6 Chemin des Mesmes Geneva

20 June 1959

Your Excellency:
1. Regarding the so-called "repatriation" of our people from Japan to North Korea, the drafting of the agreement between the Japanese and North Koreans is now almost complete, all that remains to be finalized being the annex to the agreement, and this will most likely be terminated next week. As reported previously, it will then be submitted to the ICRC. The Japanese are constantly propagating that, by 2 July next, they will have obtained the approval of the ICRC. However, as mentioned in my letter of 13 June, the Japanese will not be able to get the approval of the ICRC, and it will be a long time before the ICRC will even examine the proposal. I should like to reiterate that, so long as we stand firm against Japan, we shall be in a favourable position as far as ICRC is concerned.
2. In the meantime, the Japanese Government have cabled their Ambassador in Switzerland, instructing him to take up the "fishermen's" case with the ICRC. As I reported about two months ago, the ICRC thinks that there is a certain humanitarian aspect in this case. Therefore, the Japanese hope to divert universal attention to this case and, in so doing, put us on the defensive. I feel that, when the ICRC ask us about the fishermen's case, we should counter it with the Omura case, in respect of which I trust the Government will send me all the relevant materials. Upon seeing further developments here, I shall report in greater detail and, at the same time, give my recommendations on our strategy, etc.
3. I am of the opinion that any favourable publicity we could obtain for ourselves in the Swiss newspapers would be of considerable value to our country. For this purpose, we would need the services of somebody with speaking and writing fluency in the French language, and also some special expenses allowance for the publicity and so on. I should like to stress that this is quite an important matter, and Government approval of my above suggestions would be much appreciated.
4. Minister Choy arrived the day before yesterday, and Dr Kim is coming on 20 June.
5. Following my cable in connexion with the procedure for the establishment of our mission here, I am still awaiting a letter from the Foreign Minister addressed to Dag Hammarskjöld so that I can hand it to the European Office of the united Nations for forwarding.
With sentiments of loyalty and high esteem,

I remain,

Yours faithfully,