The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is holding general meetings in Monaco starting on April 23, and on the agenda is the hot debate over the name of the body of water between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported on April 10 that the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was feeling doubtful of global support for its request that “East Sea” appear alongside the current “Sea of Japan” name. The ministry is said to be making special arrangements for the IHO meetings, including ramping up the urgency of its requests for support from IHO member nations.

The IHO is planning to update its policies on the names of the world’s seas, and Korea recognizes the possibility that their request could be incorporated into the new policies. However, Korea fears that not enough countries support the “Sea of Japan-East Sea” combination name and that the meetings will pass with the singular “Sea of Japan” intact.

Source: Sankei Shimbun via Kyodo News