Tokyo, December 8, 1958

GIST OF TALKS THE ELEVENTH SESSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON OTHER CLAIMS REGARDING KOREAN ART OBJECTS
1. Time and place:
10:30-10:50 a.m., December 6, 1958, Room 411, Ministry or Foreign Affairs Japanese Government
2. Conferees:
Korean side:
Mr. CHOI Kyu Hah
Mr. CHIN pil Shik
Mr. ROH Jae Won
Mr. OHM Young Dal
Japanese side:
Mr. ITAGAKI Osamu
Mr. YOSHIKAWA Shigezo
Mr. SUGANUMA Kiyoshi
Mr: HANDA Go
Mr. TSUCHIYA Minao
3. Gist of Talks:
Mr. ITAGAKI:
We have frequently had top-level meetings of the Government during this week regarding Japan-Korea Talks including the art objects problem. However, no conclusion was available there from regarding the problem of art objects.
Since Minister Yiu has come back from Seoul, we are expecting that there will be a higher level meeting of both sides concerning the proceedings of the overall talks including this matter in next week, but, to my regret, I have nothing to say at today's session.
Mr. CHOI:
Now that a considerable time has passed since we started this sub-committee's works, I think there must be by now a conclusion on the pending problem particularly on art objects, don't you think so?
Mr. ITAGAKI:
I, too, feel so. We have frequently consulted on this matter with the Foreign Minister, asking for a decision thereon. The Foreign Minister himself has often conferred with the Prime Minister regarding the matter and the latter consulted with the Ministers concerned and party leaders on the making of Government policy on the art objects problem. But, the decision has not been made yet by the Government.
Along with the higher level talks of both sides, I think that there will be a certain change in the present stalemate of the Talks. But, I can say that the views of the Government has not been unified as regards the art objects problem.
Mr. CHOI:
Though you talk about the higher levels talks of both sides, I don't believe there would be any progress in such talks, unless the Japanese side put forth constructive and substantial answer to our request at the high levels talks to which you referred.
Mr. ITAGAKI:
I feel the same way as you do. I regret that progress has not been made in this sub-committee's works due to the absence of the Government instructions concerned. I think the meeting of the higher levels of both side to be held in next week will bring about something which will help the works of this sub-committee going forward. Our side also is in difficulty on account of the non-decision by the Government on the policy on art objects.
Mr. CHOI:
I do not want to repeat here the position of the Korean side regarding art objects, but I must say that the settlement of this simple affair would consequently bring about a favourable reactions to the settlement of the other pending problems of the Talks.
Now, have you anything to say?
Mr. ITAGAKI:
No, not particularly. Though the Korean side says that the settlement of the art objects problem is simple, it is not so simple. You may not be satisfied with it, but the point of the question concerned is that, under the situation, the settlement of the problem could hardly be made, separately from Other problems. That is why the Prime Minister is still unable to make a decision on this matter. But, my impression is that the higher levels talks of both sides can produce a solution. I hope you would understand that the Japanese delegation is doing its best for the settlement of this question.
Mr. CHOI:
If the settlement of this problems should be made, it is up to whether the Japanese side produces a constructive answer to the Korean request. Before closing this session, I would like to renew the request of the Korean side that the Japanese side would promptly render a constructive answer to our request on art objects. Now, when shall we meet again.
Mr. ITAGAKI:
Let us meet again on December 13, 1958, coming Saturday, at 10:30 a.m.
Mr. CHOI:
We wish to hold next meeting earlier than that, but, expecting an encouraging answer from the Japanese side, I will raise no objection to your suggestion.
REMARKS: Before the meeting was adjourned, both sides agreed to the Joint Press Release which reads: "The Sub-committee continued substantial discussions on the problem regarding Korean art objects."

- The end -