South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun instructed the administration on Tuesday to take measures to eliminate the legacy of Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of Korea, according to Chong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Man-soo.

"We need to clearly do away with the legacy of the colonial rule that exist in data, documents and records around the world," Roh was quoted as saying during a Cabinet meeting at Chong Wa Dae.

"This is very important as it means recovering our sovereignty in the knowledge and information areas," Roh said. "The government should take the leading role in this effort."

Rectifying this legacy means correcting wrong facts including territorial names such as Tokto (Dokdo) and the East Sea, Kim explained.

"Relevant efforts will focus on correcting wrong marks and explanations in international documents, Internet and academic materials pertinent to Japan's colonial rule," Kim said.

Roh's instruction came following his criticism of Japan regarding the neighboring nation's repeated claim over the Tokto islets in the East Sea and attempts to justify the atrocities it committed during World War II.

Roh's criticism created a stir in Seoul-Tokyo relations, prompting Japan to seek summit talks between Roh and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

In a show of reconciliation, Roh said he would accept the proposal for the summit, saying he was not attempting to thwart the bilateral economic and cultural exchanges and discontinue diplomatic itineraries.

His remarks are intended to prevent Japan from approving school textbooks with distorted descriptions of the history of Korea and Japan. Japan's Education Ministry is set to disclose the results of its review of the textbooks April 5.

In a related development, the National Security Council issued a press release on the Tokto issue Tuesday, saying it would calmly and squarely address the issue involving the islets.

It asserted the Tokto issue is about recovering the nation's sovereignty and overcoming the legacy of Japanese colonial rule.

"Japan's possession of Tokto in 1905 was the highlight of Japan's aggression of the nation during the period between 1894 and 1910,"it said.

Source: Agencies