By You have to like this solution the IHO came up with for the Sea of Japan/East Sea issue:
The International Hydrographic Organization on Friday made a proposal that could favor Korea in its dispute with Japan over the name of the body of water between the two countries.
At the group’s general meeting in Monaco on Thursday, the IHO discussed how to officially refer to the sea that Korea calls the "East Sea" and Japan calls the "Sea of Japan." No agreement was reached.
Instead, David Wynford Williams, chairman of the meeting, proposed omitting the name from the fourth edition of "Limits of Oceans and Seas," the guide the IHO publishes for map makers around the world.
Under the proposal, an oceanographic map of the area would be published in a two-page appendix to the guide after the two countries settle on a name.
So it is official now it is not the Sea of Japan or the East Sea its just the Pacific Ocean. Using this logic the Korea Strait between Korea and Japan should also be removed from the map one would think.Â
The Korean government is of course over joyed by this announcement and here is why:
The deletion of the name in the upcoming guide should draw international attention to the issue. For Korea, making the dispute a global issue could prove helpful to its efforts, while Japan is trying to keep the matter quiet to preserve the status quo.
Here is a reality check to the Korean government, nobody but Korea and Japan give a crap about this issue and that is why the IHO just pulled the name off their map because their tired of hearing about it because it is so stupid. This is not a global issue and will not ever be a global issue and no one besides Korea and Japan cares.Â
8:21 am on May 14th, 2007 1
Removing the name for the sea we’ve been using since the early 1800’s is hardly what I’d call a solution. This is a gigantic victory for South Korea, which only cares about removing the name “Japan” from maps. Frankly, I’m disgusted that the IHO caved in to their BS.
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10:59 am on May 14th, 2007 2
Actually, from what I heard,
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070512b3.html
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11:06 am on May 14th, 2007 3
“At the group’s general meeting in Monaco on Thursday, the IHO discussed how to officially refer to the sea that Korea calls the “East Sea” and Japan calls the “Sea of Japan.”
And what does everybody else in the world call it? The Sea of Japan. This sort of semantic misrepresentation reminds of me how August 15 is designated as the day Koreans were liberated without mentioning specifically who did the liberating.
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12:28 pm on May 14th, 2007 4
BERLIN (Reuters) – In a stunning decision, an emergency closed-door meeting of the International Cartographic Association resulted in the controversial binding recommendation to change a nation’s title on all internationally recognized maps beginning in 2008.
The unprecedented move will replace Japan with East Nation on all military, commercial and navigational maps. The decision also applies to the nation formally known as Japan which, by international treaty, must comply with international cartographic directives or risk sanctions in sectors ranging from aviation to shipping.
While this certainly clears up a number of confusing issues concerning regional name designations, not everyone is happy with the decision.
“Obviously, the delegation from East Nation was unhappy with the decision,” said ICA spokesman, Chuck N. Haid. “But, frankly, the claims of the Korean delegation were stronger; especially when we took into account the results from our on-line cyber survey.”
A consensus in the region was not easy to reach but, according to Mr. Haid, “the turning point in negotiations came about when the Korean delegation relented on their claims to the body of water separating the two nations and agreed to let it stand as the Sea of East Nation.”
More regional disagreement is expected as the ICA is currently in closed-door meetings concerning the large body of water above the Yellow Sea, which mostly borders China, yet is called Korea Bay on most maps.
Mr. Haid stated, “The Korean delegation felt, in all fairness, the name should be changed to represent more westward countries. The Chinese suggestion of The North and South Divided Nation Which is East of Us Bay has been rejected by the Korean delegation as too long for smaller maps.”
Mr. Haid’s final comment on the issue before returning to negotiations was, “In actuality, these issues are of little concern to the international community. Next month, we will be meeting with delegations from 42 bordering nations, and numerous interested parties, as we try to decide the future name of the Indian Ocean. With a militant federation of Arapaho, Papago-Pima and Eel River Athabascans, it could be the next world war.”
J!
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4:33 pm on May 14th, 2007 5
Well it is obvious, Korea has four distinct seasons, and therefore is the dominant country in the region.
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6:46 pm on May 14th, 2007 6
[...] [GI Korea] The Sea that Cannot be Named Published: Sun, 13 May 2007 20:54:03 +0000 You have to like this solution the IHO came up with for the Sea of Japan/East Sea issue: The International Hydrographic Organization on Friday made a proposal that could favor Korea in its dispute with Japan over the name of the body of water between the two countries. At the group’s general meeting in Monaco on Thursday, [...] Read More… [...]
6:57 pm on May 14th, 2007 7
The ONLY country with four distinct seasons. IN THE WORLD. As taught in elementary school.
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7:58 pm on May 14th, 2007 8
Well its certainly Spring…or is it Summer out there….
yep this is a distinct season
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11:00 pm on May 14th, 2007 9
Please don’t put Japan together with Korea on this one; Korea really is the only one in the world that cares
. Japan is just responding to their claims at the IHO, not committing Cyber-Terrorism.
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11:28 pm on May 14th, 2007 10
I have been waitting the IHO decision to say something about this matter. It is not what I have been expecting but it´s not so bad. It could have been worst.
The more I read americans blogs, the more I realise what bothers them: the fact the a small country like korea can act by himself, taking it´s own decision and carrying out what thinks it better for himself. I can´t see other reason but this, and I tried hard to find an other reason but I failed.
I´m saying this because it really piss me off when I see americans critizing korea wihtout reason whenever we do something good for us. It is inevitable, it looks like they are hired to do so, it´s like they have to it in order to start a good day. I think their doctor prescribe it for their health.
Korea is not a perfect country, and like many other countries we also fail, but it doesn not give them the right to point the finger to us to insult us like we were a bunch of ignorants or children.
I have read the postings above and no one came out with a good reason to insult korea, and the more incredible is that it has nothing to do with USA. I really want someone to tell me the reason why they hate so much korea and insist to label it as ignorant.
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11:32 pm on May 14th, 2007 11
No, no, no…
You are all wrong about it…
They are taught there are “four ‘dis stinks seasons”…
…as in…
‘Dis stinkin’ summer is hot and moldy-wet.
‘Dis stinkin’ fall is irritatingly short.
‘Dis stinkin’ winter is long and bone-chilling cold.
‘Dis stinkin’ spring is filled with wind, rain and yellow dust.
There. Four ‘dis stinks seasons. Easy.
Next time, I will explain how Dr. Wang’s hybrid bird experiment inspired, “Korea invented hen-gull”.
J!
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12:37 am on May 15th, 2007 12
Dr. Yu,
You have some good points. Many foreigners incorrectly criticize Korea.
Don’t worry, Dr. Yu. Korea has developed well and will continue to develop regardless of complaining foreigners. Be proud of your country, be confident in your nation’s abilities, ignore unnecessary complaints and continue working hard to improve Korea.
On the issue of Dokdo, Korea should do everything possible to insure the island (with all it’s mineral and fishing rights) is fully controlled by Korea and internationally recognized as such. Propaganda and nationalism are useful tools. Foreigners who criticize this should be ignored.
BUT…
Changing the name of the sea between Korea and Japan will do nothing to benefit Korea’s development or standard of living. Korea embarrasses itself to continue bringing this debate to public attention.
While Sea of Japan is offensive to Korea, East Sea is equally offensive to Japan (it is their west sea). Korea seems insincere or ignorant to insist on this name change.
On a regional map, there is a Korea Bay and a Korea Strait. Japan has only one internationally recognized name for a major body of water. Korea has two. What is the problem?
Would Korea be willing to change these names if China or Japan complained?
Korea complains. China and Japan do not. Which nations seem dignified and confident? Which nations seem childish?
Dr. Yu, Korea has many things to impress foreigners with. Don’t allow that to be tarnished with needless foolishness.
J!
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1:20 am on May 15th, 2007 13
Checkenhead, Very well said! Did you go to PLDC a few years back? First state the good, then the wrong, then the good.
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5:30 am on May 15th, 2007 14
Dear ChickenHead,
Replacing Japan with “East Nation” shows how modest and humble Koreans can be. The proud descendants of the former Great Korean Empire may bestow her neighboring archipelago in the east a forever honorable title, “East Korea”. The former great Goguryo’s territory in the northwest would follow as “West Korea”.
Long live Korean Pride!
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6:43 am on May 15th, 2007 15
Chickenhead,
I have to agree very well said, the now Sea that Cannot be Named issue is stupid compared to much larger issues which the Korean government ignores. The only reason the Korean government cares about this issue is because it involves Japan and they want to stick it to Japan and they no there would be no consequences for it.
If it was the Sea of China they wouldn’t say a word even though the Chinese killed more Koreans during the Korean War than the Japanese did during the colonial period and are directly responsible for the division of the country and right now are using Korean women as modern day sex slaves.
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9:16 am on May 15th, 2007 16
Personally I like the Sea that Cannot be Named for the actual name! It’s classy and invokes Lovecraft. Ahhh yes, sailors for generations to come could keep us spellbound with stories of their voyages on Sea that Cannot be Named between Nippon and Hanguk (Corea).
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11:07 am on May 15th, 2007 17
GI,
Korea’s South Sea (Nam Hae) might be the Korea Strait if you live in Busan… or it might be the Yellow Sea if you live on Chindo… but it sure looks like the East China Sea if you live on Chejudo… yet no complaints.
The best (though not great) explanation I got for wanting to change the name (other than I Hate Japan) is that it somehow strengthens Japan’s claim to Dokdo. The same logic did not seem to apply to Tsushima (Daemado) which rests in the KOREA Strait yet was given to Japan without much Korean resistance despite a murky history of joint control between the predecessors of both nations. It’s like Korea just gave up. Strange.
One explanation for the Sea of Japan hype is that it allows the government to deflect national attention away from real issues and real problems that aren’t so easy to deal with… being that Korea doesn’t have a Paris Hilton.
Leon,
It gets even creepier if you don’t even refer to it as a sea.
“Hey, dude, where are you going fishing?”
“That which we dare… not… utter…”
“Ohhhh…Kaaay. Uh… I hope you catch something. What are you fishing for?”
“That which we call Oryzias latipes but who’s true name is unspeakable.”
“You mean Japanese Medaka fish?”
“Noooooo! All is doomed! DOOMED!”
J!
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11:25 am on May 15th, 2007 18
Looks like somebody is suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
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2:07 pm on May 15th, 2007 19
Beware Nipponese mariners from the East Nation. It is the Elder Gods you must fear. In his house at R’ley dead Cthulhu waits dreaming. Cthulhu and Yogsogoth dwell in the abyss that is the Sea that Cannot be Named! Pity unto those of lessor blood whom must suffer the damnation of living without Four Distict Seasons.
I shall never sleep calmly again when I think of the horrors that lurk ceaselessly behind life in time and in space, and of those unhallowed blasphemies from elder stars that dream beneath the sea that cannot be named…
Remember: The best you can hope for is to be eaten first.
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3:36 pm on May 15th, 2007 20
Leon,
The Cthulu was calling in the southern hemisphere… although, oddly, if the latitude were north instead of south, it wouldn’t be so far from the Sea That Shall Not Be Spoken Of.
Diabolical design or creeepy coincidence?
You be the judge.
Muah hah hah hah hah!
J!
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3:52 pm on May 15th, 2007 21
It’s the reversal of the magnetic poles. You have solved the mystery noone knows.
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9:03 am on May 16th, 2007 22
I think Prince was on to something a few years ago:
They should have a symbol or a shoe and call it “The Sea formally known as the East Sea/Japan Sea/Korean Sea/who gives a crap what the name is sea”
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9:22 am on June 17th, 2007 23
[...] North Korean defectors that defected to Japan by the crossing the Sea of Japan Sea that Cannot Be Named have finally made their way to South Korea: A couple and their two adult sons arrived at [...]
8:41 am on July 15th, 2007 24
[...] got the shoes.- It is always important to keep the moral high ground.- Shark warning issued for the Sea that Cannot Be Named.- Riding on Gadoekdo Island.- I wish more Korean ATMs would do this.- Good advice on what to pack [...]
2:13 pm on August 25th, 2007 25
[...] Probe is reporting that the war over " The Sea that Cannot Be Named" has a new front, Google [...]
4:59 pm on August 25th, 2007 26
Can’t we just divide the sea in two? Oh, wait…
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8:54 am on September 16th, 2007 27
[...] paid, where have I heard this before?- And where have I seen this before?- The war over "The Sea that Cannot Be Named" has now involved fighting over friendship memorials. - If you have been to Shinjuku [...]
8:41 pm on January 1st, 2009 28
[...] My wife and I got a hotel room on the outskirts of town that had a great view over the Sea that Cannot Be Named: [...]