December 13, 1959

COMMENT FOR PRESS
It is very much regretted that despite the Republic of Korea Government's continued and sincere efforts to persuade the Japanese side to reconsider its reckless attempt, the Japanese side does not yet appear to reconsider its unilateral decision on the problem of the so-called repatriation of Korean residents in Japan to the Communist north, which is an integral part of the problem on the Korean residents in Japan of which the discussion for settlement should be made at the Korea-Japan overall talks in accordance with the agreement concluded between the two Governments. Only an alternative now left in our continued efforts to settle the issue in peaceful and diplomatic way is to bring the issue for ICJ verdict. Time is running short, but Japan still can show to the world whether they really have bona fide intentions to settle the issue if they favorably respond to our request for bringing the dispute to the international tribunal. The Japanese reply at an earliest moment is awaited. If Japan does not take heed of our most earnest efforts, but dare to dispose unilaterally of the pending problem, we might conclude that they will no longer desire to settle the issue by the way of peaceful settlement which is well established in the civilized international community.