Korean leader joins textbook row

The issue has aroused strong feelings in South Korea

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has joined in complaints to Japan about the publication of controversial new history textbooks.

The works are accused of glossing over Japanese atrocities before and during World War II.

South Korean envoy in Tokyo: Recalled home

President Kim is quoted as saying at a meeting in Seoul with Japanese businessmen that the books should be amended because they contravened an agreement between the two countries to improve relations.

"The South Korean nation is expressing complaints about the text which falls far short of the mutual agreement announced in 1998," he said.

He said he wished to resolve the dispute by having further changes made to the books.

"The Korean Government will take up this issue based on our experts' study of historical facts," President Kim added.

Diplomatic protest

Earlier this week, the government withdrew its ambassador in Tokyo over the textbooks.

Seoul says it has set up a task force to handle the escalating dispute.

South Koreans are particularly angered that there is no reference in the textbooks to Korean women being used by Japanese soldiers as sex slaves.

China and Taiwan have also criticised the books.

However, their publication has been defended by some Japanese historians who say the country should not have to keep apologising for its past aggression in Asia.

The Japanese education ministry has said it does not plan any further revisions to the text.