SEOUL, April 18 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Roh Moo-hyunsaid Tuesday that his government is considering to change the decades-long "quiet diplomacy" on the disputed islets of Dokdo into a hardline stance as Japan's increasingly aggressive move on the issue.

    Roh made the remarks during a meeting with ruling and opposition party leader over the latest territory row triggered byJapan's decision of conducting maritime survey around Dokdo islets,which is now under control of South Korea.

    "Japan's increasing provocation surrounding Dokdo is in line with its continued distortion of our shared history and its political leaders' repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine," Roh said.

    "Such provocation is an act by the nationalist Japanese regime to justify Japan's past aggression and also a challenge to the future order of Northeast Asia. In other words, these are a problem for future security as well as history," he stressed.

    Tuesday's meeting with party leaders was convened just one day after the government issued a stern warning over Japan's announcement of carrying out maritime survey on waters near the Dokdo islets.

    Kim Man-soo, the spokesman for the president, told reporters that Roh will discuss with cabinet ministers "concrete counter moves" against Japan's "forcible entry" into the South Korean exclusive economic zone as well as against Japan's continued attempts to escalate the diplomatic dispute over Dokdo.

    The Dokdo islets are located some 89 km southeast to South Korean Uleung Island and 160 km northwest to Japanese Oki Island in the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Both South Korea and Japan claim sovereignty of the islets. Enditem