KPO/627
/D R A P T/
SUMMARY RECORD
On December 16, 1959, Foreign Minister Cho, Home Affairs Minister Choi, Justice Minister Hong and Vice-Foreign Minister Choi were given audience by His Excellency the President at Kyung Mu Dai, and conversation was held for almost 55 minutes from 10:40 a.m.
His Excellency wanted discussion on the latest development of the Korea -Japan relations.
Minister Cho said that though the deportation ships had set sail, he thought we ※had better continue our efforts to settle the problem of Korean residents in Japan to let them survive,, and that the details would be reported by the Vice-Foreign Minister. (Thereupon, Vice-Minister Choi briefed on the latest development, the gist of which is attached herewith.)
His Excellency said that according to an article of the Korean Republic, the Japanese are not likely to accept our proposal on the ICJ proceedings and so on.
Vice-Minister Choi responded by stating that we had planned that strategy on that assumption From the beginning
His Excellency said he was glad that Vice-Minister Choi worked very hard in a calm and logical manner.
Vice-Minister Choi said that ※to our utmost indignation and our sadness, we had lost a number of Korean residents in Japan and we may lose some more, but that the majority of Korean residents in Japan are still loyal to the Republic of Korea, fighting against the Japanese scheme.
The Vice-Minister observed that these Koreans depend solely on our Government gesture and policy;, therefore, with regard to the problem of "compensation" and properties to be taken away by repatriating Koreans, etc., we should, continue our efforts to settle them For their survival in the Future The detainee issue should also be settled as soon as possible.
His Excellency said he, too, hoped so.
Justice Minister Hong and Vice-Minister Choi reported that we have to save the majority of Koreans in Japan and that for that purpose we should work to make a little clearer the meaning of the draft Joint Communique and the Agreed Minutes now under study by our Delegates. We should endeavor to let the Japanese come nearer to our terms. They further reported that we had reinforced patrol in the Peace Line waters while the Japanese withdrew their fishing vessels from the whole waters in question. We are ready to capture every Japanese vessel if they come out. Our Coast Guard and Navy are on the alert.
His Excellency asked whether they meant that we should continuously oppose the Japanese deportation scheme while negotiating with the Japanese side for the settlement in our favor of the Korean residents issue.
The whole conferee answered in the affirmative, which was given understanding by His Excellency.
Justice Minister Hong observed that with reference to our proposal on the ICJ proceedings, the Japanese are now in an embarrassing position, reserving their clear views thereto. They are reportedly planning to raise up the Peace Line issue at the International Bar Associations Conference to be held at Copenhagen next January. Therefore, the Justice Minister said, we should send our bar members there to present the illegality of the Japanese deportation scheme.
His Excellency said it seemed to be all right.
Hereupon, Foreign Minister Cho turned to the question of American citizens Winter and Hill who were ex-suspects and for whom indictment was dispended with at the Secoul Prosecutors' Office. According to Minister Cho, they are now appealing to the Government for continued residence in Korea with their dependants, which was also asked by Assistant secretary kobertson. Foreign Minister Cho asked His Excellency as to whether we could pardon them once and grant residence to them.
His Excellency remarked that if we granted the appeal too easily, we are afraid they might consider we are weak-minded toward Americans. However, His Excellency said, if they assur us they would no longer make trouble, then their application ※may be granted this time.
His Excellency turned back to discussions on the Korea-Japan relations and, referring to the detainee issue, remarked that he thought this issue had already been settled. He asked how it was still pending.
Here, Justice Minister Hong and Vice-Foreign Minister Choi made a brief explanation on the background of the detainees issue, reporting that it could and ※had better be settled as soon as possible and simultaneously with the settlement of ※residents issue.
His Excellency ※suggested that the conferees make known to the public in general what our Government had so far done for the settlement of the Korean residents problem.
When the whole conferees rose up to leave the conference room, Foreign Minister Cho told His Excellency the President that because he should incur the whole responsibility for being unable to block the Japanese deportation of Korean residents in Japan to the Communist north, he wished to resign his post.
His Excellency said it ※can not be discussed now.
Minister Cho continued that there was a move in our National Assembly to submit a non-confidence motion on the Foreign Minister. As it will bother the Government, Minister Cho said, then the best solution would be his resignation.
His Excellency said that he hardly understood what the meaning of the so-called non-confidence motion was.
KPO/627
SUMMARY RECORD
Oh December 16, 1959, Foreign Minister Cho, Home Affairs Minister Choi, Justice Minister Hong and Vice-Foreign Minister Choi were given audience by His Excellency the President at Kyung Mu Dai, and conversation was held for almost 55 minutes from 10:40 a.m.
His Excellency wanted discussion on the latest development of the Korea -Japan relations.
Minister Cho said that though the deportation ships had set sail, he thought we had better continue our efforts to settle the problem of Korean residents in Japan to let them survive, and that the details would be reported by the Vice-Foreign Minister. (Thereupon, Vice-Minister Choi briefed on the latest development, the gist of which is attached herewith.)
His Excellency said that according to an article of the Korean Republic, the Japanese are not likely to accept our proposal on the ICJ proceedings and so on.
Vice-Minister Choi responded by stating that we had planned that strategy on that assumption from the beginning.
His Excellency said he was glad that Vice-Minister Choi worked very hard in a logical manner.
Vice-Minister Choi said that to our utmost indignation and our sadness, we had lost a number of Korean residents in Japan and we may lose more, but that the majority of Korean residents in Japan are still loyal to the Republic of Korea, fighting against the Japanese scheme. The Vice-Minister observed that these Koreans depend solely on our Government gesture and policy; therefore, with regard to the problem of "compensation" and properties to be taken away by repatriating Koreans, etc., we should continue our efforts to settle them for their survival in the future. The detainee issue should also be settled as soon as possible.
His Excellency said he, too, hoped so.
Justice Minister Hong and Vice-Minister Choi reported that we have to save the majority of Koreans in Japan and that for that purpose we should work to make a little clearer the meaning of the draft joint Communique and the Agreed Minutes now under study by our Delegates. We Should endeavor to let the Japanese come nearer to our terms. They further reported that we had reinforced patrol in the Peace Line waters while the Japanese withdrew their fishing vessels from the whole waters. We are ready to capture every Japanese vessel if they come out. Our Coast Guard and Navy are on the alert.
His Excellency asked whether they meant that we should continuously oppose the Japanese deportation scheme while negotiating with the Japanese side for the settlement in our favour of the Korean residents issue.
The whole conferees answered in the affirmative, which was given understanding by His Excellency.
Justice Minister Hong obeerved that with reference to our proposal on the ICJ proceedings, the Japanese are now in an embarrassing position, reserveing their clear views thereto. They are reportedly planning to raise up the Peace Line issue at the International Bar Associations Conference to be held at Copenhagen next January. Therefore, the Justice Minister said, we should send our bar members there to present the illegality at the Japanese deportation scheme.
His Excellency said it seemed to be all right.
Hereupon, Foreign Minister Cho turned to the question of American citizens Winter and Hill who were ex-suspeots and for whom indictment was dispended with at the Secoul Prosecutors' Office. According to Minister Cho, they are now appealing to the Government for continued residence in Korea with their dependants, which was also asked by Assistant Secretary Robertson. Foreign. Minister Cho asked His Excellency as to whether we could pardon them once end grant residence to them.
His Excellency remarked that if we granted the appeal too easily, we are afraid they might consider we are weak-minded toward Americans. However, His Excellency said, if they assure us they would no longer make trouble, then their application may be granted this time.
His Excellency turned back to discussions on the Korea-Japan relations and referring to the detainee issue, remarked that he thought this issue had already been settled. He asked how it was still pending.
Here, Justice Minister Hong and Vice-Foreign Minister Choi made a brief explanation on the background of the detainees issue, reporting that it could and had better be settled as soon as possible and simultaneously with the settlement of residents issue.
His Excellency suggested that the conferees make known to the public in general what our Government had so far done for the settlement of the Korean residents problem.
When the whole conferees rose up to leave the conference room, Foreign Minister Cho told His Excellency the President that because he should incur the whole responsibility for being unable to block the Japanese deportation of Korean residents in Japan to the Communist north, he wished to resign his post.
His Excellency said it cannot be discussed now.
Minister Cho continued that there was a move in our National Assembly to submit a non-confidence motion on the Foreign Minister. As it will bother the Government, Minister Cho said, then the best solution would be his resignation.
His Excellency said that he hardly understood what the meaning of the so-called non-confidonce motion was.
K.H.C.