South Korea's defense ministry has once again urged Japan to accept a scientific and objective process... to verify the facts in the two side's recent military dispute.
This comes after Tokyo released audio files Monday that it claims to prove a Japanese patrol aircraft was targeted by a South Korean warship in the East Sea.
Seoul's response: scientifically and objectively, the recording proves nothing.
Park Ji-won reports.
South Korea's Ministry of National Defense expressed deep concern and regrets to Japan over the announcement Monday evening.
Tokyo's defense ministry said on its website that it is ending consultations with South Korea over the matter,... and it released audio files it claims to be the sound of electric waves from the targeting radar.
Seoul's defense ministry said, however, that the unidentified sounds provide nothing that can be verified scientifically or as evidence... such as the date it was recorded, the location, or the direction and frequency of the supposed radar emissions.

"The sounds presented by Japan are unidentifiable mechanical sounds... from which we can never verify the exact detection date, angle of direction or characteristics of the radar frequencies,... which are the elements that South Korea has demanded for the sake of objectivity. South Korea once again urges Japan to provide accurate evidence and accept a scientific and objective verification, with the participation of radar experts from both countries."

A South Korea radar expert also said the audio files do not prove anything, lacking the key evidence of system log files.

"The sound released by Japan is a processed mechanical sound. Thus we cannot confirm that it is the sound related to the fire-control radar's frequency. In addition, Japan did not provide a system log file to prove its claim that the sound was acquired at the site."

South Korea's defense ministry also said the key matter of the dispute is what it called Japan's "unmannerly" low-altitude flight near a South Korean warship on a humanitarian operation to rescue another ship in distress.
It asked Japan to prevent it from happening again and to apologize.
The ministry stressed however... that South Korea will continue to pursue defense cooperation bilaterally with Washington and with Tokyo.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.