Do you know the story about how 50 cents made possible the world’s No.1 shipbuilding yard? In the early 1970s, the late founder of Hyundai, Jung Ju-young, visited the U.K. to gain investment for starting a Korean shipbuilding industry. 

“The poor country of Korea is incapable of developing a shipbuilding industry.”

Due to such pessimistic views of Korea, Jung had a tough time attracting investment. He made one last try at A&P Appledore International, a British shipbuilding company. Its chairman, Longbottom, also rejected Jung’s proposal without a second thought.

In the face of rejection, Jung pulled a 500 won bill from his pocket.

“Korea is the country that built an iron-clad battleship in the 1500s. General Yi Sun-sin invented this ship and defeated the Japanese attacks against the odds.”

“Korea’s shipbuilding technology is over 300 years ahead of Britain’s.”

Impressed with Jung’s ambition, Longbottom decided to make investments. This eventually led Korea to become the global leader in the shipbuilding industry. At first, the international community scoffed at Korea’s attempts to build ships. 

It was an understandable doubt because at the time Korea had neither capital nor technology to develop a shipbuilding industry. Despite all the skepticism, Jung showed the confidence and ambition that he learned from General Yi’s life.  

As a result, he rewrote the history of Korea’s shipbuilding industry. The most respected historical figure in Korea, The inventor of Geobukseon, the turtle ship,

Admiral Yi Sun-sin  

Have you ever heard Yi’s brave life story?
In the late 16^th century, Korea faced a series of Japanese invasions, which is known as the Imjin War (Imjin Waeran in Korean). 

The Imjin War (1592-1598) was then the biggest war in East Asia. The Japanese army was armed with cutting-edge weaponry. They were certain they would quickly advance to Joseon’s capital and win a sweeping victory. 

However, the situation was dramatically reversed during the ocean battles.   

23 Battles, 23 Wins by Joseon!

Joseon had an absolute disadvantage in the scale of ships, troops, and weaponry. Despite unfavorable conditions, General Yi exhibited bravery, and led Joseon forces to a victory in every single battle.

Yi Sun-sin (1545~1598) 

Trained elite naval forces. Constructed a high-tech battleship, Geobukseon (turtle ship)
Developed exceptional war tactics to defeat the Japanese army 

He confronted the fear of his country’s fall. However, he encouraged the Joseon army to overcome their fear and eventually defeated Japan. 

Pilsajuksaeng (必死則生), Pilsaengjuksa (必生則死)

If you risk your life, you shall survive. If you try to save your life, you shall die.
General Yi risked his life to save his country in jeopardy.  

Have you heard about his hope? In 1597 during the Imjin War, the Joseon navy under the command of Won Gyun was devastatingly defeated.

Only 12 remained of over 160 battleships. In this time of crisis, Yi Sun-sin was appointed commander of the Joseon navy. Upon his appointment, he was given a royal edict.

“There seems to be no chance of winning on the ocean, so fight on land.”

 However, Yi raised an objection.

“Your Highness, I still have twelve battleships.” 
Even during the crisis of the country’s fall, his resolute will to win was unbroken.   

“With twelve ships, we still have hope.”
His desperate hope changed the fate of Joseon. 

The battle of Myeongryang (1597)
Ended in victory for the Joseon fleet of 12 ships against 133 Japanese ships
The last hope of General Yi saved the endangered Joseon from its fall.

His victory led to the eventual end of the war and the recovery of peace in Asia.

Have you heard about his patriotism?
He made the greatest contribution to the country during the Imjin War.
Due to vicious slanders, however, Yi was demoted from commander to private.
He unfairly lost his position and even his mother. 

Despite his anguish, he never stopped searching for ways to defeat the Japanese army. His position as naval commander was taken away. However, his patriotism remained strong to protect the country and the people.  With the loss of Yi’s command, the Joseon navy went into decline.   

Finally, Yi regained control of the navy. The betrayal of the king and the kingdom
Despite the ordeal, his patriotism never changed. 
His patriotism saved the country and the people from a national crisis. 

General Yi Sun-sin is and will forever be remembered as an immortal hero, who taught the value of bravery and hope to the descendents of Korea.

Seventy thousand General Yis appeared in the 21^st century?
Do you know about today’s General Yis, who protected the East Sea?

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is the main entity that decides the names of the seas of the world. In 1929, the IHO published the first edition of the Limits of Oceans and Seas. It adopted the name of the Sea of Japan, instead of the East Sea. The name of the Sea of Japan remained in the second edition (1937) and the third edition (1953).

‘The Sea of Japan’
During the Japanese Occupation Period (1910-1945), Korea was unable to represent itself.
Using its colonial power, Japan managed to spread the name of the Sea of Japan over the East Sea. In 1991, Korea finally raised an objection about the name to the international community.

However, Korea failed to gain support due to the influence of Japan’s nearly 100 years of lobbying. Among all the world maps in the 1990s,
Around 97% adopted the name of the Sea of Japan
Only 3% adopted the name of the East Sea

The name of the East Sea was in great danger!!!

In the face of crisis, young Koreans stood up as the General Yis of the 21^st century. They began the counterattack. Against the 97%, Koreans found hope from the 3%.

International textbooks
International map publishers
Elementary, middle, and high schools of the world

Young Koreans have been reaching out to the people of the world, who are misinformed about the truth of the East Sea. For over 10 years since 1999, they have promoted the legitimacy of the name of ‘the East Sea.’

Consequently, major institutions like National Geographic and World Atlas started accepting the name of the East Sea. As of 2012, 29% of world maps use the name of the East Sea, along with the Sea of Japan.  

Their [VANK’s] claim that the East Sea has some historical precedent worked, as some major book and map publishers, educational web sites and other reference materials now include the East Sea name along with the Sea of Japan. – worldatlas.com 

In March of 2012, Joongang Daily New York reported a surprising change.
Since 2005, 89% of world maps use the East Sea along with the Sea of Japan.

The world’s most renowned geographic magazine publisher, National Geographic
The U.K.’s popular publishing company, Dorling Kindersley 

These are the results of our steady efforts to promote the adoption of the name, the East Sea. General Yi defeated the Japanese fleet of 133 ships with only 12 ships.
What made this possible was his bravery and unyielding hope!

His spirit was passed down to today’s young Koreans.
Against the 97%, they found hope from the 3%.
With bravery and hope, these young Koreans are protecting the East Sea.
Admiral Yi Sun-sin saved our land and oceans from Japan.

His spirit has been inherited by 70 thousand VANK members!
They recognized that Takeshima might replace Dokdo in the minds of the people of the world.

To protect their territory, they began promoting the name of the East Sea.
Thanks to their efforts, more and more people came to know the truth of the East Sea.

Do you know why Koreans consider Admiral Yi their most respected historical figure?

The undefeated record in all his battles
The greatest naval admiral of the world’s military history 

Yi Sun-sin 

After hundreds of years, many people still remember and respect him. It is not because he is a hero who created miracles. It is because of the impact his words, sprit and life decisions have made on people.

He showed unrelenting bravery and unyielding hope against all adversity. Admiral Yi became the compass that guides the life of Koreans. 

Yi Sun-sin (1545~1598)

He was and still is the national hero of Korea.
For all Koreans, he will continue to be the immortal hero. 

VANK is looking for Admiral Yis of the 21^st century.
Project, Admiral Yi Sun-sin is organized on this website at http://korea.prkorea.com

Inheriting the spirit of General Yi, they should protect the culture and history of Korea.General Yis of the 21^st century will bring Korea to the center of the world in the emerging era of the Pacific. 

Who controls the seas shall control the world!
Like General Yi, young Koreans will protect their sea and change the world! 

Our hero is YOU!

In the middle of East Sea, the body of water between Japan and Korea, there is the rocky island Dokdo, 87.4km southeast from ulleungdo. This tiny and shabby rocky island is the witness of the sad Korean History. Various wild species live in their natural state on the island. And marine resources are hid under this Korean “Treasure island”, Dokdo.

But…
The US SAT textbook gives the answer “Sea of Japan” to the question about the name of the sea between Korea and Japan.

British newsmagazine Economist calls Dokdo “Takeshima”, misinforming the world’s opinion leaders that Dokdo is Japanese territory, and The French-German broadcasting station Arte TV introduced Dokdo as an island illegally occupied by Korea. The famous Canadian map-making company Geocortex also incorrectly records Dokdo as belonging to Shimane, Japan.

Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade estimates that the three fourths of world maps record “Sea of Japan” in the place of “East Sea”. It was since 1929 in International Hydrographic organization’s 6 foundation assembly that the name “Sea of Japan” has been used prevalently.

Japanese government exercised their influence over the IHo to record “Sea of Japan” on the first edition of “The boundary of oceans and seas” while they’re occupying Korea. Hence the recording of East Sea as Sea of Japan is the product of Japan’s imperialism.

Afterwards, in the process of editing the third version of “limits of oceans and Seas” in 1953, Korea, engaged in a war, could not attend the conference. Thus the sea was marked as “Sea of Japan” and took position as the formal title in the international society.

Joining the UN in 1991, Korea has steadily presented the “East Sea inscription” problem to the international society And the UNCSGN decided that if one name cannot be chosen, both names indicated, in 1974. However, japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized an exclusive team for the purpose of promoting “Sea of japan”, completely ignoring uN’s decision. Against such acts, Korea’s Cyber-diplomatic-group VANK, the government and the nation, keep sending correct to textbook publishers, international organizations, and the world’s famous sites such as national geographic. Through this, many maps adopted East sea.

The Japanese claim for the name, “Sea of Japan”, shows the Japense attempts to declare to the international world that Dokdo is indeed Takeshima, the island of Japan in the Sea of Japan. Dokdo is identified as ‘Takeshima’ in the Japanese map, on the “Sea of Japan” Dokdo was first occupied by the Japanese. After the Japanese invasion of Korea Japan landed in Korea with excuse of fight the Russo-japanese War in 1905. Their original excuse was that they will only “Pass by”, the Japanese went further to force the Korean government in signing the Korea-Japan protocol.

The Japanese also placed the Korean land under requisition and took the soveign rights of the Korean government to deal with the nation’s financial and diplomatic issues. Japan, during this period of time, assumed a watchtower and a few warships to make Dokdo a Japanese territory to use it as a naval base during the war. Due to the significance of Dokdo, the retrieval of Dokdo not only has an effect of regaining territory but also has a symbollic effect of correcting the distorted history of Korea by the Japanese. The Japanese, still claiming the rights for Dokdo, is thus denying the complete independence of Korea and promoting the past imperialistic ideologies to justify the colonial territories gained through aggressive wars.

Moreover, Japan is even applauding and justifying its past crimes including the aggressive warfares, and myriad infringements on the human dignity and human rights such as its forty years of torture, imprisonments, drafts and abusing of the comfort women. Unfortunately, this unjustifiable “nostalgia” towards its past imperialistic policies and warfare are spreading in Japan.

Therefore, Korea is now tyring to promote the Korean rights to Dokdo in the international society and confront the revival of Japanese imperialism and distortion of history. The Japanese claim for territorial rights for Dokdo is false.

Japan deprived of the Korean government the dilpomatic rights through illegal and unjustified contract and decided to incorporate Dokdo in japanese territory in a cabinet meeting. If Dokdo was the territory of Japan, this kind of clause would have been unnecessary. This evidence actually proves that Dokdo is not part of the japanese territory. Right after the collapse of the Japanese Empire in 1951, the Treaty of San Francisco was signed which states that Japan acknowledges the independence of Korea and will give up all rights over Korea including the territorial rights to jeju Island, Geomun Island and ulleung Island.

However, Japan is claiming its rights over Dokdo due to the fact that Dokdo, located at the far east, was not explicitely mentioned in the treaty. However, Japan’s such claim does not make logical sense. Even though the Marado-Island is at the very south of the country, the Jejudo-Island was mentioned Therefore the article of treaty denying the clue the only island was situated on the boundaries.

Also the Tajeong-gwan Command of Japan currently located at the Tokyo National library of official Documents explicitly shows how Dokdo is a part of Korean Territory. This document was officially published in 1877 by the Japanese government, only thirty years before the Japanese colonization of Korea. This official document proves that the Japanese claim of the territorial rights over Dokdo is a clear fabrication.

On the other hand, the Korean government also declared Dokdo as a Korean territory through the Forty-first Royal order in 1900. Takeshima, the Japanese name for Dokdo means “Bamboo Island” but there are no bamboos in Dokdo, Depite all these evidences. Japan is still clinging to the territorial rights to Dokdo because gaining Dokdo can cause japan to become one of the top-three naval powers in the world. As well as give Japan the incredibly valuable marine resources that can be used for more than 30 years such as Hydrate, which has astronomical values as an alternative source of energy.

Japan, which is still not acknowledging its past atrocities and glorifying its war criminals, should now repeal its fabricated claims for Dokdo in order to become an ethical nation and this act of acknowleding the territorial rights of Korea would become the starting point of change.

Historically, the sea area between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago known as the “Sea of Japan”, had been referred to by various names. Before the 18th century, no single name had been consistently used to designate this body of water. Various names such as “East Sea,” “Sea of Korea,” “Sea of Japan” and “Oriental Sea” appeared on old maps and publications.

It is from the early 18th century to the mid-19th century that “Sea of Korea” and “Sea of Japan” gained wide acceptance and became the names most frequently used by cartographers. It is worth noting that as late as 1870 even many Japanese maps referred to this body of water as the “Sea of Chosen(Choson)” which means literally “Sea of Korea,” Chos n being the ancient name of Korea. 

2. When and why did the name “Sea of Japan” replace other names?

It was not until the Russo-Japanese War of(1904-1905) that the term “Sea of Japan” gained wider acceptance. The Russo-Japanese War not only influenced western perceptions of East Asia in Japan’s favor, but it also drastically changed the political landscape in East Asia. As a result, Korea was deprived of its political independence in 1905 and five years later fell under Japanese occupation.

The absence of Korea’s diplomatic representation in the international affairs during the first half of the 20th century until the end of World War gave Japan a free hand to promote the term “Sea of Japan” with virtually no opposition. The active promotion by Japan and its enhanced political stature in the world scene at that time led to the gradual replacement of such names as “Sea of Korea,” “East Sea” or “Oriental Sea” by the term “Sea of Japan.” 

This process culminated in the publication of the first edition of “Limits of Oceans and Seas,” which was published by the decision of the 1929 Monaco Conference of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) as special publication No. 23. 
This book, which has since been used by cartographers all over the world as an authoritative reference for designating maritime features, employed the term “Sea of Japan” for the body of water in question. 

It is important for the international community not to lose sight of the fact that the decision by the editors of the above-mentioned book in favor of the name “Sea of Japan” was taken without due regard to the views of the Korean people during the period when Korea itself disappeared from the world map. This inherently partial decision is hard to justify and should therefore be rectified urgently.

3. What should be the proper name? : “East Sea” instead of “Sea of Japan”

Lying between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago and extending north toward Russia, the body of water in question is divided into either territorial waters of EEZ’s of the encircling countries. The Republic of Korea believes that naming such a sea area after a particular country’s name is not justified and that the sea should have a neutral name. 

The name “East Sea,” besides its neutral character, has an additional advantage in that the adjective “East” perfectly fits with its geographical position, located in the Far Eastern part of Asia. Similar nomenclature for a body of water can be found in the example of the North Sea, which derives its name from its position relative to the European continent. 

Given the reality that the name “Sea of Japan” is widely used at the present, however, the Republic of Korea, is of the view that, as an interim measure pending a final agreement between the two countries on a common designation, the two names, “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan,” should be used simultaneously in all official documents, maps and atlases in accordance with the general rule of international cartography. 

This view is in line with the recommendations adopted by the following two authoritative international organizations in the area of the standardization of geographical names : 

1) The IHO, in its resolution A. 4. 2, 6 adopted on March 13, 1974, endorsed the principle of simultaneous recognition of different names for a shared geographic feature when the sharing countries do not agree on a common name. 2) The Third UNCSGN went further in adopting resolution /20 entitled “Names of Features beyond a Single Sovereignty.” The resolution recommended that, when countries sharing a given geographical feature do not agree on a common name, it should be a general rule of cartography that the name used by each of the countries concerned will be accepted. A policy of accepting only one or some of such names while excluding the rest would be inconsistent as well as inexpedient in practice. 

The simultaneous use of the two names is further justified by the examples of English Channel/La Manche and Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas.

4. Efforts by the Republic of Korea to restore the proper name

The Korean people have never accepted the name “Sea of Japan.” Since its liberation in 1945, the Republic of Korea has made consistent efforts to restore the appropriate name to the sea area in question.

It was in the negotiations of the 1965 Fisheries Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Japan that the Republic of Korea formally took up the issue with Japan. For the designation of this body of water, Korea proposed the “East Sea,” while Japan insisted on the term “Sea of Japan.” Failing to agree on a common designation, the two countries agreed on a provisional basis to use their own respective names in the original texts of the Agreement, i.e., “East Sea” in the Korean version and “Sea of Japan” in the Japanese version. 

The Republic of Korea has initiated efforts to convince the international community of the validity of its arguments. For instance, the Republic of Korea brought this issue to the attention of the Member States of the United Nations at the Sixth UN Conference on the Standardization of Geographic Names(UNCSGN) in 1992. Strongly arguing for the name “East Sea,” it tried to enlist the support of the international community for its cause. As a result, the Sixth Conference suggested that relevant parties consult with each other to resolve this issue. 

The Republic of Korea followed this suggestion and tried to engage Japan in a constructive dialogue to find a mutually acceptable solution. However, no progress has been achieved, since Japan refused even to enter into serious discussions. This refusal on the part of Japan has resulted in a virtual standstill of the bilateral process. 

Under such circumstances, the Republic of Korea believes that the international community should take up this issue at relevant international fora. The continuation of the status quo will only perpetuate the injustice of the past and, therefore, is not acceptable to the Republic of Korea. 

At the 15th International Hydrographic Conference held in Monaco in April 1997, the Republic of Korea requested that both names “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” be simultaneously used in The Limits of Oceans and Seas, based on IHO Resolution A.4.2.6., which endorsed the principle of simultaneous recognition of different names of a shared geographical feature when sharing countries do not agree on a common name. It is expected that the new edition of The Limits of Oceans and Seas will reflect the Republic of Korea’s viewpoint. 

At the Seventh UNCSGN held in New York in January 1998, the Republic of Korea reiterated its position that the term “Sea of Japan” is unjustified, and called for urgent rectification. However, Japan has not changed its stance since the Sixth Conference that the name “Sea of Japan” is already widely accepted, and that the introduction of other names would cause confusion. The ROK, however, had the support of some representatives, who urged the Conference to encourage cartographers to use both names, as in the example of “English Channel/La Manche.” The UNCSGN President urged that the concerned parties seek advice, taking into account previous resolutions to try to reach an agreement. 

5. Recent Progress 

The Republic of Korea’s efforts have begun to yield some encouraging results, thanks to the understanding coming from the international community. Notable examples in this regard are the recent decisions made by Rand McNally, Encyclopedia Britannica and the National Geographic Society to use both names “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” in their maps and publications. 

Rand McNally, one of the world’s largest commercial map-makers, used both names “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” in Premier World Atlas(1997) and Portrait World Atlas(1998). Encyclopedia Britannica, in Political Map of Britannica CD 98 released in March 1998, followed the same format as Rand McNally. 

Most recently, in December 1999, the National Geographic Society of the USA, publisher of the National Geographic, decided to use both “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” simultaneously in all its publications. 

In addition, “Humanitarian Response Planning Map” DPRK 1998, prepared by the US Agency for International Development in December 1997, used “Sea of Japan(East Sea)”. Also, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Landform and Land Cover produced in 1998 by the United Nations Environment Programme starts with “East Sea”. A part of ‘Japan and Korea’ in The Cartographic Satellite Atlas of World, published by WorldSat International Inc. in 1997, used ‘TONG-HAE(East Sea)/NIPPON-KAI (Sea of Japan)’ as romanization of the endonym. The well-known US geography textbook, Geography : Realms, Regions, and Concepts 2000(Ninth Edition, published in August 1999) by J.J. de Blij and Peter O. Muller, uses both names “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” simultaneously. 

6. Conclusion 

Geographical names often have serious implications for the perception of a nation’s identity, culture, language and history. Thus, finding a proper name for the body of water between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago is not just a question of changing the name of a geographical feature. It is rather a part of national efforts by the Korean people to erase the legacy of their colonial past and to redress the unfairness that has resulted from it. 

In conclusion, the Republic of Korea calls upon the international community to use both names simultaneously (in such a way as “East Sea/Sea of Japan”) in any official documents and world atlases as an interim measure pending an agreement on a common designation, which is in accordance with the general rule of international cartography. 

January, 2000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Historical precedent for the “East Sea”

In most world maps and atlases used internationally today, Korea’s “East Sea” is indicated as the “Sea of Japan,” and therefore an immediate correction is warranted. To this end, it is necessary to review the historical background of the term “East Sea” and how Korea’s East Sea has been recognized by neighboring countries and other western countries in the past. Also, to prepare a strategy to change the name “Sea of Japan” back to “East Sea’” it is necessary to review the process of how the “East Sea” was unjustifiably turned into the “Sea of Japan” in the 20th century.

Name of “East Sea” in Korean Writings and Ancient Maps

Historically, Korea has used the term, “East Sea” in writings since 59 B.C. Examples can be found in numerous records including the Monument of King Kwanggaeto (411), the Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms, 1145) and the Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, 1284). Moreover, the still extant “Atlas of Eight Provinces” in the Shinjong tongguk yoji sungnam (A revised edition of the Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea, 1530) uses the term “East Sea.” In addition, a 16th century Tongguk chido (Map of Korea) uses the term “Tong cho taehae” (Great Sea of the Lower East). A map of Yongnam (the southeastern region of the peninsula) which was made in the 1740′s and a map of Korea which was officially created in the mid-18th century also used the name, “East Sea.” Hence there is much evidence that “East Sea” has been used for centuries.

Reference to the “East Sea” was also constant in numerous maps created after the 18th century. Many geography textbooks published and used before the annexation of Korea by Japan in the early 20th century made reference to the “East Sea,” “Sea of Choson” or “Sea of Korea.” However, already by the early 20th century, there were some textbooks which made reference to the “Sea of Japan.” Every textbook published after 1910 refers to the East Sea as the “Sea of Japan.”

China, Russia, and Japan’s Use of “East Sea”

According to Chinese sources, China has known of the “East Sea” since the Tang Dynasty; however, they called it just “Sea” or “Great Sea.” With the establishment in 698 of the Kingdom of Parhae by Koreans, the Chinese began calling the East Sea the “Sea of Parhae.” China used the term, “East Sea,” during the Liao Dynasty (947-1125), the Sung Dynasty (960-1279), the Chin Dynasty (1122- 1234), the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and the Qing (Ch’ing) Dynasty (1644-1912). At times during the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, the Chinese referred to the East Sea as “Ching Hai” which means “Sea of Whales” because there were a lot of whales found there. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Chinese referred to the northeastern area of the East Sea as “East Sea” and the southern area as the “South Sea.” Around 1884 during the Qing Dynasty, some scholars and bureaucrats occasionally used the term “Sea of Japan” in some documents. However, the Russia-Japan Treaty of 1905 was the first documented use of the term “Sea of Japan” at a government level.

The “Kunyuwanguoditu” is a map printed in Beijing in 1602. It was a translation into Chinese of a world map kept by a Jesuit priest, Matteo Ricci and it refers to the East Sea as the “Sea of Japan.” It is the oldest surviving Chinese map known to use the term “Sea of Japan.” However, this map does not have much significance because it was a translation of a map made by a foreigner living in China. In addition, it is believed that the production of the map was influenced by information obtained from Japan rather than from Korea. This map did not have much impact on subsequent Chinese maps. The next time the term “Sea of Japan” appeared on a Chinese map was about 1875.

Russian maps of East Asia were all created after 1639 when Russians first arrived in the Pacific coast region. In 1687, Nic Witzen’s “Noord en Oost Tartarye” refers to the East Sea as “Oceanus Orientalis.” N. Goman’s 1725 map uses the term “Eastern Ocean,” and in a 1734 map, I. Kirilov refers to the East Sea as “Vostochnoe,” meaning “east sea.” The Map of Asia printed by the renown Petersbourg Academy of Sciences in 1745 also refers to the East Sea as “Koreiskoe Mope,” or “Sea of Korea.” Other famous maps printed in Russia from 1745 to 1791 use the term “Sea of Korea.” Adam Johann von Krusenstern (1770-1846), the Russian who explored the East Sea called it the “Sea of Japan” as did the French explorer, La Perouse (1741-c. 1788), who explored the East Sea in 1787. However, the Russians called the East Sea the “Sea of Korea” in their last officially published map of 1844. Thereafter, it appears that the Russian Navy and numerous maps followed the European style in making geographical references.

The term “Sea of Japan” was used after the 18th century in many prestigious maps made in Japan. Until 1870, even Japanese maps referred to East Sea as the “Sea of Choson.” All of the following maps refer to the East Sea as the “Sea of Choson:” Takahasi Kageyasu’s 1810 “Sinteibankokuzenzu,” Abe Kinin’s 1838 “Bankokuzenzu,” Sugita Gendan’s 1850 “Chigakuseisozu,” Matsuda Rokuzan’s 1855 “Chikyubankokuzenzu,” and the 1870 “Meizikaiteibankokuyochibunzu.”

However, all maps published in Japan thereafter refer to the East Sea as the “Sea of Japan.” From this, it can be inferred that the Japanese government directed, as a matter of policy, that the name “Sea of Japan” be used. Especially, geographical references and names were changed in Matsuda Rokuzan’s 1854 map and his “Bankokuzenzu” of 1871. Hasimoto Chyozuki’s 1871 “Sinseiyochizenzu” calls the East Sea the “Sea of Japan.” From this, we can assume that changes were being made at about this time, because the term “East Sea” was not found in any of the Japanese maps published after 1871. Also, at about this time, references to the “Sea of Japan” began appearing in Chinese maps as well.

“East Sea” in Ancient Western Maps
The map which was created by Godhino de Eredia of Portugal in 1615 was the first map published in Europe to have called the East Sea as “Mar Coria” (Sea of Korea). Moreover, the East Sea is called “Mare di Corai” (Sea of Korea) in Sir Robert Dudley’s 1647 “Carta Particolare della Isola de Giapone” which was made in England. The Map of Asia which appears in E. Bowen’s World Atlas in 1744 and 1752 also refers to the East Sea as the “Sea of Korea.” The Map of the North Pacific published by J.N. Delise of France in 1750 after his exploration of Northeast Asia also calls the East Sea “Mer De Coree.” Furthermore, “Sea of Korea” appears in the first edition of the 1771 Encyclopedia Britannica.

All of the aforementioned maps prove that the East Sea was widely known as the “Sea of Korea” during the 17th and 18th centuries.

However, since the East Sea was referred to as the “Sea of Japan” in La Perouse’s map of 1797, maps produced thereafter in Europe began to use the term “Sea of Japan” with greater frequency. However, both “Sea of Korea” and “Sea of Japan” co-existed until the first half of the 19th century. It is difficult to find out how “Sea of Japan” replaced “Sea of Korea” in the later half of the 19th century because a review of all existing ancient maps has not been completed. However, it is believed that such a replacement was a reflection of the easier availability of information about Japan than Korea as Japan’s military power had expanded and the recognition of Japan had increased in the international community.

“Sea of Japan” Made Official by International Hydrographic Organization in 1929
In the early 20th century while Korea was under the colonial rule of Japan, the name East Sea was eradicated from the maps of world. The eradication of references to the East Sea started when a resolution was adopted at the first Conference of the International Hydrographic Organization t establish the limits of oceans and seas and attach appropriate local names for safe navigation. A Japanese delegation attended this conference, but there was no Korean delegation. According to the resolution, the East Sea was registered by Japan as the “Sea of Japan” in 1923. No other member country raised any objection. Consequently, the 1929 Monaco Conference adopted a resolution to publish Special Publication No.23 entitled The Limits of Oceans and Seas, which was based on data collected previously, and to make this publication an internationally accepted document. Thereafter, the mapmakers of the world used the standardized names of places based on this publication and the name “East Sea” lost its place on world maps. New editions of The Limits of Oceans and Seas were published in 1937, 1952, and 1986 and to date, the East Sea remains as the “Sea of Japan.”

Efforts of Koreans to Reclaim East Sea on World Maps
Historically speaking, the East Sea has been used for a long time not only in Korea but also in neighboring countries such as China, Russia, and Japan, as well as in Europe. That is, the “East Sea” was the established name of the sea just as the “North Sea” is in Europe, rather than being a mere reference about direction. Moreover, it would not be appropriate to allow the term “Sea of Japan” to continue to be used. Think, for example, of the Mediterranean Sea which is surrounded by many countries.

In documents written since the early 1970s, many citizens and scholars have pointed out the unreasonableness of naming the East Sea the “Sea of Japan.” Shortly after joining the United Nations, during the 1992 Sixth U.N. Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names, the Korean Government requested that this incorrect usage be corrected. At that time, the U.N. advised Korea to consult relevant countries. Of course, Japan opposed any change in the name. Thereafter, at the 1994 New York and 1996 Geneva Meetings of the U.N. Group of Experts on Geographical Names, Korea made public the unreasonableness of using the name “Sea of Japan.” In April 1997, Korea requested that “Sea of Japan” be changed to “East Sea” in The Limits of Oceans and Seas at the 15th International Hydrographic Conference held in Monaco. Consequently, it is expected that the 1999 edition of The Limits of Oceans and Seas will reflect Korea’s request.

In addition, the Korean Government continues to contact renowned map publishers, broadcasting companies, newspaper companies and magazine publishers throughout the world and to request that they use the name “East Sea” in lieu of “Sea of Japan.” Rand McNally, a U.S. map company, has started to use both “East Sea” and “Sea of Japan” in its most recently published maps.

January, 2000, The Society for East Sea, department of Geography Education
College of Education Seoul National University