Instagram Map Service Labeling 'Dokdo' as 'Takeshima' Sparks Controversy
The global social media platform Instagram has come under significant controversy for labeling 'Dokdo' with the Japanese name 'Takeshima' in its map service.
On the 24th, Professor Seo Kyung-duk from Sungshin Women's University publicly raised this issue on his Facebook.
According to Professor Seo, while Instagram correctly labels the territory as 'DOKDO' on its maps in South Korea, it uses 'TAKESHIMA' (the name Japan asserts for Dokdo) in its maps within Japan. He also mentioned that in most other countries, Dokdo is either not labeled at all or referred to as the 'Liancourt Rocks.'
Professor Seo pointed out that not only Instagram but also global IT companies like Google and Apple have issues with the labeling of Dokdo.
In the case of Google Maps, it accurately labels the area as 'Dokdo' only within South Korea; in searches within Japan, it shows 'Takeshima,' and in other countries, it refers to it as 'Liancourt Rocks,' which has already caused controversy.
Similarly, the iPhone map service shows 'Dokdo' only in South Korea, while labeling it as '竹島' (Takeshima) in Japan, with no mention of Dokdo in other countries, according to Professor Seo.
Professor Seo stated that he has consistently complained to Google and Apple regarding this issue over the past few years, but no corrections have yet been made. However, he expressed hope for future corrections, recalling a past incident where Microsoft (MSN) had provided Japanese weather information for Dokdo, leading to a correction after complaints.
Moreover, this is not the first instance of Dokdo being referred to as 'Liancourt Rocks.' Back in March, Professor Seo discovered that Southeast Asian airlines were labeling Dokdo as 'Liancourt Rocks' in the map services provided on personal seat screens, which he also highlighted as a problem.
At that time, Professor Seo stated, "Through numerous reports from internet users, it was found that distorted labels of Dokdo appeared in airlines like Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines," adding that the territories were labeled as 'Liancourt Rocks' outside of South Korea and Japan.
The term 'Liancourt Rocks' originated from the name of the French whaling ship that discovered Dokdo, called 'Liancourt.'
Professor Seo emphasized that this term is used by Japan to dilute Korea's claims to Dokdo's sovereignty in the international community, stating, "I will continue to raise complaints to ensure that correct labeling of Dokdo is carried out on Instagram maps and on Google and iPhone maps, which billions of internet users around the world utilize."
Image source: Dokdo labeled as 'takeshima' in Instagram map / Photo provided by Professor Seo Kyung-duk, Sungshin Women's University / Instagram ‘seokyoungduk’
