
Advertisements for Japanese condoms were removed from subways in Seoul following a fresh round of public fury over Japan's renewed claims to Korea's easternmost islets Dokdo. Seoul Metro, which operates subway lines No. 1-4, had put ads for Japanese company Okamoto's condoms on the interior of 40 subway trains on lines No. 2 and 3 last Friday. The ads, 54 by 39 centimeters, were placed next to the train doors _ one of the most eye-catching spots. They did not have a picture related to a condom, but had phrases such as "No. 1 in Japan." The subway operator, however, removed all the ads Tuesday even though the contract had not run out, saying they may be against "public sentiment." "Apart from the inappropriateness of condom ads inside subway cars, we thought it could run counter to public sentiment following the eruption of a fresh dispute over Dokdo," a Seoul Metro official said. She said the breach of contract and possible indemnity is a matter between Okamoto and the subway operator's subcontractor in charge of ad management.