Editorial

• Author: Editor-in-Chief
• Pages: 320-321

A century has passed since Ahn Joong-geun, a highly esteemed Korean patriot and great peace thinker published his masterpiece, “Principles of East Asian Peace”in 1910. His lofty vision and ideas are about to be realized in this region with a newly arising initiative of the East Asian community. In the “Joint Statement on the Tenth Anniversary of Trilateral Cooperation among China, Japan and Korea”released this October, the leaders of China, Japan, and Korea finally reached a common understanding as to the development of the regional community in East Asia based on the principles of openness, transparency and inclusiveness. This spirit is also evident with the currently arising ASEAN+3.

International law is a remarkable invention of human society in modern times. It is the result of a rational system of thought that mankind has set up as a standard of communication for a segmented global society. International law will be thus needed more than before in East Asia preparing for a new regional unity. The JEAIL takes for granted the need to find and develop common norms, values and ideas in East Asia towards one community. The JEAIL will academically realize the ideal of peaceful coexistence and prosperity in this region by way of universally accepted collateral and language. We firmly believe it will satisfy social and human needs in this contemporary world and beyond.

The JEAIL publishes its volume 2, number 2. Last issue attracted much readership from not only East Asia but also all over the world. In particular, four articles in the Issue Focus section, “Islamic World and International Law,”drew much attention because it was one of the first series of English-based law review articles addressing Muslim position over contemporary international legal questions from a fair and impartial perspective. Two articles in our Regional Focus & Controversies section and other papers also drew international attention.

The current issue contains many creative and significant papers. The Issue Focus includes four articles concerning maritime environmental protection under international law. It reflects the common interest against serious maritime pollution in the vast sea areas of this region. This issue also publishes a paper addressing the very fundamental thoughts of Erasmus, the 16th century’ s great philosopher in relation to the implications of modern international norms for peacemaking. Readers will easilyPage 321recognize the academic value of...