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Google storm over Sea of Japan (or is it East Sea?)

Korean and Japanese hacking groups have targeted each other again in an argument over the name of a stretch of water.

The Volutary Agency Network Korea (Vank) has been lobbying Google to change the name of the body of water between Korea and Japan the "East Sea" rather than the "Sea of Japan." In retaliation Japanese hackers have defaced Vank's website demanding Google maintain its version.

"The world calls is Sea of Japan," the defacement said, pictured on Asian news service Digital Chosunilbo. "The battle for justice has just begun."

In May SC reported political hacktivism in the Far East has risen following the sovereignty dispute. In response to the article one SC reader, called Takahashi, sent long and detailed letter arguing the Japanese case.

"In March 2004, the United Nations Secretariat confirmed its policy that 'Sea of Japan' is the standard geographical term and as such is to be used in official documents of the United Nations," it opened.Hackers from both sides have promised to continue the cyber-war, which, this week, resulted in a few pages of Vank's website going offline.

In July SC reported Chinese hackers were limbering up for a cyber-attack on Japanese websites.

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