No.64
December 17th, 1959.
Your Excellency:
I have just dceived a cablegram from the Government saying that the Japanese have declined to give a reply on the proposal for a judicial settlement of the case.
If they do not give a reply, then obviously they will be in a had position in the eyes of the world. We could have made a unilateral application to the ICJ after declaring acceptance of jurisdiction and let the Court notify the Japanese whether they would agree to accept a settlement at the Court. In that case Japan would be in a more difficult position to decide. It seems to me, if I am not mistaken, that the Japanese might be seeking the legal views of international lawyers on the case while using delaying tactics so as to send our people to the Communist regime. For those who have already been sent to northern Korea we can still claim reparation and compensation.
At this stage, in my opinion, the manner in which the Japanese comment on our proposal of seeking an agreement with them to take up the matter at the Hague Court is very important. Their comments and what they say either through the press or through our representative should be carefully analysed.
It is also my opinion that there will be plenty of scope to put the Japanese on the defensive if we say to the Japanese that our property claim as a whole will be taken up at the Hague Court. So far the Japanese have always advocated that international law is on their side. But we can also counter this, saying that we will not hesitate to have a legal showdown at the Court.
With sentiments of loyalty and esteem,

I remain,

Faithfully yours,

His Excellency President Syngman Rhee,
Office of the President,
SEOUL,
Corée.