The illegal occupation of Dokdo by the Republic of Korea

Why Koreans change every name to those common in their country

irrespectible of what is common name in English speaking community? probably, japanese won't insist so strongly to the name Takeshima, or Senkaku Islands, or even Honshu Island, if what is used is the common English name, because this is English Wikipedia. I guess that it is a kind of expansionism, but I cannot find good verifiable source yet. --Isorhiza 16:00, 21 June 2006 (UTC)

I don't understand what you are trying to say, especially the title...can you explain it? thanks Good friend100 22:45, 21 June 2006 (UTC)

I don't understand what you don't understand. I simply pointed out the fact that Korean want the Liancourt Rocks to be called Dokto. Korean want the Sea of Japan to be called East Sea (of Korea). Korean want the Tsushima Basin to be called Ulleung Basin. Korean want the Tsushima Island to be called Daemado. Korean want China to write Seoul as 首尔 not 漢城. These are all verifiable and not my opinion or research. What is next? Will they need the Pacific should be called the East Ocean (of Korea)? Will they need Eurasia Continent to be called West Continent of Korea or Korean equivalent word? --Isorhiza 04:39, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

I am getting the impression that the Japanese are total ingrates.
Please prove me wrong by changing your attitude on Korean contributions to Japanese civilization.
Baekje played a key role in Japan's development. If not for Baekje,
Japan would likely remain a backwater in Asia for many more centuries and
become probably something of a mix of Mongolian and Southeast Asian cultures. --Sir Edgar 00:41, 15 June 2006

The Lee Line Declaration
On January 18th 1952, President Lee Seung-man of South Korea declared unilateral ocean rights (the Lee Line Declaration) and announced that Takeshima was included within the Lee Line.

Thereafter, several developments led to increased tension between Japan and South Korea, including both countries continuing to claim territorial rights, the dispatch of inspection teams, and the South Koreans firing on Japanese monitoring ships. In April 1960, the twelve year Lee Administration came to an end and discussions surrounding the conflict over Takeshima gradually progressed.

The Signing of the Japan-South Korea Basic Treaty
It was previously thought that the dispute would be resolved with the signing of the Japan-South Korea Basic Treaty on June 22, 1965. However, the issue of Takeshima was recognized as an area of dispute.

Territorial Water Zone Implemented by South Korea
On April 30th 1978, South Korea implemented a 12-mile territorial water zone, banning Japanese fishing boats from entering.

The Present State of Takeshima
South Korea currently has a lighthouse, watchtower and military troops stationed on Takeshima, and security personnel continue their illegal occupation. This situation makes it impossible for Japan to lay claim to its rights. Japan has a fundamental policy to resolve the issue through peaceful means and continues to negotiate all available routes, however, unfortunately there is still no resolution to the problem.


Given this situation, it is necessary for each Japanese citizen to understand these issues and rally support for a just resolution in order to establish territorial rights as quickly as possible and secure the safety of the fishing industry.

Takeshima is part of Okinoshima Town, Oki-gun, Shimane Prefecture, and is located approximately 157km northwest of the Oki Islands at N 37°14", E 131°52'. It has two main islands as well as several rocky atolls. It occupies a total land area of 230,967 square meters, which is approximately five times the size of Tokyo Dome, an entertainment arena. The islands are poor in fresh water resources and therefore not suitable for habitation. However, the warm Tsushima Current from the south meets the cold Liman Current from the north around the islands, making the area rich in fish and algae.

In the present age of 200-mile exclusive economic zones, the area surrounding Takeshima is of extreme value, not only to Shimane Prefecture but also the entire country for its potential contribution to the fishing industry and access to marine resources.

Dear Sir or Madam
Recently I visited your organization's website and was quite surprised to find your maps of Korea and Japan still describe Korea's East Sea as Sea of Japan which is incorrect.

Such an error in a well known website as yours comes as a surprise since we regard you as one of the world's best.

For your reference, the world's largest commercial mapmaker, National Geographic, and the travel guidebook, Lonely Planet Publication promised us that they would now use the name East Sea.

In addition, lycos.com is already using the name, 'East Sea' in their website after we pointed out the error.

Using a proper name for the body of water between the Korean peninsula and the Japanese archipelago is not simply a question of changing the name of a geographical feature.

It is rather a part of national effort by the Korean people to erase the legacy of their colonial past and to redress the unfairness that has resulted from it.

So, I urge you to use East Sea to describe the body of water in question or both Korean and Japanese designation simultaneously (e.g. 'East Sea/Sea of Japan') in all your documents and atlases.

Once Korea and Japan agree on a common designation, which is in accord with the general rule of international cartography, we can then follow the agreed-on designation.

Thank you, and we would appreciate your favorable consideration.

Respectfully,
VANK, Voluntary Agency Network of Korea, consisted of 4500 Korean voluntary students