To Whomever It May Concern  

Recently I visited your website.(

https://studioabroad.newpaltz.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=1025

)

And I was quite surprised to find your websites still label Korea's 'East Sea' as 'Sea of Japan,' which is incorrect. Such an error on such a well-known website such as yours comes as a surprise since we regard you as one of the world's best.

Using a proper name for the body of water between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago is not simply a question of changing the name of a geographical feature. It is part of the national effort by the Korean people to erase the legacy of Japanese Imperialism and to redress the unfairness that has resulted from it.

It is an absolute mistake to hear just one side of the story and to blindly follow. If we leave these kinds of things alone, it causes serious problems that disturb the order of international society.

For your reference, Dorling & Kindersley, one of biggest textbook publishers, worldatlas.com, one of prominent online map provider, and one of the biggest mapmakers, National Geographic promised us that they would now use the name 'East Sea.' In addition, these websites are already using the name, 'East Sea' on their website after we pointed out the error.

According to IHO and UNCSGN, in case of topographical feature shared with two or more countries, yet naming differently in their own languages, all of 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.

Thank you for reading and we would appreciate your favorable consideration.

We would be grateful for your explanation as to why you chose to use ‘Sea of Japan’.

Sincerely,