Tokyo, December 4, 1958

GIST OF TALKS TWENTY-SECOND SESSION SUBCOMMITTEE ON VESSELS, COMMITTEE ON KOREAN CLAIMS
1. Time and Place:
3 p.m. - 4:15 p.m., December 2, 1958, at Room 411, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Government
2. Conferees:
Korean side:
Mr. LEE Ho
Mr. CHOI Kyu Hah
Mr. CHEE Choul Keun
Mr. CHIN Pil Shik
Mr. MOON Chul Soon
Mr. OHM Young Dal
Mr. ROH Jae Won
Japanese side:
Mr. TAKANO Tokichi
Mr. YOSHIKAWA
Mr. YABE Masanobu
Mr. HANDA Go
Mr. YOSHIDA
Mr. SUGANUMA Kiyoshi
Mr. TSUCHIYA Minao
3. Gist of Talks:
Mr. Takano:
Mr. Awasawa, Chief member of the Japanese delegation to this Subcommittee, is absent from today's session because of unavoidable circumstances. And Mr. Yoshikawa, Counsellor of the Bureau of Asian Affairs, will attend here as an observer.
So far as my knowledge goes, both delegation agreed at the previous session to study further the method of proceeding in connection with the divergence of opinions concerning the problem under Agenda A. My delegation, for its part, studied upon it thereafter; however, it still found Japanese suggestion to proceed to the next agenda item is the best one to be followed by us in connection with proceeding of our meetings.
Mr. Lee:
My delegation also studied it from every possible angle; my delegation however, came to the same conclusion that we should settle first the problem under Agenda A and proceed to next agenda item. It is with regret that the Japanese side cannot agree to the Korean idea.
While we were discussing the problem of Agenda A, the Japanese side irrelevantly brought out all of a sudden the problem of the proceeding of our meeting at this Subcommittee. Therefore, I would like to urge the Japanese delegation to return to the original problem, namely, the questions coming under the scope of Agenda A.
Mr. Takano:
Since there exist divergences of opinions in connection with the legal basis of Korean claims to Korean registry vessels in Japan, my delegation proposed, with a view to expediting the proceeding of our meetings, that we proceed to the problem of Agenda B, and, then, to agenda items C and D subsequently so that we could discuss the overall problems of vessels.
Mr. Lee:
The Korean side wishes to return to the problem of Agenda A, and askes the Japanese side to give my delegation a clear-cut reply to the first list of the 31 vessels submitted at the eighteenth session by the Korean side.
Mr. Takano:
My delegation still thinks that we take up the problem of Agenda B as there exist the conflicting opinions on the legal basis of Korean claims under Agenda A.
Mr. Lee:
My delegation has repeatedly explained the legal basis of the Korean claims to the Korean registry vessels under Agenda A. Under the circumstances, it is of the opinion of my delegation that this problem has fully been clarified. Nevertheless, the Japanese side reiterates that there are conflicting views on the problem in question. I wonder if the Japanese side has no intention at all to return the vessels under reference to the Korean side.
Mr. Takano:
Though you said that the Korean side had fully explained the legal basis of the Korean cliams to Korean registry vessels, the Japanese delegation, far its part, thought there was no agreement in opinions on the said problem. Meanwhile, the Korean delegation presented the first list of the 31 vessels which covers a part of the part of the vessels which the Korean side claims against Japan. Thus, the Japanese side hold the stand that the list was received Just for its own reference.
Mr. Lee:
What do you mean by that the Japanese side received the list for its one reference ?"
Mr. Takano:
My delegation received the list only for reference as it does not consider that Japan is legally obligated to return the vessels under Agenda A. Therefore, the receipt of the list had nothing to do with the question of returning those vessels now at issue.
Mr. Lee:
Though you stated that the Japanese side received the list of the 31 Vessels in question only for its reference, your side put several questions on six vessels appearing on the said list, and you did not raise any question concerning the rest of the vessels on the list concerned. Did it mean that the Japanese side was considering the return of those vessels to the Korean side ?
Mr. Takano:
Your interpretation in that connection is too far off the point. My delegation put few questions on some vessels in the list under reference only for reference, which had nothing to do with the question of returning such vessels.
Mr. Lee:
If the Japanese side persistently maintains that there is no legal basis of returning the vessels of Korean registry to the Korean side under Agenda A, I would like to request your delegation to present its point of view in writing.
Mr. Takano:
Though I do not think it realistic and effective way for the settlement of the problem and, also, for the proceeding of talks, if the Korean side presents the legal basis of its claims in a written form, then, my side would consider a reply thereto in writing.
Mr. Lee:
I believe that the Japanese side has well understood the legal basis of Korean claims, since my delegation has so far explained them fully and satisfactorily. Accordingly, I requested the Japanese side to present its arguments in writing in this connection, if any. This being the case, if you submit your view in writing, first, then, the Korean. side would consider a reply thereto in writing,
Mr. Takano:
(Silence)
If you put forward your view in writing on this problem, first, then, my delegation would consider the expression of its view in writing.
Mr. Lee:
I am impressed that the Japanese side concentrates all of its efforts in the problem of fisheries and closely links all pending problems with the development of talks of fisheries problem. what I want to request here to the Japanese side is that it should make efforts for an early liquidation of the old problems connected with the past relationship between two countries because the liquidation of the old problems is no lese important than the settlement of fisheries problem.
Mr. Takano:
I won't say this and that regarding your impression, because that is the personal impression of yours. However, as a member of the Japanese delegation to the Subcommittee on Vessels, I wish to make it clear that I have tried to settle pending issues at this subcommittee with all sincerity.
Mt. Lee:
When shall we meet again ?
Mr. Takano:
How about 3 p.m. December 9th ?
Mr. Lee:
No objection. And as to press release, let us follow the precedents.
Mr. Takano:
That will be all right.
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