Labeling traces back to 1929 International Hydrographic Organization publication

Professor vows to send protest emails to airlines using 'Sea of Japan' alone

An in-flight route map on China Eastern Airlines shows the East Sea labeled as the Sea of Japan (red box). [Provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk]
An in-flight route map on China Eastern Airlines shows the East Sea labeled as the Sea of Japan (red box). [Provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk]

At least 14 major foreign airlines, including Air Canada and Thai Airways, are providing in-flight route map services on seatback screens that label the East Sea as the Sea of Japan.

Sungshin Women's University Professor Seo Kyoung-duk said Thursday that "many internet users have consistently sent in tips after personally checking and photographing the screens on board aircraft." He added that the sole use of "Sea of Japan" had been confirmed on 14 foreign carriers, including Air Canada, Air China, Singapore Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Thai Airways and Garuda Indonesia.

An in-flight route map on Garuda Indonesia shows the East Sea labeled as the Sea of Japan. [Provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk]
An in-flight route map on Garuda Indonesia shows the East Sea labeled as the Sea of Japan. [Provided by Professor Seo Kyoung-duk]

According to Seo, the labeling stems from the Japanese government's registration of "Sea of Japan" when the International Hydrographic Organization compiled "Limits of Oceans and Seas" in 1929 to standardize the names of the world's bodies of water.

At the time, Korea was under Japanese colonial rule and had been stripped of its sovereignty.

Seo said he plans to send protest emails to the foreign airlines using the sole "Sea of Japan" designation in the near future.

"According to the International Air Transport Association, the number of airline passengers worldwide stands at about 5 billion per year," he said. "Correctly informing such a large number of foreign passengers about the name East Sea is extremely important. Reclaiming the name 'East Sea,' which has been used for more than 2,000 years, will play a crucial role in protecting maritime territorial sovereignty."


jshan@heraldcorp.com