President Roh Moo-hyun said Tuesday that Seoul will not tolerate violations of its waters by neighboring countries or international crimes committed in the seas around South Korea.

South Korea has been engaged in the past in sporadic conflicts with neighboring Japan, over the issue of sovereignty of the islet of Dokdo, which lies east of the Korean peninsula.

In a speech to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the nation's maritime police, Roh stressed the need to protect national sovereignty by effectively mobilizing aircraft and ships.

He said to that end, efforts would be made to speedily establish a maritime police academy to help the country develop and protect its waters.