April 26, 1956

To: Minister Y. S. Kim
From: The President
I wish to acknowledge your letters and Report dated April 19. Thank you for all of them.
Judging from your Report I am quite sure that your wise dealing with Japs has put them on the defensive. I think it would be good to raise our diplomats to such an extent that they can make the different Jap leaders and parties quarrel among themselves. You have set an example to a certain extent. At the same time we must not overlook the fact that the Japs may utilize this quarrel among themselves for certain purposes.
I believe it would be wise for you to explain to the Japs and even friendly foreigners that since the Japs have failed to convince Koreans that they are sincere in their desire to live in peace with Koreans our people will fear and suspect them.
Until then Koreans will not trust Japs and the proposal for friendly relationship will be very difficult. This should be pounded on continuously so that friendly nations will know Japan's attitude and that is the reason why we have to be careful.
You are right in saying that unless U.S. definitely tells Japs to withdraw the property claim, return all the things they had stolen from us, recognize the Peace Line, etc., Japs will always ride high and refuse to come to our terms. We knew that from the very beginning but America told us to support Japan instead of telling the Japs to support us. We have been fighting the Americans and they are more or less beginning to realize the fairness of our stand.
I would like you and other diplomats to declare that Korea is absolutely against Japan's rearmament. U.S. must not rearm Japan because she is stronger now than she ever was. Japan is disloyal to U.S. and is going over to the enemy's side. Americans will suffer again.
Whenever Japs report in their papers or statements that Shigemitsu made one-sided concessions to Korea, I want you to answer them that Korea does not want Japan to make any concessions to us.
In regard to the preliminary talks you have been conducting it is not for us to conciliate. We are willing to go as far as we can to make an agreement with Japan to enable our two countries to live in peace, but the principle of justice must be the main point in our discussions. The reason why we must emphasize that we do not want Jap concessions is because when we have established understanding with Japan in preliminary talks and later in discussions, Japas may come back on us and say they made concessions with the understanding that Korea would be conciliatory to Japan.
I do not understand what they mean by asking if we will recognize the Korean detainees in OMURA when released as nationals of ROK. As a matter of fact we never denied them ROK nationality in Japan or elsewhere.
I am glad you are going to take up the question of deporting the Korean trouble makers. That is one of the very important points and you have much to explain in our defense. So long as Japs insist on keeping these people no one can deny that Japan is keeping them to make trouble for Korea. I hope you will insist on their release and if they are sufficiently pressed I believe they will agree.
We have recently captured several fishing vessels and 12 fishermen. Even after the fishermen have served their sentences we will keep them until the Jap government releases our citizens whom they have kept in prison for all these years without any legal charge.
General Lamnitzar will return in a few days. I hope you will have a good talk with him as he is one of cur very good friends.
We entertained at dinner Secretaries Gates, Smith and Higgins and their parties. They were very cordial and friendly and promised to do all they could to help us.
I understand General and Mrs. Van Fleet are coming too very shortly. I know you will give them a warm welcome.
We are anxiously awaiting the Korea-Japan Report.