The Koran American Association of New Jersey is asking school districts to use text books that “correctly” refer to the Sea of Japan as the East Sea, reports NorthJersey.com.
“We knew it as East Sea, and we want our children to learn the correct term,” said association Vice President Sonny Kim. “To us Korean-Americans, the correct name is East Sea.”
A petition with 1500 signatures was presented to three school districts with large Korean American populations– Ft Lee, Leonia & Palisades Park. According to Kim, East Sea appeared on world maps until the early 20th century when Korea came under Japanese rule.
International Hydrographic Organization debated the issue, but came up with no official position. Neither has the United Nations, which refers to the body of water as Sea of Japan since it is the more common name.
You can read how the Bergen County School District is reacting to the petition in NorthJersey.com.