Google Maps still labels Dokdo as 'Liancourt Rocks' in 42 countries, professor says

Google Maps is still labeling Dokdo as "Liancourt Rocks," stirs controversy. While a search for Dokdo from within South Korea returns the correct Korean name, the islets display as "Liancourt Rocks" when visited in person, a professor who investigated the issue said.

Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, said Thursday on his SNS account that Google Maps clearly displays "Dokdo" when users search for the location by name, but when tourists who have physically visited Dokdo check their "recently visited places," the name appears as "Liancourt Rocks."

Seo said he had received a steady stream of reports from tourists who visited Dokdo and recently traveled there himself to verify the issue firsthand.

He raised similar concerns last year and in 2024.

Last year, a survey conducted through his followers in various countries found that Google Maps displayed Dokdo as "Liancourt Rocks" in 42 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, India, Vietnam, Egypt, Tunisia, Argentina and Brazil.

The name "Dokdo" was confirmed only in South Korea. Japan displayed the islets under the name "Takeshima."

"The situation remains the same today," Seo said, adding that he has consistently lodged complaints with Google but the company has not corrected the labeling.

He went on to say that the South Korean government must now step in with a strong formal protest to ensure the name is corrected.