The International Hydrographic Organization on Thursday delayed its decision on Seoul’s request that the name “East Sea” be used together with “Sea of Japan” for the body of water between the two countries.

The issue will be dealt with in the next meeting of the intergovernmental organization representing maritime bureaucrats around the world in 2017, Seoul officials said.

Earlier in the day, the IHO rejected a proposal by Japan to stick to the use of the Sea of Japan alone.

South Korean and Japanese delegates have locked horns at this week’s meeting aimed at revising global charts, titled “Limits of Oceans and Seas,” and better known as S-23, which at present refer only to the Sea of Japan. 

(From news reports)