Not to be released
ON THE QUESTION OF 600,000 KOREANS IN JAPAN
Pyongyang, Korea

1959

OFFICIAL USE ONLY
ON THE QUESTION OF 600,000 KOREANS IN JAPAN
FOREIGN LANGUAGES PUBLISHING HOUSE
Pyongyang, Korea

1959

CONTENTS
Foreword.....1
An Excerpt from the Speech by Premier Kim IL Sung at the Reception Given in Honour of the Japanese People's Peace and Friendship Mission for Greeting the Korean Armistice (November 9, 1953) .....10
An Excerpt from Premier Kim Il Sung's speech Made on the 10th Anniversary of the Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (September 8, 1958).....11
An Excerpt from Premier Kim Il Sung's Speech at New Year Banquet (1959).....12
Answers of Vice-Premier Kim Il to the Question Put by the Correspondent of the Korean Central News Agency (October 16, 1958).....13
D.P.R.K. Cabinet Order ND. 53 on Stabilizing the Living of the Korean Citizens Returning from Japan (June 20) 1956).....18
D.P.R.K. Cabinet Decision No.16 on Receiving the Korean Nationals Returning Home from Japan (February 16, 1959).....20
Statement of the Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K. (August 30, 1954).....22
Statement of Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of the D.P.R.K. (October 15, 1955).....25
Statement of the Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K. (December 29, 1955).....27
Statement of Vuce-Minister of Education of the D.P.R.K. (June 10, 1956).....29
Statement of the Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K. (January 4, 1958).....31
Statement of Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of the D.P.R.K. (February 8, 1958).....33
Statement of the Foreign Minister of the D,P,R.K. (July 8, 1958).....35
Statement of the Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K. (September 16, 1958).....38
Statement of the Foreign Minister of the D.P,R.K. (December 30, 1958).....40
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (December 31, 1955).....43
Statement of the Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society (January 11, 1956).....44
Statement of the Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society (February 27, 1956).....46
Statement of Spokesman of the Korean Red Cross Society (March 10, 1956).....51
Statement of the Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society (June 4, 1956).....54
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (June 14, 1956).....58
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (November 26, 1956).....59
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (November 26, 1956).....60
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the International Red Cross Committee (April 22, 1957).....61
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (January 7, 1958).....62
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the International Red Cross Committee (January 8, 1958).....64
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (January 18, 1958).....68
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the International Red Cross Committee (January 21, 1958).....70
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (February 1, 1958).....72
Statement of the Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society (February 18, 1958).....74
Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the Japanese Red Cross Society (March 12, 1958).....79
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Sends Telegram to the President of the International Red Cross Committee (March 22, 1958).....80
Statement of Spokesman of the Korean Red Cross Society (April 29, 1958).....82
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (May 28, 1958).....85
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (July 2, 1958).....86
Statement of the Chairman of Korean Red Cross Society (September 23, 1958).....87
Chairman of the C.C.. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (February 16, 1959).....89
Answers of the Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society to the Questions Put by the Correspondent of the Korean Central Hews Agency (February 21, 1959).....90
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the Japanese Red Cross Society (March 6, 1959).....94
Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society Sends Telegram to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (March 15,'59).....96
Answers of the Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Gross Society to the Question Put by Mr. Kuga, Managing Editor of Kyodo News Service (March 17, 1959).....98
Reply of the Chairman of the C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society to the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society (March 30, 1959).....102
Letter to Our Compatriots in Japan (October 31, 1958).....104
Letter to Political Parties, Social Organizations and Public Figures of Japan (October 31, 1958).....109
Letter from Korean Scientists, Men of Culture and Public Figures to Japanese scientists, Men of Culture and Public Figures (February 25, 1958).....111
Return Home of Koreans in Japan Brooks No Delay (Editorial of the Rodong Shinmoon, December 18, 1958).....115
Return of Korean Nationals from Japan Must Be Realized Without Delay (Editorial of the Rodong Shinmoon, February 4, 1959).....122
Question of Return Home of Korean Nationals in Japan (Editorial of the Rodong Shinmoon, February 15, 1959).....128
We Resolutely Oppose "Screeding" of Korean Nationals in Japan (From the Rodong Shinmoon, February 21, 1959).....135
FOREWORD
This book compiles official documents covering the period from 1953 to March 1959 relating to the question of the Korean nationals in Japan.
Through these documents you will more profoundly realize the consistent concern the Government of the Republic has directed toward the Korean nationals in Japan, and clearly understand the details and true facts in connection with the question of their repatriation. It is an urgent, vital question for the hundreds of thousands of Korean nationals suffering from poverty and non-rights in a foreign land.
Therefore, the plight of the Korean nationals in Japan has aroused the deep concern of the honest-minded people of the world who value human rights and lofty principles of humanitarianism.
There are 600,00 Korean nationals in Japan. Most of them are those who went to Japan to find a way of earning a livelihood, driven out from their native place by the Japanese imperialists in the days of the Japanese occupation of Korea, or those who were commandeered to munitions factories or coal mines during the period of the Pacific War. Need it be said that from the very first day they set foot on Japanese soil, the Koreans were subjected to humaniliation and maltreatment?
When Korea was liberated with the defeat of the Japanese imperialists, the Korean nationals in Japan resolved: "We will live no longer as colonial slaves. We will return to our fatherland and build a unified independent state, a free and happy land!"
However, up to the present, their cherished wish to return to their beloved fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has not been realized because of the obstacles laid by the U.S. imperialists and Syngman Rhee clique and the Japanese authorities.
Many of them went to ports in various parts of Japan on several occasions demanding to be sent back home, but found no was to return to the fatherland, and have had to remain in Japan to this day. Moreover,
they have been insulted and humiliated. They were discharged from their work, and employment was denied to them. They were called the "third nation." Their means of living was taken away. Even according to the announcement of the Japanese authorities, 14.5 per cent of the entire Korean nationals in Japan were unemployed in 1940. The figure kept risings in 1952 it increased to 29 per cent and in 1958 more than 80 per cent of the Korean nationals were unemployed or semiunemployed.
The Japanese people themselves described the Koreans' living standard in Japan as the lowest in the world. Moreover, the U.S. imperialists and the Japanese authorities subjected the Korean nationals to various kinds of oppression and persecution in order to suppress their just wish for the unification and independence of the fatherland and democratic rights.
The "Foreign Residents Registration Law," passed in 1947, the "Regulations on Properties of Foreign Residents" in 1949 and the "Regulations on Entrance to and Departure from Japan " in 1951 were directed against the Korean nationals in Japan. Under these laws the Koreans were subjected to inhuman suppression politically and economically.
Under the "Foreign Residents Registration Law," the Japanese authorities, on three occasions since 1947, have carried out forcible registration of the Korean nationals in Japan. They were even fingerprinted like criminals. The registrations were enforced with the sinister object of putting the Korean nationals in Japan under constant surveillance and paving the way for handing them over to the U.S. imperialists and Syngman Rhee ites as "citizens of ROK."
However, it must be stressed once more that the Korean nationals in Japan are no longer the colonial slaves of the past. They are the lawful citizens of an independent country, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Their glorious fatherland is prospering and developing along the broad path of socialism.
Taking it as one of the most important duties to protect the national and democratic rights of the Korean citizens abroad, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been paying great attention to the lot of Korean compatriots in Japan from the first day of its founding.
As can readily been seen in the documents compiled in this book, the Government of the D.P.R.K., proceeding from the ardent compatriotic love, has demanded repeatedly that the Japanese authorities take necessary steps to guarantee the legitimate rights of foreigners for the Korean nationals in Japan, as stipulated in international law, and stabilize their life. Moreover, the Government of the D.P.R.K. demanded time and again that the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps be released immediately and allowed to return home at their own free will.
Cabinet Decision No.7 adopted on January 16, 1956, contained that following measures. Not only will Korean youth and students who come to the northern part of the Republic from Japan to study be welcomed, but also schooling and living expenses, such as stipend, clothing, footwear, stationery, etc., will be provided free of charge. Furthermore, the decision stated that each will by given 20,000 won (in old currency) on his or her arrival in the North, besides the monthly stipend which was established in honour of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Korean Democratic Youth League.
Then again, on June 20 of the same year, the Government of the Republic adopted Cabinet Decision No.53. It stipulated that the Korean nationals returning from Japan would be ensured rest and employment. Moreover necessary funds for farming andestablishing oneself in business would be loaned, besides a guarantee for housing and education of their children.
Between 1957 and February 1959, the Korean people sent to the Korean nationals in Japan on five occasions 595,000 pounds sterling as educational funds and 1,615,530 won (in old currency) as relief funds for the Korean internees in the Omura Camp.
Inspired by such great concern of their compatriots at home, the Korean nationals in Japan never stopped their struggle for democratic rights and for a stabilized life despite the ruthless oppression by the Japanese authorities. Entrusting their destiny to their fatherland, they are treasuring the honour of being the citizens of the D.P.R.K.
They see their dreams being realized in the northern part of the D.P.R.K. which has been turning into a happy land where the people, liberated from every kind of exploitation, enjoy a free life. And they tremble at the thought that South Korea has been turned into a living hell a land of non-rights, poverty and death--where 6,600,000 unemployed and semi-unemployed and millions of foodless peasants are wandering about the streets.
The Korean nationals in Japan all know to well that the Syngman Rhee clique have been detaining those who were forcibly deported from the Omura Camp to South Korea, subjecting them to untold persecution, leaving aside employment.
Therefore, the Korean nationals in Japan, who are more firmly determined than ever, are struggling unwaveringly for the earliest possible repatriation to their homeland-the Democratic People's Republic of Korea -where a new, happy life is awaiting them.
I know too well that South Korea is the worst place to live in the world. I will not go to South Korea, though it is my native place, even if the Syngman Rhee clique drag me by force. I would rather die than go there. There is only one place for me to go. It is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea where what we have long dreamed of is being realized." These were the words of a 25-year old women named Ro Kye Sook who fought the deportation to South Korea from the Omura Camp in Japan.
Her words well express the wish of the Koreans in Japan who are longing for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
In his report to the celebration meeting of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the D.P.R.K., Premier Kim Il Sung said that "the Government of the Republic will provide the Korean compatriots in Japan with all conditions for leading a new life after their return
to the homeland."
These words of Premier Kim Il Sung greatly inspired the Koreans in Japan. A writer in the December 1958 issue of the Chuokoron, a Japanese monthly, noted,
This statement deeply impressed the 600,000 Korean nationals in Japan. In many parts of the country I met many old men who told me that this is the greatest joy that they have ever had. Not wonder then that those who have led a more miserable life are more ardently desiring to return home."
Quoting what Koreans in Japan pining for home said about their return, such as, "I wish I could go home at any time, even right now," "I want to go to my home country where one can earn according to his work," "I want to hammer down nails for construction in my fatherland," Japanese writers pointed out in their writings that the overwhelming majority of the Koreans in Japan desire to go to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Their earnest desire to return home can be seen also in the innumerable letters addressed to Premier Kim Il Sung, under separate or hoint signature, or to their relatives, friends, and social organizations.
Korean nationals in Japan, holding rallies in various parts of Japan and denouncing the deliberate postponement of the settlement of the question by the Japanese authorities, have been strongly demanding that the question should be settled as early as possible.
Under the pressure of the Korean nationals in Japan, compelled by positive measures taken by the Government of the D.P.R.K. and world public opinion, on February 13 this year, the Japanese government at last adopted a formal decision on the repatriation of Korean nationals to their fatherland.
But since the repatriation of Korean nationals in Japan has become a technical question, the U.S. aggressive circles and the Syngman Rhee clique are resorting to every overt and covert schemes to prevent the Japanese government from implementing its decision.
As is well known, on the very next day after the Japanese government made public its official decision, Robertson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State in charge of the Far East affairs, said that the U.S. is exerting every possible influence on the Japanese government to settle the "ROK -Japan disputes" in a "friendly" way.
Even Yang You Chan, puppet Syngman Rhee 's Ambassador to the U.S., openly stated that the U.S. "is working behind the scenes" to put pressure on Japan.
The New York Herald Tribune maintained that the U.S. or other group of countries should intervene in the matter of the repatriation of Korean nationals in
Japan and other U.S. press contended that the U.S. should assume the role of a "mediator" and should refrain from encouraging Japan to send the Koreans to North Korea. Indeed these assertions revealed fully the true intentions of Washington.
Why are the Syngman Rhee clique so desperately trying to prevent the Koreans from returning home in search of a new life, freeing themselves from the mire of such predicament? No answer is more revealing than what the Wall Street Journal, an organ of the U.S. monopolists, said. The paper wrote that the true
reason behind Syngman Rhee 's opposition to the repatriation of Korean nationals to the D.P.R.K. is that the Syngman Rheeites lost face because the Koreans in Japan want to return to North Korea, not South Korea.
The wilder the U.S. imperialists and the Syngman Rhee clique run in checking the home-coming of the Koreans in Japan for political reasons, the more they will expose their fascist, terrorist rule in South Korea. Nothing can break the desire of Koreans in Japan to return to their fatherland.
The repatriation to the D.P.R.K. of Korean nationals. in Japan who are in the grips of poverty and misery can no longer be delayed.
The Government of the D.P.R.K., having organized the welcome committee in accordance with Cabinet Decision No.16 adopted on February 16, 1959, is fully prepared to receive the Koreans from Japan, ensure them employment and a happy life and guarantee education of their children.
All factories, enterprises, scientific, educational and cultural establishments and co-ops of the D.P.R.K. are ready to welcome them with open arms. They are promised glory and honour to join the ranks of the Korean people who are now speeding ahead on a winged horse towards the high summit of socialism.
At present there remains only technical matters to be settled in connection with the repatriation of Korean nationals in Japan.
The burning question of return of the Koreans in Japan should have been settled between the Korean and Japanese government, outside of the political realm. But the Japanese government failed to follow this line.
Accordingly, under such circumstances, it was most reasonable for the Korean and Japanese Red Cross Societies to hold talks to settle the practical question concerning the repatriation of Koreans in Japan. Consequently the Government of the D.P.R.K. entrusted the task to the Central Committee of the Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. to work out technical matters with the Japanese Red Cross Society.
The C.C. of the Korean Red Cross Society proposed a conference of the Korean and Japanese Red cross organizations for the purpose of realizing the homecoming of the Koreans in Japan.
However, the Japanese government and the Japanese Red Cross Society took the position in their joint conference that the International Red Cross Committee should be requested to assume a role of ascertaining the will of the Koreans desirous of returning to the D.P.R.K. Of course, this move was only to lay artificial obstacles in the way of settling the question.
That large numbers of Koreans in Japan wish to return to the D.P.R.K. has been established by the Japanese press and resolutions adopted by many prefectural assemblies in Japan.
Particularly the note of the Japanese Foreign Ministry addressed to the member states of the Security Council of the U.N. as an explanation of its repatriation plan clearly stated that "110,000 of the Koreans in Japan have registered so far at the General Federation of Korean Residents in Japan expressing their wish to return to North Korea."
Yet the Japanese authorities maintained that the Koreans be screened. It was by no means justifiable to again ascertain the will of the Koreans who are anxiously waiting for repatriation.
At the Geneva Conference of representatives of the Korean and Japanese Red Cross organizations the Japanese side has been adamant in its stand for "screening" or "ascertaining the will" of those Koreans who expressed their wish to return to the D.P.R.K.
Such unreasonable position and contradictory assertions of the Japanese side caused a deadlock in the progress of the conference.
The Japanese side, out in the corner by our just arguments, asserted time and again that it would not conduct the unjust "ascertaining of the will" or "screening" of Korean nationals, but now betraying its own words, it is raising a new question on "grievance."
This only serves to lay bare the sinister
intentions of the Japanese side to conduct the "ascertaining of the will" or "screening" of the Korean nationals desirous of returning home, by abusing the authority of the International Red Cross Committee, and to pave the way for outsiders to justify their intervention in the question.
The Japanese side even came out to oppose the conference itself, alleging that the question is the "internal affairs" of Japan.
As its unreasonable assertions were repudiated thoroughly by our side, the Japanese side attempted to postpone the conference on the pretext that it was now considering a "new proposal."
By taking such attitude, the Japanese side is arousing doubt in the mind of the people as to whether it has any sincere desire to settle the question of repatriating the Korean nationals on humanitarian principles.
The Japanese side has so far asserted on many occasions that it would send the Koreans home in accordance with humanitarian principles and international
law.
The representatives of the Korean Red Cross Society at the Geneva Conference demanded the Japanese side to prove its sincerity in deed, not in word, and are persistently doing their utmost to see the early realization of the urgent desire of the Koreans to return home, by submitting fair and feasible proposals for the consideration of the conference.
Now the whole world is following the proceedings of the conference with keen interest.
It is expected that, thanks to the fair proposals and sincere and consistent efforts of the representatives of the Korean Red Cross Society, a basic agreement on the repatriation of Korean nationals in Japan will
be reached at the Geneva conference of representatives of the Korean and Japanese Red Cross organizations.
June 10, 1959
AN EXCERPT FROM THE SPEECH BY PREMIER KIM IL SUNG AT THE RECEPTION GIVEN IN HONOUR OF THE JAPANESE PEOPLE'S PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP MISSION FOR GREETING THE KOREAN ARMISTICE.

November 9, 1953

Our compatriots in Japan, in defiance of the persecution and oppression by the Japanese reactionaries, are fighting indomitably in defence of their genuine fatherland-- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea -- and against the traitorous puppet Syngman Rhee regime.
And during our Fatherland Liberation War they fought resolutely in opposition to the forcible conscription and deportation by the U.S. imperialists and the Syngman Rhee clique.
Our people pay profound respect to their compatriots in Japan for their patriotic devotion to their fatherland.
I am confident that our compatriots in Japan will further strengthen in their righteous struggle the internationalist solidarity with the peace-loving Japanese people, and continue to fight all the more persistently for the peaceful unification and independence of the fatherland against the colonial policy of the U.S. imperialists in South Korea and against the traitorous Syngman Rhee clique, thereby accomplishing with credit their duty before the fatherland.
AN EXCERPT FROM PREMIER Kim IL SUNG'S SPEECH MORE ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA.

September 8, 1958

Comrades!
We cannot but direct concern to the recent situation of our compatriots in Japan.
The persecution of the Kishi Government against our compatriots in Japan is being intensified.
The Kishi Government is not only refusing to recognize the legal rights of the Korean nationals in Japan, but
also committing the inhuman act of even using our compatriots held illegally in Japanese camps as a bait for bargaining with the Syngman Rhee clique.
Suffering under non-rights, national discrimination and difficulty of living, the compatriots in Japan recently manifested the desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Our people warmly welcome the aspiration of the compatriots who, having lost the means of living in Japan, are desirous of returning to the bosom of their fatherland.
The Korean nationals in Japan, as citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, have the full right to return to their homeland which is prospering and developing with every passing day and to lead a happy life together with their compatriots at home.
The Government of the Republic will provide the Korean nationals in Japan with all conditions for leading a new life after their returning to the homeland. We regard this as our national duty.
AN EXCERPT FROM PREMIER KIM IL SUNG'S SPEECH AT NEW YEAR BANQUET (1959)Despite their burning desire and struggle for returning to their fatherland, our compatriots in Japan are still unable to return home on account of the inhuman persecution and the obstructive manoeuvres of the Kishi government, and are greeting the New Year under difficult conditions in a foreign land.
However, no one and no force can hold back their sacred right and human demand for returning to the bosom of their fatherland to find the way of living.
Extending New Year's greetings to the entire compatriots who are in distress in Japan, I express the hope that their desire for returning to the fatherland will be realized soon.
ANSWERS OF VICE-PREMIER KIM IL TO THE QUESTIONS PUT BY THE CORRESPONDENT OF THE KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY IN CONNECTION WITH EALIIEST REALIZATIOON OF THE URGENT DESIRE OF THE KOREAN NATIONALS TO RETURN HOME FROM JAPAN

October 16, 1958

Question: The Korean nationals in Japan have launched of late an extensive movement for returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea their fatherland. Could you tell me how the question of the Korean nationals in Japan stands at present?
Answer: The movement of the Korean nationals in Japan for returning to their fatherland is gaining momentum these days. The Goverment of the Republic has directed special concern to this.
The Korean nationals in Japan are in a very difficult situation. In the first place, they have no regular jobs and are eking out a bare existence. Today's plight of the Korean nationals in Japan is attributable entirely to the unjust treatment of them by the Kishi government of Japan. As is widely known, the overwhelming majority of the Korean nationals in Japan are those who went over to Japan in the past after losing their means of living in their fatherland due to the aggression of the Japanese militarists against Korea or those who were taken to Japan for forced labour during the Pacific War, They have been leading a truly miserable life for these several decades.
But the Korean nationals in Japan today are not the lonely people without a fatherland as they were in the past. They have their glorious country -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Therefore, they are the proud citizens of an independent country with legal status and rights in their life due foreigners.
The Japanese government is under the obligation to ensure the Korean nationals in Japan legal status due foreigners and stabilize their living. But the Kishi government is oppressing and persecuting the Korean nationals in Japan under absurd pretexts.
The Kishi government is even trying to send by force our compatriots illegally held in the Japanese camps to South Korea, using them as a lever in their political bargaining with the Syngman Rhee clique.
Now our compatriots in Japan can no longer tolerate such difficulty in living and persecution. Therefore, it is natural that today they hope to return to the warm bosom of the fatherland as early as possible and lead a stabilized life.
As Premier Kim Il Sung made it clear in his report at the celebration meeting marking the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, the Government of the Republic warmly welcomes the aspiration of the compatriots who, having lost the means of living in Japan, are desirous of returning to the bosom of the homeland, and will receive them with warm compatriotic love. The realization of the demand and desire of our compatriots in Japan to return to their fatherland is fully justifiable both from the moral point of view and in light of international practice. They have every right to turn to their fatherland, and the Government of the Republic warmly welcomes their return home.
No one can bar the return home of our compatriots in Japan. This is why today the Japanese people are also supporting the just demand of the Korean nationals and actively cooperating in its realization.
We consider that the Kishi government of Japan should take without delay relevant measures for enabling our compatriots who are undergoing hardships in Japan
to return to their fatherland at an early date.
It is contrary to reason to turn down the demand of the Korean nationals in Japan for their return to the fatherland, while not ensuring them legal status and living conditions due foreigners.
Question: Our compatriots in Japan may be worried about questions concerning their return home. For instance, the questions of travel expenses and means of transport. What is the opinion of the Government of the Republic on this?
Answer: The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is well aware that the Korean nationals in Japan are anxious about this or that question in connection with their refurn home.
The Government of the Republic is taking relevant measures in this connection.
As for the question of travel expenses and transport, the Government of the Republic will bear all
the travel expenses necessary for their return home, and it is making all preparations for transporting them by steamships or by other means as soon as their exit from Japan is settled.
The Government of the Republic will make unstinted efforts for ensuring the return home of its citizens and regards it as our bounden duty toward our compatriots to do so.
The only remaining question as to the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan is for the Kishi government to take immediately relevant measures for this.
Question: Would you tell me the prospect of the stabilization of the living of the compatriots from Japan after their return home?
Answers The Government of the Republic is directing particular concern to the question of the stabilization of their living after their return home,
The Government of the Republic is prepared to fully ensure all conditions for their stabilized living after their return home.
We have material foundations for ensuring them an abundant life.
Under the guidance of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Government of the Republic, our people have scored a great victory in socialist construction.
Large scale construction is going on in cities and the countryside and numerous industrial enterprises are proudly rising up in all parts of the country.
Powerful heavy and light industrial bases equipped with up-to-date technique have been built in our country.
We have laid the foundation for a self-supporting national economy which enables us to further develop the national economy and to produce on our own everything that is necessary for our life.
Our country today is not the backward agricultural country of yesterday. It is being turned into a strong and prosperous industrial-agricultural country with a developed industry. Historical changes have taken place also in our countryside.
The northern part of the Republic has changed from a food-deficient area into an area with provisions enough and to spare. Last year we raised an unprecedented bumper crop of 3.2 million tons in grain production and expect this year 400,000-500,000 tons of grain more than last year.
Modern houses are being built in rural villages as well as in cities, and the material and cultural life of the people is becoming richer and richer.
A broad prospect is open for us to lead a richer life.
When they return home, the compatriots from Japan will share all these results with us. They will be sufficiently ensured in the homeland dwellings, food, clothes and all other necessary material conditions for living, and everyone of them will be able to take up a job according to his or her skill and wish. Warmly welcoming the desire of the compatriots in Japan to return home, our people are now unfolding a mass movement in all parts of the country for preparing stabilized living conditions for them. The factories, enterprises, farming and fishing villages and scientific and dultural organs of the Republic are making preparations for receiving the compatriots returning from Japan.
Question: The compatriots in Japan seem to be
greatly concerned about the education of their children after their return home. How do you think about their education?
Answer: As is known to all, in our country the compulsory middle school education will be enforced from November 1 this year and the compulsory technical education will be introduced before long. At present there are over a score of higher educational institutions and numerous higher specialized schools. The children of
the compatriots returning from Japan will be given primary and middle school education under the compulsory education system. Those who have finished middle school courses will be enrolled in colleges or specialized schools according to their wish and will be trained into excellent workers for the construction of the fatherland on state scholarship like all other students.
Meanwhile, the Government of the Republic will continue to send educational funds and scholarships as before, as long as there remains even a single compatriots in Japan.
D.P.R.K. CABINET ORDER No.53 ON STABILIZING THE LIVING OF THE KORAN CITIZENS RETURNING FROM JAPANThe Korean citizens residing in Japan have long been ardently wishing to return to their fatherland. It is expected that some of them will return early in July.
For extending the warm compatriotic love to the Korean nationals returning home from Japan and stabilizing their living after their return home, the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea orders as follows :
1. Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Red Cross Society, Minister of the City Administration and Chairman of the Pyongyang People's Committee should prepare places for the Korean citizens to rest for a certain period after returning and provide them with houses, food and all other things needed in living.
2. Minister of Finance should set up a temporary administrative apparatus and fix the number of personnel and make appropriation for personnel expenditure.
3. Minister of Labour and Chairmen of the People's Committees of Provinces (including Pyongyang City and Kaesong City ) should guarantee a job in accordance with the talent and wishes of the returners.
4. Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Finance, President of the Peasants' Bank of Korea and Chairmen of the People's Committees of Provinces (including Pyongyang City and Kaesong City ) should loan seed grain, fertilizers and necessary farming funds and appropriate business funds when they wish to engage in agriculture, handicraft work, commerce and so forth.
5. Minister of City Administration, Ministers (or Chiefs of Bureaus under the Cabinet) and Chairmen of the People's Committees of Provinces (including Pyongyang City and Kaesong City ) should allow the sons and daughters of the Korean nationals returning home to enter the schools in their residential districts. Until they settle down to their living the primary and junior middle school students should be supplied with all text-books and school supplies gratis and scholarships and preferential treatment given to the senior middle school, college and university students in accordance with Paragraph 3 of the Cabinet Decision No.7 adopted on January 16, 1956 "In connection with the 10th Anniversary of the Founding of the Korean Democratic Youth League."
6. Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Minister of Trade and Chairmen of the People's Committees of Provinces (including Pyongyang City and Kaesong City) should provide the Korean citizens returning home with one suit of summer clothes, one pair of footwear, one set of summer underwear and one blanket for each person free of charge.
7. Ministers of Finance and Public Health should pay 20,000 won for each person as there serve funds for their living (10,000 won for each child under 15 years old) and give medical assistance preferentially to the patients in the state therapeutic and prophylactic centres.
8. This order is effective whether the Korean citizens in Japan return to home individually or collectively or collectively in future.

KIM IL SUNG

Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

June 20, 1956

Pyongyang

D.P.R.K. CABINET DECISION NO, 16 ON RECEIVING THE KOREAN NATIONALS RETURNING HOME FROM JAPAN The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has made consistent efforts for realizing the aspiration of the Korean nationals in Japan who are desirous of returning to their fatherland.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea welcomes the final decision of the government of Japan to send back the Korean nationals in Japan to their fatherland on humanitarian principles, independent of political questions.
The Korean nationals in Japan who are ground down by a hard life in a foreign land are longing for the earliest realization of their return home.
Their desire for return to their fatherland must be realized without delay.
For receiving the Korean nationals returning from Japan the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea decides as follows:
1. to set up a reception committee with the following persons for receiving the Korean nationals returning from Japan, providing them jobs according to their wishes stabilizing their living and guaranteeing the education of their children:
Chairman: KIM IL, First Vice-Premier
Members: NAM IL, Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister; KANG RYANG WOOK, Chairman of the Central Committee of the North Korean Democratic Party ; PAK SHIN DUK, Chairman of the Central Committed of the Chundokyo Chung woo Party; LI HYO SOON, Chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea ; LI JONG OK, Chairman of the State Planning Commission ; KIM EUNG Ki, Minister of Labour ; HAN JUN JONG Minister of Agriculture ; LI IL KYUNG, Minister of Transport ; SONG BONG WOOK. Minister
of Finance ; LI BYUNG NAM, Minister of Public Health ; PAK YONG KOOK Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Youth League ; KIM YUNG SOO, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Democratic Women's Union ; PAK KI HO, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Red Cross Society.
2, to entrust the Central Committee of the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to solve with the Japanese Red Cross Society business- like questions relating to the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan.

KIM IL SUNG

Premier of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

February 16, 1959

Pyongyang

STATEMENT OF THE FOREICN MINISTER OF THE D.P.R.K. IN PROTEST AGAINST PERSECUTION OF THE KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPANIn connection with the outrageous persecution of the Korean nationals residing in Japan by the Japanese government, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea deems it necessary to make the following statement.
The Japanese government has want only persecuted the Korean nationals residing in Japan it has trampled underfoot the freedom of the Korean nationals who fight against the puppet Syngman Rhee clique and foreign aggressors for
the freedom, unification and independence of their fatherland; suppressed their activity; forced the Korean nationals to accept the so-called "ROK nationality" of the Syngman Rhee clique, in disregard of their just rights as citizens of
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; forcibly departed them; unlawfully arrested them and confiscated their property; refused to employ them; and deprived them of their right to receive democratic national education. Recently, the Japanese government has further intensified its persecution of the Korean nationals.
The following cases reported by the Japanese press are clear evidence of this.
When registering the Korean nationals who had resided in Japan as of September 29, 1952 in accordance with the "foreign residents registration law," the Japanese government turned down the demand of the Korean nationals to be registered as the citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and it not only attempted to force "ROK nationality" on them but also persecuted those refusing to accept the "ROK nationality" and threatened to forcibly deport them. Moreover, the Japanese government unlawfully arrested the Korean nationals and forcibly detained them in the camps in Omura and other districts; and the detained them in the camps in Omura and other districts; and the detained are subjected to persecution and forcibly deported.
On May 12, 1952, 410 Korean nationals who had been detained in the Nagasaki camp were forcibly handed over
to the Syngman Rhee clique. Besides this, cases of forcible deportation of the Korean nationals number more than 30.
Consequently, many Korean patriots were subjected to brutal torture and killed by the gendarme and police of the Syngman Rhee clique.
On February 24, 1954, the Japanese government ordered some 1,500 armed policemen to raid and arrest the Korean nationals residing in Mizujima district of Okayama Prefecture, and the policemen confiscated from the Korean nationals property worth 330,000 won.
On March 23, 1954, five hundred armed policemen upon the order of the Japanese government raided the residential quarter of the Korean nationals in Saseho city, wounding scores of the Koreans, some slightly and others severely, and confiscating from them property worth about 2 million won.
Raids on the residential quarters of the Korean nationals are taking place frequently also in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe and in other districts.
Speaking at a session of the Committee of International Trade and Industry of the Lower House on March 19, 1954, the Japanese Vice-Minister of International Trade and Industry declared that the Korean nationals in Japan would be deprived of mining concessions and the rights of marine transportation as of April 28, 1954.
On February 12, 1954, Tokyo Municipal Education Committee adopted the six-article restrictions which prohibit national education of the Korean children in the Korean language; on March 11, 1954, upon the order of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Board 50 plainclothes men searched the Bunkyo branch school of the Municipal Primary School No.1 for the Koreans, and arrested five teachers; and on June 11, 1954, the Tokyo Municipal Education Committee decided to close down all schools for the Koreans in Tokyo.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea considers such outrageous persecution of the Korean nationals in Japan by the Japanese government to be a gross violation of the principles and convention recognized by the present international law on legal status of foreign citizens.
It is the consistent policy of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to protect the just rights of the overseas Koreans.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea demands that the Japanese government recognize the just rights of the Korean nationals residing in Japan as citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, ensure them liberty to fight against the puppet Syngman Rhee clique and foreign aggressors in the interest of the freedom, unification and independence of their fatherland, release at once the Korean nationals who are forcibly detained, top forcible deportation, guarantee the Korean nationals in Japan freedom of resident and employment, security of life and property, their just rights to democratic nationals education, and return all the unlawfully confiscated properties and take measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

NAM IL

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

August 30, 1954

Pyongyang

STATEMENT OF SPOKESMAN OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY OF THE D.P.R.K. IN CONNECTION WITH THE QUESTION OF THE KOREAN INTERNLES IN OMURA CAMP

October 15, 1955

According to the recent report, Shigemitsu, Japanese Foreign Minister, declared that he would hold talks with the South Korean authorities on sending Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp of Japan to South Korea in "exchange" for the Japanese fishermen now being detained in South Korea.
His words violate the principles and conventions on ensuring the legal status of overseas nationals recognized by the international law.
There is no ground for the Japanese government to hold talks only with the South Korea authorities on any question related to the interests of the Korean nationals in Japan, because such a question cannot be solved unilaterally.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, paying profound concern to the situation of the Korean nationals in Japan, has championed consistently their lawful rights and interests.
Under no circumstances will we recognize any unilateral talks between the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities.
We demand that the Japanese government immediately set free the Korean nationals unreasonably detained in the camps in various parts of Japan including the Omura Camp, and cease its repeated attempts to hand them over to the South Korean authorities contrary to their will.
From the information obtained we learn that the Korean nationals detained in the camps in various parts of Japan including Omura and Okayama are in dire straits and their health is deteriorating.
We insist that the Japanese government is under obligation to rapidly improve the miserable living conditions of the Korean nationals detained unlawfully in the Omura Camp, in accordance, with the humanitarian principle and the international conventions.
Considering that it is necessary for us to send a representative of the Korean Red Cross Society to Japan in order to solve fairly and satisfactorily the questions concerning the living condition and the return home of the Korean interness, we demand the Japanese government to render every facility for its realization.
STATEMENT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTE OF THE D.P.R.K. IN CONNETION WITH ENSURANCE OF LEGAL RIGHTS. STABILIZATION OF LIFE AND NATIONAL EDUCATION FOR THE KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPAN AND THE QUESTION OF THE KOREAN INTERNESS IN OMURA CAMP The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has always directed and is directing its deep concern to the Korean citizens residing in Japan.
The joint communique was signed and issued on two occasions, October 20 and October 29, 1955, by the representative of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Japanese parliamentary delegations and agreements were also reached between the Japanese delegations who visited our country on several occasions and the representatives of
the organs concerned on taking a series of measures including the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries and on ensuring the democratic national rights and stabilized living, which are the urgent matters of concern for the Korean citizens in Japan.
The peoples of the two countries of Korea and Japan gave warm support and approval to these agreements, being confident that their realization not only accords with the mutual interests of the peoples of the two countries but will conduce to the strengthening of friendship.
The Japanese government, however, still does not duly guarantee legal rights of the Korean citizens, and consequently their living conditions continue to be in an abnormal state. Furthermore, the Japanese government does not satisfactorily ensure the Korean citizens in Japan the democratic national education and does not allow them free travel to and from their fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Considering that the legal rights of the Korean citizens in Japan should be guaranteed and that their living in Japan should be stabilized, the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will make up for the shortage of text books and teachers to ensure the national education of the children of the
compatriots in Japan, will welcome the students wishing
to return home in order to be educated in their fatherland and ensure all their living and studies, and will also send a definite amount of scholarship to university students studying in Japan. As for the Korean citizens wishing to return to their country for some reasons, the Government of the Republic will accept their request and stabilize their living after returning home. We expect that the Japanese government will duly cooperate in the solution of the above-mentioned questions in connection with the Korean citizens in Japan.
The spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea expressed
regret in his statement on October 15, 1955, in connection with the unreasonable measures taken by the Japanese Government against the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp Nevertheless, the state of affairs in this camp has not been improved.
According to the recent press reports from Japan and the letters sent to the Korean Red Cross Society by the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp, the Japanese government is tacitly permitting the "terrorists" dispatched by the South Korean authorities to slip into the camp and to persecute the Korean citizens, and it still does not stop its attempt to forcibly deport the Korean citizens detained in hostage to South Korea "in exchange for" the release of Japanese fishermen now being held in South Korea.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, again expressing sympathy for the compatriots now being unreasonably held and suffering in the Omura Camp renews its demand that the Japanese government should release them immediately and ensure their return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea according to their will.
Taking into consideration the statement made by
Foreign Minister Shigemitsu in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives of Japan on December 16, 1955, who expressed his willingness to return Korean citizens in Japan to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea declares that it is ready to send representatives of our side to Japan in order to settle satisfactorily all problems concerning the Korean citizens in Japan.

NAM IL

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

December 29. 1955

Pyongyang

STATEMENT OF VICE-MINISTER OF EDUCATION OF THE D.P.R.K. IN CONNECTION WITH FULL PREPARATIONS FOR ENSURING THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL EDUCATION OF THE KOREAN STUDENTS IN JAPAN

June 10, 1956

The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has directed deep concern to the question of educating the Korean children in Japan, alongside various questions of the Korean citizens in Japan, and has made consistent efforts for its satisfactory solution.
As is generally known, the Government of the Republic, through the statement of Foreign Minister Nam Il, dated December 29, 1955 made it clear that it is ready to help the Koreans in Japan in educating their children, along with a series of problems arising from the abnormal living condition of the Korean citizens in Japan. On the basis of the profound solicitude of the Government of the Republic towards the Korean children in Japan, the Ministry of Education has completed the preparatory work for helping by every means in the education of the Korean students in Japan and exerted every effort for its realization.
All preparations have been made in our country for making up for the shortage of text-books various kinds of books and reference materials, for dispatching teachers and professors for supplement and for sending a certain amount of education funds and scholarships with a view to ensuring the democratic, national education of the Korean children in Japan. We have also made thoroughgoing preparations for receiving at all times those students who wish to return to their beloved fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - to study and for enabling them to study in a secure condition.
These measures are an eloquent expression of the profound solicitude of the Government of the Republic towards the Korean students in Japan.
However, it is regrettable that such warm solicitude of the fatherland towards the Korean students in Japan
has not yet been materialized, due to the unlawful position taken by the Japanese government. A series of measures taken by the Government of the Republic for assisting in the education of the Korean students in Japan are an outcome of due solicitude for defending all the national, democratic rights of the overseas compatriots. Therefore, it is not fortuit us that such just measures of the Government of the Republic are enjoying the
active support not only of the 600,000 Korean compatriots on Japan but also of the Japanese people.
The Ministry of Education of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is receiving many requests from Korean students as well as from their parents for returning to the fatherland and studying at senior middle schools, specialized schools and higher educational institutions. In this connection, the Ministry of Education declares once again that various senior middle schools specialized schools, specialized schools and institutions of higher
learning are waiting for them, with the allround preparations for welcoming them in this year's new school term beginning from August 1.
In accordance with the already adopted decision of the Government of the D.P.R.K., the Korean students in Japan who return home for study will be granted 20,000 won in money as living expenses upon their returning home and a monthly allowance of 1,500 won per capita for students of specialized schools and senior middle schools. in addition to the monthly state stipends, and will be supplied gratis with clothing, footwear and school supplies.
We consider that there can be no reason why they should be denied the benefit occuring from the series of measures taken in the homeland and that the realization of their hope should not be hindered on account of the unwarranted interference from outside.
We are convinced that the positive solution of the question concerning the education of the sons and daughters of the Korean nationals in Japan along with the all questions of the Korean citizens in Japan, which is a matter of great concern for the Korean and Japanese peoples, will make an enormous contribution to promoting mutual understanding and fiendly relations between the people of
the two countries. Therefore, we expect the Japanese government to ensure satisfactorily the Korean students in Japan the rights to democratic, national education and at the same time exert sincere effort so that the above-mentioned solicitude from the homeland may bear fruit at the earliest possible date.
STATEMENT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE D.P.R.K. IN CONNECTION WITH THE DECISION OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ON SENDING BACK THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN JAPANESE CAMPS TO SOUTH KOREAOn December 31 1957, the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities made a "joint statement " under the manipulation of the U.S. imperialists on the question of the Korean citizens illegally detained in Japanese camps and the resumption of the "ROK -Japan talks."
In connection with this, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea authorized me to state as follows:
Recently the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities decided to release in the territory of Japan only part of upwards of 1,700 Korean citizens who have been detained by the Japanese government in the Omura and Hamamatsu camps and subjected to hardships and persecuting for a long time and to send by force the rest of them, numbering over 1,200, to South Korea and to resume the
ROK -Japan talks," using them as hostages to be "exchanged" for the Japanese fishermen detained in South Korea.
Through the statement of a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry dated October 15, 1955, and my statement on December 29, 1955, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has already made clear its stand, holding that the Korean citizens detained in the Japanese camps must be unconditionally and immediately released on humanitarian principles and must be ensured the opportunity of choosing their residence at their own free will, and has repeatedly emphasized to the Japanese government that they must not be used for unreasonable political purposes.
However, in spite of our repeated, just demands, the Japanese government is trying continuously to use the Korean citizens detained in the Omura and Hamamatsu camps for unjust political purposes in contravention of humanitarian principles by forcibly sending them to South Korea.
The majority of the Korean citizens held in the Omura and Hamamatsu camps resolutely reject the "repatriation" to South Korea and ardently desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in defiance of all the persecution of Syngman Rhee's terrorists.
Disregarding such ardent desire of the Korean citizens detrained in the Omura and Hamamatsu camps, the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities decided forcibly to send them to South Korea, thereby evoking the due indignation of the entire Korean people.
This step taken by the Japanese government is an unreasonable, inhumane act which can never to tolerated.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regards it as its sacred duty thoroughly to defend the national and democratic rights of overseas Koreans.
We still consider, as in the past, that the Japanese government is under the obligation to release unconditionally and immediately the entire Korean citizens detained in Japanese camps and ensure them the right to take up their residence according to their free will and ensure the Korean citizens remaining in Japan all the rights due foreigners recognized by international law, including the right to a stabilized life.
Considering that it is necessary to dispatch a representative of our side to Japan for enabling the released Korean citizens to return home according to their absolutely free will, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea requests the Japanese government to provide all facilities for this.
Should the Japanese government hold unilateral negotiations with the South Korean authorities or take measures on questions concerning the interests of the entire Korean people, including the "claim for the return of properties" and the "nationality of Koreans in Japan," the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will not recognize them, because they are completely illegal inasmuch as the South Korean authorities are not entitled to represent the entire Korean people.
Should the Japanese government, in spite of this just demand of ours, forcibly send the detained Korean citizens to South Korea or unilaterally settle with the South Korean authorities the questions related to the interests
of the entire Korean people, it will be held fully responsible for all the consequences arising therefrom.

NAM IL

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

January 4, 1958

Pyongyang

STATEMENT OF SPOKESMAN OF THE FOREIGN MINISTRY OF THE D.P.R.K. ON SETTLING THE QUESTION OF THE KOREAN INTERNESS ALONG THE LINES PROPOSED IN THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE D.P.R.K. ON JANUARY 4, 1958.

February 8, 1958

The Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea made a statement on January 4, 1958 in connection with the decision of the Japanese government and South Korean authorities to forcibly send to South Korea the majority of the Korean citizens illegally detained in Japanese camps.
In the statement the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea manifested its consistent stand that the Japanese the detained Korean citizens and should ensure them the right to take up residence at their free will.
However, in spire of this just demand of ours, the Japanese government is hampering the solution of this urgent question and has started to take practical steps to fircibly send the detainees to South Korea continuously refusing even the request for the entry into Japan of a representative of our side for confirming the free will of the detained Korean citizens and for assisting in their return home.
The Japanese government openly declared that it would not accede to the request of the detainees who oppose the forcible "repatriation" to South Korea, disregarding their legal rights to returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
The Japanese authorities are illegally detaining and intending to send fircibly to South Korea even peaceful fishermen of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea who were drifted to Japan in a storm while fishing. And such illegal interference is being permitted as restricting, under the pretext of personal guarantee," the freedom of those who have been released in Japan.
As was admitted by South Korean and foreign news agencies, the Syngman Rhee authorities instructed the provincial police authorities to take measures for detaining and imprisoning most of the citizens to be sent to South Korea, and the terrorists who have crept into the Japanese camps are suppressing with violence the expression of the will of the detainees to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
All these facts prove that the Korean citizens detained in the Japanese camps are completely denied the expression of free will for choosing their residence and this makes the entry of our representative into Japan for ascertaining their free will and helping them return home all the more urgent. Recently, the number of detainees opposing the "repatriation" to South Korea and desiring to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is increasing despite the horrible violence of the Syngman Rhee terrorists, and it is known that some of them are escaping from the camps, refusing to be forcibly sent to South Korea.
That the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities forcibly send the Korean internees to South Korea in disregard of this ardent desire of theirs is an outrageous act of forcing death upon them and completely violating the basic human rights publicly recognized by international law. We deem it necessary here to recall the fact that the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has released and sent home already more than once without any bargaining condition numbers of peaceful Japanese fishermen who entered deep into the territorial sea of our country.
We once again hold that this question should be fairly solved within the shortest possible time in accordance with the principles outlined in the statement of the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea dated January 4, 1958.
STATEMENT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE D.P.R.K. IN CONNECTION WITH THE GRAVE SITUATION OF THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN OMURA CAMPAs a result of the unreasonable steps persistently taken by the Japanese government for forcibly sending to South Korea the Korean citizens illegally detained in the Omura camp, Japan, and particularly of its machinations which have become still more outrageous in the recent period, the detained Korean citizens are facing a grave situation.
In this connection, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has authorized me to state as follows:
We have made our attitude clear already on many occasions toward the question of the Korean citizens illegally detained in the Japanese camps.
Through my statement of January 4, 1958, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea demanded the Japanese government to unconditionally and immediately release the Korean citizens illegally detained in the Japanese camps, ensure their right to choose residence at free will and facilitate the entry into Japan of representatives of our side for rendering assistance in their returning home according to their free will.
Not only the entire Korean people but also the broad public opinion in Japan manifested full support of this just demand of ours.
However, the Japanese government, with a view to pushing ahead with the "ROK -Japan talks" contrived by the U.S. imperialists, has already forcibly sent to South Korea more than one thousand Korean citizens on four
occasions, thereby flagrantly violating publicly recognized principles of international law and humanitarian norm.
In collusion with the traitorous Syngman Rhee clique, the Japanese government is still suppressing the expression of free will of the Korean citizens remaining in the Japanese camps and is forcing them to go to South Korea through all sorts of tricky machinations.
Recently, the Korean citizens in the Japanese camps have even launched a death-defying hunger strike against the inhumane step of the Japanese government and the forcible repatriation to South Korea and in demand of their return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and, according to foreign press reports, one of them committed suicide.
The entire Korean people cannot restrain surging indignation at this grave situation caused by the hostile attitude of the Japanese government towards the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The hostile attitude of the Japanese government towards the Korean people and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has become all the more unscrupulous around the opening of the "ROK -Japan talks" which is being held under the manipulation of the U.S. imperialists.
Following the aggressive policy of the U.S. imperialists against Korea, the Japanese government is hampering by every means the realization of the desire of the people of the two countries for the establishment and development of economic and cultural relations between Korea and Japan and is discussing questions related to the entire Korean people with the Syngman Rhee clique who have been completely forsaken by the entire Korean people.
The recent provocative utterance of Renzo Sawada, chief delegate of the Japanese side to the "ROK -Japan talks that "the object of the ROK -Japan talks is to push the 38 parallel borderline bask to the Yalu river with the co-operation of the Republic of Korea " patently proves that certain reactionary rulling elements in Japan have not yet given up their aggressive delusion with regard to the Korean people.
The so-called "release on parole" measure taken recently by the Japanese government in connection with the hunger strike of the detained Korean citizens is nothing but an attempt to cover up before public opinion the consequences of the machination of the Japanese government which has persecuted the detained Korean citizens, violating even the rights publicly recognized by international law and the elementary norm of humanism.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea resolutely opposes the unlawful attempt of the Japanese government continuously to send to South Korea by force the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp, particularly those who desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and strongly holds that their immediate return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea must be realized.
We demand the Japanese government to adopt practical measures for sending them home at an early date and to provide necessary facilities for the entry into Japan of representatives of our side for helping them return home.
If the Japanese government, refusing to give up its unreasonable stand, continues to try to use the detained Korean citizens as a lever for its political bargaining with the Syngman Rhee puppet authorities, it will not be able to escape the trenchant denunciation not only of the Korean and Japanese peoples, but also of the unbiased public opinion of the world.
And if the Japanese government continuously maintains its hostile attitude towards the Korean people and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, it will be held entirely responsible for all the consequences arising therefrom.

NAM IL

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

July 8, 1958

Pyongyang

STATEMENT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE D. P. R. K. IN CONNECTION WITH THE QUESTION OF THE RETURN HOME OF THE KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPANRecently the Korean citizens residing in various areas of Japan are expressing their desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea --thetr fatherland--to lead a stabilized life, and are continuously requesting the Government of the Republic to take measures necessary for the early realization of their ardent desire.
In this connection, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea authorized me to state as follows:
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea considers that the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan who desire, under the daily worsening living conditions in Japan who desire, under the daily worsening living conditions in Japan, to come back to the
homeland is an urgent question that ought to be solved at the earliest date.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which deems it an important duty to defend the democratic, national rights of Korean citizens abroad, demanded time and again the Japanese government to ensure the Korean citizens in Japan a stabilized life and all legitimate rights dur foreigners unconditionally and immediately release the Korean citizens illegally held in the Japanese camps and guarantee their return home in accordance with their free will, and it has taken practical measures related to this.
These just demands and measures of ours are enjoying the support of the people of Korea and Japan and the broad public opinion of the world, to say nothing of the entire Korean citizens in Japan.
The Korean citizen in Japan have made every effort for the stabilization of their living, the defence of their democratic rights and the strengthening of the friendly relations with the Japanese people. However, legitimate rights due foreigners have not yet been ensured to them.
Most of the Korean citizens residing in Japan are spending painful days under an extremely miserable living condition owing to unemployment and non-rights, and large numbers of youth and students are denied the right to democratic national education and are not ensured a stabilized life after entrance into or graduation from the school. The Korean citizens who have been illegally held in the Japanese camps and forced to lead life not worthy of human being for a long time are being forcibly sent to South Korea contrary to their will and are being used for unjust political purposes.
Such worsening of the position of the Korean citizens residing in Japan results from the fact that the Japanese government does not accept our just proposal nor takes practical measures for protecting their life and right, and accordingly, the full responsibility for this rests with the Japanese government.
The Korean people cannot be indifferent to the unfortunate situation in which the Korean citizens in Japan, our brothers and sisters, are persecuted by the Japanese government, and ardently desire an early realization of their aspiration for returning to the fatherland,
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is ready to receive at any time the Korean citizens in Japan who want to return to the Republic in search of means of subsistence and it will fully ensure a stabilized life to them and education to their children after their return home.
The entire citizens in Japan who have lost the means
of subsistence have due right to return to their fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea -- and to enjoy a happy life, and no one can encroach upon this just right.
For an early realization of the turn home of the Korean citizens in Japan the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea demands the Japanese government to take relevant measures immediately for handing over to our side the Korean citizens who are desirous of returning to the Republic.
We expect from the Japanese government due cooperation in this.

NAM IL

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

September 16, 1958

Pyongyang

STATEMENT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE D.P.R,K. IN CONNECTION WITH DELIBERATE OBSTUCTION OF THE RETURN HOME OF THE KOREAN NATIONALS BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, through the statement of the Foreign Minister dated September 16, clarified its stand with regard to the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan and demanded the Japanese government to render appropriate cooperation in their home-coming.
However, instead of taking due measures for the
return home of the Korean citizens in Japan, the Japanese Kishi government is hindering it in every way, not taking any measure to this date, while pursuing an underhanded political aim.
In this connection, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea once again authorized me to state as follows :
The realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan who are suffering from non-rights and poverty under persecution and suppression by the Japanese government poses as a question the solution of which brooks no delay.
Therefore, with a view to realizing as early as possible the desire of the Korean citizens in Japan for coming back to the bosom of the fatherland, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has taken a number of measures including the measures for providing transport facilities and ensuring their travelling expenses.
All the measures taken by us are enjoying the warm support not only of the Korean citizens in Japan, but of the broad strata of the Japanese people.
Now the return home movement of the Korean citizens
in Japan is sweeping the various parts of Japan and hundreds of thousands of Korean citizens in Japan have made preparations for returning home in groups and are eagerly awaiting the day of their departure.
The entire Korean people have completed all preparations for providing jobs and houses to their compatriots returning from Japan and for the education of their children, and are awaiting their return home at the earliest date.
Today, wide sections of the Japanese public are strongly demanding that the Kishi government should take appropriate measures at once for the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan and are actively assisting in its realization.
The Japanese Socialist Party and other political parties and social organizations of Japan and even some personages of the Liberal-Democratic Party are helping in many areas the movement of the Korean citizens in Japan for repatriation and already over one hundred prefectural and city councils of Japan have adopted resolutions supporting the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan.
Nevertheless, the Kishi government of Japan makes no scruple to oppose the return of the Korean citizens in Japan to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and is still more openly suppressing them.
Recently, Fujiyama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, stated that the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan "should be solved politically through the ROK -Japan talks" and the Ministry of Justice of Japan went so far as to warn the local authorities not to give any help to the return home movement of the Korean in Japan. And of late, the Kishi government has gone the whole length of mobilizing the police to threaten and intimidate the Korean citizens who are desirous of returning home.
This clearly shows that the Kishi government of Japan, hampering the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan, is trying to use them as lever for political bargaining in the "ROK -Japan talks."
This is an expression of the unfriendly attitude of
the Kishi government toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and is evoking the national indignation of the entire Korean people.
The unjust steps of the Kishi government which is hindering the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan, while not ensuring any right and living conditions for them and subjecting them to cruel suppression, are an unprecedented, flagrant violation of the humanitarian principles and the publicly accepted international law.
No one is allowed to encroach upon the rights of the Korean citizens in Japan who are desirous of returning to their fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The desire of the Korean citizens in Japan for returning home should be realized at the earliest date and the Kishi government is under due obligation to ensure this. There can be no longer any excuse or ground for delaying the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan.
If the Kishi government, refusing to assist in the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan, persists in its unjust obstructive act, it cannot possibly escape a harsh denunciation of the Korean and Japanese peoples and the broad public opinion of the whole world.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea once again strongly demands that the Kishi Government of Japan should take practical steps toward the realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan without delay.

NAM IL

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

December 30, 1958

Pyongyang

CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF TIE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY BEING AUTHORIZED BY THE D.P.R.K. GOVERNMENT TO SETTLE THE QUESTION OF THE KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPAN 0N HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLESMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo,Japan
I pay my high respects to your society.
In connection with the statement by Nam Il, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, dated December 29, 1955, on the question of the Korean citizens in Japan, the Korean Red Cross Society has been authorized by the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to settle the question of the Korean citizens in Japan from a purely humanitarian standpoint.
On this basis, the Korean Red Cross Society has decided to send its representatives to Japan for an early settlement of the said question.
I am confident that your society will accept our just proposals and cooperate positively for the entry of our representatives into Japan and other work related to this.
I hope to receive your kind and affirmative reply.
I am sending the full text of the statement by Nam Il, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea, issued on December 29, 1955 along with this telegram.
December 31, 1955 STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY GIVING ACTIVE ENCOURGEMENT TO THE KOREAN CITIZENS DERAINED IN OMURA CAMP January 11, 1956According to recent reports of the Japanese press and a letter jointly signed and sent to our society by scores of Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp,
at present 1,886 Korean citizens including over 300 women and roughly 400 children are unreasonably confined and subjected to a miserable life in the camp.
Poorly clothed in this cold of winter, they are in over failing health and are falling sick one after another. Already eight of them died last year.
And though there are more than ten expectant mothers, no medical help is given to them.
Moreover, they are in a state of horror and uneasiness due to all sorts of threat and blackmail perpetrated by the terrorists who have crept into the camp fircibly to send them to South Korea against their will.
We regard all these as running counter to the humanitarian spirit and as in insult to human rights.
The Korean people, having learned of this plight of the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp, are expressing profound sympathy with them and are anxious to aid them materially and morally, demanding that the Japanese government immediately release them so they may lead a normal life, and ensure them the freedom to return home at their will.
A voluntary campaign in support of them is now being waged by the people on an extensive scale in all parts of the country. Large numbers of workships and
individuals are continuously sending to this society such relief goods as clothing, daily necessaries and medicines as well as comfort letters, asking that they be delivered by this society.
The Korean nationals in Japan too, are extensively organizing the work for aiding their compatriots held in the Omura Camp. This is an expression of lofty compatriotic love and noble humanitarian spirit of the Korean people.
Guided in its work by the principle of displaying the noble humanitarian spirit, the Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. regards it its duty to send, according to their wishes, the relief goods and comfort letters--an expression of the sincere will of the people--and is prepared to make active efforts for the delivery of them.
In connection with the statement issued by Nam Il Minister of Foreign Affairs of the D.P.R.K. on December 29, 1955, on the question of the Korean citizens in Japan, we have already proposed to the Japanese Red Cross Society that a delegate of our society is dispatched to Japan. We hope that this proposal will be accepted so that the above-mentioned relief goods and comfort letters may be directly delivered by the delegate of our society.
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY ON REVIEWING THE AID MOVEMENT FOR THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN OMURA CAMP

February 27, 1956

From Japanese press reports and many petitions and letters addressed to the Korean Red Cross Society from the Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp, we have learned in detail that the 1,886 internees of the Omura Camp, including over 200 women and some 400 children, are living in untold miserable conditions.
Confind behind the barbed wire fence, and deprived of rudimentary human rights and freedom, these Korean nationals, always hungry and shivering with cold in winter, are in an appalling condition.
Their health is deteriorating, and the sick people are increasing. What is still worse, no humanitarian protection is offered to the sick, expectant mothers and children.
The agents of the Syngman Rhee clique, terrorists, who have wormed their way into this camp are threatening the life of the internees and beating them in their attempt to induce them against their wish to go to South Korea. As is known, these terrirists killed an internees by name of Jang Dong Kun.
These terrorists are perpetrating atrocities with the connivance of the Japanese government, which is scheming to use the internees as hostages and forcibly deport them to South Korea in "exchange" for the Japanese fishermen now in custody in South Korea.
Finding themselves faced with death, the internees have asked, in their petitions and letters, the Korean Red Cross Society to extend a hand of relief.
Having learned the miserable situation of Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp and in response to their appeal, the Korean people, expressing their fraternal sympathy with them demand the Japanese government to release at once the internees of the Omura Camp, guarantee them normal life and allow them to exercise their free will for returning to their fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. And, at the same time, our people have unforlded a movement to render their compatriots material and moral assistance.
In factories, enterprises, schools, cultural establishments, and in towns, rural and fishing villages all over the country, our people hold meetings expressing their resolve to relieve their compatriots from distress.
Our Red Cross Society has been requested by the people of all walks of life to send to their compatriots their letters and aid goods and the money they have saved out of their earnings or earned by their patriotic labour.
By February 15, our Red Cross Society received 1,694 letters and a large amount of aid goods such as clothes, blankets, articles of daily use, medicine and school supplies as well as large sums of money, and was requested to deliver them to the Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp.
These letters and aid goods and money are the manifestation of the lofty fraternal love of the Korean people for their compatriots in distress. And these letters and aid goods and money from our people, presented with best wishes, must be delivered as early as possible to the addressees who are in a miserable situation.
The Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea which is guided by humanitarianism in all its activities, considers it its lofty duty to deliver as soon as possible the letters and aid goods and money to the Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp.
We know that 68 of the internees of the Omura Camp urgently wish to return home, and among the Korean nationals in Japan over 700 desire to come home.
Especially, internees of the Omura Camp have recently written letters to us with their own blood once again expressing their desire to return home as early as possible.
The Japanese MPs who came to Korea last year have sent telegrams to the heads of the Korean and Japanese Red Cross Delegations asking them to discuss and solve the question of the return of the Korean nationals at their talks in Pyongyang.
It is also generally known that there are a number of questions such as ensuring the Korean nationals in Japan a stabilized living and democratic, national education, for the solution of which assistance must be given not from the political point of view but purely from the spirit of humanitarianism.
It is clear to all that these questions which demand an immediate solution, are fully in accord with humanitarianism and the aim of the Red Cross.
The Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea expresses its hope that the delegations of the Korean and Japanese Red Cross Societies will discuss at their talks now in process in Pyongyang the question of delivering the letters and aid goods and money from our people to the Korean nationals in the Omura Camp, and the urgent question of realizing the desire of the internees of the Omura Camp to return home and a number of other questions concerning the Korean nationals in Japan, and demands that these questions, along with the question of home-going of the Japanese nationals, now gathered in Pyongyang, and other questions concerning the Japanese in Korea, be included in the agenda of the talks: "Question concerning the exchange of the nationals of two countries, which is of concern to the Red Cross Societies of the two countries."
The Japanese Red Cross Society delegation, however, though admitting that the question of the Korean nationals in Japan is a matured, pressing one, awaiting solution in accordance with humanitarian principles, refuses to discuss it simply on the ground that it has not been authorized to discuss it and stubbornly refuses to put the question on the agenda.
Not only the people who are deeply concerned about the negotiations between the Red Cross delegations of the two countries but also the fair public opinion in Korea and Japan as well as the world public opinion demand that the matured urgent issue of the Korean nationals in Japan be discussed at the talks in Pyongyang.
Red Cross organizations and Red Cross personnel, at any time and at any place, should not shut their eye to the people in adverse circumstances, and should not act against the expectations of those who sympathize with the people in distress.
Should any Red Cross organization or Red Cross personnel cause delay in relieving the people from misfortune and difficulty, no matter what plea it may present, it would only serve to increase their pain. And it would inevitably give rise to non-confidence among the honest-minded people in the humanitarian service of the Red Cross. It would only result in impairing the authority and tradition of the Red Cross.
However, I do not believe that the Japanese Red Cross Society with a long tradition of performing its duties in conformity with the basic principles of the
Red Cross and humanitarianism, and the present delegation comprising its leading personnel will go the length of impairing the authority and tradition of the Red Cross.
I, therefore, expect that the Japanese Red Cross Society delegation will agree to our proposal for taking up the question of the Korean nationals in Japan at our negotiations.
Fair public opinion in Korea and Japan and world public opinion consider the immediate settlement of the issue of the Korean nationals in Japan fully in accord with humanitarian principles and moreover, unanimously support our just stand for discussing this issue. And this makes still firmer my conviction that the Japanese Red Cross delegation will find it reasonable to take up the issue at our talks.
And I am confident that through our negotiations measures for delivering the aid goods and money and letters conveying best wishes of our people to the Korean nations in the Omura Camp will be taken and the way of realizing at an early date the earnest desire of the internees of the Omura camp to return home and the way of giving humanitarian assistance to the Korean, nationals in Japan will be found.
Today, the Korean people are concerned about their compatriots in Japan more deeply than ever and, particularly they unanimously desire to relieve their compatriots from their miserable condition in the Omura Camp.
Therefore, they earnestly hope that practical questions for relieving their compatriots in the Omura Camps will, above all, be discussed and settled at the present talks between the delegations of Korean and Japanese Red Cross Societies. While expressing their sympathy with their compatriots and extending them greater support and encouragement, they are continuously unfolding with warm fraternal love a widespread movement for giving them material and moral assistance.
There is not the slightest doubt that the Korean nationals in the Omura Camp who enjoy the warm support and encouragement from their fellow countrymen at home will surely be relieved and that the day is not far off when they will return to their dear fatherland.
The Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea which is guided by lofty humanitarianism in its activities, will continue to exert its utmost efforts to realize at an early date the desires of the Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp and the
demand of the people at home, and to deliver at an early date the aid goods and money and letters with which it has been entrusted.
STATEMENT BY SPOKESMAN OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELEASE OF PART OF THE KOREAN CITIZENS DETAINED IN OMURA CAMP

March 10, 1956

According to foreign news dispatches, the Japanese government recently announced that out of the Korean citizens held in the Omura Camp roughly two hundred women, children and aged people had been released and another three hundred would be released before long and that they were released on parole after taking a "pledge" to go to South Korea at their "free will".
The Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. cannot but note the fact that this move against the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp was taken right after the conclusion of the Pyongyang talks between the delegation of the Korean and Japanese Red Cross Societies.
Together with this, we received with great shock the report of the Haibang Shinmoon dated February 2 to the effect that in the Omura Camp 17 persons had died of sickness, one committed suicide, one was killed and 14 had become insane and that 23 of the internees were lying in hospital beds.
We have held from the outset, and still hold, that the series of questions related to the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp should be speedily and satisfactorily solved on the lofty humanitarian principle without regard to this or that political question.
At the talks recently held in Pyongyang between the Korean and Japanese Red Cross delegations the delegation of the Japanese Red Cross Society also expressed full approval of this just demand of ours and manifested its view that on this principle this question would be solved at an early date.
It is a fact widely known to the public that the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp are subjected to inhuman treatment and to a wretched life.
Moreover, with the connivance of the Japanese authorities the Syngman Rhee terrorists who crept into the camp are resorting to all sorts of persecution and threats to drag the internees to South Korea against their will and caused even the case of murder of Chang Dong Keun. Korean citizens were forced to take the "pledge" to go to South Korea at their "free will," This shows that the Japanese government did not seek justly to solve the question of the Korean citizens held in the Omura Camp as a question pertaining to humanity, but proceeded from the design to use them as hostages and forcibly expel them to South Korea, deceiving the unbiased public opinion, in "exchange" for the release of the Japanese fishermen held in South Korea.
We deem it necessary to recall here that the statement dated December 29, 1955 of Foreign citizens in Japan and the statement of spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of the D.P.R.K. dated October 15, 1955 on the question of the Korean citizens held in the Omura Camp pointed out the unreasonable move of the Japanese government against the Korean citizens held in the Omura Camp and outlined a series of measures for the solution of this question.
The fact shows, however, that even after the above-mentioned statements were made the conditions of the Korean citizens held in the Omura Camp have been for from improving and more, situations are being further aggravated due to the continued unlawful moves of the Japanese government against them.
To this serious state of affairs the Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. can by no means be indifferent.
We demand that the Japanese authorities should guarantee the Korean citizens held in the Omura Camp human rights, freedom and humanitarian treatment, wipe out the terrorists who have crept into the camp and provide the internees with all conditions for expressing their genuinely free will about their desire to return home and, at the same time, put an end to the inhuman move to use them as hostages and take the steps of setting all of them free and enabling them to enjoy a normal life at the earliest date.
The Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. once again expresses the hope that the Japanese Red Cross Society will give a positive reply to the equest made by Chairman Li Byung Nam of our society on December 31, 1955, concerning the dispatch of representatives of our society to Japan for the satisfactory settlement of the series of questions related to the Koreans in Japan and manifests the conviction that the Japanese Red Cross Society will exert positive efforts for satisfactorily solving on purely humanitarian principle the above-mentioned series of questions that have arisen in connection with the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp.
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C. C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH SUSPENSION OF LIVING ALLOWANCE FOR THE KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPAN BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT

June 4, 1956

According to foreign dispatches, recently the Japanese government decided to suspend paying living allowance to the Korean nationals in Japan, which had been a practice so far.
It is certain that such a step of the Japanese government will only increase the hardships of the Korean nationals there.
As everybody knows the life of Korean nationals in Japan is in a state of insecurity, and the lawful rights enjoyed by foreign nationals and democratic national education are not fully guaranteed them.
That being the circumstances, the Government of the D.P.R.K. and the entire Korean people have always been greatly concerned about the question of Korean nationals in Japan, demanding the just solution of the question.
All the foreign nationals in the northern part of the Republic including the Japanese nationals are enjoying fully rights and freedom as foreigners, and their living is fully guarantted.
For stabilizing their life, the Government of the Republic has taken a series of special measures for making their life more comfortable. This is proof of the just policy of our Government in guaranteeing the lawful rights for foreign nationals.
The question of Korean nationals in Japan also must be solved in line with this principle.
The stand of the Government of the D.P.R.K. in connection with this question was elucidated and the measures to be taken for its just solution were proposed in the statement of Foreign Minister Nam Il on December 29, 1955,
This statement enjoyed the warm support not only of the entire Korean people at home and 600,000 Korean compatriots in Japan but also of the peace-loving Japanese popular masses.
After the issuance of this statement, entrusted by the Government of the Republic to solve the question on the basis of humanism the Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. has been making consistent efforts toward this end.
However, a series of questions concerning the Korean nationals in Japan remain unsettled and their living is not improved.
It is much to be regretted that at such a time the Japanese government stopped granting the Korean nationals in Japan living allowance. We consider that such a step runs counter to humanism.
As is well known, the majority of the Korean nationals in Japan are those who were conscripted for military service, drafted for labour by force or sold as labourers at cheap prices in the days of Japanese imperialist colonial rule.
They have long been humiliated and subjected to hard labour, non-rights and poverty in an alien land.
They never went over to Japan at their own will, nor is it their fault that they are leading such miserable life. Moreover they are no longer the Korean people of the past, but are honourable citizens of an independent state.
Accordingly, after Korea's liberation, the Japanese government should have afforded the Korean nationals the lawful rights due foreign nationals. Even from the humanitarian point of view, the Japanese government should be responsible for guaranteeing their life.
The Japanese government, however, has not been giving the Korean nationals lawful rights, nor taking adequate measures for the betterment of their livelihood.
Consequently, the Korean nationals in Japan are continuously subjected to every form of national discrimination as in the past and their livelihood remains unstabilized.
The Korean nationals in Japan who are suffering from unemployment and poverty under such circumstances earnestly desire to return to their fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to build a now fruitful life. However, their desire has not yet been realized.
In this condition how can it be justified that the Japanese Government stopped granting the Korean nationals living allowance, which had been a practice so far?
Especially, mention must be made of the fact that the amount of money which the Japanese government gave the Korean nationals for their support, even though it reached several hundred million yen annually as they says is a trifling compared with the amount of taxes the entire Korean nationals in Japan pay to the Japanese government
Leaving such a fact out of consideration, the Japanese government keeps pursuing the national discrimination policy against the Korean nationals in Japan. No help is given to them in finding employment; no freedom of undertaking enterprises allowed for them; no measure is taken to give them educational and medical aid. In addition to these, it is constantly menacing their life on some pretext or other.
The pretext under which the Japanese government suspenned granting the Korean nationals in Japan living allowance was that the burden was too heavy for the government and some of the money was used improperly.
And it has taken no measure to cope with the consequences entailed by this act.
It is evident that all this is not for the amicable solution of the question of the Korean nationals in Japan, but for further complicating the question intentionally in an attempt to obstruct its just solution. How can it be taken otherwise? Herein lies the reason why we regard the suspension of living allowance to the Korean nationals as unjust and regrettable.
Therefore we regard that under the present circumstances, the Korean nationals in Japan should be furnished living allowance as in the past. Otherwise, it will be inhumane.
The question of the Korean nationals in Japan has long been confronting us as a matured one to be solved in line with humanism, Now that the life of the Korean nationals has became more deteriorated due to the suspension of living allowance by the Japanese government, this question more urgently demands a just solution.
The just solution of this question in line with humanism will without doubt accord with the interests of both Korean and Japanese peoples, and it will contribute to improving the relations between the to countries and to maintaining and strengthening peace.
In order to solve the question of the Korean nationals in Japan including those who are detained in the Omura Camp, in line with humanitarian principles the D.P.R.K. Red Cross Society has proposed on several occasions to send its delegation to Japan.
However, it is quite regrettable that we have not yet received any reply from the Japanese Red Cross Society for the solution of this question.
Today when the most complicated international political affairs are being solved by means of negotiation, there is
no reason why it is impossible to settle through negotiations between the Korean and Japanese Red Cross Societies the question of the Korean nationals, a question to be solved in line with humanism.
We strongly demand once again that the Japanese government stop taking such unfair measures which give rise to uneasiness among the Korean nationals and practising every form give them medical aid, and guarantee democratic national education for them to enjoy full rights due foreign nationals and stabilized life.
Claiming that on this basis the question of the Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp, the repatriation of those who want to return to their fatherland ought to be realized and a series of questions caused by their abnormal life be solved amicably without fail by means of negotiation according to humanitarian principles, we hope for an early realization of it.
CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PREGIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISPATCH OF A COMFORT MISSION OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY FOR THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN THE OMURA CAMPMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo, Japan
The Korean people, expressing deep sympathy with the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp in such living conditions, have been waging an extensive campaign for supporting them, both materially and morablly.
They have sent to our society some 1.3 million won, over 4,000 items of aid goods and over 2,000 letters of encouragement, entrusting us to deliver them to the Korean detainees.
We deem it a noble duty of the Red Cross Society to meet the expectations of the people by promptly and punctually delivering these aid funds, articles and letters.
Expressing in this connection our desire to send a Korean Red Cross comfort mission to encourage the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp and personally deliver to them those aid funds and articles we beg you to actively co-operate with the mission for obtaining entry into Japan. Firmly believing that you will accept our request through your profound understanding we expect an early affirmative reply from you,
June 14, 1956, CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAN TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONHECTION WITH THE RETURN HOME OF THE 48 KOREANS TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society,Tokyo,Japan
We deeply appreciate the efforts of your society to realize the repatriation of the 48 Koreans in Japan who are desirous of returning home and to render assistance in their living.
However, to our great regret, their urgent desire to return home has not been realized though more than six months have passed since it was first made known.
Under the conditions of the Geneva conference of the Red Cross organizations concerned not being convened as scheduled, we consider that repatriation of the 48 Koreans should be immediately realized without delay.
For this, recalling the telegram we addressed to you on September 3 and your telegram in reply dated September 4, we propose to you to jointly ask the International Red Cross Committee or the Chinese Red Cross Society if
necessary, to render assistance in obtaining a visa for the 48 Koreans to pass through Hongkong.
At the same time, in view of the fact that the 48 Koreans are in dire straits at present and, particularly,
in view of the hard life in store for them during the coming winter months, we should greatly appreciate it if you immediately deliver the living allowance worth 300,000 won (Korean currency) to them.
We expect that you will continue your efforts for the repatriation of the 48 Koreans and render assistance in their living.
November 26, 1956 CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESTOENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN THE HOPE OF DELIVERING AID MONEY TO THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN OMURA CAMP TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo,Japan
We requested your society in our letters of June 14 and June 22 to render assistance in the matter of the entry into Japan of our visiting group to the Omura Camp to deliver relief goods and funds donated by the people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
However, to our great regret, our request has not been met so far. Taking into consideration the hard life of
the Korean internees in the coming winter and the fact that the dispatch of our comfort mission is delayed, and recalling your telegram of June 16 we want to send 1,315,350 won (Korean currency) of relief fund to your society, asking
that you will immediatelly deliver it to them.
We consider that from the moral point of view the relief goods collected thus far should be directly delivered by a comfort mission of the Korean Red Cross Society, and request once again the Japanese Red Cross Society to render continued co-operation to this end.
With regard to recent news about the extremely unsatisfactory living condition in the Omura Camp, we hope that the Japanese Red Cross Society will render active assistance for securing their human rights and freedom, for improving the living of the internees in the camp, particularly for the preferential release of sick persons, women, children and aged, and for guaranteeing humanitarian treatment of them.
Expecting that our request will be met thanks to your kind co-operation, we await a reply from you.
November 26, 1956 CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE ON DELIVERY OF LIVING ALLOWANCE FOR 48 KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPAN WHO DESIRE TO RETURN HOME AND RELIEF FUND FOR INTERNEES IN OMURA CAMPMr. LEOPOLD BOISSIER
President of International Red Cross Committee Geneva, Switzerland
Dear sir,
I acknowledge receipt of your telegram (a 1725) dated April 17, 1957.
As we failed to remit the money to the account of your committee in Hongkong, although we had made a good deal of effort before the above-mentioned telegram reached us, we remitted the education fund directly to Japan through other channel. As for the relief fund and living allowance, we had taken proceedings to remit them to Geneva in Swiss france as was asked for in your telegram (a 1431). I notify you that a sum worth 1,615,350 won in Korean currency will shortly be sent to the account of your committee in Geneva, via Moscow.
Of this sum, 1,315,350 won in Korean currency is the relief fund for the Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp in Japan. I wish to money be fairly distributed among all the internees by the permanent delegate of your committee in Japan. The rest sum worth 300,000 won in Korean currency was originally living allowance for the Korean nationals in needy circumstances in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, who desire to return home. But, as there is no necessity for it I ask you to distribute the sum among the internees of the Omura Camp by the same procedure as above mentioned.
We sincerely hope that the money will be delivered at an early date through the good offices of your committee. Thanking you in advance.
April 22, 1957 CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH DISPATCH OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY FOR SETTLING THE RETURN HOME OF THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN JAPANESE CAMPSMr. TAGATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Tokyo,Japan
Esteemed President,
The Japanese goverment and the representative of the South Korean authorities recently decided to send by force the majority of the Koran citizens detained in the Japanese camps to South Korea.
Nam Il Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, issued a statement on January 4, 1958, opposing such illegal step.
Proceeding from the humanitarian point of view, we whole-heartedly support the statement of Foreign Minister Nam Il and we consider that the detained Korean citizens should be released unconditionally and immediately and ensured the right to choose residence according to their free will, and that the Korean citizens remaining in Japan should be ensured the rights due foreigners recognized by international law, including the right to a stabilized life.
We regard it impermissible from the legal and humanitarian standpoint for the South Korean authorities to send forcibly the Korean citizens to be released to South Korea for an unreasonable political aim, though they themselves positively oppose it.
We consider that the freedom of choosing residence should be guaranteed in accordance with the desire of the Korean citizens to be released from the Japanese camps and that the humanitarian assistance of the Red Cross organizations is necessary for facilitating their return home.
The Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea considers that our representative should directly participate in the work for the fair and satisfactory solution of the question.
Notifying that we are fully ready to dispatch our representative to Japan, we request your active cooperation in this connection.
We inform you that we are taking due proceeding for sending relief funds to the detainees placed in an unhappy situation so as to give them some help and that we are ardently desirous of dispatching our representative to visit them personally and to convey to them the already collected relief material, if the opportunity of visiting your country is given to our representative.
Convinced that you will fully understand this just request of ours and render positive cooperation in this, I expect an affirmative answer from you.
January 7, 1958 STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE INHUMANE MEASURE THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES TOOK AGAINST THE KOREAN NATIONALS DETAINED IN JAPANESE CAMPS

January 8, 1958

On December 31, 1957, the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities, under the manipulation of the U.S. imperialists, decided to send forcibly to South Korea about 1,200 out of over 1,70C; Korean nationals who have been illegally held in the Japanese camps for a prolonged duration and subjected to misfortunes and sufferings. The rest are to be set free in the territory of Japan, the decision said.
Such inhuman step taken by the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities has naturally evoked strong indignation among the entire Korean people and all the fair-minded people the world over.
On January 4, 1958, the Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K. made a statement in protest against the unjust, inhuman step, clearly reflecting the unanimous stand of the Korean people.
Fully supporting the statement of Foreign Minister Nam Il from its lofty humanitarian standpoint, the Korean Red Cross Society once again declares that it will make every effort to find a fair solution of the problem on humanitarian principles.
It will be recalled that the Korean Red Cross Society has more than once made known its stand that the Korean citizens detained in the Japanese camps should be unconditionally and immediately set free and guaranteed the
right to choose places of residence and to return to the homeland, in conformity with the accepted principles of international laws and lofty humanitarian spirit, and has consistently worked for its realization.
Many of the Korean internees in the Japanese camps are those who were forcibly taken to Japan in the days of the Japanese imperialist rule as commandeered workers and drafted soldiers and have lived there up to now. And the larger number of the rest are those who went to Japan from South Korea after liberation either to get away from the traitorous, terrorist rule of the Syngman Rhee clique, or to free themselves from the hunger and poverty brought by the cruel predatory policy of the U.S. imperialists and the Syngman Rhee clique, looking to their relatives in Japan for assistance.
They have been placed in an extremely humiliating and miserable condition for a long time in the Japanese camps. Moreover, the Syngman Rhee clique smuggled terrorists into the Omura and Hamamatsu Camps to persecute, threaten and
terrorize the Korean citizens in an attempt to make them agree to go to South Korea. Those terrorists even murdered a Korean internee named Chang Dong Keun. Such being the situation, the Korean internees in the camps are now unable to express their will freely to return to the D.P.R.K.
For all the difficult conditions and persecution imposed upon them by Rhee's terrorists, the Korean nationals are dead set against being forcibly sent to South Korea, and have sent, and are sending, many a petition, letter and "blood petition" to our society, calling upon us to relieve them from the jaws of death.
Feeling deep sympathy for the miserable conditions of the Korean nationals held in the Japanese camps, the D.P.R.K. Red Cross Society proposed already on December 31, 1955 that its delegation be admitted to Japan to find a fair solution of the problem concerning the Korean nationals in Japan as a whole, as well as the problem relating to Koreans held in the camps. It also proposed to negotiate on these problems in the course of the talks between the Korean and Japanese Red Cross delegations held in Pyongyang in February 1956. Besies, in June 1956 a proposal was made that the Korean nationals detained in the Omura Camp be allowed to receive relief money and articles and encouraging letters which had been collected with true compatriotic love, and a comfort mission of our society be permitted to enter Japan. But the proposal was not realized because of the unfriendly stand of the Japanese side.
Our active efforts, however, persuaded the International Red Cross Committee to deliver in April 1957 the relief money sent by the felloe countrymen to the entire Korean nationals held in the Omura Camp.
It was suggested in August 1956 that the Red Cross organizations concerned should meet at Geneva to find a fair solution of the issue on humanitarian principles. But owing to the opposition of the South Korean Red Cross the proposal did not materialize.
The just proposals repeatedly put forward by us from the standpoint of lofty humanitarian spirit and compatriotic love have thus been prevented from being realized due to the manoeuvres of the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities who tried to make capital of this issue for their underhanded political aims.
The entire Korean people will never sit idly by and see their fellow countrymen forcibly taken to South Korea only to fall a political victim to the Syngman Rhee clique, and to be persecuted and slaughtered. Regarding it as its duty to live up to the ardent desire of the Korean people to relieve their fellow countrymen from misfortune and suffering, the Korean Red Cross Society can never remain an unconcerned spectator towards the grave situation where their compatriots are being dragged into the jaws of death.
Today, all the honest-minded peoples are deeply concerned with the future of the Korean nationals held in the Japanese camps. They are closely following the development.
The unbiased public opinion of both Korea and Japan as well as of the world public is demanding a resonable
settlement of the issue, expressing support for our humanitarian stand. In Japan, peace-loving people and many progressive politicians are coming out for a humanitarian, fair solution of the issue. Even some high-ranking officials of the Japanese government have declared that those Koreans who would like to return to the D.P.R.K. should not be sent to South Korea.
We demand that they live up to the expectation of all fair-minded peoples, not in word but in deed.
We ask the Japanese government to guarantee those Koreans who will be released their right to freely choose their place of residence, and ensure those who will remain in Japan the status due foreigners as is stipulated in international laws and provide them necessary conditions for stabilizing their life.
It is a sacred duty and tradition of the Red Cross
to offer humanitarian service to the people placed in such a distressful situation, by ensuring them the freedom of choosing their place of residence according to their wish or smoothing their place of residence according to their wish or smoothing their way for returning home. This sacred, humanitarian mission of the Red Cross must not be marred for any political reason.
So, the Korean Red Cross Society, proceeding from its humanitarian practice, notified the Japanese Red Cross Society and the International Red Cross Committee on January 7 that, in the light of the facts that the conditions for expressing genuinely free will are not ensured due to the persecution and intimidation of Syngman Rhee 's terrorists, it is fully prepared to dispatch its representatives to Japan for guaranteeing all the necessary conditions for the Korean nationals held in the Japanese camps to manifest their will freely, and for confirming their free wish and asked their co-operation in this respect.
It is our firm belief that the Japanese Red Cross Society and the International Red Cross Committee will give an affirmative answer to our just proposals which
proceed from a genuinely humanitarian spirit and will render us sincere co-operation for their realization.
The inalienable right of every human being--the freedom to choose his place of residence and to return home—should not be violated, and lofty humanitarian principles of the Red Cross should be valued in all cases.
The just demand of the Korean nationals who ardently desire to return to the warm bosom of their beloved father-land--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea --and are resolutely opposing to be forcibly sent to South Korea, must be realized without fail.
CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY REQUESTING THE REALIZATION OF ENTRY OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY FOR SETTING THE QUESTION OF THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN JAPANESE CAMPSMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU,
President of the Japanese .Red Cross Society,Tokyo,Japan
We received the telegram of your society dated January 10.
We took dur note of your message to the effect that you did not expect the things we are concerned about would happen, nevertheless you transmitted our telegram to the Japanese Government for precaution. However, we think it regrettable that your society intends to overlook the due obligations of Red Cross organizations to render positive cooperation from a humanitarian standpoint.
As is generally known, the majority of the Korean citizens detained in the Japanese camps have invariably expressed from the first day of detention the desire to return to their fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea --and sent many letters written in blood and letters of appeal to our society asking our humanitarian protection. However, the terrorists infiltrated by the Syngman Rhee authorities into the camps resorted to every persecution
and blackmail for suppressing the free will of those who are desirous of returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and went so far as to kill the detained Chang Dong Keun. The fact that the detained Korean citizens are not ensured the right to express their free will is proved by the reports that after deciding to send by force the detained Korean citizens to South Korea the South Korean authorities are planning to dispatch their police to Japan to take them over and some Korean citizens held in the Omura Camp deserted the camp refusing to be forcibly sent to South Korea.
To send to South Korea against their will those who went to Japan in opposition to the South Korean authorities means nothing but placing them under persecution and threatening them with death.
In the light of such situation, we consider that to confirm their free will is the only way of acting up to humanitarian principles and guaranteeing human rights recognized by international law.
Therefore we once again ask you to cooperate in realizing the entry into Japan of the representative of our society for confirming the free will of the detainees and rendering due humanitarian service.
We feel sure that your society will discharge the obligations assumed before all honest-minded people, who are concerned about this question, by actively responding to our just proposal.
January 18, 1958 CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SANDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE REQUESTING THE SETTLEMENT OF THE QUESTION OF THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH RESCLUTION No, 19 ADOPTED B THE 19th CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEEMr. LEOPOLD BOISSIER
President of the International Rad Cross Committee Geneva, Switzerland
We have received your telegram of January 9, 1958. We expect that the question of Korean citizens detained in Japan will be settled, thanks to the active proposal and co-operation of your Committee, on humanitarian principles and in accordance with their wish and resolution No.19 of the New Delhi Conference. We wish to draw your attention to the present state of affairs in connection with this question, when not only the free will of the internees is suppressed, but also concrete measures are being taken for sending them by force to South Korea.
As is well known, the free will of most of the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps has been suppressed by the persecution and threat of the terrorists smuggled there by the South Korean authorities, though they are desirous of returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from the first day of their detention, and even a horrible murder case occurred. Moreover, according to recent information the South Korean authorities decided to dispatch their police to the Japanese camps on the pretext of taking over the internees in compliance with the agreement concluded on December 31, 1957, between the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities on the question of forcibly sending the majority of the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps to South Korea. The Korean internees, who are facing the fate of being foroibly sent to South Korea, are in fear of persecution and danger of life to the camps refusing to go to South Korea a clear demonstration that they are demanding urgent humanitarian protection. In view of such serious state of affairs, this society is prepared to dispatch a representative to Japan in order to confirm the free will of the detained Korean nationals, to ensure them genuinely free expression of their will and render them dur humanitarian services. However, this failed to be materialised dur to non-co-operative attitude of the Japanese government. We ask you again to render us active assistance for the early settlement of this pressing question in line with humanitarian principles,
January 21 1958, CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY DEMANDING UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF THE KOREAN INTERNEES IN OMURA CAMPMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo,Japan
We are in receipt of your telegram of January 21, and have specially noted the affirmation of your society that it would take necessary measures in conformity with the principles of the Rad Cross.
However, contrary to your affirmation, the heinous plot of the Syngman Rhee authorities to take forcibly the detained Korean nationals away to South Korea and the atrocities of their terrorists who are smuggled into the camps are assuming all the more heinous nature with each
passing day and practical steps are being taken for forcibly sending the detained Korean nationals to South Korea.
We consider it an act running counter to the principles of the Red Cross to overlook the fact that, despite this grave state of affairs, the permission for the entry into Japan of a representative of our Society to carry out his due mission is being delayed for a totally unjustifiable reason.
Such state of affairs mentioned above proves that all facts pointed out in our telegrams addressed to you are well founded ones.
It is an unjust step infringing upon human rights and humanitarian principles recognised by the international law to use the question of releasing the Korean detainees in the Japanese camps and the Japanese fishermen held in Pusan for unreasonable political purposes on condition of "mutual releasing", and we will never tolerate such practice.
We stress once again that, as we have repeatedly made clear, the Korean nationals illegally detained in the Japanese camps must be unconditionally and immediately released and be ensured the right to choose their residence, at their free will. As to the Japanese fishermen held in Pusan, we consider that they must also be unconditionally and immediately released, aside from the question of the Korean nationals detained in Japanese camps.
If this pressing question is not fairly solved due to the unreasonable machinations pursued for certain political purposes, the authorities concerned will be held responsible for all the consequences arising therefrom and your society also will not escape the moral responsibility for such acts, which will evoke due indignation of all men of good will.
We deem it necessary to call your attention to the fact that the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, proceeding from humanitarianism, immediately released on many occasions numbers of peaceful Japanese fishermen who entered its territorial waters.
Expecting that our just demand will be met through your sincere efforts and positive measures, we await a reply from your society.
February 1, 1958 STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY DEMANDING COMPLETE ENSURANCE OF EXPRESSION OF JAPANESE CAMPS

February 18, 1958

These days, the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities, under the manipulation of the U.S. imperialists have taken steps to repatriate forcibly to South Korea the most part of the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps.
The Japanese Red Cross Society affirmed more than once their willingness to have a regard for the Red Cross principles and promised to take necessary measures for realizing the homegoing of Korean nationals in Japan.
The actual situation, however, has been going from bad to worse,
Syngman Rhee 's agents who have smuggled themselves into the Japanese camps, are resorting to every dirtly means to keep those Korean internees who want to return to the D.P.R.K. from expressing their will to choose their place of residence freely. To add to this, as Korean internees wishing to return to the D.P.R.K. were growing in number, the Japanese authorities have been bringing pressure to bear upon them to crub the freedom of expressing their desire.
Such state of affairs in the Japanese camps caused many Koreans to escape from the stockades to avoid being fricibly sent to South Korea. Kang Yoon Jin, a former internee of the Omura Camp, said that a fight was being
waged by Korean nationals in the camp against the dirty manoeuvres of Syngman Rhee's agents and the inhuman acts on the part of the Japanese their forcible repatriation to South Korea.
Soma of the 200-odd Koreans who were being transferred from the Hamamatsu Camp to the Omura Camp by train, escaped in groups to evade being sent to South Korea,
the path of death prescribed for them by the Syngman Rhee clique and Japanese authorities.
The Japanese camp authorities are trying to curb the freedom of those Koreans who are released from the camps, by providing a "guarantee for fidelity." Members of the so-called "Legation" in Japan of Rhee's regime, with the tacit admission of the Japanese authorities, smuggled themselves into the camps and are pressing Korean nationals wishing to return to the D.P.R.K. to register themselves as "citizens of the Republic of Korea."
All this tells of the fact that the detained Korean nationals are even denied their right to expressing their genuinely free will.
The Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. has always claimed that the Japanese government should take measures for unconditional and immediate release of the detained Korean nationals and guarantee them the right to choose their place of residence at will, as was also emphasized in the January 4, 1958 statement of the Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K. and the February 8, 1958 statement of the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Today, growing numbers of Korean nationals who are detained in the Japanese camps are voicing their desire to return to their fatherland, the D.P.R.K., in spite of the pressure of the Japanese government and the rampant; vicious manoeuvres of Syngman Rhee's agents to har their way.
On January 11 this year internees of the Omura Camp held a meeting to voice their support of the statement of Foreign Minister Nam Il, at which they reaffirmed their resolve to reject at all costs their repatriation to
South Korea and expressed a strong desire to return to the D.P.R.K. The participants in the meeting called upon our Red Cross Society to relieve them from the danger facing their life.
It is only natural that the Korean nationals held in the Japanese camps should be seized by a sense of fear and uneasiness in the grave situation where a plot was being hatched to send them back to South Korea, the jaws of death and persecution. Because, most of the Korean internees in the Japanese camps are none but those who, unable to bear the anti popular terrorist rule and war policy of the U.S. imperialists and Syngman Rhee clique, have taken a passage to Japan from South Korea.
For instance, Kwak Jung Woon (26 years old) and Kim Jung Hyun (26 years old) and many other internees of the Omura Camp had been pressganged into the puppet Rhee's army, but they fled from the army and went to Japan, since they were against the fratricidal war. Ro Kye Sook (25 years old) had been arrested by the South Korean authorities during the Korean war for "opposing" the U.S. imperialists and Syngman Rhee clique, but later managed to escape to Japan.
The Japanese government has detained illegally many such Korean refugees for a long time and now is going to make capital of them for their unjust political aims by sending them forcibly back to South Korea. Even our peaceable fishermen whose boat had been carried by the tide and cast ashore on the coast of Japan were arrested and thrown into a camp on the charge of "smugglers" The Japanese authorities are now trying to send them forcibly to South Korea.
The Korean nationals now held in the Japanese camps are quite well aware of what would befall them
in case of their being sent to South Korea. They still clearly remember the cases of Kim Bo Sung, Pak Nam Jin, Kim Sung Won and other Koreans who were forcibly repatriated to South Korea during 1954-55 only to be murdered by Syngman Rheeites.
As South Korean and foreign press admits, the Syngman Rhee clique have recently gone so far as to order all the provincial police headquarters in South Korea to "work out the list of suspected culprits who are to be put on trial, in order to charge the repatriated Korean nationals with false "crimes" and put them in jail, Under such circumstances, the Japanese government is attempting to hand over the illegally detained Korean nationals to the traitorous Syngman Rhee clique against their will.
Such inhumane act on the part of the Japanese government and the Syngman Rhee clique is evoking indignation among the honest-minded peoples of the world, the Korean and Japanese peoples included, who want to see the fair settlement of the question.
Such situation notwithstanding, the Japanese Red Cross Society is taking sides with the Japanese government in its inhuman acts, and in disregard of its articles of association and Red Cross principles is still refusing to offer humanitarian cooperation to the return home of the Korean nationals.
Such grave developments make it more and more imminent for the delegates of our society to enter Japan and confirm their free will and assist in their return home on lofty humanitarian principles and with the brotherly love.
The Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. has always given unsparing co-operation to other countries in a number of problems which need a solution in a humanitarian spirit.
It will be recalled that following the talks held between Korean and Japanese Red Cross Societies in February 1956, our society, in accordance with the correct policy of the Government of the D.P.R.K., not only gave active assistance in patriating Japanese nationals from Korea, but also paid profound solicitude for their living until they found job after arriving their homeland.
We claim once again that the problem of the Korean nationals held in the Japanese camps should be solved in affair way at an early date according to the accepted principles of international laws and from the standpoint of humanism.
The Japanese government and Red Cross Society should see to it that the serious situation obtaining in the camps be removed as soon as possible, so that the detained Korean nationals could express their free will without reserve.
For this purpose, sincere efforts should be made and positive measures be taken as soon as possible to admit into Japan a delegation of our society, a delegation which is to confirm the free will of the Korean nationals and serve in a humanitarian spirit.
Only in this way can this urgent problem in which the Korean and Japanese people are greatly interested will be solved in a fair way and in conformity with the desire of both Korean and Japanese peoples, as well as of all the honest minded peoples the world over.
KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE FORCIBLE SENDING ON TWO OCCASIONS OF KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPAN TO SOUTH KOREA. JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY Tokyo, Japan
We have received your telegram G-78, and are directing serious attention to your affirmation of the statement
made on February 3 at the Judicial Affairs Committee of the Japanese Upper House that the Japanese government has no intention of sending Korean against their wi11 to any region where they do not desire to go.
In spite of the repeated affirmation made by your society and the Japanese government, the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities are evoking due indignation among all peoples of good will by committing the inhuman act of forcibly sending on two occasions more than 500 Korean citizens detained in the Japanese camps to South Korea without any fair confirmation of their free will.
Our society called this matter to the serious attention of your society, which should render its due humanitarian assistance in this grave situation.
Despite the fact that the number of the Korean internees who are desirous of returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is increasing day by day, the Japanese authorities are still trying to send them to South Korea, suppressing the expression of their free will.
We can never tolerate, above all, the inhuman act of forcibly sending them to South Korea deliberately hampering the confirmation of their free will in the presence of the representative of our society.
This society awaits a reply from you, expecting that your society will take active measures for speedily removing the prevailing grave situation.
March 12, 1958 CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE IN CONNECTION WITH THE INTERNEES IN JAPANESE CAMPS ARE FORCIBLY SENT BACK TO SOUTH KOREAMr. LEOPOLD BOISSIER
President of the International Red Cross Committee Geneva, Switzerland
Dear President,
We acknowledge receipt of the January 24 telegram of your committee.
We once again call the attention of your committee to the grave situation that has been created owing to the inhuman measures taken by the Japanese government and South Korean authorities. They are sending the Korean citizens detained in the Japanese camps forcibly to South Korea despite the fact that the Japanese government and the Japanese Red Cross Society promised to follow humanitarian principles and take necessary measures in line with these principles, and that your committee instructed its representative stationed in Tokyo to concern himself about the work.
The Japanese government keeps obstructing the entry into Japan of our representatives to visit the camps and confirm whether or not the rights of the detained Korean citizens to choose their residence in accordance with their free will are guaranteed.
The Japanese government, disregarding the desire of all honest-minded people, has already on two occasions sent by force 500 Korean citizens to South Korea against their will and without confirming their free will, and is continuously putting pressure on the remaining detainees who are desirous of returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
In view of such situation, we calling your attention to your committee's memoranda dated December 12, 1956 and February 26, 1957, consider that it is in contravention of the fair humanitarian principles that, during the period of New Delhi Conference, the representative of your committee discussed the question of Korean citizens detained in the Japanese camps with the Japanese and South Korean representatives alone and that your committee, as stated in your letter dated December 3, 1957, proposed to the Japanese government and South Korean authorities to take measures for solving the question, excluding our side.
We expect your co-operation in finding fair solution of this question
March 22, 1958 STATEMENT OF SPOKESMAN OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ILLEGAL ACTS OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND THE SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES OF CONTINUOUSLY SENDING BY FORCE THE KOREAN NATIONALS DETAINED IN JAPANESE CAMPS TO SOUTH KOREA

April 29, 1958

The D.P.R.K. Red Cross Society justly claimed on several occasions that the Kishi government should fairly solve in line with humanism the question of Korean citizens illegally detained in the Japanese camps.
However, the Kishi government which had already sent by force more than 500 Korean internees to South Korea on two occasions, again sent 251 internees on April 20.
The illegal acts of the Kishi government which have become more open in an attempt to attain its unjust political aim by taking advantage of the recently resumed "ROK -Japan Talks," have met with due resentment and indignation of the entire Korean people and strong opposition of the
Japanese people and of the democratic organizations in Japan.
The Kishi government made a statement under the pressure of fair public opinion that "We have no intention of sending the Koreans against their will to any place they do not wish to go." But it was all talk and no deed. Actually the Kishi government has been scheming to send by force even those who are detained in "separate camps," after the Japanese government regarded them unilaterally as the persons who are desirous of returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
In fact, the Kishi government has been resorting to every kind of scheme to change the minds of the Korean citizens who are desirous of returning to the D.P.R.K. It is threatening them, saying that if they do not change their already expressed free will, they would be continuously detained in the camps.
On the other hand, the Syngman Rhee clique are resorting to intolerable persecution against even the internees relatives in South Korea. "If your relatives go to the North, it means death for you." By such threats the Syngman Rheeites are forcing them to write letters for inducing the internees to "come to South Korea."
These facts are clearly proved by the petitions addressed by the detained Korean citizens to our society and by the reports and materials made by many visitors to the camps.
According to the materials published by an Omura Camp Investigation Team composed of Japanese public figures, Im Chang Sung, former liaison officer for U.S. Army in South Korea, and many other agents sent by the Syngman Rhee clique are persecuting the internees, trying to suppress their free will in every way. Moreover they are openly threatening the internees by saying that they will continue their violence in an organized way until their aim is attained.
In a petition addressed to our society a detained Korean citizen said that he was confined in a solitary call because he had tried to cross over the barbed-wire fence of the camp, in order to go over to the "separate camp" where those who are desirous of returning to the D.P.R.K. are detained, He made such attempt as he could not bear the torture by the terrorists sent by the Syngman Rheeites, because he had expressed his will to go to the D.P.R,K,
Besides, the Japanese authorities of the camps have been confining in solitary cells numbers of those Korean citizens who are desirous of returning to the D.P.R.K. and are resorting to every kind of intolerable intimidation and persecution against them.
Thus the Japanese authorities of the camps not only connive at the atrocities of Syngman Rhee 's terrorists but are committing atrocities by denying the detained Korean citizens' rights to take up residence in accordance with their free will trampling upon the rudimentary human rights recognized by the international law.
Despite all this, the Japanese Red Cross Society, instead of taking steps to curb the illegal and inhuman acts of the Kishi government, is defending it. Through a statement of its information officer on February 27, 1958, the Japanese Red Cross Society alleged that the Japanese government had been taking measures in line with the principle of the International Red Cross Committee. Furthermore, it is attempting to evade its responsibility by alleging that our side "misunderstands."
The Japanese government and the Japanese Red Cross Society should take necessary measures for removing this grave situation at an early date, ensuring the rights of the detained Korean citizens to take up residence in accordance with their free will and realizing as early as possible the entry into Japan of representative of our society for helping in the return home of the Korean citizens who desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Should the Japanese government and the Japanese Red Cross Society continue to obstruct the realization of our just proposals and attempt to use the detained Korean citizens for their unjust political aim in dealing with the Syngman Rhee clique, they will not be able to escape the still more stern denunciation of the honest-minded people throughout the world, not to mention the Korean and Japanese peoples.
The earnest desire of the detained Korean citizens to return to their fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, must be brought to fruition without fail.
CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY ON DELIVERING RELIEF FUND TO THE KOREAN CITIZENS DETAINED IN OMURA CAMPMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President, Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo, Japan
We have remitted to your account by cable 250,000 Korean won to be sent to the Korean citizens detained in Omura Camp We hope your society will kindly distribute this relief fund to the internees. Thanking in advance for your cooperation.
May 28, 1958CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE EARLY ISSUING OF A VISE FOR THE ENTRY INTO JAPAN OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
Mr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo,Japan
Recently the Korean citizens detained in the Omura Camp have gone on a collective hunger strike for realizing their return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, being dead against the illegal step of the Kishi government for forcibly sending the Korean citizens held in the camp to South Korea.
In this connection, our society once again asks your society to render cooperation in making the Kishi government put an immediate end to its inhuman act against the detained Korean citizenss, ensure the rights of the internees to choose residence at their free will in accordance with the
resolution of the New Delhi meeting to which the Kishi government itself subscribed, and take measures for immediately sending home those who are desirous of returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and, at the same time, take the practical step of issuing soon a vise for the entry into Japan of a representative of our society who will cooperate in their return home.
Our society expects an early reply of your society to this.
July 2, 1958 STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF KORAN RED CROSS SOCIETY IN SUPPORT OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S STAEMENT OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1953 IN CONNECTION WITH THE QUESTION OF THE RETURN HOME OF KOREANS IN JAPAN

September 23, 1958

The Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea fully supports the statement of Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K. dated September 16 on the question of the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan and warmly welcomes their desire to return to the D.P.R.K.
As is well known, the absolute majority of the Korean nationals in Japan had been sent to Japan conscripts or drafted workers as a result of the cruel aggression of Korea by the Japanese imperialists, and were long subjected to national insults and miserable living conditions in an alien land.
Today, the entire Koreans living in various parts of Japan are no longer a helpless people without a country. They have their glorious fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and are honourable citizens of it.
The Government of the D.P.R.K., 조ich regards it its important duty to champion the rights and interests of overseas Koreans, made frequent demands on the Japanese Government that it should ensure the Korean citizens in
Japan a stabilized life and all lawful rights due foreigners, unconditionally and immediately release the Koreans detained unlawfully in the Japanese camps and guarantee their return home at their free will, and has taken practical measures in this connection.
The just stand of our Government met the unanimous support of the broader masses of the Japanese people who desire friendship and peace between the two countries.
However, the Kishi government, disregarding our just stand and sincere efforts, has been subjecting the Korean nationals in Japan to inhuman persecution and oppression, far from ensuring them rights due foreigners and their living conditions and democratic, national education. As a result, most of the Koreans in Japan have been driven into a dire predicament and are wandering about the streets without any chance of finding jobs or studying.
Moreover, the Japanese government has illegally detained Korean citizens in various camps of Japan for several years and, in disregard of fair public opinion, it is pursuing unjust political aims in connection with the "ROK -Japan talks" by forcibly sending large numbers of Korean citizens to South Korea, a land of death, in conspiracy with the Syngman Rhee clique.
Under these circumstances the Korean nationals in Japan, in their earnest desire to lead a stabilized life in their dear fatherland, are waging a movement to return to the D.P.R.K.
The Korean nationals in Japan are our dear brothers. We have never forgotten them, nor will we forget them. Always ready to welcome their return home with warm compatriotic love, we deem it our lofty national duty to offer them every convenience.
They have the due right to return to their fatherland and no one can deprive them of this right.
As was pointed out in the statement of Foreign Minister of the D.P.R.K., which voiced the unanimous will of the entire Korean people, the Kishi government should ensure the Korean nationals in Japan a stabilized life and rights due foreigners and should take practical measures without delay for immediately sending those who are desirous of returning to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY PROPOSING THE EARLIEST HOLDING OF TALKS BETWEEN KOREAN AND JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETIES FOR REALIZING RETURN HOME OF KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPANMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo, Japan
We welcome the measures taken recently by the Japanese government which has finally decided to repatriate Korean citizens in Japan to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the basis of humanitarian principles. In this connection we support your statement that you will make efforts to enable the Korean citizens in Japan to return to their homeland as soon as possible.
I inform you that in order to ensure satisfactorily the work of receiving the Korean citizens in Japan the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has organized a reception committee by a Cabinet decision and that our society is authorized to settle technical questions for an early realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan.
Considering that the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan must cooperate actively for its realization, this society proposes in this connection to hold business like talks with your society at the earliest date.
We think that such talks can be held either in Pyongyang in Tokyo or in other places.
Being convinced that your society will support our proposal, we expect to receive your cable reply.
February 16, 1959 ANSWERS OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY TO THE QUESTIONS PUT B THE CORRESPONDENT 0F THE KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RETURN HOME OF KOREANS IN JAPAN

February 21, 1959

question: Has the Korean Red Cross Society received any reply from the Japanese Red Cross Society to its proposal for holding business-like negotiations between the two Red Cross Societies in connection with the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan ?
Answer: A long period of time has already elapsed since the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan was raised. As is known, the Cabinet of our Republic adopted recently concrete measures for taking them in and entrusted our Red Cross Society with the solution of business-like questions related to this.
According to this, on February 16 our Red Cross Society proposed to the Japanese Red Cross Society to hold business-like negotiation in connection with the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan.
However, we have not yet received any official reply from the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Question: What questions, in your opinion, should now be practically solved for an early return home of the Korean compatriots in Japan ?
Answer: The question of the return of the Korean compatriots in Japan to our Republic is a question related to both Korea and Japan.
This question should have been solved through direct negotiations between the government of the two countries in disregard of the lack of diplomatic relations. However, this was not the stand taken by the Japanese government.
Under such circumstances, the Red Cross Societies of the two countries were entrusted respectively with the business like solution of this question.
There is no particular obstacle, in our opinion, to the solution of the business like questions in the light of the fact that the Red Cross Societies of the two countries satisfactorily solved, through direct
negotiation, the question of the repatriation of the Japanese citizens in our Republic in the past.
As is well known, we have made all preparations for solving this question. All that remains is for the Red Cross Societies of the two countries to hold negotiations at an early date and settle the question in a business like way.
Question: According to foreign press reports, the Japanese government announced that the Korean citizens in Japan who wish to return home should have their wish "confirmed" and, in this connection, a certain "screening" work might be conducted among the Korean citizens in Japan. What is your opinion on this?
Answer: According to reports from Tokyo, the Japanese government and the Japanese Red Cross Society decided on the February 18 to ask "the International Committee of the Red Cross to assume the responsibility of confirming the will of the Korean people who are desirous of being repatriated" to our Republic.
We regard it an unjust step.
As far as we know, there is no instance of such thing having been done in any part of the world in the past concerning the return of overseas citizens to their homeland.
There was no such thing, nor could there have been, when, as I mentioned above the Japanese people were being repatriated from our Republic.
The question of every one going back to his home land, as expressly prescribed in the World Declaration on Human Rights, is a question of every one exercising freely his human rights that no one can infringe upon. Therefore, there is no ground whatever for hampering the expression of their free will or asserting that their already expressed will should be reaffirmed through specific procedures. This is an immutable international practice and a matter that need hardly be reiterated.
As for the Korean citizens in Japan, the Japanese social circles and press organs officially acknowledged more than once that their urgent desire for returning home is reasonable.
We can hardly understand why the call for "confirming" their wish is made at this hour.
The Korean citizens in Japan are so ardently
desirous of returning to their fatherland because they cannot live in Japan any longer. They have undergone all sorts of bitter sufferings and sorrows in the foreign
land for scores of years. Through their actual experiences they know well what they should do.
Should any one presuppose, as the reactionary American press willfully clamours, that they have decided to return home under any "pressure" or "inducement" from outside, this is an insult to their personalities.
In fact, the outside pressure on the Korean citizens in Japan come from elsewhere.
Han Duk Soo, Chairman of the General Federation of Korean Residents in Japan, pointed out on the 19th of this month at a press interview that the Japanese police and public security officials have put unreasonable pressure on the Korean citizens in Japan who want to return to our Republic. And press reports have it that the agents of Syngman Rhee are taking coercive action among the Korean citizens in Japan.
Such illegal act of interference must be stopped at once.
From the standpoint of the Red Cross organizations it is clear that the so-called "confirming the will" or "screening" are alien to the mission of the Red Cross organizations and things that should under no circumstances be done. As is publicly recognized, the basic mission
of the Red Cross organizations is to value the life and rights of man and serve in a humanitarian way by rescuing the people in distress at an early date. Therefore, we do not presume that the International Committee of the Red Cross will take part in the "screening" which encroaches upon human rights.
The desire of the Korean citizens in Japan for returning home is clear to anyone. They must be repatriated without delay in accordance with their ardent wish for returning to their fatherland the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
We demand that the decision of the Japanese government on their repatriation be put into practice immediately.
Question: When and where will the business like negotiations for realizing the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan be held with the Japanese Red Cross Society ?
Answer: We are ready to hold negotiations at any time and in any place, for we have made all round preparations for receiving at any time the home-coming Korean citizens from Japan.
As was already made public, negotiations may be
held in Pyongyang, Tokyo or any other place which is regarded convenient for both sides.
The question lies in holding the negotiations as early as possible.
We took note of the press reports from Tokyo that the Japanese Red Cross Society accepted the proposal of our side to hold business like negotiations.
The earlier negotiations are held, the better results are, for the situation facing the Korean citizens in
Japan brooks no delay. We consider that there is no reason whatever for putting off the negotiations.
We expect a reply from the Japanese Red Cross Society on holding negotiations at the earliest possible date.
CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN
CONNECTION WITH HIS PREVIOUS OFFER TO HOLD AT THE
EARLIEST DATE TALKS BETWEEN THE RED CROSS SOCIETIES
OF THE TWO COUNTRIES FOR THE REALIZATION OF THE RETURN HOME OF THE KOREAN CITIZENS IN JAPAN
Mr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo,Japan
I proposed on February 16 in my cable sent to you to hold at the eariest date talks between the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan, which are the parties directly concerned, tor a speedy realization of return home of Korean citizens in Japan.
However we regret that we have not yet received your reply. The parties in the work for the realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan are none other than the authorities of Korea and Japan concerned.
We, therefore, consider that if you desire for a fair solution of the question, direct talks should be held at the earliest date between the Red Cross Societies of korea and Japan which are the parties concerned. Morever, we can never understand the proposal set forth by Mr, Inoue in his cable from Geneva that a certain
kind of talks under the auspices of ICRC be held at this juncture when only technical matters are left for the realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan. We consider that there can be no obstacles whatever to the holding of talks between the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan. When the home coming Korean eitizens in Japan are transported, we will of course welcome the humanitarian services such as means of transport, lodging, feeding, medical assistance, etc. to be rendered by any organizations. We are opposed to the allegation of the Japanese authorities to "confirm" the will of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home and to "screen" them, because it constitutes an infringement upon the human rights of Korean citizens in Japan and is an unwarranted one which creates artificial barriers to the realization of their return home.
I once propose that the direct talks between the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan be held without delay for an early settlement of the question of the return home of Korean citizens in Japan.
Awaiting your early cable reply to this.

March 6, 1959

CHAlRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS TELEGRAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE RETURN HOME OF THE KOREAN CITIZENS IN JAPANMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo,Japan
I acknowledge receipt of your telegram dated March
I note with satisfaction that you and your Red Cross Society are making continued efforts for the realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan and expressed the desire to hold talks for the settlement
of this matter with representatives of our society at and early date.
As to the cooperation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, as indicated in your cable, we welcome all humanitarian services to be rendered by the International Committee of the Red Cross and other organizations in the work for the realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan. However, we can never agree to your assertion that it is necessary to "confirm" the will of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home or to "screen" them, and we consider it entirely unreasonable.
As you know well, it is obvious that every citizens irrespective of his nationality has the freedom to return to his homeland, which is an inalienable right of every human being and that the humanitarian principles are precisely intended to repect such a right.
Therefore, to "confirm the already expressed will of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home and "screen" them is an infringement upon the sacred rights of man and is an unjust act deviating from international practice.
The question of return home of the Korean citizens in Japan is a very simple one. All prepaations have been made on the part of the Korean citizens in Japan wishing to return to their fatherland ae well as on our part to receive them. Only businesslike matters are left to
be solved by the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan.
inform you that if you agree to our opinion we are fully prepared to send at any time representatives of this society to talks with representatives of your society in Geneva.
I expect an affirmative reply from you.
March 15, 1959 ANSWERS OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KORAN RED CROSS SOCIETY TO THE QUESTIONS PUT BY MR. KUGA MANAGING EDITOR OF KYODO NEWS SERVICE ON THE RETURN HOME ISSUE OF THE KOREAN CITIZENS IN JAPANMr. KUGA
Managing Editor of Kyodo News Service Tokyo,Japan
I give the following answer to a series of questions you have put.
Today the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan is a fully ripe one which can be settled in a very simple way.
The question is that the Japanese authorities just let the Korean citizens in Japan who have already expressed their will and are ready to return to their fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, leave the territory of Japan.
As far as we are concerned, full preparations have been already made to receive the Korean citizens in Japan who will return home.
What is left now is only practical matters which can be solved satisfactorily through mutual cooperation and common efforts of the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan.
However, the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan has not been materialized to this date and is being delayed on the unreasonable ground which has nothing in common with humanitarian principles.
The Japanese authorities are insisting on "confirming" the will of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home
and "screening" them, thereby artificially complicating the solution of the question.
To confirm the already clearly expressed will of Korean citizens in Japan to return home and to "screen" them is an infringement upon the fundamental human rights as recognized by international law and is a deviation from international practice.
It is a fact well known to the whole world that following the Second World War, when numerous Japanese
were sent back to their homeland from a number of countries such as Korea, the Soviet Union and China, nobody
confirmed their will to return home or "screened" them.
Nevertheless, the Japanese authorities insist on "confirming" the mill of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home and "screening" them.
This is utterly incomprehensible.
The Japanese authorities allege that confirming of their will and "screening" are necessary "in order to prevent or deny such allegations or misunderstandings as that North Korea is forcing them to go home or that Japan is going to expel them against their will."
However nobody believes that the wish to return home of the Korean citizens in Japan is a result of some sort of "coercion" from outside.
In fact, the Korean citizens in Japan who have been subjected to all kinds of oppression and difficulties
of living have come out with their desire to return to their fatherland to find a means of livelihood.
And we believe that the Japanese authorities will not be influenced by absured slander by the Syngman Rhee clique who are trying to prevent the return home of the
Korean citizens in Japan and not abandon their humanitarian stand on the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan.
As we have pointed out in the cable sent to President Tadatsugu Shimazu on March 15th, we can never agree to the allegation of the Japanese authorities that the will of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home should be "confirmed" and that they should be "screened", and we consider this entirely unreasonable.
Accordingly we consider that such practice as "confirming" the will or "screening" in contravention of the humanitarian principles cannot be discussed at any talks for the solution of the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan and that such talks are even untenable.
As to the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which you have mentioned, we have not excluded from the beginning the cooperation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and other organizations.
On the contrary, we will welcome all humanitarian services rendered by them.
We think that the International Committee of the Red Cross will not take part in such work as encroaching upon the sacred rights of man, namely, "confirming" the will of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home or "screening" them.
As to other questions you have raised, we think
they will be discussed in detail at the talks between the Red Cross societies of Korea and Japan. As you are well aware the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan is a pressing and urgent one which should be solved at an early date only through the sincerity and efforts of the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan.
We believe that if the Japanese authorities really wish a fair solution of the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan they will agree to our views as mentioned above.
If the Japanese authorities agree to our views
that talks should be held between the Red Cross Societies of Korea and Japan, on the basis of this principle, we
are fully prepared to send at any time the representatives of this society to Geneva.
In order to hinder the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan the Syngman Rhee clique are frantically manoeuvring to use the urgent humanitarian question for their unjust political plots.
Such hooligan act of the Syngman Rhee clique ignoring the standards of international law and humanitarian principles deserves no consideration at all and are being duly condermned and rejected by all the people of the world who value justice and human conscience.
Availing myself of this opportunity I expect that your news service and other press organs in Japan will cooperate from unbiased stand so that the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan may be realized as soon as possible.
March 17, 1959 REPLY OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE C.C. OF THE KOREAN RED CROSS SOCIETY TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE JAPANESE RED CROSS SOCIETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE DECISION ON DISPATCHING A DELEGATION TO TALKS ON THE RETURN HOME OF KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPANMr. TADATSUGU SHIMAZU
President of the Japanese Red Cross Society Tokyo,Japan
I acknowledge receipt of your telegram dated March 20.
In my telegram addressed to you on March 15, I stressed that your assertion that the will of Korean citizens in Japan desiring to return home should be "confirmed" and "screened" is an infringement upon sacred human rights and an unwarranted act contrary to the humanitarian principles, and made clear our position that we cannot agree to it.
Nevertheless, deviating from the humanitarian principles and international practice, you are continuously insisting that the already expressed will of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home should be "confirmed". I cannot help expressing my regret at this.
Instead of sending home without delay according to their will the Korean citizens in Japan who have come out with the petition to return to their fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in search of means of livelihood, being unable to bear any longer the difficulties of living and non-rights they are suffering from in a foreign country, you are taking the stand that their will to return home should be "confirmed" and that they should be "screened." We consider that such a stand has nothing common with the humanitarian principles.
Therefore, we reaffirm our stand that we can never agree to the "confirming" in whatever form or by whatever method, of the mill of the Korean citizens in Japan to return home, and that such things cannot be discussed at the business-like talks designed to materialize the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan.
Proceeding from the invariable compatriotic love to relieve the Korean citizens in Japan from distress, we maintain that the already ripe and urgent question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan should be speedily settled without further delay. I note with satisfaction that you have recognized in your telegram the necessity of holding talks as proposed by us. If you sit together with us and sincerely cooperate on the basis of the humanitarian principles, the practical questions for urgent realization of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan can be easily settled,
Believing that you fully understand our position and maintenance with regard to the question of the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan, I have the honour to inform you that the Red Cross Society of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has decided to send its delegation to Geneva to hold talks with representatives
of your society with a view to discussing practical matters concerning the return home of the Korean citizens in Japan.
March 30, 1959 LETTER TO OUR COMPATRIOTS IN JAPANDear compatriots, brothers and sisters in Japan
Distressed about your unbearable misfortunes in an alien land, we gathered here today with ardent fraternal love and firm determination to realize at an early date your desire to return home.
The Enlarged Meeting of the Central Committee of the United Democratic Fatherland Front representing the will of the entire Korean people of all walks of life address this letter in the name of your entire fellow countrymen at home to encourage you, our compatriots, who are waging a resolute struggle to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea -- your glorious fatherland -- despite all the persecution and obstruction.
Most warmly will we welcome your home-coming to your beloved land, you, our compatriots who share the same blood of our forefathers.
You are our dear brothers and sisters who could not find a means of livelihood in your dear native land and went to Japan across the Korean Straits with bitter tears and resentment or were taken by. force by the Japanese in the dark period of Japanese imperialist rule.
How you must have suffered as you set out for a strange land, leaving behind the mountains and rivers
of the land you love so dearly the land your forefathers tilled by the sweat of the brow and the land where your forefather's remains were laid to rest!
Deprived of a country, you have long been subjected to bitter persecution and ill-treatment in an alien land. How ardently you must have yearned for the fatherland and longed for the native land and your fellor countryment!
However, today you are not alone as you were in yester year when there was no country to be called your own. You have your glorious fatherland the Democratic People's Republic of Korea which enjoys a distinct place in the international arena and is prospering and developing with every passing day.
You have every right to demand a stabilized life and legal status due aliens in Japan.
Yet, the Kishi government has not only deprived you of your rights to existence and freedom, but also
subjected you to oppression and persecution under various pretexts.
We once again demand most strongly that the Kishi government assume full responsibility for ensuring our compatriots in Japan legal rights due foreigners and conditions for making a living without any further delay and take appropriate measures for their repatriation to their fatherland at the earliest date.
Yet, the Kishi government is obstructing in every way your home-coming. Furthermore, it put some of our compatriots, who desire to return to the warm embrace of
the Republic, in the detention camps to use them illegally as their trump card in political bargaining with the Syngman Rhee clique.
Today in South Korea, which has been turned into
an American imperialist colony, the people are completely denied their national rights and political freedom. The South Korean industry and agriculture have been brought to complete ruin and the people are undergong the "worst conditions in 4,000 years."
Therefore, it is only natural for you to struggle to return to the warm embrace of your Republic, to your beloved and prosperous fatherland, without bowing to oppression and persecution.
No one and no force on earth can change your burning aspiration to return home.
Righteous is your struggle!
It is our ardent hope that soon you will return to the embrace of the fatherland to lead a free and happp life with us, leaving behind the persecution of the government and freeing yourselves from the life of humiliation and want.
At present in your fatherland, which you are yearning for, a remarkable change is taking place at a rapid tempo.
Under the wise guidance of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Government of the Republic, headed by Comrade Kim Il Sung, our people are scoring great victories in rebuilding their fatherland.
In our country the firm bases of heavy and light industries equipped with up to date technique have been established. There is also advanced socialist agriculture.
We now have the foundation for a self-supporting national economy capable of turning out what we need. It is expected that industrial production this year will be about five times as great as ten years ago, The total grain output will reach 3,900,000 tons, which is a 1,200,000 tonsrincrease over the highest harvest year in the time of Japanese imperialist rule.
We have already enforced universal compulsory middle school education for the first time in Asia and universal compulsory technical education will be put into effect in the near future. The People's living standards continue to rise.
In the post war period alone, price cuts were effected six times and the basic wages of workers, technicians and office workers increased greatly.
Two days ago, on October 29, the Government of the Republic announced that the wages of workers, technicians and office workers will be boosted by 40 per cent on an average starting from January 1, 1959.
A broad vista of development is opening up before our people, promising a yet happier life.
Within a few years we will be producing annually 20,000 million kwh in electricity, 5 million tons in cement, 1.5-2 million tons in chemical fertilizers, 3-3.5 million tons in steel, 500 million metres in textile goods, 4 million tons in pig-iron and granulated iron, 25 million tons in coal, one million tons in fish catch and 7 million tons in grain.
Though we are enjoying a worth while life of freedom and happiness, not even for a moment can we forget our compatriots in Japan who are suffering in a foreign land, for away from the fatherland.
We do want so much to share our happiness with you.
The Workers' Party of Korea and the Government of the Republic are directing special concern to defend your lawful rights and stabilize your life. And the Party
and Government are making every effort for the realization of your desire to come home as early as possible, to the land you long for.
The Government of the Republic will bear all the expenses for your return journey and is fully prepared to provide means of transportation as well.
Your compatriots in every nook and corner of the country are eagerly awaiting the day when you, our compatriots in Japan who are going through hardships in a far away land, will return home at an early date and we are fully prepared at any time to welcome you.
From the very first day of your return to the father
land you would lead a new hopeful life displaying your creative labour in factories, mines, the countryside, fishing villages and various fields of science, literature, arts and so on, in accordance with your capability and wish.
The doors of schools of all levels in the northern part of the Republic are open to your children and cultural and recreation centres are awaiting your arrival.
Our builders are constructing many dwelling houses at a rapid tempo so that you may lead a comfortable life, and in textile mills workers are turning out more fabrics for you.
Dear compatriots in Japan !
You have every right to return to your fatherland.
It is your indisputable legal and social right under the principles of international law and humanitarianism.
There is no pretext or ground whatsoever for the Kishi government to delay the settlement of questions related to your return home.
No one has the right to obstruct your coming home to the embrace of your beloved fatherland.
The entire people of your homeland and progressive manking the world over are supporting your struggle to return to your dear land. Also, honest-minded Japanese people are helping you.
You must fight more actively and win in your fight to return home,
When you leave the shore of an alien land where you roamed in poverty and humiliation without a country of your own, for your regenerated, prospering homeland, even the raging waves of the East Sea will lower their crest to smooth your way and the lovely seagulls skimming above
the sea of the fatherland will wing over your boat rejoicing with you.
The entire people will welcome you and embrace you.
Dear compatriots in Japan !
Hurry back to the embrace of your prospering homeland!
Come back soon to the side of your dear brothers and sisters!
Together we will attain the peaceful unification in the ever prospering fatherland and build a happy land for our offspring.
Convinced that your earnest desire to return home will be realized without fail everyone who is present here in this meeting is wishing you good health.

The Enlarged Meeting of the Central Committee of the United Democratic Fatherland Front

October 31. 1958 LETTER TO POLITICAL PARTIES, SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC FIGURES OF JAPANToday six hundred thousand Korean nationals in
Japan are energetically struggling to realize at an early date their cherished desire to return to the embrace of their dear fatherland, And we take this opportunity to express our appreciation for your help motivated by humanitarian principles given to the Korean nationals
who desire to return to their fatherland.
Recently in Japan a "Society to Aid Repatriation of Korean Nationals in Japan," a nation wide organization, consisting of representatives of various strata came into being and resolutions demanding the realization of Korean nationals desire to be repatriated were adopted by several Prefectural Councils. Also, many members of the Diet Foreign Affairs Committee came out to ask the desire of Korean nationals in Japan who wish to return to their fatherland to be realized on the principle of humanitarianism.
We regard this co-operation as an expression of your friendship towards the Korean people.
The six hundred thousand Korean nationals in Japan are being subjected to unbearable suffering under unwarranted persecution and oppression by the Kishi government.
They are not ensured their legal rights as aliens and the majority of them are poverty-stricken and facing starvation with no employment.
It is, therefore, quite natural for the Korean nationals in Japan in such grim circumstances to desire to return to the warm embrace of their fatherland at the earliest possible date,
They are not the people of yesterday who had no country of their own.
They are the rightful citizens of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea their fatherland, which is fully prepared to provide them with a happy life.
The Government of the D.P.R.K. will bear all the expenses incurred in travelling and provide transportation facilities to repatriate the Korean nationals in Japan. Moreover, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will fully ensure them a stable life, employment and education for their children after their return to the homeland. At present, in the cities and countryside of our country a nation wide movement is being waged to welcome our compatriots from Japan.
The settlement of the question concerning the home
coming of the Korean nationals in Japan depends solely
on whether or not the Kishi government takes proper measures without delay.
Nothing could be more unjust and inhuman than for the Kishi government to bar the repatriation of Korean nationals to their homeland, where a happy life is awaiting them, from Japan where due legal rights as aliens are denied them, and their rights to earn a livelihood are not ensured.
The Government of the D.P.R.K. in 1956 not only ensured the Japanese nations who had been in Korean every right to their life but also on the principle of humanitarianism provided every facility to those who wished to return to Japan.
We are sure that you still remember this well, and so does the Kishi government.
We expect your positive and effective help in inducing the Kishi government to take prompt necessary measures for the repatriation of Korean nationals to their homeland, and we are sure you will spare no effort to this end.

The Enlarged Meeting of the Central Committee of the United Democratic Fatherland Front, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

October 31, 1958 LETTER FROM KOREAN SCIENTISTS MEN OF CULTURE AND PUBLIC FIGURES TO JAPANESE SCIENTISTS, MEN OF CULTURE AND PUBLIC FIGURESKorean scientists, men of culture and public figures have addressed a letter to the Japanese scientists, men of culture and public figures, asking their support for the struggle for ensuring the rights of the Korean nationals unlawfully detained in the Japanese camps.
Below is the full text of the letter
Dear Japanese scientists, men of culture and public figures,
We Korean scientists, men of culture and public figures, prompted by our lofty sense of duty to defend
the liberty and rights to be enjoyed by everybody, address this letter to you.
The Japanese government and the South Korean authorities, manipulated by the U.S. imperialists, decided on December 31 last year to send forcibly the Korean nationals unlawfully detained in the Japanese camps to South Korea, and they have just taken inhuman action trampling underfoot the rights and liberty of human being.
We strongly demand that an end be immediately put to the impermissible action on the part of the Japanese government and South Korean authorities to use the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps for their political purpose.
As was clearly pointed out in the statement of the Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on January 4, 1958 and the statement of a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry on February 8 of the same year, we demand that the detained Korean nationals be at once
released unconditionally and the right to choose resideence at their free will be guaranteed to them.
We are well aware that you and honest-minded people express their full support of our just demand and are doing all in their power to see our demand realized at an early date.
But, our just demand and desire have not been realized owing to the continued unreasonable measures taken by the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities, and the detained Korean nationals are still subjected to unbearable inhuman violence.
Especially, as the number of the people desiring to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea increases among the Korean nationals in Japanese camps, the Syngman Rhee clique are smuggling terrorists into the camps in their attempt to force the internees to go to South Korea. These terrorists make no scruple of perper trating inhuman terrorism against those who desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and terrorism is getting worse day after day.
Syngman Rhee 's terrorists are forcing "ROK nationality" upon the Korean internees and are running amuck to restrain the freedom of the Korean nationals who have been released on a "guarantee for fidelity."
Such cursed acts are being openly conducted with the connivance of the Japanese government and, still worse, with the personal help of the Japanese police and the camp authorities. This has aroused indignation not only of the Korean and Japanese people but also of all honest-minded people the world over.
It is generally known that the majority of the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps are the people who, unable to stand the tyranny of the Syngman Rhee clique and in opposition to their war policy, escaped the living hell of South Korea seeking refuge in Japan.
Here are several examples:
Kwak Jung Woon, 26 years old, Kim Jung Hyon, 26 years old, and many other internees in the Omura camp were pressganged into the puppet South Korean army and later, in opposition to the fratricidal war by the Syngman Rhee clique, esdaped to Japan, Ro Kyu Sook, 25 year old
woman, had been arrested by the South Korean authorities on the "charge" of having opposed the U.S. imperialists and the Syngman Rhee clique during the Korean war but fortunately escaped to Japan.
All this serves to prove that the majority of the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps are against the forcible sending back to South Korea. Therefore, the Japanese government must give them humanitarian protection and help.
Nevertheless, they have long been detained in the Omura and Hamamatsu camp s and, for from being guaranteed freedom of choosing residence and humanitarian protection, have been used for unjust political purposes.
The Korean nationals now detained in the Japanese camps are well aware that Kim Bo Sung, Pak Nam Jin and Kim Seung Won, who had been forcibly sent back to South Korea from Japan between 1954 and 1955 were killed by the Syngman Rhee clique. It is no secret that lately
the Syngman Rhee clique, with the aim of jailing the Korean nationals who were forcibly sent from Japan to South Korea, have ordered the police authorities in all provinces of South Korea to "draw up the list of criminal suspects who were to be on trial."
The Korean nationals in the Japanese camps are, therefore, decamping, in order to escape death, or go on hunger strike in opposition to the forcible sending back to South Korea.
They have persistently demanded the return to their glorious fatherland--the Democratic People's Republic of Korea --and have written many letters and petitions with their own blood appealing to the humanitarian conscience of the honest -- minded people the world over.
This notwithstanding, the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities, ignoring the right of the detained Korean nationals to choose residence at their free will forcibly sent 249 Korean nationals to South Korea on February 20. This is a gross violation of human rights recognized by the international law; therefore they deserve the unanimous condemnation by the honest-minded people aspiring after peace and happiness of mankind.
The U.S. imperialists who busy themselves in aggravating tension in Asia and in contriving the aggressive "Northeast Asian Alliance " are pulling the wires behind the Japanese government and the South Korean authorities in taking illegal action. This fact has added fuel to the wrath of the Korean and Japanese peoples.
The guarantee of human rights is the most precious thing human being aspired after and won in its protracted struggle against tyranny and darkness.
Infringement upon human rights is, therefore, a rude challenge against human life.
Dear Japanese scientists, men of culture and public figures!
The situation now strongly urges the jonest minded people who value justice to extend a helping hand to the Korean nationals detained in the Japanese camps. How could men with sense of justice and high noral turn a deaf ear to the urgent demands of the Korean nationals in the Japanese camps for freedom, rights and the means of living?
We are confident that you will give your support
to our just demand that the detained Korean nationals be at once released unconditionally, the right be guaranteed for the detained Korean nationals to choose their residence at their free will and the residing in Japan.
We firmly believe that the lofty, moral support from you who are always on the side of peace and humanism
will contribute to further strengthening the fraternity and friendship between the peoples of our two countries.
February 25 1959 RETURN HOME OF KOREANS IN JAPAN BROOKS NO DELAY(Editorial of the Rodong Shinmoon, December 18, 1958)
Today the entire Korean people are directing utmost concern to the question of the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan.
Several months have already passed since the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in compliance with the ardent desire of the Korean nationals in Japan who are desirous of returning to the warm bosom of their fatherland, indesirous of returning to the warm bosom of their fatherland, indicated concrete ways and means for their return home and proposed to the Japanese Government to take appropriate measures for the early realization of this.
Deeply moved by the profound solicitude of their fatherland, the Korean nationals in Japan, who have been longing to return to their fatherland for the past ten add years, have manifested their firm resolution to realize their home-coming at mass rallies held over the length and breadth of Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu,
and are waging an active struggle for its early realization.
The broad public opinion of Japan supports the movement of the Korean nationals in Japan returning home and stresses that there is no ground whatever for the Japanese Government to hamper their return home.
Under pressuree of the powerful public opinion of the Japanese people, Japanese Premier Kishi and Foreign Minister Fujiyama had to admit that the question of return home of the Korean nationals in Japan should
be "solved in accordance with international law and from a humanitarian point of view" and that their return to "the area they themselves choose" should be realized.
However, the Kishi government has taken so far no practical measure for the realization of the return home of the Koreans in Japan, but is scheming to delay and even evade this question.
This reveals the unreasonable stand of the Kishi government to utilize the question of the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan as lever in political bargaining at the "ROK -Japan talks."
On December 2, Fujiyama brazenly declared that the question of the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan is "actually dependent upon the ROK -Japan talks and should be solved politically."
The stand of the Kishi government to use the Korean nationals in Japan for its unjust political purposes, ignoring their legitimate rights, does not only run counter to humanitarian principles but constitutes a flagrant violation of publicly recognized international law, and is evoking due indignation of the Korean and Japanese peoples.
We can never tolerate the attempt of some Japanese people who, taking the unjust position of the Kishi government, are trying to mislead the fair public opinion of Japan and even distort facts on the question of the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan.
One such example was the statement made by Inoue, Director of Foreign Affairs Department of the Japanese Red Cross Society, at the "International Conference on Public Work" held in Tokyo on December 4.
The Korean nationals residing in Japan are proud citizens of a sovereign, independent state, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Nevertheless, describing the nationality of the Koreans in Japan as a question that has not been settled, Inoue prattled that the Koreans in Japan " cannot be regarded as citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
This is a most malignant, insulting remark to the 600,000 Koreans in Japan and to the entire Korean people.
Making a splash about an abstract, "legal" question that has nothing to do with historical reality, he tried to define the Korean nationals in Japan as "third power nationals" who do not belong anywhere. He asserts that the legal status of the Koreans in Japan cannot be decided because the Japanese government does not "recognize" the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. If he reasons so, does Inoue himself is a "third power national," not a Japanese citizen, since there is no normal diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan and the Japanese government is not recongized by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
No one will follow such "logic" of Inoue, even if he does not have elementary knowledge of law.
Saying that the Korean nationals in Japan "have not even once" had the opportunity to choose "their citizenship," he tried to justify his sophistry.
However, as Inoue himself admitted, the Korean nationals in Japan are supporting the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and, with the honour of being its citizens, they are struggling for the defence of their rights and for the peaceful unification of the fatherland.
Whether the Japanese government and Inoue recognize or not and whether they like or not, the Korean nationals in Japan have acquired citizenship since Korea became an independent country after liberation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was founded.
Therefore, the Korean nationals in Japan, having been deprived of the means of living in Japan, are desirous of returning to their true fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea -- the banner of national independence, freedom and happiness of the Korean people not -- to South Korea, which has been reduced to a living hell due to the colonial enslavement policy of the U.S. imperialists, despite the fact that most of them have their native places in South Korea. Even Inoue had to admit this.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a genuine people's state which had been established by the people themselves and is serving the interests of the people.
This is the reason why the Government of our Republic regards it as its important duty to defend the democratic, national rights of the Korean nationals in Japan and has consistently taken practical measures to this end.
In spite of all these stern facts, why is Inoue trying hard to flout the legitimate rights of the Korean nationals in Japan, distorting the essence of the matter?
The attitude taken by Inoue is nothing but an attempt to justify the unjust stand of the Kishi government which
is trying to use the Korean nationals in Japan for political bargaining in the "ROK -Japan talks."
And this is why Inoue is drawing a false picture that the present, unhappy lot of the Koreans in Japan has been brought about by their own wrong doing and is coming out in defence of the unlawful measures taken by the Japanese government against them.
The present, miserable lot of the Koreans in Japan is an aftermath of the heinous crime committed by the old Japanese imperialists against the Korean people.
As is known, the majority of the Korean nationals
in Japan consist of those who were forcibly taken to Japan through military or labour conscription by the Japanese imperialists in the past and those who went to Japan against their will in search of a means of living. In Japan they were subjected to mediaeval exploitation and suppression.
However, today they are no longer the colonial slaves of yesterday but are proud citizens of an independent country. Therefore, they have the legitimate rights to enjoy the status due foreigners.
But, all the facts show that the Japanese government has up until this day failed to fulfil its duty of ensuring the status due foreigners to the Koreans in Japan.
This is the main reason why the Koreans in Japan have to live with no rights and in privation today.
This clear-cut fact gives Inoue no ground whatever for defending the unlawful measures of the Japanese government against the Korean nationals in Japan.
The question of the return home of the Koreans in Japan has not been raised today or yesterday. It was raised as an urgent question ever since the liberation of Korea, especially since the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was founded.
However, at that time, the Japanese government did not give any assistance for realizing such burning desire of the Korean nationals in Japan but, on the contrary, obstructed it.
The one incident that took place right after the liberation, in which thousands of Korean nationals who were on board the repatriation boat "Ukijima Maru lost their precious lives, suffices to prove the unjust stand of the Japanese government.
For all this, Inoue is bragging about the non existent "humanitarian assistance" by the Japanese government in connection with the question of the return home of the Koreans in Japan,
The right attitude of the Japanese Red Cross Society with Inoue as its spokesman wild be to co-operate in the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan from a genuine, humanitarian standpoint, instead of defending the unlawful measures of the Japanese government.
As is generally known, the right to choose one's residence according to one's own free will is a fundamental right of human beings that should be respected.
As is clearly pointed out in Article 9 of the "World Declaration on Human Rights," which was adopted at the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the freedom of choosing residence is a publicly recognized principle in international law.
Also the note of the International Committee of the Red Cross dated December 12, 1956, clarified that "The freedom to return to his homeland should remain the inalienable right of every human being."
The Japanese government is under obligation to observe the principles prescribed in resolution No.20 of the 19th International Red Cross Conference which the Japanese government itself subscribed to.
Even Inoue himself Fully understands this. Therefore, he made it clear in his statement that "no one has any reason to oppose the choosing of residence by the Korean nationals in Japan " and "the method of realizing their will must also be a humanitarian one."
This notwithstanding, Inoue linked the collective return homes of the Korean nationals in Japan, which should be considered from a humanitarian standpoint, with such unjust political question as the ROK -Japan talks, thus degrading himself to an humanitarian stand.
Defying the collectively manifested resolve of the Korean nationals in Japan to return home, Inoue maintained that this "must be considered individually." According to his views, if the Korean nationals in Japan return
home collectively it becomes a "political question" beyond a humanitarian question.
As is generally known, today, most of the Korean nationals in Japan are in a state of extreme misery and non-rights, and the question of the returning home of
the Korean nationals in Japan to the bosom of the fatherland, extricating themselves from such misery, is not a limited question involving only a few individual persons, but presents itself a vital question involving the entire Korean nationals in Japan running into hundreds of thousands.
The miserable lot has made all of them unanimously desirous of returning home; and it is fully understandable that they are launching a movement in. co-operation with one another for collectively returning home in view of the prevailing circumstances in Japan, in which it is
practically impossible to realize the return home individually.
This notwithstanding, how could a responsible personage of the Red Cross Society of a country, which should regard the defence of true humanism as its first creed, advance such an absurd argument as that it becomes a "political question" and not a matter of humanism when we relieve at one time hundreds of thousands of people who are in distress and it is humanism when we relieve people only?
In the light of these facts, the stand of Inoue who speaks about the "individual return" of the Korean nationals in Japan is nothing but an attempt to delay intentionally the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan to continuously force upon them the hard life and, more, to defend the stand of the Kishi Government which is trying to use the Korean nationals in Japan as lever in the political bargaining with the traitorous Syngman Rhee clique.
No one can infringe upon the rights of the Korean nationals in Japan to return to their fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Despite the bitter experiences of the rigid oppression and exploitation by the Japanese imperialists colonial rulers, we accorded treatment due foreigners to the Japanese who had remained in Korea after liberation and gave all assistance from the humanitarian standpoint in their returning home.
Inoue may as well recall once again the humanitarian measures taken and assistance given by the Government of the Republic and the Korean Red Cross Society in the returning home of the Japanese from Korea in April, 1956.
Our stand on the question of the return home of the Koreans in Japan is clear.
All we demand is for the Kishi Government to admit the entry of ships of our side into Japanese ports and immediately take appropriate measures for the exit of Koreans in Japan so that the collective return home of
the Korean nationals in Japan who are desirous of returning home may be realized.
By no machination, can the Kishi Government break the mounting spirit of the peoples of Korea and Japan to realize the desire of the Korean nationals in Japan to return home.
We strongly hold that the realization of the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan should not be delayed any longer and once again demand that the Kishi Government immediately take proper measures for the realization of their return home.
RETURN OF KOREAN NATIONAIS FROM JAPAN MUST BE REALIZED WITHOUT DELAY(Editorial of the Redong Shinmoon, February 4, 1959)
The Japanese Government authorities officially announced recently that the Korean nationals in Japan desiring to return to the Democtratic peoples Republic of Korea would "soon be able to go home."
At a press conference on January 30, 1959 held after a Cabinet meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Fujiyama stated that "concrete measures will be taken shortly" with regard to the group return of the Korean nationals in Japan to North Korea.
During his talks with the correspondent of the Japanese Jiji Tsushin news agency on January 31, 1959, the Japanese Prime minister Kishi said "From the viewpoint of humanitarianism then question of sending back the Korean nationals in Japan wishing to return to North Korea cannot be overlooked," and he, in support of Foreign minister Fujiyama 's statement, further stated "We cannot induce the Korean nationals wishing to go home to stay in Japan."
Replying to the questions put by MPs at a meeting of the Budget Committee of the Lower house on February
2, 1959, Prime Minister Kishi and Foreign Minister Fujiyama reiterated that the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan was a question that must be settled from the humanitarian point of view and in conformity with international conventions.
A considerable length of time has passed since the question of the return home of the Korean nationals from Japan was raised.
The question of the return home of the Korean nationals from Japan has met with the support of the Korean people at home. Moreover, as the movement of the Korean nationals for returning home is gaining in scope with each passing day, broad public opinion in Japan has expressed active support to the return home of the korean nationals.
Political parties, public organizations local councils and self Government bodies, the press, and broad social strata in Japan have actively supported there turn home of the Korean nationals and strongly
urged that their return home must be realized at an early date.
And fair world public opinion has also expressed deep sympathy for the movement of the Korean nationals in Japan for returning home.
Under such conditions, it is natural for the Japanese government authorities to take the recent stand with regard to the return home of the Korean nationals. We welcome the stand and at the same time demand the realization of the return home of the Korean nationals from Japan.
As a matter of fact, the return home of the nationals from Japan is a pressing issue demanding immediate Korean solution, a vital issue for the Korean nationals who find no way of earning their lives in Japan.
From the viewpoint of international law or the humanitarian point of view, the return home of the Korean nationals has nothing to do with politics. It is a question calling for immediate settlement, and is settlement is in no way impossible,
The return home of the Korean nationals from Japan must be realized without delay.
The Korean people, who extend warm fraternal love to their fellow countrymen in such distressful condition in a foreign land, are impatiently awaiting the solution of this question. The return home of the Korean nationals is, therefore a matured issue.
Nevertheless, the Syngman Rhee clique, who have been consistently indulging in traitorous acts, ate desperately working to obstruct the return home of the Korean nationals from Japan.
As a Korean saying goes" old dog's tail cannot produce fine wool," the Syngman Rhee clique cannot change the colour of traitors By pursuing a predatory policy the U.S. imperialists and the Syngman Rhee clique have driven the South Korean people to destitution, and deprived them of all rights.
South Korean industry has been severely runined, and the bankruptcy of industry has brought in its wake over 4,200,000 unemployed. Hundreds of thousands of
orphans are helplessly wandering about the street on emptly stomachs. Farm land is lying waste, and three million foodless peasants are on the verge of death from
starvation. Countless people have no choice but to roam about the streets begging food.
Unemployment, bankruptcy and deteriorating living conditions are threatening the life of the South Korean people. To make the situation still worse, the U.S. imperialists and the Syngman Rhee clique are intensifying oppression and massacre of the people.
In South Korea, a "stated of emergency" had been proclaimed since the Syngman Rhee clique railroaded the revised "state security law" in the "national assembly."
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has put forward on several occasions proposals for relieving the poorly clad and starving South Korean people. But the Syngman Rhee Clique have all along
rejected the proposals of the D.P.R.K. Government.
The Syngman Rhee clique have not only condemned the South Korean people to famine and deprived them of all rights, but also are plotting to sell them as slaves to foreign capitalists and plantation owners.
Still not satisfied with their countless traitorous acts, the Syngman Rhee clique are now desperately working to obstruct the return of the Korean nationals from
Japan to their dear fatherland.
As the Japanese authorities admit, 80 per cent of
the Korean nationals in Japan are in the state of unemployment, and they are barely maintaining their existence, The Syngman Rhee clique, who are not in the least concerned about the distressful Korean nationals
in Japan, are out to obstruct their home coming.
Can we leave the Korean nationals in Japan in the lurch, subjected to contempt, suffering agony and starving to death in a foreign land? In fact, the traitorous Syngman Rhee clique would like to see them left in such condition. The Syngman Rhee clique have opposed all that conforms with the interests of the Korean people, all that is good for the Koreans. The Syngman Rhee clique have opposed all that conforms with human morality, all that is demanded by human conscience. The Syngman Rhee clique have again nakedly revealed their true colour.
Well will never a low the Syngman Rhee clique, a gang rejected by the Korean people to use for political bargaining the question of the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan, which is the urgent demand of Korean people, demand of human morality, a question which should be settled in accordance with international convention.
The desire of the Korean nationals in Japan to return to their dear fatherland --Democratic People's Republic of Korea -- must be realized at an early date.
Japanese publications write that the return home of the Korean nationals is a humanitarian question and unanimously urge its early realization. The Mainichi Shimbung wrote in its editorial that sending
the Korean nationals back to where they wish to go is in conformity with humanitarianism and to do so is widely recognized by the international law. And the Tokyo Shimbung rightly noted that there is no reason for holding back the Korean nationals who, finding it impossible to subsist, desire to return home.
All this comment of the Japanese newspaper is quite right.
The return home of the hundreds of thousands of Korean nationals in Japan is too serious and pressing a question to be used for political bargaining.
There is no ground whatsoever to keep the unhappy Korean nationals from returning to their homeland.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea had already clarified its stand with regard to the return of the Korean nationals from Japan. It has officially announced that it has made all the necessary preparations to ensure the returning compatriots a stabilized life.
The Government of the D.P.R.K. is ready to bear the travel expenses of the home-coming Koreans and to provide the means of transport necessary for their travel. And our compatriots returning home from Japan will be given jobs according to their qualifications and wish and will be provided with houses, food and
all other material conditions necessary for their living. Our schools are ready to admit their sons and daughters.
In the northern part of the Republic where a solid self-supporting foundation of the national economy has been laid and a high tide of socialist construction is sweeping, we are provided with all the necessary material conditions for ensuring the homecoming compatriots a stabilized living.
In all parts of the country, our people have launched a mass movement to make preparations for warmly welcoming their fellow countrymen returning home from Japan.
The Pyongyang Electric Appliances Factory and the Sangyang Agricultural Cooperative in Soonan Country and all factories, enterprises, and agricultural coops, fishing villages and scientific and cultural institutions throughout the country are briskly making
preparations for welcoming the returning Korean nationals.
There are still barriers to be torn down before realizing the home-coming of the Korean nationals from Japan.
Those who do not wish to see the Korean nationals in Japan return home or those who are accustomed to throwing obstacles in the way of solving questions may raise other barriers.
But whatever barriers they may set up, they cannot keep the Korean nationals from returning home.
The only thing left to be done is for the Japanese government to fulfil at once its promises.
Along with the broad strata of the Japanese people who give active support and encouragement to the Korean nationals in their effort to return home, and all the honest-minded people the world over the Korean people are waiting for the next step of the Japanese government.
The Government of the D.P.R.K. is ready to welcome at any time the home-coming Korean nationals from Japan.
The return home of the Korean nationals from Japan must be realized without delay.
QUESTION OF RETURN HOME OF KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPAN(Editorial of the Rodong Shinmoon, February 15, 1959)
According to the report from Tokyo the Japanese government formally decided on February 13 at a cabinet meeting to send back to their fatherland the Korean nationals in Japan who are desirous of returning home.
Before Japanese Foreign Minister Fujiyama and Prime Minister Kishi made the official statement that they would immediately take measures for sending back the Korean nationals in Japan who desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, we had already clarified ourstand on this matter in an editorial of our paper dated February 4.
We made it clear that we considered such statement of the leaders of the Japanese government humane and reasonable and that we expected the statement to be put into effect at an early date independent of any political question, as they declared.
We welcome it as a just and fair measure that the Japanese government made a formal decision on this question. It accords with humanitarian principles and international practice, and will receive the support not only of the peoples of Korea and Japan but also of the fair public opinion of the world.
The formal decision taken by the Japanese government has now made it possible to solve the question of the return home of the Korean compatriots in Japan.
The only thing to be done for putting this decision into practice is to take business ike measures.
Inasmuch as this question is a serious and urgent one of life or death for hundreds of thousands of the Koreans in Japan, we consider it natural and reasonable for this problem to be solved by the direct negotiations between the governments of the two countries irrespective of the lack of diplomatic relations between two countries of Korea and Japan.
To our regret, however, the Japanese government did not take such measures this time.
Under such circumstances, we consider it possible to entrust the Red Cross Societies in the two countries of Korea and Japan with the business like question on the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan.
At the same time, we consider that such influencial organization as the "Society to Help the Korean Nationals in Japan to Return Home ", "Japanese Korean Society," "Japanese Korean Commission For Promoting Trade," "General Federation of Koreans in Japan " and various political parties and social organizations in Japan which are greatly concerned about the realization of question of the return home of Koreans in Japan and have been rendering positive support and encouragement will continue to render aid for its realization.
In fact, the question of the return home of the Koreans in Japan to their fatherland is an urgent problem which cannot be delayed any longer.
Even according to the Japanese papers, today the Korean nationals in Japan are leading the "worst life on the earth."
in a statement published by the press, the authorities of the Japanese Red Cross Society also expressed apprehension over the miserable living conditions the Korean nationals in Japan are facing. It said that "if we
leave them as they are, much sickness, even deaths, may occur."
Hence, we deem that this pressing problem should not be delayed even a day and the return home of the Koreans in Japan to the Republic realized at the earliest date.
This question has enjoyed the active support of the broad public circles including various political parties, social organizations, local self-government organs and press organs since the first day it was raised.
In the meantime, since this question entered the practical stage of settlement the Syngman Rhee clique have been all the more in a frenzy to obstruct it.
Of course, the scandalous outcry of the Syngman Rheeites is absurd and does not deserve any consideration. But we know well that it is by no means an accidental
fit. As a matter of fact, what else could be expected
of Syngman Rhee clique, who are engrossed in the traitorous act of selling the country to the U.S. imperialists, their master?
The traitorous acts of the Syngman Rhee clique are eloquently proved by today's reality of South Korea under the occupation of the U.S. imperialists.
Today South Korea has been turned into the land of poverty, famine and darkness. Millions of unemployed and hundreds of thousands of orphans are wandering about the streets and millions of foodless peasants are roaming about begging for food or seeking jobs.
The U.S. imperialists and Syngman Rhee clique
have gone to the extent of scheming the shameless intrigue to sell the compatriots in South Korea as life time slaves to the capitalists and plantation owners in
Latin American countries, Thailand and the Philippines under the name of "relieving" the unemployed.
Now these scoundrels are in a frenzy to bar our compatriots in Japan from returning to the fatherland to enjoy a worthy life.
What, then, do the Syngman Rhee clique intend to do with the hundreds of thousands of the Korean nationals in Japan who are on the verge of starvation at this very moment?
The Syngman Rhee clique forcibly took to South Korea the compatriots from the Omura Camp in Japan who had stubbornly refused to go to South Korea. They are detained in the South Korean concentration camp and suffering intolerable maltreatment and persecution, to say nothing of being given jobs.
According to the South Korean press reports the majority of them are detained in the concentration camps and all of their belongings have been taken away.
Some people who managed to evade the detention are wandering about the streets in search of a job. But to get a job in South Korea where there are 4,200,000 unemployed is only a dream.
It is not without reason that even the foreign press calls South Korea a "living hell" or "prison"
An article entitled "Situation of 600,000 Korean nationals in Japan " carried in a Japanese magazine Chuo Koron, (December 1958) said that "Even now,
vagrants are ceaselessly coming across the Korean Straits to Japan " and that their number is estimated "at no less then ten thousands every year."
Unable to stand the cruel tyranny of the American imperialists and Syngman Rhee clique, people, in despair, go to Japan where hundreds of thousands of our compatriots are in dire straits and want to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in quest of the means of living.
Therefore, the aforesaid journal wrote that "to people with common sense it is unthinkable that such regime can exist on the earth today," and added, "It is foolish, then, to ask. why they escape from the big prison and come here.
Indeed, it is a heart-rending national tragedy!
Having converted South Korea into a living hell
from which people have to run away, leaving behind their
dear native land, the U.S. imperialists and their running dogs, the Syngman Rhee clique, dare stubbornly oppose even the return home of our compatriots in Japan to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Even beasts
would blush and turn away their faces from such shameless acts.
Therefore, a Japanese newspaper, THE JAPAN TIMES pointed out that the outcry of the Syngman Rhee clique "seems indiscreet and reckless."
If we were to follow the logic of the Syngman Rhee clique, the only conclusion would be that the Korean nationals in Japan who are in dire straits should undergo illtreatment and sufferings and hunger indefinitely in
an alienland.
In other words, the Syngman Rhee clique consider that the Korean nationals in Japan should die of hunger because they are opposed to the Syngman Rheeites.
When we were deprived of a country in the past, there was no one to lie concerned about our compatriots in such distress.
However, today our compatriots in Japan have their fatherland -- the Democratic People's Republic of Korea -- which is greatly concerned about their destiny.
Now when a firm material foundation has already been established in the northern half of the Republic for a worthwhile life for all Koreans who share the same blood of our forefathers, why should our overseas fellow countrymen still suffer such miserable life as in yesteryears which were filled with bitter tears and resentment?
Proceeding from the noble compatriots love and sense of national duty we cannot close our eyes to even a day's prolongation of such plight.
The Korean nationals who desire to return to the warm embrace of the Republic should soon come back to lead a now happy life as honourable citizens of the Republic.
We will never tolerate the traitorous machination of the Syngman Rhee clique to trample down the due rights of our compatriots in Japan.
The Syngman Rhee clique are so impudent as to scheme to obstruct by "intimidation" the seming and "threat" the coming home of our compatriots to their fatherland.
But Syngman Rhee himself is well aware of the
fact that no "ravings" or "threat" can intimidate anyone in the world.
It is quire obvious that there is nothing for the Syngman Rhee clique, who have been rejected by the Korean people, to gain from such plot. They will only reveal all the more openly their traitorous crimes.
The stupid clamours of the Syngman Rhee clique is meeting with sharp rejection and denunciation which are mounting in Japan.
The Japanese daily Asahi Shinbun dated February 12 pointed out that "The opposition of the ROK to the plan for repatriating the Koreans in Japan is not only unreasonable, but also their threats are unjust and intolerable."
There only remains business like questions in the way of realizing the home coming of the Korean nationals in Japan to the D.P.R.K. question which has long been matured.
Needless to say, there may yet be difficulties and obstacles in the way of its realization. And certain circles who do not want to see it realized may create artificial obstacles.
However, no force on earth can hinder the return of our compatriots in Japan.
The solution of the question depends entirely upon the altitude of the Japanese government.
It is our firm belief that if the Japanese government shows sincere efforts and holds a firm stand to put the recent decision into effect, the question will be smoothly solved.
The public opinion of Japan also lays stress on this point.
In this respect, welcoming the recent decision taken by the Japanese government, the Japanese paper Asahi Shinbun wrote that "Every one has a right to choose his residence and this right cannot be denied for any political reasons." The paper continued, "So long as the government decided to repatriate the
Korean nationals in Japan who wish to return to North Korea, it should de its utmost to put the decision into effect."
Indeed, such demand is quite just and natural.
We have already fully prepared to receive our compatriots from Japan at any time and provide them with a stabilized living, 'education of their children and all other necessary conditions after their return home The preparatory work for receiving them with warm fraternal love hes been further done on a wide scale throughout the country.
The Korean people are eagerly awaiting the home coming of our fellow countrymen from Japan. They should come back at the earliest possible date.
We will continue to do everthing in our power till the return home of our compatriots in Japan is realized.
WE RESOLUTELY OPPOSE "SCREENING" 0F KOREAN NATIONALS IN JAPAN(From the Rodong Shinmoon, February 21, 1959)
Today the entire Korean people are paying keen attention to the question of the home coming of the Korean nationals in Japan and the broad public opinion of the world which respects the humanitarian principles is focussing attention on this problem
In fact, the solution of the question of the return home to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea of hundreds of thousands of the Korean nationals in Japan, who are in dire straits and on the verge of starvation, cannot be delayed any longer. The settlement of this question has entered the practical stage.
As already reported, the Japanese government adopted, on February 13, a decision to send back to the D.P.R.K. the Korean nationals in Japan.
In solving the question of the return home of the Koreans in Japan to the D.P.R.K. the only thing left to be done is to take business-like measures.
The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea adopted a decision on February 16 and took concrete measures to receive the home coming Korean nationals in Japan. And it entrusted the Korean Red Cross Society with dealing with business like matters on the return home of the Korean nationals in Japan in concert with the Japanese Red Cross Society.
On the same day, the Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. presented a proposal to the Japanese Red Cross Society to hold at an early date a meeting to discuss business like matters on the realization of the return of the Korean nationals in Japan.
Inasmuch as this question is related to both countries of Korea and Japan and should be solved on humanitarian principles, it should be solved between the governments of the two countries without any political consideration. To our regret, however, the Japanese government did not take such stand.
Accordingly, under such circumstances, the most reasonable way would be for tee business like question on the home coming of the Korean nationals in Japan to be solved between the Red Cross Societies of the two countries.
There is no ground whatever to delay the solution
of business like question between the Red Cross Societies of the two countries and there must be no hindrance.
The question depends upon whether the Japanese authorities will accept the proposal for holding at the earliest possible date a negotiation between the
Red Cross Societies of the to countries and solving the business-like problem through this negotiation for solving returning home the Korean nationals in Japan.
The Korean people as well as the fair public opinion of Japan and the world urge that the Japanese authorities should put the decision into effect without delay. And all are watching every movement of the Japanese authorities,
in the light of the recent acts of the Japanese authorities, it is obvious that they are attempting to create an artificial obstacle to bar the solution of
the question of the home coming of the Koreans in Japan.
According to the press reports from Tokyo, the
Japanese government and Red Cross Society held a meeting on February 18 and decided to demand that the International Committee of the Red Cross Society should "screen" the Korean nationals who wish to be repatriated to the D.P.R.K.
Though it is not the first time that the Japanese authorities expressed such unreasonable demand, the recent naked acts are ridiculous.
There is no ground whatsoever for the Japanese government to "confirm" the will of the Korean nationals who want to return home, unable to stand hardships and finding no way of making a living in Japan.
In face of the fact that many Korean nationals in Japan had openly expressed their desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and actively demanded long ago that their aspirations be realized, it is ridiculours that the Japanese authorities are attempting to "confirm" their mill.
The fact that large numbers of the Korean nationals in Japan are desiring to return to the D.P.R.K. had
been admitted by the Japanese press, resolutions of many Japanese local councils and fair public opinion of the world.
The Foreign Ministry of Japan sent a note to the member states of the United Nations Security Council informing them of the plan for repatriating the Korean nationals in Japan, in which it pointed out that "110,000 people had registered at the General Federation of Koreans in Japan expressing their wish to return to North Korea."
What the Japanese authorities should do was to repatriate those who had clearly expressed their will to return home and not to "confirm" their will which could only mean putting pressure on their free will.
The Korean nationals in Japan are not those who express their will to return to North Korea due to imaginary "intimidation." They are not in such a state.
If the Japanese authorities consider the expression of ardent aspiration of the Korean nationals in Japan
to return to the fatherland as any "intervention" from without, it would be an intolerable personal and national insult to them.
The Japanese government knows well that the Koreans in Japan are in a state of extreme misery and none rights.
In spite of this stern fact, the Japanese side is trying hard to "confirm" the will of the Korean nationals in Japan. who are desirous of returning to their fatherland at the earliest date, It is obvious that they are pursuing another aim.
Indeed, who is it that is putting pressure on the Korean nationals in Japan ?
At the press conference held on February 19,
Han Deuk Soo, Chairman of the General Federation of Koreans in Japan, pointed out that the Japanese police and public security officials put pressure on the Koreans who wanted to return to North Korea.
According to the press reports, secret agents of the Syagman Rhee clique are making threats against the Korean nationals in Japan.
The attempt to "comfirm" the will of the Koreans
in Japan who desire to return to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in defiance of all persecution could only mean putting pressure on their free will.
The argument that "they must confirm the will of the Koreans wishing to repatriate to North Korea " proves the intervention from without on their free
will. And it would be encroachment on the sacred human rights.
In the Declaration on Human Rights which was publicly recognized it was pointed out that every one has the freedom of their conviction and the rights to free expression of their will." The declaration also made it clear that no one has any reason to obstruct this right.
Humanitarian principles are based on the respect of human rights that should not be infringed on. The Japanese side openly stated that it adopted the decision to send back the Korean nationals in Japan to North Korea on this principle.
The only conclusion would be that to "confirm" the will of the Korean nationals in Japan who wish to
return. to the D.P.R.K. runs counter to such humanitarian principle that the Japanese authorities admitted.
It goes without saying that the fundamental task of the Japanese Red Cross Society is to follow humanitarian principles independent of any political consideration.
The Japanese Red Cross Society may as well recall that the question on the return home of the Japanese nationals in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was solved by the concerted efforts of the Red Cross Societies of both countries.
At that time, the Korean Red Cross Society as well as the Japanese Red Cross Society had not proposed to "confirm" the will of the Japanese in Korea wishing to get back to Japan.
It is known to everybody that several millions of people of various countries lives abroad, including the Japanese people, returned to their fatherlands after the World War II, regardless "confirmation" of their will.
No argument can justify the unreasonable stand that the Japanese Red Cross Society persisits in its unjust act.
We do not presume that the International Committee of the Red Cross will take part in such "screening" which infringes on human rights. We resolutely oppose anyone who does such an injustice.
There can be no need to "screen" the citizens of a country who wish to return to their fatherland.
All facts show that the Japanese authorities attempt to throw an artificial obstacle in the way of the return home or to delay their home coming.
The Japanese Government should refrain from acts against international practice and humanism and realize the return home of the Koreans in Japan at the earliest date.
And the Japanese Red Cross Society should solve the business like question at an early date for the return home of the Koreans in Japan with the Korean Red Cross Society.
The Japanese Red Cross side has accepted a proposal put forward by the Red Cross Society of the D.P.R.K. to hold negotiations so as to settle business like questions in connection with the home coming of the Korean nationals in Japan.
It is high time to hold negotiations.
We once pointed out that the Red Cross Socities of both countries should solve the remaining business-like question and such influential organizations as the 'Society to Help the Korean Nationals in Japan to Return Home," "Japanese-Korean Society" "Japanese-Korean Commission for Promoting Trade," "General Federation of Koreans in Japan" as well as other political parties and social organizations in Japan which are greatly concerned about the realization of the return home of the Koreans residing in Japan and have been making every effort to this end will be able to render assistance in its realization.
Such measures will receive the support of the broad public opinion in Japan.
The majority of the Korean nationals in Japan are those who were forcibly taken to Japan by the Japanese aggressive policy in the past,
Today they are suffering from dire poverty and are on the verge of starvation. They ardently wish to return to their fatherland, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, at the earliest possible date.
What the Japanese authorities should do is to repatriate at an early date those who clearly expressed their will to return home, and not to "confirm" their will.
The Japanese authorities should boar the responsibility to the last for repatriating them and not delay the solution of this question.
The Korean people and all the people throughout the world who cannot tolerate the misfortune of the people demand that the Japanese side should send back at the earliest date the Korean citizens residing in Japan to their fatherland --the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.