뉴스레터

The 19th International Seminar on Sea Names, organized jointly by the Northeast Asian History Foundation, the East Sea Society, and Istanbul University, was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from August 22 to 24, 2013. The NAHF has been one of the co-organizers of this seminar since 2007. Major cities around the world take turns hosting this annual event. And this year's host was Istanbul. Having a seminar on sea names in this city was meaningful especially because of its location in the Bosphorus Strait, the center of the ancient Greek, Roman, and Osman cultures. the intersection of Asia and Europe, and the link between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The event began at 9 A.M. on August 22 at Hilton Istanbul Hotel, with an opening speech by President of East Sea Society Park No-hyung, followed by NAHF Secretary General Seok Dong-yeon's keynote speech. In his speech, Mr. Seok explained the significance of this event and the status of discussion of the naming of East Sea in the international community, and demanded attention and support from the international community.

Seminar on Sea Names in Istanbul Attended by About 30 Experts from 14 Countries

The international seminar in Istanbul this year was designed to spread the discussion and raise awareness in order to establish the name East Sea as an international standard. And it was attended by about thirty invited guests, experts in geography, name studies, cartography, and international law from 14 countries, including Germany, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Algeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, and the United State.

The participants in serious discussions at this seminar included: Peter E. Raper (former UNGEGN Chair); Brahim Atoui (UNGEGN); Isolde Hausner (Austrian Academy of Sciences Professor); Erik Franck (ULB Professor); Chezumi Erarslan (Istanbul Univ.); Kim Jin-hyun (World Peace Forum Director); Lee Gi-seok (SNU Professor Emeritus); Jeon Tae-dong (Consul General at Istanbul); Seo Dae-won (former Korean Ambassador to Hungary); and Kim Young-won (former Korean Ambassador to the Netherlands).

Isolde Hausner Urges UN to Introduce Principles of Dual Naming

This seminar was particularly focused on presenting papers and holding discussions on such topics as "The Conceptual Discussion of the Naming of Seas," "The East European Cases of Sea Names, Border Issues, and Territorial Disputes," "A Perspective on the Name East Sea," "Perspectives of Africa and the Middle East" and "Issues of Geographic Names and Borders in Geography Education." Isolde Hausner, an Austrian expert in geographic names, talked about "The Principles and Rules of Dual Naming in Europe," introducing the principles of dual naming adopted in European nations and stressing that the UN should also create such principles and introduce the definition of dual naming. She explained the multiple naming of the European waters, using as an example the names of the waters surrounded by the Baltic states, Germany, England, and France. She also mentioned that given that the definition of the term dual naming was not clearly established, multiple naming would be a more realistic option to consider.

And Christophe Bach from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany, discussed the impact of the expansion of the European Union on the border areas in connection with the boundaries between East European countries. Case studies showed that disputed border areas had a negative impact on promoting trans-border cooperation. Accordingly, he stressed, mutual distrust among neighboring countries could not be overcome without resolving border issues first based on common agreement, and only then could trans-border cooperation for regional development succeed. Abdula Elsadic Ali with Sudan's National Geography Institute gave a presentation on "The Cultural, Social, and Historical Aspects of Disputes Over Sea Names." He said that the international community was faced with the challenge of easing conflicts arising from various sea names in order to maintain world peace and security because disputes over sea names were all over the globe. He suggested that human culture, social diversity, and common history might be important factors to consider in seeking solutions.

Research Fellow Lee Sang-kyun Criticizes the Spread of 'Sea of Japan' during the Japanese Occupation of Korea

NAHF Research Fellow Lee Sang-kyun gave a presentation on the name East Sea, pointing out the problem with limiting the East Sea naming issue to the seas between the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago. Expanding the scope of research to the Pacific where the Western powers and Imperialist Japan had contended for supremacy, he covered the issue concerning the naming of the East Sea in terms of maritime geopolitics and the cartology of sea names. In particular, he analyzed the impact of Japan's expansion policy on the production of maps within the country from the mid-19th to 20th centuries, stressing the need to understand the historical context in which the name Sea of Japan had been established as a global standard, i.e. the unusual situation of the Japanese occupation of Korea, and to restore the Korean sea name lost in the process.

Deeply Meaningful Discussion and Agreement on Dual Naming

The significance of discussions at this seminar may be summarized as follows. First of all, there was active discussion and general consensus on dual naming. Multiple naming, which is also increasingly needed, is being adopted in some countries. General consensus was also reached that with the increasing trend of respecting geographic names used in different culture and language ares, the issue concerning geographical names would require harmonious resolution as a way to pursue regional peace. It was also suggested that a new international organization resolution on the naming of sea names should be made, and the definition of terms on dual naming established.
As for the naming of the East Sea, it was suggested that Korea's and Japan's arguments should be reconciled through critical and in-depth studies of their bases from a more objective point of view. And the first-time participants in this seminar, scholars of various fields from Eastern Europe and Africa, helped raise awareness and stimulate the discussion of issues surrounding geographical names. The International Seminar on Sea Names, which is considered an established international conference on sea names, will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. And I expect the next year's event be more significant and meaningful than ever. Finally, let me give thanks to East Sea Society President Park No-hyung and Vice President Joo Sung-jae among others for their tireless efforts to prepare for this seminar.