June 17, 1958

GIST OF TALKS

THIRD SESSION

SUB-COMMITTEE ON VESSELS, COMMITTEE ON KOREAN CLAIMS

 

1. Time and Places:

June 17, 1958 (Tuesday) 10:50 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.at Room 411, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Government.

 

2. Conferees:

Korean side:

Mr. LEE, Ho
Mr. CHOI, Kyu Hah
Mr. CHIN, Pil Shik
Mr. OWM, Young Del
Mr. LIMB, De Kyong
Mr. ROH, Jae Won
Mr. LEE, Won Ho

Japanese side:

Mr. Kasuo AWASAWA
Mr. Tokichi TAKANO
Mr. Masanobu YABE
Mr. Tashiro YOSIDA
Mr. Go HANDA
Mr. Taiso ICHINOSE
Mr. Kiyoshi SUGANUMA
Mr. Mi◆◆◆ KURODA
Mr. Mi◆◆◆ TSUCHIYA
Mr. Chiro KATSUTA

 

3. Gist of Talks:

Mr. Awasawa:
First of all, I would to say a word about the problem of "141 fishing vessels," which we discussed at second passion. The Japanese side finds it difficult to rule out the problem of "141 fishing Vessels" from the proposed agenda item of the Sub-committee too. Now that the problem of the "141 fishing vessels" is the problems at fishing vessels detained in Korea, the Japanese side thinks the issue enough to be taken up at this Sub-committees

Mr. Lee:
As I have repeatedly expressed our position in this connection at the previous possions, do not have any company of taking up this problem at this Sub-committee, and, at the same time, we find no necessity of doing so. The so-called the "141 fishing vessels" lies beyond the scope of the competence of this Sub-Committee's activities.

Mr. Awasawa:
I wonder if the Korean side meant, then, the problem would not be taken up at this Sub-committee in any circumstances.

Mr. Lee:
In view of the nature of this Sub-committee, as I have already mentioned, it goes without saying that we are not authorized to deal with the problem here.

Mr. Awasawa:
Taking into consideration their nature a fishing vessels, I think both side respectively adhere to two conflicting interpratatious of the problems. The Japanese side, for its part, maintains the position that the problem can and must be discussed here.

Mr. Lee:
In conformity with the relevant stipulations of the Agreed Minutes of December 12, 1957 and with the nature of a previous talks on vessels throughout first, second, and third Korea-Japan Conferences, we take the views that the question of the so-called "141 fishing vessels" does not for a subject of dicussions at this Sub-committee, from the very beginning.

Mr. Awasawa:
It seems to me that we would not be able to reach an agreement on the treatment of this problems at the Wucomittee. Therefore, I would like th propose that the problems be referred either to the plecery seasion or to the higher levels of the both deldgations for the solution tbarson.

Mr. Lee:
To make recommendation either to the plnsay session or to the higher levels of both sides for their decision us to whether or not the Sub-committee will deal with this problems is a funny thing to do. Because the problems itself does not come within the competence of the Sub-committee in any way. Accordingy, let us make if clear now at meeting that the problems will not be taken up at the Sub-committee on Vessels.

Mr. Awasawa:
Should the high level of the both sides come to an agreement that the problems be taken up at this Sub-committee, we would have to deal with it here. In consequenes, to decide now that we will not talk about "141 fishing vessels' problem" any more is by means logical. Thus, the Japanese side desires to bring about an understanding with the Korean side that the problem of "one hundred and forty-one fishing vessels" may not be taken up in the course of our discussions pending the solution between the high levels of both delegation on the issue.

Mr. Lee:
We can not agree to proceeding this Sub-committee under such a precarious promption that the high levels might decide on the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels ."

Mr. Awasawa:
we don't mean to suspend our sotivities, but to leave the problem to the high levels for their decisions, and the proceed with pending issue under the agenda as agreed upon on December 31, 1957.

Mr. Lee:
Do you imply than that our discussions under agenda *item (a) would be confined to be problem of the so-called "sight vessels" in aesordance with the Agreed Minutes of December 31, 1957?

Mr. Awasawa:
What I actually meant was that we take up the problem of the "sight vessels," detained in Korea as of November 6, 1951, until such time as eartain understanding or decision between the high levels is made with reference to the "141 fishing vessels."

Mr. Lee:
The Korean side is unable to agree to the overture. Both of us have already submitted reports to the higher levels of ours, and, there-fore, if there is any now instruction in connection with the so-called "141 fishing vessels." we shall, of course, have to follow it. However, the Korean side at the present moment can not agree to the idea of the Japanese side to put the forth voluntarily a recommedation either to the preliminary session or to the higher levels.

Mr. Awasawa:
Then, what would you like to suggest in the regard ?

Mr. Lee:
As I have repeated now and then, we might as well initiate our discussions on substantial matters with the understanding that the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels." which is not linked with Prope matter of the Sub-committee, will not be brought in during our discussions.

Mr. Awasawa:
Your interpretation of the problem counter to that of ours.

Mr. Lee:
Frankly speaking, such an unexpected and illegitimate proposal on the part of the Japanese side made us all sit up. If the proceeding of this Sub-committee is to be delayed due to the parsistent adharances by the Japanese side to the said ilegitinate proposal, all the responsibility for any delay in the proceeding of this Sub-committee must be attributed to the Japanese side. In this connection, I would like to invite your attention to the fact that the Korea-Japan Overall was resumed after a long duration of rapture and we are here to materialise our affort and desire to settls pending issues with rapidity under a friendly atmosphere.

Mr. Awasawa:
I myself fully with your views. The Japanese side is all the more anxious for an ◆…◆ settlement of the pending problems between the two countries. Nevertheless, we have to introduce, those problems which we deam essential for the solution of the pending problem and to seek for a necessary understanding therson.

Mr. Lee:
I would like to emphasise here once more that it tis incumbont upon us to initiate the discussions of the substantial problem without dalaying the proceeding of our metting any longer.

Mr. Awasawa:
I understand the position at the Korean side. I have an itch for taking up substantial matter as soon as possible, too. However,we, too, have our own problem to negotiate with the Korean side, that is the problem of leesong the question of "141 fishing vessels" on the agenda of this Sub-comitee. This being the reality, I would like to propose to discuss this matter after we report and recaive new instructions thr form higher autherities.

Mr. Lee:
It you so desire, I will not raise any objection, and I suggest coming Saturday on a date for our next metting.

Mr. Awasawa:
I would like to counter-propose Monday next week.

Mr. Lee:
As we have wanted to much time, let us held the next meeting earlier. How about Friday afternoon of this week if Saturday is incon-venient to your side.

Mr. Awasawa:
Saturday will be all right, then.

Mr. Lee:
And how about 10:30?

Mr. Awasawa:
That will be all right with us, then.

Mr. Lee:
Anything in mind on prese release?

Mr. Awasawa:
Not particular. Let us name our respective representatives to use to it as we had then do so at previous sessions.

Mr. Lee:
We objection. I will designate Mr. Chin.

Mr. Awasawa:
We will name Mr. Suganuma to be his counterpart.

 

- The end-