Last Month's IHO General Assembly Discussion Results Confirmed as Original Plan on the 1st
Agenda Proposed by Korea for 'Establishment of IHO E-Learning Center' and 'Revision of IHO Technical Resolution' Also Passed by Consensus
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the results of discussions at the 2nd International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) General Assembly, held in the form of a video conference over three days from the 16th to the 18th of last month, were finalized on the 1st (Korean time).
Following the conclusion of the IHO General Assembly and subsequent procedures such as the circulation of draft minutes, the 'Report on the Informal Consultations on the Future of S-23' was also officially confirmed as originally proposed. The report outlines ▲ the development of a new digital charting standard (S-130) that designates sea areas by unique numbers without place names ▲ the existing standard (S-23) will remain as a publication showing the historical evolution from analog to digital ▲ and the consideration of developing guidelines on how to display attribute information of sea areas if necessary.
The existing standard S-23 (Boundaries of Oceans and Seas) is a publication by the IHO that defines and names the boundaries of the world's seas, under which the 'Japan Sea' has been exclusively labeled.
At this General Assembly, the IHO clarified that it will effectively no longer use S-23, which exclusively labels the Japan Sea, as a standard. This is expected to bring an end to the decades-long dispute between Korea and Japan within the technical international organization IHO. Since S-23 was a major basis for Japan's claim of the 'Japan Sea,' this decision is analyzed to have removed a significant obstacle to the spread of the East Sea designation.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "It is noteworthy that during the development of new standards related to ocean and sea boundaries at the IHO, an opportunity was given to actively contribute by utilizing our technological capabilities as a leading country in electronic hydrography," adding, "We expect this to be a good opportunity to further enhance Korea's status within the IHO."
Following the results of the 2nd IHO General Assembly, the government plans to further strengthen diplomacy to promote the East Sea designation through organic cooperation with the private sector in the new environment. First, as a leading country in digital hydrographic services, Korea plans to actively participate in the development and commercialization process of the new standard S-130 to expand the foundation for spreading the East Sea designation.
Moreover, the government will continue its existing efforts to promote the East Sea designation targeting foreign governments and the private sector, while developing an online monitoring system with overseas diplomatic missions and related agencies to conduct comprehensive correction and negotiation activities for spreading the East Sea designation online. Noting that public diplomacy is being conducted using digital platforms amid the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to promote the East Sea designation will also be actively linked with digital public diplomacy projects.
Meanwhile, Korea's proposals at this General Assembly for the 'Establishment of an IHO E-learning Center' and the 'Revision of IHO Technical Resolutions' were also passed by consensus. The E-learning Center is an online education system for IHO and member country technicians, with Korea leading the establishment of the basic infrastructure to enable technicians to freely receive training in a virtual education space created by Korea.
Additionally, the IHO Technical Resolutions, which contain definitions and standards for all IHO tasks, will include content related to the next-generation electronic chart standard (S-100) led by Korea, allowing Korea to hold leadership in the next-generation electronic chart standard (S-100) within the IHO.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "With the passage of these agendas, Korea's influence in the IHO will increase, and we expect to continue contributing to discussions on the development of S-130 in the future."
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