Tokyo, November 3, 1958

GIST OF TALKS FIFTH SESSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON OTHER CLIAMS REGARDING KOREAN ART OBJECTS, COMMITTEE ON KOREAN CLAIMS
1. Time and Place:
October 25, 1958 (Saturday) 10:30a.m.--11:00a.m., at Room 411, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Government
2. Conferees:
Korean side:
Mr. CHOI Kyu Hah
Mr. CHIN, Pil Shik
Mr. WHANG Soo Young
Mr. MOON Chul Soon
Mr. OHM Young Dal
Mr. ROH Jae Won
Japanese side:
Mr. ITAGAKI Osamu
Mr. TAKANO Tokichi
Mr. HANDA Go
Mr. SUGANUMA Kiyoshi
Mr. TSUCHIYA Minao
1. Gist of Talks
Mr. Itagaki:
The Japanese side, after a week has been passed since the last meeting, is not yet prepared to express Japanese position concerning the problem of Korean art objects. The Japanese side, as I have previously told you, referred the problem to the high level of the Japanese Government, but, as has been expected, it learned that the high level has not yet laid down a basic principle on the problem.
Mr. Choi:
It is regretted that your side is delaying in giving answer to the Korean request. When will the Korean side be able to hear a final stand of the Japanese side ?
Mr. ltagaki:
I don't know the definite dates myself; however, I am this much sure that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, who is a competent minister on this problem, are not unnecessarily delaying the decision on the part of the Japanese side in this connection,
Mr. Choi:
Hoping that the Japanese side will make a prompt decision on the problem under reference, I would like to say today in more detailed and concrete way on what art objects the Korean side is setting up a claim against the Japanese side; nevertheless, I won't go into detailed items such as, "pens and fountain-pens" today, but will mention the categories thereof.
1. Registered cultural properties including important fine art objects. These are the Korean art objects which were removed from Korea to Japan and decided by Japanese legislatures as national treasures or important fine art objects. These art objects include crowns of gold and cupper, porcelains, and tombstons, stone monuments and so on.
2. The art objects which were removed from Korea to Japan by the so-called Chosen Government-General or by its agent, the Korean Historical Remains Research Association. Of all the art objects that were removed from Korea to Japan by the said Research Association, only 106 items have been returned by the Japanese side to Korea. So, my delegation wishes to ask the Japanese side to return the rest of them at the earliest possible date. In thin connection, my delegation would like to point out that the said Research Association was a so-called government agent, of which the directorship was occupied by either the so-called Deputy Governor-Generel or Director of Education and, further, that the said art objects. were removed to Japan under the forcible pressure of the so-called government authorities.
3. Those art objects which were removed from Korea to Japan by the so-called Resident-Generals and Governor-Generals. Those art objects include such a stone pagoda at Sukgoolam in Kyongjoo,
4. Those unearthed art objects from old tombs and other historical sites located in Kyongsang Nam-Do and Puk-Do (south and north Provinces). The areas covering present kyongsang Nam-Do and puk-Do were part of the territory of the early era of shilla dynasty. And there had been a great number of historical sites, monuments, and remains in the said areas. However, most of them were secretly or without legal sanction unearthed, especially from each areas as Kyongjoo, Changyoung, Sunsan, and Sungjoo, and removed to Japan during the period of the Japanese occupation of Korea.
5. Those art objects which were unearthed from old tombs and other historical sites of Koryo dynasty. Among them are Koryo porcelains (Koryo Jagi). A great namber of these porcelains were found from the various tombs and other historical sites near Songdo, old capital city of then Koryo dynasty, and great many of them were removed to Japan lowlessly.
One thing I would like to make clear in this regard is that most of those art objects which I have just outlined were historical remains and antiquities being regarded as the art objects in narrow sense; consequently, the list of such other art objects as classical books, writings and paintings, map negatives and the like which the Korean side referred to at previous sessions will be presented, later, as well, after we enter into concrete and substantial discussions, the above mentioned categories of Korean art objects, Today, I present you a gist of the Korean art objects as the first gist of such, which I have categorically outlined nut generally explained in the above.
(Thus, Mr. Choi handed a copy of the first gist of the art objects which he explained previously to Chief member of the Japanese delegation Mr. Itagaki.)
Mr. Itagaki:
At a glimpse, this list seems to cover guite a number of art objects. The Japanese side will have to study it before it can say anything in this regard.
Mr. Choi:
If need be in your study of the gist, the Korean side will be glad to send an expert to explain them whenever the Japanese side requests either formally or informally.
Mr. Itagaki:
Let me say a word on the gist. The scope of the Korean art objects appearing in the category 2 seems to be fairly clear; however, taken the gist together, their scopes are net clear as a whole. It gives me an impression that the list includes those art objects, which are privately owned by individuals. Their locations are hard to be known and, even though they are known to the Japanese side, it finds extremely difficult to turn over "privately-owned" art objects to the Korean side. To make it short, the Japanese side is thinking of turning over to the Korean side of those art objects owned or kept by Government only.
Mr. Choi:
All Korean art object now in Japan were taken away and removed to Japan illegally and unjustly. In consequence, the Korean side claims against the Japanese side to turn them back, no matter who may own or keep them at present. However, regarding the gist of the art objects which the Korean side requests to be returned to the Republic of Korea under categories 2 and 5 inclusive of 3 and 4 "Privately-owned" Korean art objects are not contemplated and included in the case of the first return, except some items.
Mr. Itagaki:
Were the art objects which are under category 1 taken away in or since 1905 ?
Mr. Choi:
The year of 1905 was mentioned by our side at the first meeting of this Subcommittee.
Mr. Itagaki:
How about other art objects under categories 2, 3, 4, and 5 ?
Mr. Choi:
We are talking about the matter of art objects removed to Japan in and since 1905.
Mr. Itagaki:
The Japanese side wishes to reserve its official comment on the gist of the art objects which the Korean side presented today pending the final decision by its high level. Today, however, I just wanted to hear the Korean view and put informally several questions to you on seveal points. My delegation will study it later. And if my delegation feels it necessary to ask you questions on the gist you presented, it will do it from the next meeting,
Mr. Choi:
What I would like to remind you in this connection is that a considerable length of time has passed since we sat to discuss this problem. So, I hope that the Japanese side will be able to express its view as soon an possible; further, that this problem be settled and subsequently those art objects under reference be returned to the Republic of Korea at the earliest date. That will, I am sure, be much helpful to the settlement of all outstanding issues between two countries, and will also be much conclusive to the smooth proceeding of the Overall Talks.
Mr. Itagaki:
I am of the opinion that it will be helpful to the Japanese side in making its decision if the Korean side submits all the gist of all art objects which it claims against Japan rather than bringing in one by one.
Mr. Choi,
The Korean side will present hereafter some more gists as the talks enter into concrete discussions. The Korean side requested previously the Japanese side to present the list of the art objects, which it was ready to turn over to Korea and, further asked it to turn over those 489 item of which the list hsd already been handed to the Korean side.
But the Japanese side failed to give an answer to the Korean request, So, my delegation handed today to you the gist of the art objects to be returned firstly to expedite our talks in this connection. This being the case, I again request the Japanese side to decide its attitude thereon at the earliest possible date so that we can pave the way for an early settlement of this problem.
Mr. Itagaki:
As a big political dicision should be made by the Japanese side before we go into the problem of implementing the turning -over to the Korean side of the Korean art objects, the Japanese side must, first of all, know the Korean claims to art objects on the whole. Therefore, I hope you will present an overall gist rather than partial ones,
Mr. Choi:
As the Korean side put forth the scopes and definitions of Korean claims to the art objects at the first and second sessions, I think the Japanese side would be able to know what art objects the Korean side clams against Japan. So, I think that it will not be difficult for the Japanese side to make it. "decision" in connection with the Korean art objects.
Mr. Choi:
When shall we meet again?
Mr. Itagaki:
Let us decide next Saturday tentatively because the Japanese side needs time to study on it.
Mr. Choi:
Well, if you say so, then, I would not raise objection to decide the date tentatively.
Mr. Itagaki:
Any particular idea as to press release ? How about Saturday that both sides discussed substantial problem ?
Mr. Choi:
I think we rather say that both sides continued the discussion. on substantial problems.
Mr. Itagaki:
That will do.

-the end-