<2013.04.03>
One day, a Korean student studying in the United Kingdom submitted a report to VANK’s “21st Century Yi Sun-sin Error Correction Project” website.
During a research project, the student discovered a serious error on a report published by the UN Global Compact (UNGC), a UN-affiliated agency, and had previously emailed the relevant office about it but received no reply. After much consideration, the student decided to notify VANK.
The report in question was part of the UN Global Compact’s annual publications, which are later compiled into a single volume and distributed by the UN. The UNGC, launched by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, aims to engage global businesses in addressing key issues such as human rights, labor, and the environment. As of February 2012, more than 8,700 organizations in over 130 countries were participating, including about 190 major Korean companies and financial institutions.
The mapping error occurred in the 2010 and 2011 Korea network reports published by UNGC. In both reports, a location marker representing Korea was mistakenly placed over Japan, specifically near Hokkaido, creating the visual impression that South Korea was part of Japanese territory.
📎 2010 report: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/networks_around_world_doc/communication/network_reports/2010/KR_2010.pdf
📎 2011 report: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/networks_around_world_doc/communication/network_reports/2011/KR_2011.pdf
This issue was first reported to VANK on December 12, 2012, by Mr. Moon Hyung-joo, the student in the UK.
He wrote:
“I discovered this serious error while researching the UNGC.
Although I emailed the relevant contact, I never received a reply.
Since I know that VANK works on correcting map and historical inaccuracies, I thought your organization might be able to help.”
Upon reviewing the reports, VANK confirmed that the highlight circle marking Korea’s location was incorrectly placed on Japan, giving a misleading visual impression that Korea was part of Japanese territory.
After VANK officially contacted the UNGC and raised this issue with proper documentation and requests for correction, the error was eventually acknowledged and corrected in later publications.
This case demonstrates the importance of individual action, accurate representation of national sovereignty, and citizen diplomacy, and highlights how a single voice can bring change—even within global institutions.
VANK researchers prepared and sent an official correction letter regarding the issue.
In addition, starting from December 12, 2012, VANK informed its members and sent letters to six individuals related to the report in question.
In the letter, the responsible VANK researcher emphasized that such errors on the website of an international organization—whose mission is to provide accurate and trustworthy information—could spread misinformation among member states and affiliated companies, potentially causing significant problems.
It was also pointed out that for Koreans, such misrepresentation could evoke painful memories of the Japanese colonial era.
Finally, on April 3, 2013, VANK confirmed that the error on the website had been corrected!
If you visit the site now, you can see the correction for yourself.
The color representing Korea on the large regional map has been changed from red to light pink, and the location marker now properly encircles Korean territory instead of mistakenly pointing to Japan.
🔗 You can check the corrected version directly at the following link:
http://bit.ly/16vhc2I
It is deeply concerning that an international organization—one that has the obligation to provide the most accurate and reliable information—published a map with such a clear and obvious error for two consecutive years without proper review.
Such a mistake, which anyone could have noticed with minimal attention, raises serious questions about accountability and oversight.
VANK will continue its efforts to identify and correct errors on the websites of influential international organizations and foreign government agencies, especially those like the UN Global Compact, whose information carries significant global impact.
To achieve this goal, we need the support of people not only in Korea but also around the world.
Please join VANK in our mission to eliminate misinformation about Korea across the globe.