In the wake of South Korean President Lee Myung Bak's unexpected visit on Aug. 10 to Takeshima, an islet in the Sea of Japan, known as Dokdo in South Korea and claimed by both Japan and South Korea, relations between the two countries appear to be rapidly deteriorating.
Leaders and diplomats of both countries need to be coolheaded and careful about their behavior and language to prevent further deterioration of bilateral ties.
Self-restraint on the part of South Korea is especially called for since Mr. Lee's Takeshima visit was apparently dictated by the domestic political situation.