The Japanese archipelago was omitted from a map of the world which was originally posted on the website promoting Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The image is now corrected. [A screenshot captured from Pyeongchang Olympics website]
Organizers of South Korea's first Winter Olympics in the eastern ski resort of Pyeongchang took quick action to correct a global map posted on the submenu of its official website that left out Japan by mistake.
Japan belatedly found it was omitted from a map of the world, which has been posted by the organizing committee of next year's Winter Games on its website publicizing the "Dream Program" to support young players in winter sports.
In a press briefing in Tokyo on Wednesday, Japan's top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Pyeongchang has been asked to correct its map. Pyeongchang put the matter right in a quick and quiet manner to insert the Japanese archipelago in its map.
The move comes amid a lingering dispute over "comfort women" sexually enslaved by Japan's imperial army.
Historians estimate that up to 200,000 women mostly from Korea were forced to work in front-line brothels for Japanese troops. Many South Koreans still harbor deep resentment against Japan over its colonial rule, and they want Tokyo's sincere apology.
Under a 2015 deal, Japan agreed to donate one billion yen ($9 million) to a foundation dedicated to supporting comfort women. In return, Tokyo urged Seoul to tear down the "comfort woman" statues erected by civic groups outside Japanese legations. President Moon Jae-in has hinted at a possible renegotiation of the deal, saying many Koreans do not endorse it.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
