공람
11월 10일
차관
국장

Tokyo. November 6, 1958

No.30
Dear Mr. President:
As I reported by cable Nos MTB-039 of November 1 and MTB-040 of November 5, respectively, the 6th session of the Sub-committee on Other Claims Regarding Korean Art Objects and the 18th session of the Sub-committee on Vessels were held at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 1 and November 4, 1958, respectively.
I. Sub-committee on Other Claims Regarding Korean Art Objects:
As our side had already presented to the Japanese side "a first gist of Korean art objects to be returned to Korea" at the previous session, our side repeated its strong request at this meeting that those Korean art objects covered in the list be returned to Korea at the earliest possible date.
The Japanese aide stated that it had transmitted the gist under reference to the authorities concerned for their study and reserch thereon, adding that the Japanese delegation was not in a position to give an official commitment regarding our request as the basic policy on the problem of Korean art objects had not yet been decided upon by the higher authorities of the Japanese Government. Regretting that the Japanese side is employing a measure which could not but be construed as delaying tactics our side again urged. the Japanese to give a definite answer to our request with a view to making an early settlement of the natter regarding the art objects.
The Japanese side stated that, in view of the internal political reasons, the settlement or the problem on the Korean art objects is related to the proceedings of the other various committees as far as the Japanese side was concerned in this regard. Our side reiterated our position in this connection that the propriety of the Japanese argument of connecting this problem with the works of the other committees Could hardly be recognized in view of special nature of this problem and in the light of the fact that this problem had already been taken up at the Korea-Japan Preliminary Talks.
The Japanese side side that it wished to settle it with sincerity, adding that it would be convenient for the Japanese to make decision on this matter, if all the gist of the Korean art objects mere presented.
II. Sub-committee on vessels:
Our side asked the Japanese side at this meeting if it was ready to submit a complete list of vessels falling within the scope of Agenda "A". As the Japanese side attempted to continue discussions on so-called "legal" basis of our claims on the Agenda "A", our side presented to the Japanese side a first list of 31 vessels which was prepared by this delegetion in accordance with the Government instructions paragraph b, item 6, regarding the Sub-committee on vessels of WOIJONG No.1851 of May 21, 1958, with a view to expediting proceeding of the Sub-committee.
In this connection, our side pressed the Japanese side to give an answer whether it was ready to deliver those vessels to us. The Japanese side stated that discrepanceies of views have not been cleared out regarding the "legal" basis of our claims under Agenda "A", and, therefore, further discussions were necessary is this regard.
After repeatedly making our position clear on the legal basic, of our claims, our side demanded that the Japanese reply be given at the next session to our request tor the return of 31 vessels contained in the list mentioned above.
The Japanese side stated that it would make an unoffieial study on the list under reference.
However, it added that it wished to have all the lists of vessels as it needs to grasp the whole picture of the Korean request on vessels.