供覽
11月 7日
事務次官
局長
擔當
UPIA-36

By Charles R. Smith(UPI)

Tokyo, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Former Republic of Korea President Syngman Rhee may not have been nearly so stubborn as he was made out to be in the ROK-Japan negotiations for normalization of relations.
There's no doubt that the doughty old ex-President was plenty tough in his stand towards Japan but authoritative date obtained by United Press International revealed that Rhee was prepared to settle on some of the thorny issues between the two nations but his subordinates urged him to hold out for something better.
This data, which relates to some of the proposals made during the 10 years of negotiating between the two nations while Rhee was in power, also reveals that Rhee gave in considerably --- often against his wishes --- to pressure from the United States. It disclosed that most of the Korean officials felt throughout the decade of talks that the United States tended to favor Japan --- a belief that still prevails.
Of all the major issues between the two nations the toughest are the so-called Rhee line and claims. According to this data, Rhee actually accepted a Japanese proposal to settle the Rhee line issue but later changed his mind under pressure of his subordinates. It indicated that a number of high Korean officials strongly opposed the Japanese proposals, which Rhee had tentatively agreed to upon the advice of his negotiators in Tokyo.
In 1958 the Japanese offered three plans for solving the Rhee line question. Briefly they provided that,
--- Japan would agree to recognize the Rhee line for a brief unspecified period (about three years) while a fishery agreement was being worked out.
--- Japan would recognize a line drawn closer to the ROK coast be made more un*** fishery agreement was being worked out.
--- No fishing zones should be set up within the so-called Rhee line area which both nations would observe. Japan would agree to remain out of other areas while a fishery agreement was being worked out.
On the condition attached to all of these plans was that Korea would not imprison or bring to trial any Japanese fishermen caught violating the agreement but would turn them over to Japanese authorities who would punish them under special laws to be established.
The Japanese also asked the Koreans to accept any of these plans and said each offered the Koreans a chance to build up their fishing industry to a more competitive position before the area would be opened to large-scale Japanese fishing.
Rhee was reported to have felt that this was the best settlement he would be able to get on the Rhee line and was reported ready to accept one of the proposals. But some of his subordinates, who feared that Korea's fishing industry would not develop quickly enough, felt they could get a better agreement, and Rhee changed his mind.
On claims Rhee came down from his original demand for at least a billion dollars but rejected a Japanese offer of $100 million, from which the Tokyo Government wanted to deduct $48 million that Korea owed Japan for trade goods.
Japan also wanted to consider the $100 million as an economic aid grant and not compensation or reparation.
Rhee at first angered by this demand later repented and said the Japanese could call it whatever they liked but $100 million would never do.
Rhee's position was that Japan securied Korea for 40 years and certainly should pay as much to Korea as she did in war reparations to such countries as Indonesia, Burma and the Philippines.
The United States strongly urged Rhee to accept this offer, pointing out that it would be better than nothing and that the longer he waited the less his chances were of getting any settlement.
In 1958 the United States presented a memorandum on claims to which both countries reluctantly agreed. Briefly, it provided that Japan would renounce all claims against Korea and Korea would not make any "unreasonable" claims against Japan.
The issue of individual compensation for Korean residents brought to Japan during the war was near settlement when Rhee fell from power. Japan had agreed to pay $2,500 each and the United States was prepared to lend Japan the money to make the payments under a loan agreement. Rhee felt this was not sufficient compensation but finally agreed to it. However, he demanded lump sum payment based on the number of expected repatriates. The Japanese said no and the United States supported the Japanese position.
There were strong indications that Rhee had softened his stand considerably on a number of other issues.