I am writing to address an issue I noticed on your website regarding the designation of a body of water known as the "East Sea," incorrectly labeled as the "Sea of Japan." I would like to provide historical context and respectfully request a correction in future articles.
The term 'East Sea' has been used by Koreans for over 2,000 years, supported by various historical sources and ancient maps. In contrast, the name 'Sea of Japan' traces its origins to Matteo Ricci's "Gonyeo Mangukjeon" in 1602, as evidenced by historical records. The assertion that the name was established in the 19th century is disputed, as contemporary Japanese maps referred to these waters as the 'Sea of Joseon.'
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with Japan's regional dominance, the 'East Sea' gradually became widely known as the 'Sea of Japan.' Importantly, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) published the first edition of "Limits of Oceans and Seas" in 1929, a period when Japan held colonial control over Korea, which contributed to the global adoption of the 'Sea of Japan' label.
Despite challenges, our country, especially in the aftermath of the Korean War, has consistently advocated for the rightful recognition of the 'East Sea.' For instance, during the 1965 Korea-Japan Fisheries Agreement, both nations reached a compromise to use 'East Sea' and 'Sea of Japan' in their respective language versions. Subsequent efforts led Korea to officially raise the East Sea naming issue at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Geographical Names Standardization.
The term 'East Sea' holds profound cultural significance for 75 million Korean people, spanning millennia and finding resonance in the opening verse of our national anthem. Unlike Japan, we advocate for a balanced approach, suggesting the use of both 'East Sea' and 'Japan Sea.'
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