I am contacting you regarding an issue I've noted on your website concerning the labeling of the body of water commonly referred to as the "East Sea," incorrectly designated as the "Sea of Japan." I wish to offer historical insights and kindly urge for a correction in future publications.
The term 'East Sea' has been ingrained in Korean heritage for millennia, substantiated by a wealth of historical references and ancient cartography. Conversely, the nomenclature 'Sea of Japan' can be traced back to Matteo Ricci's "Gonyeo Mangukjeon" in 1602, as evidenced in various historical records. The assertion that its establishment occurred in the 19th century is disputed, given that contemporaneous Japanese maps denoted these waters as the 'Sea of Joseon.'
The late 19th and early 20th centuries, coinciding with Japan's regional dominance, witnessed the widespread adoption of the 'Sea of Japan' moniker for the 'East Sea.' Notably, this occurred during Japan's colonial rule over Korea, leading to international acceptance of the 'Sea of Japan' designation.
Despite challenges, our nation, particularly post-Korean War, has persistently campaigned for the rightful acknowledgment of the 'East Sea.' For instance, the 1965 Korea-Japan Fisheries Agreement saw both countries agree to incorporate 'East Sea' and 'Sea of Japan' in their respective language versions. Subsequent endeavors culminated in Korea formally raising the East Sea labeling issue at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Geographical Names Standardization.
The term 'East Sea' bears profound cultural significance for 75 million Koreans, spanning over two millennia and finding mention in the initial stanza of our national anthem. However, unlike Japan, we advocate for a balanced approach, proposing the utilization of both 'East Sea' and 'Japan Sea.'