Dear Webmaster,

I’m Seungyoon Kwon, a member of Dokdo Cyber Press of South Korea. Dokdo Cyber Press is a students’ volunteer group to propagate historical facts of Korea and correct wrong information about Dokdo and East Sea.

Your website shows “Sea of Japan”, as the name of the sea between Korea and Japan http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2106394/chinese-air-force-chief-defends-sea-japan-exercises).

So, I would like to explain the reason why the sea should be described as “East Sea” instead of “Sea of Japan”.

“East Sea” has been used in Korea for more than 2000 years to indicate the body of water between Korea and Japan with convincing evidence in many antique books. Old maps from university library in Europe and USA show “East Sea”. By the 19^th century, even maps from Japan refer to the sea as “Sea of Joseon (the old name of Korea)” instead of “Sea of Japan”.

Japan made a dogmatic decision on using the name, “Sea of Japan” in the 1^st IHO conference held in London in 1919, without any consensus of adjacent countries including Korea. At that time, Korea could not participate in the conference to raise a voice in opposition since Korea was being dominated by Japanese imperialism.

Furthermore, “Sea of Japan” including the specific name of country is not appropriate considering the stance of the adjacent countries on the issue. Therefore, “East Sea” is the most reasonable name in terms of history and international relations.

I sincerely ask you to use “East Sea” to describe the body of water between Korean and Japan in your maps and contents.

I appreciate your attention and look forward to your favorable consideration.

Sincerely Yours,

Seungyoon Kwon.