Korean Job Discussion Forums

afsjesse · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Location: Kickin' it in 'Kato town.

Here we go again folks. First it was Dokdo, now it's the East Sea or as the rest of the planet calls it, the Sea of Japan. So this professor found it necessary to correct the NYT for going against popular Korean sentiment and noted the error in today's paper.
Personally when it comes to Japan, I really like avoiding it in conversation as I'm very opinionated on issues like this. If Korea wishes to call it the East Sea that's fine by me, let them. But to demand other's follow their example is ludicrous. Japan historically speaking has been far more important on the international scope of things and their prominence is far greater than that of Korea.
I really love Korea. I think it's a great place and am very lucky to be here. But the argument that the world has to call it the East Sea just because Japan was a naughty boy six decades ago is off the radar in my scope of things. For the record I think Japan should apologize and make amends to the surviving people who were effected by their dictatorial rule. But let's stop this bogus smear campaign that everything that is associated with "Japan" has to be bad.

Here's the link.
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/05/12/200905120097.asp

EDIT: FYI I know the author doesn't say that it's Japan's history that he disagrees with the name but rather it's historical fact that it has been called the East Sea for 2000 years. But when discussing this with a Korean this never comes up, it always dredges up anit-Japanese sentiment for the reasoning.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Who is wasting money, I mean paying all of the money for these full-page ads?

Ruthdes · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

BigBuds · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon

[quote="Ruthdes"]

michaelambling · Joined: 31 Dec 2008 Location: Paradise

[quote="BigBuds"]

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

I like to point out the Gulf of Mexico and explain the reason we Americans don't give a rats ass what it's called because we don't worry about comparing ourselves with Mexico.

Ruthdes · Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul

KoreaninKorea · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Incheon

Gillian57 · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

Wonder how long it is going to take for some people in Korea to realize that the majority of the people in the US don't give a flying fart in space what they want? Are all those old WWII movies supposed to edit out Sea of Japan and replace them with East Sea? Ah, I don't think so.....

alphakennyone · Joined: 01 Aug 2005 Location: city heights

^

No, calling the sea west of Korea "west sea" is just more korea-centrism. how about we call the pacific "west ocean" and the atlantic "east ocean?" as an american, i find these names to be much more accurate and historical.

i believe the north koreans even have the audacity to call the sea of japan "east sea of korea."

Bearach · Joined: 12 Mar 2008

Calling it the Korean Sea would seem more sensible, but since Japan is better known worldwide that's hardly likely.
Between the UK and Scandanavia there is the North Sea, I guess the English gave it that name, and they historically were a great naval power. But who knows what other countries call that sea.
Then there's the English Channel between England and France, I think in that case the English think that means England owns the channel, while the French think this means France is more important than England.

jinks · Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Location: Formerly: Lower North Island

jkelly80 · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Location: you boys like mexico?

The Nishidong Sea would be good. "west" in Japanese, "east" in Korean.

GoldMember · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

Before May 11th

NYT reader has never been to Korea, knows zip about Korea, has no opinion about Korea, doesn't care about Korea.

After May 11th and seeing the advert
NYT reader thinks, "These people are wacked"

Don't blame the foreigner if Korea has a bad reputation. It is being created by Koreans who PAY to do this.

The clown probably will get a pat on the back and a pay rise. Good Job!

harlowethrombey · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Seoul

I took out a full page ad declaring all Oceans and Seas renamed with their proximity to the U.S. From now on it is not ' The Sea of Japan' or 'The East Sea', it is 'The Sea Across the Bush Ocean south of Clintonia (the artic) near the small nations of MLK and Ryan Seacrest (formerly known as Korea and Japan)'

Problem solved.

Also, England is now known as 'That place Gandolf is from' and most other countries are just color-coded (Australia=Freedom Red, Chile=Patriot Blue, Italy=Cowboy BOot Brown) to make it easier for our politicians to remember them.