Tokyo, January 15, 1959

No.257
TO: Office of the President
FROM: Minister Tai Ha Yiu
As I have reported to Your Excellency by my cable No.MTB-006 of January 13, this Mission made strong representations to the Japanese Foreign Ministry with regard to the remarks reportedly made by Foreign Minister Fujiyama at Osaka on January 12, 1959, on the so-called group repatriation problem of Koreans to 'north Korea ' and also with regard to the Japanese unilateral deportation of 39 Koreans of post-war category.
Counselor Choi called on Mr. Itagaki, Asian Affairs Director the Foreign Offices, at 3:10 p.m. on January 13, 1959, and the gist of representations made by Mr. Choi and of talks between them at this meeting is as follows:
Item 1:
Asking first the authenticity of the press reports regarding Fujiyama's remarks to the effect that the Japanese Government is studying on the plan to repatriate Korean residents to 'north Korea ' from humanitarian standpoints, etc., Mr. Choi told Mr. Itagaki that if the press report be true the Korean side would be obliged to lodge a most energetic protest with the Japanese Government against the remarks. He further stated that the so-called group repatriation movement is nothing but a most malicious political campaign launched by the north Korean puppet regime and those factions in Japan who do not want to see the Korea -Japan problems settled. Pointing out that all the Koreans now is Japan are nationals of the Republic of Korea and that the Goverment of the Republic of Korea is the only legal Government of Korea as recognized by the United Nations, he continued that the Korean Government cannot tolerate any of Korean residents in Japan being sent to the hands of the north Korean puppet regime and that, therefore, it is strongly opposed to the sending to 'north Korea ' of any Koreans in Japan.
In this connection, Mr. Itagaki replied that he did not know whether Mr. Fujiyama did make such remarks as reported in some newspapers as Mr. Fujiyama did not come back to Tokyo and because the reports of various newspapers of Mr. Fujiyama's alleged remarks were not identical. He continued that he had not been instructed from his superior so far to work out any such plan, saying that there was no decision of Goverment polities on the sending of Koreans to 'north Korea ' at present. Stating that he understood very well the position of the Korean side in this regard, he told Mr. Choi that he would certainly report to the Foreign Minister upon his return to office about the Korean representations regarding the matter. He added that he was fully aware that the problem is of a nature which will affect the Korea -Japan relations.
Item 2:
With regard to the recent case on the unilateral deportation by Japan of 39 Koreans of post-war category, Mr. Choi charged that it was quite improper that the Japanese Government unilaterally and stealthily deported 39 Koreans without any prior consultation (even notification) with the Korean Mission in Tokyo, pointing out that the deportation of Koreans of post-war category should be mutually arranged beforehand at the Korea-Japan working Committee and that any Korean deportee should hold a certificate of identity issued by this office in accordance with the established practice. He continued that Japan's unilateral and stealthy deportation of the 39 Koreans under reference, therefore, was at variance with not only the established rule between the two Governments but also the international practice regarding deportation of illegal entrants.
Mr. Itagaki replied that he was not well familiar with the case and, therefore, would find out the fact about the case by contacting the Immigration Bureau of the Justice Ministry. He said that he thought the 39 Koreans were those who had been sent back to Korea under the responsibility of the firm to which the vessel which had transported them to Japan belongs, immediately after their "illegal entry" into Japan with forged season's pocket ledgers.
Item 3:
We also touched upon the problem of the Korea -Japan overall talks. Mr. Choi expressed his hope that particularly the problems concerning Korean art objects and vessels had better be settled as soon as possible in view of rather simple nature of the problems and also in the light of the probability that an early solution to the problems would bring about favorable effects on the smooth proceeding of the overall talks. Mr. Itagaki replied that inasmuch as the domestic political feud would be seemingly settled in the very hear future, he intends to take up the two problems at the Cabinet meeting so that practical measures for the solution there would be worked out. (In this connection, he pointed out that the former Welfare Minister Hashimoto has newly been appointed Education Minister, succeeding Mr. Madao who quit the post last December.) He further said that he understood that Messrs. Sawada and Iamada, on the Japanese side and Minister Yiu on the Korean side had talkd on those two problems. He also expressed his hope that the two problems be settled as soon as possible.
Item 4:
Taking this opportunity, our side also took up the problem on the export of Korean rice. We renewed our request that the Japanese Goverment take appropriate actions on this problem for an early solution thereof. Mr. Itagaki stated that although he is not directly in charge of economic affairs including the problem of Korean rice, he would render his efforts to solve this problem as soon es possible.