Japan protests to South Korea over military drills on disputed islands

A South Korean military helicopter firing flares during a joint US military drill in Pocheon on June 15. - PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan has lodged protests with South Korea over military drills by the latter on disputed islands, calling the move "extremely regrettable."

Japan's foreign ministry in a statement on Friday said it summoned a senior diplomat at the South Korean embassy in Tokyo, while the Japanese embassy in Seoul also summoned a senior South Korean official to make the protest.