touching off bitter anger among people of various circles in south Korea.