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US President Donald Trump salutes as he arrives aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp for a Memorial Day event in Yokosuka, Japan, on May 28. (AFP)
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US president uses controversial phrase during speech at Yokosuka Naval Base
While making a speech during a visit to the US’ Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, US President Donald Trump referred to the East Sea as the “Sea of Japan.” Trump employed the controversial phrase while speaking to some 800 US sailors aboard the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship docked at the Yokosuka base. Trump praised the members of the US 7th Fleet for their hard work on the morning of May 28 – the evening of May 27, or Memorial Day, back in the US. “You face down terrorism and render aid in the wake of devastating natural disasters. [. . .] You proudly patrol the Yellow Sea, the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea,” Trump said. Trump only used the phrase “Sea of Japan” to refer to the body of water between Korea and Japan, also known as the East Sea, whose nomenclature is sharply debated by Seoul and Tokyo. The South Korean government responded by once again emphasizing that it’s official position is that any references to this body of water as the “Sea of Japan” should also include the term “East Sea.” S. Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson says “East Sea” must be written alongside “Sea of Japan” “Our position is consistent and clear in regard to references to the East Sea. Our current position is that ‘East Sea’ should be written alongside ‘Sea of Japan,’” said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kim In-chul when asked about this issue during the regular press briefing on Tuesday. In response to a question about the US stance on using both names, Kim only said he would look into the question and provide any relevant information later. “In a very short period of time, our military will be completely rebuilt and stronger, bigger, better than ever before,” Trump said in the same speech, announcing that the US’ defense budget would be increasing from this year’s level of US$716 billion. By Park Min-hee, staff reporter Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
