an 1817 hydrographic map produced by the British cartographer John Thompson & Co.
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The Northeast Asian History Foundation announced on January 7 the unveiling of an 1817 hydrographic map produced by the British cartographer John Thompson & Co.
The map, part of Thompson’s A New General Atlas, is now on display at the Dokdo Experience Center in Seoul’s Yeongdeungpo District.
Key Features of the Map
- Korea and Its Waters: The map refers to Korea as “Corea,” labels the East Sea as the “Gulf of Corea,” and identifies the Korea Strait as the “Str. of Corea.”
- Historical Significance: The foundation asserts that these labels signify recognition of the East Sea and surrounding waters as part of Korean territory.
The map refers to Korea as “Corea,” labels the East Sea as the “Gulf of Corea,” and identifies the Korea Strait as the “Str. of Corea.”
Connection to French Explorer La Pérouse
The map also traces the route of French naval officer and explorer Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse (1741–1788), who circumnavigated the globe under King Louis XVI’s orders from 1785 to 1788.
Notably, La Pérouse’s expedition was the first from the West to sight Ulleungdo, naming it “Dagelet Island” after one of his astronomers.
Exhibition Details
The map is on display at the Dokdo Experience Center in the basement of Time Square Mall, Seoul, until February 28, 2025.
The exhibit aims to shed light on historical perceptions of Korea’s territorial waters and the legacy of early cartographic efforts.
Visitors exploring the Dokdo Experience Center
Image credit: The Northeast Asian History Foundation, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
