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A Debate in New York Over the Name of a Sea Between Japan and the Koreas A Debate in New York Over the Name of a Sea Between Japan and the Koreas
(about 1 hour later)
If all politics were truly local, Brooklynites might be lobbying to rename the estuary that separates them from Manhattan. After all, it is only the East River if you happen to be a Manhattanite.If all politics were truly local, Brooklynites might be lobbying to rename the estuary that separates them from Manhattan. After all, it is only the East River if you happen to be a Manhattanite.
But New York officials, known for having their own foreign policy, have taken a cue from their counterparts in Virginia and waded into a dispute over the name of a body of water between Korea and Japan. With about 100,000 Koreans in New York City and 25,000 Japanese, it might be obvious what side two local legislators are embracing.But New York officials, known for having their own foreign policy, have taken a cue from their counterparts in Virginia and waded into a dispute over the name of a body of water between Korea and Japan. With about 100,000 Koreans in New York City and 25,000 Japanese, it might be obvious what side two local legislators are embracing.
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky of Flushing and Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein of Bayside, both Democrats from Queens districts with large Korean constituencies, introduced bills in Albany on Friday that would require school textbooks to refer to the Sea of Japan as the East Sea as well.State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky of Flushing and Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein of Bayside, both Democrats from Queens districts with large Korean constituencies, introduced bills in Albany on Friday that would require school textbooks to refer to the Sea of Japan as the East Sea as well.
“I’m from an Asian majority district,” Ms. Stavisky said. “I didn’t even look to see if there are any Japanese.”“I’m from an Asian majority district,” Ms. Stavisky said. “I didn’t even look to see if there are any Japanese.”
A quick refresher course: The sea (actually, a marginal, or partially enclosed sea) is bordered by Japan on the east and on the west by North and South Korea and Russia. A quick refresher: The sea (which is actually partially enclosed) is bordered by Japan on the east and on the west by North and South Korea and Russia.
“In this case, the widely known name for a body of water is a constant reminder for Koreans worldwide of an era of oppression, occupation and violence,” Senator Stavisky said. “We’re not replacing a name, we’re adding a name. It’s like adding Ed Koch to the 59th Street Bridge.”“In this case, the widely known name for a body of water is a constant reminder for Koreans worldwide of an era of oppression, occupation and violence,” Senator Stavisky said. “We’re not replacing a name, we’re adding a name. It’s like adding Ed Koch to the 59th Street Bridge.”
The bill would require that textbooks issued after July 1 use both names. Assemblyman Braunstein described the bill’s prospects as “an uphill fight.”The bill would require that textbooks issued after July 1 use both names. Assemblyman Braunstein described the bill’s prospects as “an uphill fight.”
Even if it passes, though, it would be up to the state’s 600 or so local school districts — not the State Education Department — to put it into effect.Even if it passes, though, it would be up to the state’s 600 or so local school districts — not the State Education Department — to put it into effect.
In Virginia, where Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to sign similar legislation passed last week, the process is almost as daunting. The history curriculum comes up for review next year by the state’s Board of Education, a three-year process that culminates in the adoption of new textbooks. In Virginia, where Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to sign similar legislation passed last week, the process is almost as daunting. The history curriculum comes up for review next year by the state’s Board of Education, a three-year process that ends in the adoption of new textbooks.
“But just because the board approves a list,” said Charles B. Pyle, a spokesman for the Virginia Education Department, “it doesn’t mean all 132 school districts in Virginia go out and buy new textbooks.”“But just because the board approves a list,” said Charles B. Pyle, a spokesman for the Virginia Education Department, “it doesn’t mean all 132 school districts in Virginia go out and buy new textbooks.”
In New York, the diplomatic community took the hydrographic kerfuffle in stride. In New York, diplomats took the hydrographic kerfuffle in stride.
“Absent the mutually agreeable solution, we believe that both ‘East Sea’ and ‘Sea of Japan’ should be used concurrently,” said Doo-young Lee, the Korean consul. “In this context, we at the Korean consulate find the initiatives at the State Legislature encouraging.”“Absent the mutually agreeable solution, we believe that both ‘East Sea’ and ‘Sea of Japan’ should be used concurrently,” said Doo-young Lee, the Korean consul. “In this context, we at the Korean consulate find the initiatives at the State Legislature encouraging.”
South Korea says the name East Sea has been used for centuries.South Korea says the name East Sea has been used for centuries.
Koichi Ai, a spokesman for the Japanese consulate, said: “We have always maintained that the Sea of Japan is the only internationally accepted name in cartography and the position that it has any connection to the colonial past has no basis. The name has been in use in many foreign maps even before the relationship evolved into a colonial one.” Koichi Ai, a spokesman for the Japanese consulate, said: “We have always maintained that the Sea of Japan is the only internationally accepted name in cartography and the position that it has any connection to the colonial past has no basis.”
A spokesman for the Russian United Nations mission politely declined to comment. So did a man who answered the telephone at the North Korean mission to the United Nations. That country has been known to favor the name East Sea of Korea.A spokesman for the Russian United Nations mission politely declined to comment. So did a man who answered the telephone at the North Korean mission to the United Nations. That country has been known to favor the name East Sea of Korea.
South Korea says that the name Sea of Japan became commonplace only after Korea came under Japanese domination. Japan insists the name has been used generally since the early 19th century.South Korea says that the name Sea of Japan became commonplace only after Korea came under Japanese domination. Japan insists the name has been used generally since the early 19th century.
In 2012, the International Hydrographic Organization rejected a challenge to the name Sea of Japan, which it accepted in 1929, after Korea was annexed by Japan. The group is expected to take up the issue again in 2017, just about the same time Virginia’s new textbooks are to be approved. In 2012, the International Hydrographic Organization rejected a challenge to the name Sea of Japan, which it accepted in 1929, after Korea was annexed by Japan. The group is expected to take up the issue again in 2017.