With her right wrist wrapped up, Michelle Wie of Honolulu walks up the second fairway of Waialae Country Club with coach Sean Hogan, right, during a practice round of the Sony Open PGA Tour golf event in Honolulu, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007.



[Editorial] President’s Indiscreet Proposal on the East Sea

‘The Blue House Briefing’ revealed yesterday, in the name of the head offices of unification, foreign affairs and national security policy, that President Roh did not propose to Japan to name the East Sea ‘the Sea of Peace’ at the APEC Korea-Japan Summit last November. He only mentioned a possible way to solve the diplomatic problem between both countries, emphasizing the need for a determined change in concept. Additionally, the press who reported this as a proposal was accused for creating an absurd dispute.

Such recognition by the Blue House is inexcusable and frustrating. A summit meeting is a diplomatic device to settle questions pending between countries rapidly and effectively. Subjects that are discussed at a summit carry many meanings. The Japanese press also reported, with reference to this incident, that Prime Minister Abe rejected the proposal on the spot. It is possible that ‘the instance’ that Roh stated could be interpreted as ‘a proposal’.

In particular, the East Sea is known world wide as the Sea of Japan. It is this dispute that causes Japan to insist that Dokdo is their territory. Consequently, it is now time for a careful approach in relation to the designation because Roh's comment can be misconceived as an implication to abandon the name of the East Sea of Korea. It is no longer objectionable if Japan asserts that Korea is attempting to change the title to the Sea of Peace as it is at a disadvantage.

The president cannot blurt out anything at a stage of summit diplomacy. Furthermore, making a national issue, which cannot be compromised, a subject of discussion without plenty of diplomatic study for national interest was indiscreet. It is not acceptable to throw out the title of the East Sea, that has embraced our history, to name it the Sea of Peace under the pretext of solving the conflict between Korea and Japan. The nation is shaken by the absurd explanation of the Blue House.
/ 입력시간: 2007. 01.10. 09:23