DRAFT
JAPAN-KOREA CONFERENCE
Summary of the First Formal Session
1. Date, time and place:
February 15th, 1952 14:15 hours-15:10 hours
At Room No. 419, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2. Conferees:
Korean Delegates Mr. KIM Yong Shik
Mr. YIM Chol Ho
Mr. YU Chin O
Mr. LIMB Song Bon
Mr. HONG Jin-ki
Mr. YIU Tai Ha
Mr. CHOI Kyu Hah
Mr. KIM Tai Dong
Mr. LEE Sang Duk
Mr. WHANG Boo Kil
Mr. CHEE Choul Keun
Japanese Delegated Mr. Shunichi MATSUMOTO
Mr. Tomokasu MURAKAMI
Mr. Kumao NISHIMURA
Mr. Eiji WAJIMA
Mr. Katsumi OHNO
Mr. Shokichi FUNAYAMA
Mr. Tomonosuke SHIOMI
Mr. Tatsuya USHIJIMA
Mr. Kenta HIRAGA
Mr. Ichiro KAWASAKI
Mr. Mitsuo TANAKA
Mr. Koh CHIBA
Mr. Tadashi ISHIDA
Mr. Shoni NAGANO
Mr. Seiichi KUNIYASU
3. Addresses by the Chief Representatives:
The session was opened with the address given by the Chief Representative of the Japanese Delegation, as per attached Tab, which was reciprocated by the address given by the Acting Chief Representative of the Korean Delegation, as per attached Tab.
4. Proceedings:
(1) The discussion on procedural matters was then taken up and the Chief Representative of the Japanese Delegation made proposals on the following points, which were accepted by the Acting Chief Representative of the Korean Delegation.
a. As to the languages to be used, three (3) languages, i.e. Japanese, Korean and English, could be used and the Language utilized by each delegate would be recognized as official one.
b. Interpreting will be done by the listening side on its own responsibility.
c. For keeping records of proceedings, summary records would be prepared in English alternately by each Delegation for each plenary session and sessions of sub-committees to be established, and concurrence by both Delegations should be obtained.
d. As to press release, formal releases would be made with the concurrence of the Press Officers of both Delegations. Matters discussed at each plenary session and sub-committee meeting, etc. should not be released unless mutually agreed upon by both Delegations, and then only to the extent agreed upon.
Mr. Shigeru Hirota, Section Chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was nominated as the Press Officer for the Japanese Delegation, while the responsible official for the Korean Delegation would be named later.
(2) Next, the Chief Representative of the Japanese Delegation proposed the following seven (7) items on the agenda of this Conference:
a. Establishment of basic relationship between Japan and the Republic of Korea, including diplomatic relationship.
b. Settlement of question on nationality and treatment of residents in Japan of Korean descent.
c. Disposition of properties and claims of Japan and the Republic of Korea and their nationals.
d. Conclusion of agreement on fisheries.
e. Commencement of negotiations on division of submarine cables.
f. Commencement of negotiations on a treaty of commerce and navigation.
g. Settlement of pending questions on vessels.
As to the foregoing proposal, the Acting Chief Representative of the Korean Delegation stated that, as the problems of nationality and vessels had been discussed since last fall and were still under discussion at separate conferences, they should continue to be the subject of study of those conferences and should not be included in the agenda of this Conference, and that they could be taken up by this Conference in the event the respective bodies could not reach an agreement satisfactory to both governments. The Chief Representative of the Japanese Delegation expressed agreement with this and went on to explain that his intention in making the foregoing proposal was not so much the taking up the substance of the questions at this Conference, but rather the taking up the questions when some agreement or the substance was reached at the other conferences, for the purpose of giving legal effect to any agreement, etc. at this Conference. To this, the Acting Chief Representative of the Korean Delegation replied that he would give his answer at the next session. It was eventually decided that the agenda as a whole would be further discussed at the next session.
(3) Both Delegations agreed that the next session would be commenced from 10:00, on February 16th, 1952.
(4) The Chief Representative of the Japanese Delegation proposed to make press release for the proceedings at today’s session as drafted in attached Tab. and this proposal was agreed upon by the Acting Chief Representative of the Korean Delegation.