Tokyo, October 11, 1958

GIST OF TALKS THIRD SESSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON OTHER CLAIMS WITH MATTERS REGARDING KOREAN ART OBJECTS, COMMITTEE ON KOREAN CLAIMS
1. Time and place:
October 11, 1958(Saturdey) 10:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m., Room 411, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Government
2. Conferees:
Korean side:
Mr. YIU, Tai Ha
Mr. CHOI, Kyu Hah
Mr. CHIN, Pil Shik
Mr. MOON, Chul Soon
Mr. ROH, Jae Won
Mr. OHM, Yung Dal
Japanese side:
Mr. TAKANO, Tokichi
Mr. HANDA, Go
Mr. SUGANUMA, Kiyoshi
Mr. TSUCHIYA, Minao
3. Gist of Talks:
Mr. Takano:
Sines Mr. ITAGAKI should attend the session of the Diet, he is unable to attend the meeting of this Sub-committee.
Mr. Yiu:
Though Mr. CHOI is the Korean chief member of this Subcommittee, I will head the Korean side at today's meeting in view of the importance of the discussion we are going to make at this meeting.
At the previous meeting of this Sub-committee, we requested the Japanese side to make an answer to our request made at the first Session of this Sub-committee. To this Mr. ITAGAKI replied that he would try to answer at today's meeting. Now, are you ready to give answer to our request?
Mr. Takano:
We tried our best to do so. But, we are not prepared yet.
Mr. Yiu:
To put it short, our proposal was that things teken away should be returned to their owner. Yet, if you still say that you are unable to answer the simple question, it is obviously of no use to continue the meeting of this sub-committee.
When I talked with Mr. SAWADA on this problem, he also fulled to give us a satisfactory answer. I think that the Japanese side should give definite answer to our request here and now.
Mr. Takano:
As for the Japanese Delegation, we are trying to make a settlement, too.
Mr. Yiu:
Our position is merely that what has been taken away should be returned. Top ranking officials of the Japanese Government including Premier Kishi agreed to our position. Yet, if the matter is not able to be settled here, we cannot but make an appeal to the public opinion.
Mr. Takano:
The difficulty in connection with this matter is that the Diet would put the problem into controversy thereby, making the settlement of this problem more difficult.
Mr. Yiu:
That is your Diet but not Korean diet. Therefore, it has nothing to do with us. We want you to get in touch with the top Government officials without delay and bring this matter to an end as soon as possible.
If you excuse me, I must leave for this morning and Mr. Choi will head the Korean side at today's meeting hereafter. (Here, Minister YIU left the conference room.)
Mr. Choi:
Regarding the matter on the Art Objects, I recall that, on June 4, 1958, at the first Session of the Sub-committee On Other Claims with Matters Regarding the Korean Art Objects, we requested that the whole art objects items which the Japsnese side was ready to turn over to us be submitted to our side. Mr. ITAGAKI asked us at that time to give the Japanese side a time in giving us Its answer after consulting with the Japanese Government. We expected to receive an answer from your side, long before. But, after four months since we made the proposal, you still say that you are awaiting instructions from your government.
Mr. Takano:
We are very sorry for that, but we have not obtained instructions from the Government. As Mr. ITAGAKI said, this is closely connected with the other committees. But, he thinks that all will be settled well, and will bring about a good result.
Mr. Choi:
If my memory is correct, it is well more than four months, since our proposal was presented to your side. It is hardly understandable that the Japanese side is yet unprepared to give us its answer, now that such a long time has elapsed since.
International feelings support the propriety of returning art objects to their country of origin. It is natural, as Minister YIU has said, that the cultural heritages are to be returned to the country of their origin. The Korean people are much concerned about this matter. In this connection, would you give me a word when answer will be made on this matter.
Mr. Takano:
As I have said, no instructions are given to us from the Government. So, I can not say definitely When we can give you an answer.
Mr. Choi:
I wonder, then, whether your side is willing to give an answer to us, or you are not going to produce any answer by merely dragging on the matter as long as possible?
Mr. Takano:
We, of course, will answer in due course of time.
Mr. Choi:
Whatever it may be, we want to have an answer from your side by October 15th, that is Wednesday.
Mr. Takano:
As I have said, I can not say definitely when.
Mr. Choi:
I remember that, as far as the fundamental view on the matter of art objects is concerned, we talked on it at the Preliminary Talks held during the last year, and Foreign Minister Fujiyama's official statement made it clear that the matter of art objects will be discussed and settled at the Overall Talks. Therefore, it is very hard for the Korean side to understand why it should take so long to produce an answer on the matter. By now, me must be at least prepared to settle down on this problem,
Mr. Takano:
As Mr. ITAGAKI has said, we are not yet able to answer your side on this matter.
Mr. Choi:
The question I have is whether you will give us an answer or not at all.
Mr. Takano:
I think so.
Mr. Choi:
Do you mean, by that you think so, that you will give us an answer?
Mr. Takano:
Yea, that is correct.
Mr. Choi:
Have you anything to say?
Mr. Takano:
Nothing for today.
Mr. Choi:
Then, I propose that we meet next time on October 15th, wednesday.
Mr. Takano:
I hope we meet on Saturday, since Mr. ITAGAKI will be available on that day.
Mr. Choi:
You mean you can give an answer on that day?
Mr. Takano:
I don't know, though we will try.
Mr. Choi:
Though we insisted to hold next meeting on Wednesday, October 15th, with the strong expectation that your side will give us the answer under reference on October 18th, we won't raise objection to holding the next meeting on Octoher 18
(Saturday).

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