East Sea vs Sea of Japan: Each Side's Case and the 2020 IHO Decision

Korea calls this sea "East Sea (동해)", Japan calls it "Sea of Japan (日本海)". This naming dispute isn't just about a name — it involves colonial history, national identity, and international standards.

Korea's Position: "East Sea"

1. Historical precedence: "East Sea" appears in Korea's Gwanggaeto Stele (414 AD). Used for 2,000+ years
2. "Sea of Japan" = imperialist product: The name spread internationally during Japan's imperial expansion (late 19th-early 20th century) when Korea was colonized and couldn't speak at international forums
3. 1929 IHO: Adopted "Sea of Japan" while Korea was under Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945)

The "East Sea" Name's Own Problem

"East Sea" = east relative to Korea. From Japan it's west, from Russia it's south. Is naming a shared sea from one country's directional perspective appropriate?

Korea's counter: "East Sea" is a proper noun, not a direction — like Indian Ocean isn't questioned. Also, advocating "East Sea" rather than "Sea of Korea" itself shows neutral intent.

Japan's Position: "Sea of Japan"

1. International establishment: Used in European maps since the 17th century, established by Krusenstern (1800s) — before colonization
2. MOFA survey: Of 1,495 19th-century European maps, 77.4% use "Sea of Japan", under 0.1% use "East Sea"

The "Sea of Japan" Name's Problem

Why should a shared sea (Korea/Japan/Russia) bear one country's name? But: Indian Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Philippine Sea, China Sea all contain country names. Why single out Sea of Japan?

The answer: colonial history context. Indian Ocean and Philippine Sea don't have this context.

International Positions

Why This Name Matters

Directly connected to Dokdo sovereignty. If "Sea of Japan" is standard, Dokdo becomes "an island in the Sea of Japan" — strengthening Japan's territorial impression.