Draft A Sea with Two Names: The East Sea or the Sea of Japan?

Korea100
Lyndsey (토론 | 기여) 사용자의 2017년 8월 21일 (월) 20:55 판

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Title "East Sea" and "Sea of Japan" Must be Written Together
Author 조윤정



1차 원고

When a body of water reaches the borders of several different countries, naming of that sea becomes an international issue. This is the case with the sea between Korea and Japan.

Historically, Korea has called this sea the Oriental Sea and the Sea of Korea and now argues for the East Sea. Japan argues that the sea must be called the Sea of Japan and uses that name in most school textbooks. Indeed, major countries around the world also used the name Sea of Japan until 20 years ago as this is the name Japan registered with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) during its occupation of Korea. Korea joined the IHO in 1957 and raised objection to the name Sea of Japan in 1992.

Japan stresses the long historical use of "Sea of Japan," considering that it appears on Matteo Ricci's world map from 1602. But old maps produced around the world from the 17th to 18th centuries use several names including Sea of Korea, East Sea and Oriental Sea. In Korea, the name East Sea dates back 1600 years, as it is found on the Monument of King Gwanggaeto from 414. In contrast, the country name “Japan” was not used until the 8th century, precluding use of the name Sea of Japan before then.

Most Japanese maps actually labeled the waters between Korea and Japan as "Sea of Chosen (Joseon)" till the late 19th century when Japanese imperialism reached its height and all Japanese maps came to be marked with “Sea of Japan.” This new name was officially authorized by the IHO in 1929, during the Japanese occupation period when all Korean names were changed to Japanese style and when Korea was not a member of the IHO. Because Korea could not make its own case at that time, the registration should be regarded as illegitimate, and should now be rectified.

Before Korea and Japan reach an agreement, the IHO and the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names say that both East Sea and Sea of Japan should be used together. This rule is being increasingly followed by the media, map makers, and publications such as National Geographic and Lonely Planet. It should be widely followed.