(Record No.7)
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTE ON VESSELS
The 13th meeting of the "Committee on Vessels" was held on 28 of November 1951 at the Japanese Ministry of Transportation.
The Korean Committee member stated that the Japanese side would combine all their question relating to the explanation on agenda (b) to be submitted inclusively in one time and the Korean side will answer on the same basis for the purpose of expediting the progress of the conference.
The explanation given by the Korean side is as follow:
The foundation of the request for return of vessels covered in agenda (b) is plain and simple. The vessels located in Korean waters on or since 9 August 1945, which were owned or controlled by Japan and the Japanese nationals including juridical persons, were vested in and owned by the Military Government of Korea, as of 25th of September 1945, under the terms of the Military Government Ordinance Number 33, entitled "Vesting Title to Property, within Korea". The "Initial Financial and Property Settlement between the Republic of Korea and the United States" dated 11 September 1948 stipulated the transfer of the ownership of the above vessels from the United States Government to the Government of Republic of Korea. It is therefore clear that the vessels owned or controlled by Japan and the Japanese nationals including juridical persons that were in Korean waters on or since 9 August 1945 are the property of the Korean Government, and we request their immediate return.
The Japanese side stated that they would present their questions on agenda (b) at the next meeting, resering the right for additional questions, if necessary.
Japans:
N. Kameyama
Korea:
Duck C. Moon