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The name ''']''' is disputed by ] and ]. South Koreans prefer the name '''East Sea''' for this body of water, while North Koreans ask for '''East Sea of Korea'''. Although it is generally accepted, the name ''']''' is disputed by ] and ]. South Koreans prefer the name '''East Sea''' for this body of water, while North Koreans ask for '''East Sea of Korea'''.


The Korean government has raised their concern since the mid 1960s. A formal request for review was made in ] at the 6th UN Conference on the Standardization of Geographic Names (UNCSGN). In ], the resulting UNCSGN resolution passed 111/20, and called on Korea and Japan to reach a consensus. The ]ese government has historically refused to cooperate on this issue, despite the resolution. Because the issue continues to be unresolved between the two countries, the ] body of ] (IHB), has dropped the name ''Sea of Japan'' and leave the area blank. Since then, the Japanese government has begun to actively defend the name ''Sea of Japan.'' The Korean government has raised their concern since the mid 1960s. A formal request for review was made in ] at the 6th UN Conference on the Standardization of Geographic Names (UNCSGN). In ], the resulting UNCSGN resolution passed 111/20, and called on Korea and Japan to reach a consensus. The ]ese government has historically refused to cooperate on this issue, despite the resolution. Because the issue continues to be unresolved between the two countries, the ] body of ] (IHB), has dropped the name ''Sea of Japan'' and leave the area blank. Since then, the Japanese government has begun to actively defend the name ''Sea of Japan.''
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Since the start of the Korean government's protest as well as VANK's email campaign, some international organizations have either adapted both names on maps, or leave the area blank until a consensus can be reached between Japan and Korea. The Koreans also call the ] "West Sea". However Koreans have never claimed against ], since what is in dispute is ''Sea of Japan'' and many pre-19th-century maps call this sea ''Sea of Corea'', clearly indicating the naming of ''this'' sea is in dispute (not the ''Yellow Sea''). Since the start of the Korean government's protest as well as VANK's email campaign, some international organizations have either adapted both names on maps, or leave the area blank until a consensus can be reached between Japan and Korea. The Koreans also call the ] "West Sea". However Koreans have never claimed against ], since what is in dispute is ''Sea of Japan'' and many pre-19th-century maps call this sea ''Sea of Corea'', clearly indicating the naming of ''this'' sea is in dispute (not the ''Yellow Sea'').


⚫ ===Japan's Argument===
Asians in general, have traditionally called surrounding seas with their respective directions: for Koreans in particular, they are: namhae (south sea), donghae (east sea) and seohae (west sea). They were vaguely used and their boundaries were ambiguous. Asians in general, have traditionally called surrounding seas with their respective directions: for Koreans in particular, they are: namhae (south sea), donghae (east sea) and seohae (west sea).
They were vaguely used and their boundaries were ambiguous.
It is uncertain when they first perceived donghae as the equivalent of Sea of Japan.
At the end of the 20th century they translated Donghae into English and began to use "East Sea".


The equivocality "East Sea" has makes it almost impossible to become an international geographic name. Koreans assert that "East Sea" means east from the Asian Continent. The equivocality "East Sea" has makes it almost impossible to become an international geographic name.
Koreans assert that "East Sea" means east from the Asian Continent.
What is located to the east of the Asian Continent is not only the Sea of Japan but also the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and these seas are called "East Sea" by Chinese and Vietnamese respectively. What is located to the east of the Asian Continent is not only the Sea of Japan but also the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and these seas are called "East Sea" by Chinese and Vietnamese respectively.


In ], the ] is referred to as "East Sea" (Dong Hai 東海 in Chinese). The name Dong Hai has already registered as "East China Sea (Tung Hai)" in ''The Limits of Oceans and Seas'' published by IHO. (Tung Hai is another romanization of Dong Hai). In ], the ] is referred to as "East Sea" (Dong Hai 東海).
The name Dong Hai has already registered as "East China Sea (Tung Hai)" in ''The Limits of Oceans and Seas'' published by IHO.
(Tung Hai is another romanization of Dong Hai).


The ] name for the ] is Bien Dong (Biển Đông), which literally means East Sea. They also use "East Sea" in English. The ] name for the ] is Bien Dong (Biển Đo^ng), which literally means East Sea.
They also use "East Sea" in English.


An official name for a geographic feature is translated into each language. It is obvious that if the name "East Sea" become official, confusion may occur in many languages. Therefore the North Korean name ''East Sea of Korea'' would be preferable. An official name for a geographic feature is translated into each language.
It is obvious that if the name "East Sea" become official, name collisions will occur in many languages.
The North Koreans demand ''East Sea of Korea''..
What will happen if Madagascar renames the Indian Ocean to "East Ocean" and Australia proposes "West Ocean" and Pakistan asks for "Pakistani Ocean"?
Should the international ogranizations approve them and rename it to "East/Indian/Pakistani/West Ocean"?


⚫ ===Japan's Argument===
The Japanese government is now contesting the decision by IHB, arguing that the name has been in use for over 200 years, during which it became a standard in international maps.
Japan is a special case. Japan is a special case.
Japanese used to vaguely call the Pacific Ocean as Tokai, whose meaning is East Sea, since it is located to the east of Japan, but it is no longer in use. Japanese used to vaguely call the Pacific Ocean as Tokai, whose meaning is East Sea, since it is located to the east of Japan, but it is no longer in use.
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Who does not get confused if both sides of a nation are called the same name! Who does not get confused if both sides of a nation are called the same name!


The "Sea of Japan" was not named by the Japanese people, but Koreans contest this information and contend that Japanese imperialism has given rise to this name.
⚫ ===Korean Argument===
The Koreans insist that the Sea of Japan was called the East Sea on some pre-18th-century maps, but its apparently wrong.
South Korea cannot find any map that shows the sea exactly as "East Sea".
Korea could found only two maps, that show "The EASTERN or COREA SEA", both of which made by John Senex.
It has no choice but counting "Sea of Korea" and "Oriental Sea" as "East Sea".
What is worse is that some 19th-cetunry maps show "Eastern Sea" on the East China Sea.


⚫ ===South Korea's Argument===
The "Sea of Japan" was not named by the Japanese people, but Koreans contest this information and contend that Koreans argue the name ''Eastern Sea'' was predominant in pre-19th-century maps, and contend Japanese imperialism, compounded with their tendency to revise history and distort historical facts have given rise to the current appellation of ''Sea of Japan.'' In addition, they argue that the Sea of Japan was designated in pre-19th-century maps as "Sea of Corea" and "Oriental Sea". The "Sea of Japan" was not named by the Japanese people, but Koreans contest this information and contend that Koreans argue the name ''Eastern Sea'' was predominant in pre-19th-century maps, and contend Japanese imperialism, compounded with their tendency to revise history and distort historical facts have given rise to the current appellation of ''Sea of Japan.'' In addition, they argue that the Sea of Japan was designated in pre-19th-century maps as "Sea of Corea" and "Oriental Sea".


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* MAR DI CORAI in the Map of East Asia by Sir Robert Dudley in 1647 * MAR DI CORAI in the Map of East Asia by Sir Robert Dudley in 1647
* Ocean Oriental in the map of Philippe Briet in 1650 * Ocean Oriental in the map of Philippe Briet in 1650
* MAR DE CORÉE in the Map of Japanese Islands by Jean Baptiste Traemier in 1679 * MAR DE CORE'E in the Map of Japanese Islands by Jean Baptiste Traemier in 1679
* MER ORIENTALE OU MER DE CORÉE in the Map of Indo-China by Guillaum de L'isle, French geographer in 1705 * MER ORIENTALE OU MER DE CORE'E in the Map of Indo-China by Guillaum de L'isle, French geographer in 1705
* Sea of Corea in the Map of East Asia by John Green in 1747 * Sea of Corea in the Map of East Asia by John Green in 1747
* MER DE CORÉE in the Map of China published in France in 1748 * MER DE CORE'E in the Map of China published in France in 1748
* M. DE CORÉE in the Chart of Asia published in France in 1761 * M. DE CORE'E in the Chart of Asia published in France in 1761
* MAR DI COREA in the Map of Asian Countries created with new methods by Prof. Antonio Chata supported by the Senate of Venice, Italy in 1777 * MAR DI COREA in the Map of Asian Countries created with new methods by Prof. Antonio Chata supported by the Senate of Venice, Italy in 1777
* SEA OF COREA in the China section of British Encyclopaedia in 1778 * SEA OF COREA in the China section of British Encyclopaedia in 1778
* Sea of Corea in the Map of Russia by Bowen in 1780 * Sea of Corea in the Map of Russia by Bowen in 1780
* MER DE CORÉE in the Map of Asia Dealing with Regions and Countries, in the possession of Spanish National Library in Madrid in 1785 * MER DE CORE'E in the Map of Asia Dealing with Regions and Countries, in the possession of Spanish National Library in Madrid in 1785
* COREAN SEA in Asian Islands and Regions created in London, England in 1794 * COREAN SEA in Asian Islands and Regions created in London, England in 1794
* GULF OF COREA in the map created by Samuel Dhun in London and published by Laurie and Whittle in 1794 * GULF OF COREA in the map created by Samuel Dhun in London and published by Laurie and Whittle in 1794
* MER DE CORÉE in the Atlas of Asia created by Dezauche, a French geographer in 1800 * MER DE CORE'E in the Atlas of Asia created by Dezauche, a French geographer in 1800
* MER DE CORÉE OU DU JAPON, (Sea of Korea marked with bigger typography) in the Atlas of Asia by Dezauche in 1805 * MER DE CORE'E OU DU JAPON, (Sea of Korea marked with bigger typography) in the Atlas of Asia by Dezauche in 1805
* COREAN SEA in the Cook's Voyages published in London to mark Captain Cook's exploratory route in 1808 * COREAN SEA in the Cook's Voyages published in London to mark Captain Cook's exploratory route in 1808
* GULF OF COREA in Lizars' Chart of Asia published in London in 1833 * GULF OF COREA in Lizars' Chart of Asia published in London in 1833

Revision as of 01:26, 15 February 2003

Although it is generally accepted, the name Sea of Japan is disputed by North Korea and South Korea. South Koreans prefer the name East Sea for this body of water, while North Koreans ask for East Sea of Korea.

The Korean government has raised their concern since the mid 1960s. A formal request for review was made in 1992 at the 6th UN Conference on the Standardization of Geographic Names (UNCSGN). In 1997, the resulting UNCSGN resolution passed 111/20, and called on Korea and Japan to reach a consensus. The Japanese government has historically refused to cooperate on this issue, despite the resolution. Because the issue continues to be unresolved between the two countries, the United Nations body of International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB), has dropped the name Sea of Japan and leave the area blank. Since then, the Japanese government has begun to actively defend the name Sea of Japan.

VANK, a volunteer Korean cyber-organization, began an e-mail campaign to raise international awareness of the dispute.

Since the start of the Korean government's protest as well as VANK's email campaign, some international organizations have either adapted both names on maps, or leave the area blank until a consensus can be reached between Japan and Korea. The Koreans also call the Yellow Sea "West Sea". However Koreans have never claimed against China, since what is in dispute is Sea of Japan and many pre-19th-century maps call this sea Sea of Corea, clearly indicating the naming of this sea is in dispute (not the Yellow Sea).

Japan's Argument

Asians in general, have traditionally called surrounding seas with their respective directions: for Koreans in particular, they are: namhae (south sea), donghae (east sea) and seohae (west sea). They were vaguely used and their boundaries were ambiguous. It is uncertain when they first perceived donghae as the equivalent of Sea of Japan. At the end of the 20th century they translated Donghae into English and began to use "East Sea".

The equivocality "East Sea" has makes it almost impossible to become an international geographic name. Koreans assert that "East Sea" means east from the Asian Continent. What is located to the east of the Asian Continent is not only the Sea of Japan but also the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and these seas are called "East Sea" by Chinese and Vietnamese respectively.

In China, the East China Sea is referred to as "East Sea" (Dong Hai 東海). The name Dong Hai has already registered as "East China Sea (Tung Hai)" in The Limits of Oceans and Seas published by IHO. (Tung Hai is another romanization of Dong Hai).

The Vietnamese name for the South China Sea is Bien Dong (Biển Đo^ng), which literally means East Sea. They also use "East Sea" in English.

An official name for a geographic feature is translated into each language. It is obvious that if the name "East Sea" become official, name collisions will occur in many languages.

The North Koreans demand East Sea of Korea.. What will happen if Madagascar renames the Indian Ocean to "East Ocean" and Australia proposes "West Ocean" and Pakistan asks for "Pakistani Ocean"? Should the international ogranizations approve them and rename it to "East/Indian/Pakistani/West Ocean"?

Japan is a special case. Japanese used to vaguely call the Pacific Ocean as Tokai, whose meaning is East Sea, since it is located to the east of Japan, but it is no longer in use. Instead, Tokai indicates the Pacific coastal region. It is worth noting that for the Japanese people the word "East Sea" indicates the other side of the Sea of Japan. It is one of the reasons that Japanese strongly oppose the name of East Sea. Who does not get confused if both sides of a nation are called the same name!

The "Sea of Japan" was not named by the Japanese people, but Koreans contest this information and contend that Japanese imperialism has given rise to this name. The Koreans insist that the Sea of Japan was called the East Sea on some pre-18th-century maps, but its apparently wrong. South Korea cannot find any map that shows the sea exactly as "East Sea". Korea could found only two maps, that show "The EASTERN or COREA SEA", both of which made by John Senex. It has no choice but counting "Sea of Korea" and "Oriental Sea" as "East Sea". What is worse is that some 19th-cetunry maps show "Eastern Sea" on the East China Sea.


South Korea's Argument

The "Sea of Japan" was not named by the Japanese people, but Koreans contest this information and contend that Koreans argue the name Eastern Sea was predominant in pre-19th-century maps, and contend Japanese imperialism, compounded with their tendency to revise history and distort historical facts have given rise to the current appellation of Sea of Japan. In addition, they argue that the Sea of Japan was designated in pre-19th-century maps as "Sea of Corea" and "Oriental Sea".

According to the Korean government, these are the following maps indicating that the Sea of Japan does not historically reflect how this area has been called before the 19th century.

  • MAR CORIA in the Chart of Asia by Manuel Godinho in 1615
  • MAR DI CORAI in the Map of East Asia by Sir Robert Dudley in 1647
  • Ocean Oriental in the map of Philippe Briet in 1650
  • MAR DE CORE'E in the Map of Japanese Islands by Jean Baptiste Traemier in 1679
  • MER ORIENTALE OU MER DE CORE'E in the Map of Indo-China by Guillaum de L'isle, French geographer in 1705
  • Sea of Corea in the Map of East Asia by John Green in 1747
  • MER DE CORE'E in the Map of China published in France in 1748
  • M. DE CORE'E in the Chart of Asia published in France in 1761
  • MAR DI COREA in the Map of Asian Countries created with new methods by Prof. Antonio Chata supported by the Senate of Venice, Italy in 1777
  • SEA OF COREA in the China section of British Encyclopaedia in 1778
  • Sea of Corea in the Map of Russia by Bowen in 1780
  • MER DE CORE'E in the Map of Asia Dealing with Regions and Countries, in the possession of Spanish National Library in Madrid in 1785
  • COREAN SEA in Asian Islands and Regions created in London, England in 1794
  • GULF OF COREA in the map created by Samuel Dhun in London and published by Laurie and Whittle in 1794
  • MER DE CORE'E in the Atlas of Asia created by Dezauche, a French geographer in 1800
  • MER DE CORE'E OU DU JAPON, (Sea of Korea marked with bigger typography) in the Atlas of Asia by Dezauche in 1805
  • COREAN SEA in the Cook's Voyages published in London to mark Captain Cook's exploratory route in 1808
  • GULF OF COREA in Lizars' Chart of Asia published in London in 1833
  • GULF OF COREA in Lizars' Chart of Asia published in London in 1840
  • SEA OF COREA in General World Map created by Wyld, a British, in 1845


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