Tokyo, November 8, 1958

GIST OF TALKS SEVENTH SESSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON OTHER CLAIMS REGARDING KOREAN ART OBJECTS
1. Time and place:
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., November 8, 1958 (Saturday), Room 411, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Government
2. Conferees:
Korean side:
Mr. CHOI kyu Hah
Mr. CHIN Pil Shik
Mr. MOON Chul Soon
Mr. WHANG Soo Young
Mr. ROH Jae Won
Mr. ORM Young Dal
Japanese side:
Mr. ITAGAKI Osamu
Mr. TAKANO Tokichi
Mk. HANDA Go
Mr. SUGANUMA Kiyoshi
Mr. TSUCHIYA Minao
3. Gist of Talks:
Mr. ITAGAKI:
During the last week. we have tried to present at the Cabinet meeting the problem of deciding the basic policy on Korean art objects, but, due to the difficulties in connection with the Diet, we failed to do so. I think that, before the situation in the Diet is brought to normal condition, we can do little about the pending problem. Therefore, I have not much to say for today.
MR. CHOI:
As you well know, we have come through b sessions of this Subcommittee, and we requested the Japanese side to submit to us a list of Korean art objects which Japan is ready to return to Korea, and also to return 488 items to us as early as possible. In fact, he have attended this session today expecting that we can have an answer from the Japanese side in this regard. We cannot, therefore, but be disappointed to find the Japanese side still unable to produce any answer.
It is the view of the Korean side that the settlement of this problem is vital to the smooth proceeding of the other committees, as has repeatedly been made clear. The Japanese words that the Japanese side would sincerely desire to settle this problem were received by the Korean side with trust thereupon. However, it is quite ragretable that the Japanese side is not yet ready to enter into substantial discussions on the problem, in spite of the fact that months have passed since the Japanese side said "waiting for instructions." By the way, do you have any thing to say about our first gist of Korean art objects, since you said it was transmitted to the authorities concerned for study thereon ?
MR. ITAGAKI:
We sent the gist to the Ministry of Education for its study, but we have not yet received any report from it. Supposing that we did receive from it, it is questionable whether such could be submitted at this Subcommittee, as we are not in a position yet to enter into discussions for details before instructions on the basic policy concerning art objects are given by the Government. However, it is true that authorities concerned are studying on the matter. Taking an instance, according to the Ministry of Education, a stone pagoda of Seokkul-Am in Kyong is not looated in Japan. So, I wonder if you had any evidence to prove that the stonepagoda was taken into Japan ?
MR. CHOI:
We will explain about it through an expert of our side. But, for your reference, the location of the stone pagoda was eye-witnessed by a Japanese named MOROKA Nakso, according to his report. Mr. MOROKA was the "chief" of the museum in KyongJu, and, in his report, he also made it clear that the stone pagoda was taken to Japan by a high ranking Japanese official.
MR. WHANG:
The title of Mr. MOROKA's report is "A lecture on the historical remains in Kyongju," in which he reported that he personally eye-witnessed the stone pagoda in the Seokul-Am and that it was taken to Japan around the year of 1908.
Mr. CHOI:
I hope the Japanese side would make particular effort to expedite the works of this subcommittee. We must set up a target of our works, and, as you know, our side has already presented the first gist of Korean art objects at this Subcommittee. Now, when do you think your side can enter into substantial discussions on this problem
MR. ITAGAKI:
I have no idea at all, to be honest. We are waiting for instructions from the Government, but, for the reason of domestic political condition, it may be difficult to get one. within this or next week.
Since a long long time has elapsed, we, too, want a conclusion in this regard as soon as possible, whether it is good or bad. In view of the internal situation, I think that more than two weeks would be necessary before any decision can be obtained. I still think that it won't be possible to get a conclusion on the art objects separately from the works of other various committees
MR. CHOI:
Though you are trying to connect the solution of the problem on Korean art objects to that of the other pending problems of the Talks, such would do not good to the smooth proceeding of the Talks as a whole; we must dispose of the problem one after another as they come along, as the problem on art objects has no relation with other matters.
Besides, I believe that, by discussing in details of the subject matter at this Subcommittee, we can expedite ways for a successful conclusion, thereby, bringing about an early conclusion of the Japanese Government. Therefore, I would like