Orally delivers to the Press
/D R A F T/

JUN 11 1958

In response to questions raised up at press interview, a Foreign Ministry official answered on return of Korean art objects by Japan as follows:
Q. It has been frequently reported that, at the conclusion of the preliminary talks on December 31, 1957, the Governments of the Republic of Korea and Japan reached an agreement on return of Korean art objects held by Japan. Is this report true?
A. I do not deny that.
Q. Why was this agreement not released at the conclusion of the preliminary talks, together with other agreements?
A. At the request of the Japanese, it was to be kept confidential. Inasmuch as it was so agreed on, we could not unilaterally release it.
Q. The Japanese side reportedly said that the agreement had been made 'orally', or as a kind of gentlemen's agreement. Would you comment thereon?
A. It is an agreement after all.
Q. Now that Japanese Director for Asian Affairs made public the contents of the agreement on Korean art objects, is there still a reason for the Korean side to withhold the announcement?
A. No.
Q. What kind of art objects will be returned by virtue of this agreement?
A. According to the agreement, the Japanese Government is obliged to turn over to us at an early date those Korean art objects now in its possession (of which immediate transfer is possible) and as for the later transfer of other art objects, it will be discussed for settlement at the present overall talks.
Q. Then, is the report true that the Japanese side already delivered earlier 106 articles of Korean art objects to the Korean Mission in Japan?
A. Yes. They are now in the custody of the Mission.
Q. Why does the Government not bring them back to Korea?
A. Anyway, they are in our hands.
Q. Is it also true that the Japanese side handed to the Korean side a list of 489 art objects?
A. Yes, it is.
Q. Does the list cover all the art objects to be returned to Korea?
A. Please wait and see the future development.
Q. Can you disclose the list of art objects, the return of which Korea is requesting?
A. It will be made at the Conference.
Q. The Japanese side reportedly said that Korean art objects were and will be turned over to the Korean side as 'donation,. Will such theory be acceptable to the Korean Government?
A. No.We are demanding by right we are property titled to.