South Korea suggests "Sea of Peace" with Japan

Seoul, Jan 8: South Korea has proposed calling the body ofwater between it and Japan the ''Sea of Friendship'' so as to end anaming dispute, a presidential official said today.

South Korea hotly contests the widely used name Sea of Japan forthe body of water, saying the proper name should be the East Sea. Ithas launched government-backed campaigns in order to sway worldopinion, and many atlases use both names.

President Roh Moo-hyun also suggested calling the body of waterthe ''Sea of Peace'' during a meeting with Japanese Prime MinisterShinzo Abe in November, the presidential official said.

''It was not an official proposal and no further discussions have been held,'' the official said.

As president, Roh has often chastised Japan for failing to makewhat he sees as proper contrition for its harsh 1910-1945 rule over theKorean peninsula.

Reuters >