Koreans will not be seeing any Japanese condoms as they slip into the tube each morning now that Seoul Metro has decided to pull prophylactic posters for Okamoto condoms from its subway carriages.

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.