To Whom It May Concern of One Shared Ocean:

On Sepetember 1, I was looking at the effects of global warming for a school paper and happened on your site

http://onesharedocean.org/LME_50_Sea_of_Japan and was deeply distressed to find that you have chosen to name designate the East Seas as ‘Sea of Japan.’ It seems extremely inappropriate and frankly appalling, that a site dedicated to educating the world about global warming would be so ill informed to blatantly use such designation with complete lack of regard for the dispute between the Korea and Japan. Especially as this site was funded by the UN and other European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technical devolvement and demonstrations.

Properly naming the body of water between Korea and Japan is not simply a question of naming a geographic area but is part of a national effort by the Korean Republic to erase the legacy of Japanese Imperialism and to redress the unfairness that has been resulted from that period. The way African-Americans were enslaved, so was the Korean people.

Articulating the correct use of the names for the body of water between Korea and Japan is not simply a question of naming a geographic area but is part of a national effort by the Korean Republic to erase the legacy of Japanese Imperialism and to redress the unfairness that has been resulted from that period. The way African-Americans were enslaved, so was the Korean people. Therefore, I urge you to use 'East Sea' to describe the body of water in question or to use both Korean and Japanese designation simultaneously (e.g. 'East Sea/Sea of Japan') in your contents and maps. 

According to IHO and UNCSGN, in case of topographical feature shared with two or more countries, yet naming differently in their own languages, all the names in each language should be marked. Once Korea and Japan agree on a common designation that is in accord with the general rule of international cartography we will then follow the agreed-on designation. 

I feel that an organization funded by the UN with grants from the European Union, of all organizations, should be sensitive to the plight of countries. Even as the world is ravaged by not only by Covid-19, but racial injustice and discrimination, it is imperative that matters pertaining to national guidelines be meet more rigorously. I ask that you contact me with changes and look forward to visiting your site with the implemented change. You can email me at asianomadjr@gmail.com with your response, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. And I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,  

Allison Cheigh