By Reuben Staines
Staff Reporter

South Korea on Thursday demanded Japan take disciplinary action against a top diplomat who sparked controversy by claiming the United States does not trust Seoul with classified intelligence on North Korea.

``We urge the Japanese government to take due measures against the official who made these irresponsible remarks,’’ Chong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Man-soo said, referring to Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Seoul also summoned Toshiyuki Takano, Japan’s ambassador to Seoul, to demand a public apology for the remarks.

Yachi told a group of South Korean lawmakers on May 11 that Tokyo receives a lot of intelligence from Washington but is unable to pass it on because the U.S. does not fully trust Seoul.

The comments, which were made public on Tuesday, sparked a heated debate, with conservative politicians and commentators arguing they indicated a widening rift between President Roh Moo-hyun’s administration and traditional ally the U.S.

According to ministry officials, the Japanese ambassador explained that Yachi had not intended to cast doubt on Seoul’s alliance with Washington and made the comments only to stress the importance of cooperation.

But the Chong Wae Dae spokesman said South Korea cannot ignore the episode as it could have damaging effects on relations with Japan, particularly ahead of a summit between the leaders of the two countries.

Roh and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi are set to meet in late June to discuss the North Korean nuclear standoff and other bilateral issues.

``It is not proper for a senior Japanese official to talk about South Korea-U.S. relations,’’ Kim said. ``The remarks of Vice Minister Yachi are not only false but are also rude diplomacy.’’

Seoul will wait and see how Tokyo responds before taking any further action, Kim said, declining to comment on whether South Korea will reconsider holding the June summit.

The ruling Uri Party called for Yachi to be sacked.

Seoul’s demand for disciplinary measures came as Japan failed to respond to its initial protest.

Japan confirmed on Wednesday that South Korea had presented its ``view’’ on the inappropriateness of the diplomat’s comments but said was not taken as a formal diplomatic protest.

Yachi, back in Tokyo, expressed disappointment that the lawmakers had talked about the contents of the meeting to the media. ``It is regrettable that details (of the talks) have come to light as we compared notes on an informal basis,’’ he said.

However, he declined to reveal what was discussed.

According to an opposition lawmaker who attended the informal breakfast meeting, Yachi also raised concerns that South Korea is siding with China and North Korea in the deepening standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons programs.

The diplomatic dispute comes amid criticism of Seoul’s attempts to act as a balancer in Northeast Asia at the expense of the U.S. alliance.

It is not the first time for concerns to be raised over a lack of intelligence sharing between Seoul and Washington either.

Last month, U.S. intelligence officials said they had detected signs of preparations for a nuclear test in North Korea. But South Korea’s spy chief contradicted the claims.

rjs@koreatimes.co.kr