Flushing, NY – Surrounded by Korean-American groups throughout New York City, Senator Toby Stavisky and Assemblyman Edward Braunstein announced that the New York State Education Department (NYSED) will update references to the East Sea.

On May 8th of this year, the Senator and the Assemblyman met with Acting Commissioner Beth Berlin as well as officials of the NYSED. During the meeting the two legislators shared the concerns of the Korean community regarding the matter of the East Sea and the importance of being historically accurate in our textbooks and in our classrooms.

“I applaud the action by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in updating the recognition of the name ‘East Sea’. This demonstrates what can happen when community leaders, elected officials and government agencies work together,” said State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “I want to thank Acting Commissioner Beth Berlin and NYSED for their understanding and sensitivity on this issue. I would also like to recognize and thank each and every one of the individuals and organizations who join me today for their commitment, determination and patience. My colleague Assemblyman Edward Braunstein was relentless in resolving this problem and as a result, we will provide New Yorkers with a more balanced and full picture of the history of East Asia.”

“I want to commend the New York State Education Department for recognizing the importance of educating students about the East Sea. As we prepare our young people to compete in the global economy, it is critical that they are aware that many countries refer to the body of water between Korea and Japan as the East Sea, and that they understand the historical significance of that terminology. I want to thank all of the civic groups and advocates who worked tirelessly to bring attention to this issue. Finally, I want to recognize the work of Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, who was instrumental in bringing about this new policy,” said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein.

After the initial May meeting Senator Stavisky and Assemblyman Braunstein worked closely with NYSED to create a policy in which school districts across New York State would encourage and recognize the co-naming of the sea. The new language states, “The NYSED recommends teachers refer to the body of water on the eastern boundary of Asia between Korea and Japan as both the East Sea and the Sea of Japan” and “while teaching about this geographical location, school districts should be sensitive and responsive to the historical significance of both names.”

In addition to recognizing both names, the revised policy gives teachers improved detail on the matter, including the period in which Korea was silenced under Japanese rule and current information stating that the International Hydrographic Organization has urged Japan to negotiate with the Republic of Korea.

In 2015, Assemblyman Braunstein and Senator Stavisky reached out to the top publishers who sell to the New York City schools to determine which designation they used. McGraw Hill and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, two of the most popular textbooks used for Social Studies, both noted their commitment to accurately portray the body of water as both the East Sea and Sea of Japan.

Updated Guidance for Sea of Japan/East Sea can be viewed on New York State Education Department’s website: http://www.nysed.gov/memo/curriculum-instruction/updated-guidance-sea-japaneast-sea