World Cup plans 'under threat'

South Korean bitterness has turned to real anger

By Caroline Gluck in Seoul

The row between Japan and South Korea over controversial school history books will damage joint preparations for next year's football World Cup, the co-chairman of South Korea's organising committee has said.

Japan and South Korea will need to work together

Chung Mong-Joon, also a vice-president of football's world governing body Fifa, said it was both regrettable and unfortunate that the dispute could cast a shadow over the tournament.

He noted that when the games were jointly awarded to Japan and South Korea many hoped it could bring the two countries closer together.

But he said the dispute was undermining the spirit of co-operation.

But he suggested that a visit by the Japanese Emperor, to attend the opening match in Seoul, would still be desirable and seen as a gesture of reconciliation.

Military ties frozen

Meanwhile, South Korea's parliament has passed a resolution urging Japan to immediately revise the books, which South Korea and several Asian nations say whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities. Earlier this week Japan rejected calls for substantial revisions to the textbooks.

South Korea is cutting cultural ties with Japan

The statement, from parliament, said if the demand was not accepted South Korea would unite with other Asian nations and take necessary action.

On Thursday Seoul announced its first retaliatory steps against Japan, freezing military exchanges and suspending plans to further open up markets to Japanese cultural goods.

The Education Ministry is reconsidering future teacher and student exchanges with Japan.

The ongoing dispute is threatening to undo much of the progress made in improving bilateral ties but emotions are running high in South Korea, which was occupied by Japan for 35 years.

There is strong pressure on the government to take a firm stand on the issue.