1 July 1958

GIST OF TALKS FIFTH SESSION SUB-COMMITTEE ON VESSELS, COMMITTEE ON KOREAN CLAIMS
1. Time and Place: 27 June 1958, 10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. at Room 411, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government at Japan
2. Conferees:
Korean side
Minister Yiu Tai Ha
Mr. CHOI, kyu Hah
Mr, CHIN, Pil Shik
Mr. OHM, Young Dal
Mr. LIMB, Do Kyong
Mr. ROH, Jae Won
Mr. LEE, Woo Ho
Japanese side
Mr. Katguo AWASAWA
Mr. Tokichi TAKANO
Mr. Masanobu YABE
Mr. Go HANDA
Mr. Taizo ICHINOSE
Mr. Kiyeshi SUGANUMA
Mr. Minao TSUCHIYA
2. Gist of Talks:
Minister Yiu:
As Mr. LEE, Ho, Chief Member of the Korean Delegation at the sub-committee on Vessels, has gone to Korea, I will attend this Sub-committee on his behalf until he comes back from home country.
In the first place, I would like to say a word about the view of the Korean side which was reserved by Mr. LEE at the last meeting in connection with the remarks made by the Japanese side at the previous session that "it would report on the problem of '141 fishing vessels' to the high level of the Japanese Delegation and, unless otherwise decided and instructed by the high levels of the both sides, it would not bring out the problem at this Sub-committee on Vessels"
It was quite a surprise to me that the Japanese side had come out with the so-called problem of "141 fishing vessels, thus, having made both sides spend much time. Now, the Korean side would interpose no objection to entering into discussions on the adoption of agenda items.
As to this problem, the other day, I met Mr. Sawada, Chief Delegate of the Japanese side, when I returned from home country and exchanged views with him on measures on how to dispose of the matter in question. There, I asked him whether or not be refers the problem to the high levels of the both Delegations on the measures for dispersal thereof. To this, he said, "Is that right ?"
Mr. Awasawa:
May I understand, then, that the Korean side has no objection to the proposition by the Japanese side that the problem of the "141 fishing vessels" be reported to the high levels of the Japanese side and would not be brought out at this Sub-committee pending instructions thereon by the high levels of both sides ?
Mr. Takano:
Did you Minister Yiu, discussed with Mr. Sawada as to which Committee would take up this problem ?
Minister Yiu:
I asked Mr. Sawada if he thought it desirable to shelve the question of the socalled "141 fishing vessels" to the high levels.
Mr. Awasawa:
Then, was on understanding reached between you and Mr. Sawada that the problem would be taken up at the plenary session ?
Minister Yiu:
No, we did not mention anything about plenary session. Touching on the matter of the so-called "141 fishing vessels," we just exchanged our views that the problem on how to handle the matter on "141" vessels. be taken up at the talks between Ambassador Sawada and Ambassador Limb.
Mr. Awasawa:
Will the question I just mentioned be included ? (* Mr. Awasawa want the holding of plenary session for the decision of the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels").
Minister Yiu:
We did not talk about the problem of holding plenary session. We rarely discussed that the problem on how to handle the matter on the "141 fishing vessels" might as well be decided between the Chief Delegates of the both sides.
Mr. Awasawa:
If so, do you propound here to start our discussions on the adoption of agenda items, shelving out this problem in the meantime ?
Minister Yiu:
I think I have to make it clear now that the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels" has been brought out by the Japanese side, and not by the Korean side, in the course of our discussions on the adoption of agenda items at this Sub-committee.
Mr. Awasawa:
Please voice the view of the Korean side, if any, with reference to the adoption of agenda items.
Minister Yiu:
Let us discuss and settle the two proposed agenda items one by one in their orders, which the Korean side introduced at previous meetings.
Mr. Awasawa:
As I have already brought before this Sub-committee at previous meetings, I would like to ask here again that we discuss at this Sub-committee the sane problems under the same agenda items as were adopted at previous Korea-Japan Conferences, in conformity with the Agreed Minutes of December 31, 1957.
Minister Yiu:
I would like to renew my proposal that we discuss and settle at Sub-committee those problems coming under the two proposed agenda items (a) and (b) in accordance with their orders, and that other problems within the scope of the proposed agenda items (c) and (d) may be discussed through the negotiations between the Korean Mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Japanese Government.
Mr. Awasawa:
Do you mean that the problems falling under agenda "items (c) and (d)" shall be taken up neither at this Sub-committee nor at the plenary session, except by means of diplomatic channel ?
Minister Yiu:
I believe that that is the best way for the amicable settlement of the problem under agenda "items (c) and (d)."
Mr. Takano:
The problems linked with the agenda "items (c) and (d)" had been the continuous subject of discussions between the both sides throughout the first, second, and third Korea-Japan Conferences. Therefore, it is more than natural that the problems be dealt with at this Sub-committee unless there is a particular reason to rule out precedents.
Minister Yiu:
Your remarks made me embarrassed, for I am of the opinion that we had better not take up the problems falling within the category of agenda items (c) and (d) in view of the nature of this Sub-committee. Moreover I am afraid that, even though the problems be taken up here, no notable result would be obtained.
Mr. Awasawa:
My expectation in this regard runs counter to your view. I was under an impression that the proposed agenda items (c) and (d) would be adopted should the issue of the "141 fishing vessels" be settled.
Minister Yiu:
In view of the nature of this Sub-committee, our discussions at this Sub-committee may as well confine themselves to those problems coming under the scope of the proposed agenda items (a) and (b), and other problems related with proposed agenda items (c) and (d) be logically taken up at some other place than hare. However, as the Japanese side desires to take up the matters under the proposed agenda items (c) and (d) at this Sub-committee, I will refrain from raising objection thereto, provided that the problems under the agenda items (a) and (b) would be discussed and settled first in their orders and that the provise be attached to the proposed agenda item (d) to the effect that or discussions under the item would be confined to fishing vessels detained in Korea as of November 6, 1951.
Mr. Awasawa:
Though you contend that it is nor appropriate for this sub-committee to take up the questions of agenda "items (c) and (d)" taking into consideration the nature of the Committee on Korean Claims, I would like to invite your attention to the understanding reached at the conclusion of the preliminary talks on Deceber 31, 1957 to the effect that the same matters that were discussed at previous Conferences would be taken up at the present conference, irrespective of the name of the Committee on Korean Claims.
Minister Yiu:
It is true that the understanding of December 31, 1957 sets forth that the same items discussed at the previous Korean-Japan Talks will be discussed. Nevertheless, it does not go so far as to specifically stipulate that certain problems be discussed at cartain committee. Although the Japanses side brings out the "understanding" of December 31, 1957, whenever it dose convenient, the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels" has to be excluded from the discussion at this Sub-committee, accrding to the very terms of the "understanding," because the problem had never been the subject of discussions between the both sides.
Mr. Awasawa:
Minister Yiu, would you, please, explain once more the provise which you overtured to add to the proposed agenda item (d) ?
Minister Yiu:
I proposed that a phrase be added to the proposed agenda item (d) to the effect that the discussions would be confined to the problem on fishing vessels detained in Korea as of November 6, 1951,
Mr. Awasawa:
Agenda item (d) reads : "Return to Japan of fishing vessels detained in Korea."
Minister Yiu:
You omitted the phrase inserted in bracket at the and of the agenda item(d).
Mr. Awasawa:
It says, "reserved pending Korean investigation."
Minister Yiu:
I propose to attach at the end of the item (d) the wordings "as of November 6, 1951."
Mr. Awasawa:
It seems to me that we don't have to specifically provide that the discussions an the agenda item (d) will be confined to the problem of the fishing vessels detained is Korea as of November 6, 1951, since the both sides came to term that the matter in question would be shelved, referring it to the high levels, and would not be presented before the Sub-committee pending the decision thereon by the high levels of the both sides.
Minister Yiu:
On the contrary, I hold the opinion that we should insert the provise lest we should come across possible misunderstanding in respect of the agenda item (d).
Mr. Awasawa:
Without the proviso, the Korean side may be apprehensive that the Japanese side might bring out the problem of the "141 fishing vessels" again, when it deems necessary. On the other hand, the proviso would bring about an apprehension on the part of the Japanese side in certain circumstances. Therefore, let me have time to bone up on the matter once more.
Minister Yiu;
There is no denying that the proceeding of our meetings is unnecessarily delaying. So, I hope that the Japanese side demonstrates 'sincerity' in the course of our discussions for the settlement of pending issues at this Sub-committee.
Mr. Awasawa:
(Silence )
Minister Yiu:
I suggest to hold next meeting to-morrow.
Mr. Awasawa:
I have another meeting on Saturday.
Minister Yiu:
Then. 04:00 p.m on Monday ?
Mr. Awasawa:
I am afraid Monday is inconvenient to me, because I have been called upon to attend the Diet for its interpolations. However, we may set the date and time tentatively for 04:00 p.m. on Monday.
Minister Yiu:
No objection. And any suggestion on press release?
Mr. Awasawa:
Let us state that the both sides exchanged views regarding the adoption of agenda items.
Minister Yiu:
No objection.

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