"I Will Continue to Protest for Proper Labeling of Dokdo"
Instagram, a social networking service (SNS), is facing controversy for labeling 'Dokdo' as 'Takeshima' on its map service.
Instagram map showing 'Dokdo' (left) when searched in Korea and 'Takeshima' when searched in Japan. Professor Seo Kyungduk
According to Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University on July 24, the map provided on Instagram in Korea currently labels the area correctly as 'DOKDO.' However, on Instagram in Japan, it is labeled as 'TAKESHIMA' (the name for Dokdo claimed by Japan).
Professor Seo pointed out, "In other countries, the results vary depending on the language settings, but in most cases, Dokdo is either not labeled at all or is marked as 'Liancourt Rocks.' Google Maps also labels the area as 'Dokdo' only within Korea, but as 'Takeshima' when searched in Japan. In other countries, it is labeled as 'Liancourt Rocks,' which has previously caused controversy." 'Liancourt Rocks' is a name derived from the French whaling ship 'Liancourt,' which discovered the islets. Japan has spread this term in the international community with the intention of undermining Korea's sovereignty over Dokdo.
He added, "On Apple Maps, the area is labeled as 'Dokdo' only in Korea, and as '竹島' (Takeshima) in Japan. In other countries, there is no labeling for Dokdo at all."
Professor Seo noted that he has been consistently filing complaints with Google and Apple for several years regarding the map labeling issue, but no corrections have been made so far. He said, "In the past, there was a case where Microsoft provided Japanese weather information for Dokdo, which caused controversy, but after complaints, the issue was corrected. Moving forward, I will continue to file complaints so that Instagram Maps, as well as Google and Apple Maps, which are used by billions of people worldwide, will properly label Dokdo."
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