Using the proper name 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. Also
as of January 2019 IHO has insisted talks resume between the two countries to
come to an agreement about the region or will otherwise eradicate ¡®Sea of
Japan¡¯ at the next conference. The International
Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which formulates international guidelines for
nautical charts, accepted Korean allegations and proposed that the term
"Sea of Japan," which has been used internationally, be
scratched.
Once Korea and Japan agree on a common designation,
which is in accord with the general rule of international cartography, we will
then follow the agreed-on designation.