Korea Presses Maritime Body Over Naming of East Sea

The government has urged the International Hydrographic Organization to use both "East Sea" and "Sea of Japan" to identify the body of water separating the Korean peninsula and Japan.

The call comes ahead of the IHO's general meeting in 2012. The government has demanded the change since 1992 and finally hopes to accomplish it next year. If the IHO decides to use the term "East Sea," governments and international bodies will have to follow the decision in official maps.

A working group within the IHO had asked Korea to clarify its position on the issue and was to gather the opinions of experts by Monday. The global body will use the input from experts to come up with a recommendation.