Ministry of Foreign Affairs Requests Correction of US Usage of 'Sea of Japan'

U.S. INDOPACOM Uses 'East Sea'... Not 'Sea of Japan'

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 23rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has conveyed South Korea's position to the United States Indo-Pacific Command regarding the U.S. labeling the ‘East Sea’ as the ‘Sea of Japan’.

On the 22nd, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command announced on its website that "the U.S. Navy Aegis destroyer USS Barry conducted ballistic missile defense training in the ‘Sea of Japan’ alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyer Atago and the Republic of Korea Navy Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great."

Senior Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim said at a regular briefing on the 23rd, "There was a similar case in 2021, and we conveyed our position to the Indo-Pacific Command at that time," confirming this.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He added, "Our government will continue efforts to correct errors related to the East Sea notation and raise international awareness through organic cooperation with all overseas diplomatic missions, the Northeast Asian History Foundation, related organizations, and civic groups."

Regarding the Fukushima contaminated water, he said, "We are closely monitoring all developments."

Spokesperson Lim stated, "Our position remains unchanged that health, safety, and contaminated water issues must be handled safely under scientific and objective standards in accordance with international law and international standards," and added, "We will continue to respond through international cooperation between Korea and Japan, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."

Earlier, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) approved a revision to reduce the number of measured radionuclides related to the discharge of Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water into the ocean from the existing 64 to 30 radionuclides.

In this regard, the Office for Government Policy Coordination stated, "We will continuously verify to ensure that the contaminated water is scientifically and objectively safe and disposed of in a manner consistent with international law and international standards, prioritizing the health and safety of our people."