SEOUL -- South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki Moon demanded Wednesday that Japan immediately scrap a planned maritime survey near a group of disputed isles in the Sea of Japan and settle the issue diplomatically before there's a high-seas showdown.</PARAGRAPH> <PHOTO> <TABLE WIDTH='250' ALIGN='RIGHT' BORDER='0'> <TR> <TD><IMG ALT='News photo' BORDER='0' SRC='../images/photos2006/nn20060420a1a.jpg' WIDTH='250' HEIGHT='151'/></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>Two Japan Coast Guard patrol ships await dispatch from Sakaiminato port to an area near disputed islets lying midway between Japan and South Korea. </B></FONT></TD> </TR> <TABLE> </PHOTO> <PARAGRAPH>'If Japan goes ahead with the survey in South Korea's exclusive economic zone, the government will deal with it sternly in accordance with international law and domestic laws,' Ban said after a meeting of ministers and ranking national security officials convened by President Roh Moo Hyun.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>'The Japanese government will be held responsible for any consequences that may arise from its actions.'</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Roh convened the meeting in response to the dispatch of two Japan Coast Guard vessels to conduct the survey near waters off the South-Korean controlled islets, called Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Earlier in the day, Ban, speaking to business leaders, said, 'We don't want the situation to worsen, but we will take all steps to protect –

sovereignty over Dokdo," Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korea's coast guard said it has deployed more than 18 ships, including patrol vessels, near the isles to block the Japanese ships from entering South Korea's EEZ.

Song Min Soon, Roh's chief security adviser, said South Korea is preparing for a possible confrontation if Japan pushes ahead with its plan to survey the contested area.

"A government vessel maintains its status as a government vessel when it maintains its dignity as one and pays due respect to its host countries, and if it crosses that line, a confrontation is unavoidable," Song was quoted as telling reporters by Yonhap.