Tokyo, November 17, 1958

GIST OF TALKS EIGHTH SESSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON OTHER CLAIMS REGARDING KOREAN ART OBJECTS
1. Time and place:
10:30 a.m. - 10:40 a.m., November 15, 1958, 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. ROH, Jae Won
Mr. OHM, Yung Dal
Japanese side:
Mr. ITAGAKI, Osamu
Mr. TAKANO, Tokichi
Mr. HANDA, Go
Mr. SUGANUMA, Kiyoshi
Mr. TSUCHIYA, Minao
3. Gist of Talk.:
Mr. ITAGAKI:
Last Monday we held a meeting with the attendance of the Foreign Minister discussing on the pending problem, and the Foreign Minister was well briefed on the crux of the matter concerned and he was going to hold a meeting with cabinet Ministers concerned including the Prime Minister during the last week, However, on account of the Government's political difficulties in connection with the Diet proceeding, the meeting had to be postponed.
Mr. CHOI:
Was what you call discussion with Foreign Minister Fujiyama the "basic policy" concerned?
Mr. ITAGAKI:
Yes, it was.
Mr. CHOI:
The Korean side has. hoped that there would be an earlier settlement of the pending problem with substantial progress thereof by this time, and for this and with a view to helping the smooth proceeding of the works of the Sub-committee, we presented at the previous session the first Gist of art objects to be returned to Korea. I hope the Japanese side would understand what the Korean side has been doing to expedite the works of the Sub-committee.
It is true that the Korean delegation has attended this meeting, expecting the presentation by the Japanese side of a constructive opinion and substantial views on the return of Korean art objects. But Mr. ITAGAKI explained of the difficulties with which the Japanese Government has been confronted in making a decision of its "basic policy" on Korean art objects due to the present domestic political impasse. Now, my delegation is aware that it is not in a position to refer to the internal affairs of Japan, but I wish to express my hope that the present "domestic political difficulties" in Japan will be settled down am soon as possible, in as much as Mr. ITAGAKI said that those high authorities concerned who would make a decision on the return of Korean art objects have been busy with the internal political affairs And, recalling once again that the Japanese side stated that it would do its utmost effort to settle the art objects problems with sincerity, I hope that the Japanese side will work out a constructive and substantial conclusion on the settlement of the matter on Korean art objects at the earliest possible date. That is about all for me to say today.
Mr. ITAGAKI:
Since the higher authorities are now tied up with the Diet affairs, it is quite difficult at present to arrange a meeting of the Ministers concerned for the purpose under reference. We also hope that a conclusion regarding art objects be reached as early as possible.
Mr. CHOI:
When shall we meet again? I wish we meet as soon as possible.
Mr. ITAGAKI:
It is difficult for us to meet earlier than on next Saturday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Mr. CHOI:
If so, it will be alright.
(Remarks: Before the meeting was adjourned, the Sub-committee agreed to the Joint Press Release which reads: " The Sub-committee continued substantial discussions on Korean art objects, and it was decided that the next meeting would to held at 10:30 a.m. on November 22, 1958."

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