North Korean Embassy in Germany Demands German Media Correct 'Sea of Japan' to 'East Sea'

German Media "Protest Over 'Sea of Japan' Label on Google Maps"

The North Korean Embassy in Germany reportedly demanded that Germany's largest daily newspaper correct the name "Sea of Japan" to "East Sea."

On the 25th (local time), the German newspaper Bild reported that the North Korean Embassy in Berlin contacted Bild to protest after reports emerged about Ju Ae, the child of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un.

An article by Bild reporting on the protest from the North Korean Embassy in Germany. The title was "North Korea Protests to Bild." (Photo by Bild website)

Bild stated that the embassy protested not about the family-related report but about the labeling of North Korea's east coast as the "Sea of Japan." It also mentioned, "A diplomat from the embassy advised that the correct name is East Sea."

However, regarding the embassy's advice, Bild countered, "Even Google refers to the sea between Japan and North Korea as the Sea of Japan," adding, "Although there has been a naming dispute for decades, the United Nations (UN) recognizes the Sea of Japan as the standard."

This recent demand from the North Korean side to correct the naming coincides with a controversy arising from the U.S. military authorities recently labeling the East Sea as the Sea of Japan.

Earlier, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command labeled the location of the missile defense exercise conducted by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan on the 22nd in the East Sea near Dokdo as the "Sea of Japan," and the South Korean military has requested the U.S. military to make corrections.