FACTS ABOUT JAPAN'S ATTAMPT TO DEPORT KOREAN RESIDENTS IN JAPAN TO THE NORTHERN PART OF KOREA

October 26, 1959

1. On December 31, 1957, the Governments of the Republic of Korea and Japan signed agreements on the mutual release and repatriation of detainees held in both countries, the resumption of the Fourth Korea-Japan Overall Talks, and so forth. It was specifically agreed that the problem of Korean residents in Japan would be taken up as an agenda item at the resumed talks in accordance with the "Agreed Minutes."
2. The Fourth Korea-Japan Overall Talks were resumed on April 15, 1958 to deal with various outstanding issues, including the question of the Korean residents in Japan, which was subsequently taken up at THE COMMITTEE ON the Problem of Korean residents in Japan. These talks entered into recess on December 21, 1958.
3. However, on February 13, 1959 when the talks were about to be resumed, the Japanese Government unilaterally decided in direct violation of the Agreements of December 31, 1957 to deport enmasse Korean residents in Japan -- allegedly so desiring -- to the northern part of Korea in an attempt to get rid of as many Korean residents as possible. Despite vigorous protests lodged by the Korean Government, the Japanese Government and the Japan Red Cross (which was to assume the ostentatious responsibility for this political scheme), endeavored to obtain the approval of the International Committee of the Red Cross so as to present a facade of "humanitarianism."
4. When it became apparent that it was unable to obtain the approval of the International Committee of the Red Cross for the deportation scheme, the Japan Red Cross began on April 23, 1959 to conduct direct negotiation in Geneva with the puppet northern Korean "Red Cross." A text of agreement was finally drafted on June 24, 1959.
5. This Japanese action resulted in seriously aggravating the relationship between the Republic of Korea and Japan, thereby endangering the peace of Northeast Asia. In order to avert this danger, the Korean Government proposed on July 30, 1959 for the unconditional resumption of the Fourth Korea- Japan Overall Talks, which had been unable to convene due to Japan's insistence on the deportation scheme. In making this proposal, the Korean Government was of the opinion that it could ease the tension between Korea and Japan and create a favorable atmosphere for the overall settlement of various outstanding issues between the two countries by taking up for settlement once and for all the Korean residents' issue which had directly caused that tension.
6. While accepting the Korean proposal for the unconditional resumption of the Korea-Japan talks, the Japanese Government and Red Cross demonstrated on the other hand their determination to go ahead with the deportation scheme by formally signing the deportation agreement with the puppet northern Korean "Red Cross" at Calcutta, India, on August 13, 1959.
7. As a result of the Korean proposal, the Korea-Japan talks were resumed on August 12, 1959. It was agreed between the two delegations that the problem of Korean residents in Japan was to be discussed with priority over other issues. Consequently, THE COMMITTEE ON the Problem of Korean Residents held several meetings in which, however, little substantial progress could be made due to the ambiguous attitude on the part of the Japanese side. The Korean Government, prompted by an earnest desire to expedite the solution to this problem, made it clear that it was prepared to receive, or even encourage, mass repatriation of Korean residents in Japan to the Republic of Korea if and when the Japanese Government met two conditions -- (a) compensation to the Korean residents for their forced immigration and labor in the past; and (b) no limitation to their taking away properties when returning to the Republic of Korea.
8. Notwithstanding these sincere and patient efforts on the part of the Korean Government, the Japanese Government and Red Cross continued to proceed with their deportation scheme. On September 3, 1959, the Japan Red Cross released the so-called "Repatriation Guide Book " under the "advice" from the International Committee of the Red Cross, with a view to implementing the deportation agreement.
Dr. Marcel Junod, Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and a team of its staff arrived in Japan on August 23, 1959 to participate in the plan.
9. On September 21, 1959, the Japan Red Cross began to receive applications from Koreans desiring "repatriation" to the northern part of Korea at 3,655 ward offices set up all over Japan. It was known that in the first five days, some 180 Koreans applied for "repatriation." However, about 20 of them subsequently withdrew their applications.
10. In the meantime the Korean Communist elements in Japan, organized into so-called "General Federation of Korean Residents," demanded the Japanese Government and Red Cross for revision of the so-called "Guide Book " so as to make it more palatable and to disguise the fact that most of those who allegedly had expressed their desire to proceed to the northern part of Korea were deluded, intimidated or bribed into doing so.
The Japan Red Cross yielded to this demand by revising two points in the contents of the "Guide Book," namely, 1) that minors under 16 years of age were not required to appear in person to register; 2) that applicants were not required to write down their permanent domicile in the application forms.
The Communists still demand further revision of such points as; ban on meeting of prospective "returnees" with outsiders on route to Niigata, the embarkation port, and at the Niigata centre; reconfirmation of "free will" at the Niigata centre; ban on the use of puppet flag, etc. By these demands and in compliance therewith, the Korean Communists and Japanese once again revealed their unscrupulous political purpose in undertaking the deportation scheme.
11. All patriotic Koreans in Japan stood up resolutely against the deportation scheme, For instance, patriotic Koreans numbering 52 even risked their lives by staging a hunger strike from September 21 to 26. However, the Japanese Government and Red Cross contrary to their assertions for "humanitarianism," did riot show even a taken of concern for these strikers. Mr. Tai Ha Yiu, Korean Ambassador in Japan, seriously concerned over their feeble health, strongly persuaded them to suspend the strike, and they reluctantly agreed to a temporary suspension. Some 500 Korean detainees at the Omura Camp also staged a hunger strike during September 26 to 27, demanding the withdrawal of the deportation scheme. About 300 detainees resumed their hunger strike on September 30. Also some 300 female Korean detainees staged a demonstration on September 28 to oppose deportation.
12. The Korean Communist elements in Japan, realizing that they are unable to force the Japanese Government and Red Cross to accept all of their demands, finally resorted to violence to enforce the deportation scheme. A leader of the Association of Korean Residents in Japan was assaulted on September 24 by some forty Communists. There are signs of threat or use of force by the Communists.
13. The northern Korean puppet Red Cross formally requested the President of the Japan Red Cross on September 30 to withdraw as a whole the so-called guide book claiming that it was in violation of the so-called repatriation agreement. The puppet northern Korea "Red Cross" further cabled JRC an October 10 charging that the provisions calling for "verification of free will" of Koreans who are allegedly desirous of goins to the northern part of Korea violated the "repatriation" agreement.
To these Communist charge, Japan superficially announced on several occasions that the provisions of the guide book did not violate the "repatriation" agreement. However, as stated by Mr. Aiichiro Fujiyama, Japanese Foreign Minister, at a session of the Foreign Affairs Committee on October 7,
Japan is on the move to make flexible (arbitrary) interpretation of the provisions of the "guide book" in the actual implementation of the deportations.
It is apparent that Japan is now trying to avoid open clashes with the Communists in the guide book issue by making "flexible interpretation" which is tantamount to nullifying the "Red Cross" principles that Japan has supposedly avowed to have integrated in the guide book.
14. In support of Communist cause, Japan's Socialist Party, in collaboration with some of her Government Party, is actively playing a role of "intermediary" between JRC and the "General Federation of Korean Residents in Japan" to persuade the former to "virtually revise" the contents of the guide book. as demanded by "General Federation of Korean residents in Japan." This is another clear cut evidence that the Japanese and the puppet northern Korean Communists are still engaged in political dealings in human beings in violation of the so-called humanitarian principles which Japanese pretended to uphold.
15, On October 14, JRC sent cable to the puppet northern Korean Red Cross to send "repatriation" ship to Niigata by November 11. Japan is will" at swiftly moving headlong to deport as many Koreans as possible while she is discussing the questions regarding the Korean residents in Japan at the Korea-Japan talks,
16. Japan finally improvised so-called practical procedures instead of formally changing the provisions of the "guide book" themselves. The so-called practical procedures include provisions such as interviews to confirm so-called "free will" at Niigata will be held not individually but on a group basis (such as family unit) etc. Thus, Japan embarked upon to enforce its deportation plot even by virtually nullifying the provisions of the "guide book" which it said on several occasions it would not change.
17. Japan has how thrown aside its facade of "humanitairan" principles out of its political desire to execute the deportation scheme as contemplated. According to latest information, as a result of mediation by the Japan Socialist Party, etc., a politioal bargain has substantially been achieved between the Japanese Government and Red Cross and Korean Communists, whereby the provisions at issue in the "Guide Book" particularly on confirmation of "free will," would be emasculated to a nonsensical point. The mediation plan is said to include three points: (1) that at the time of registration, there will be no screening, questioning, or investigation; (2) that sending off and visiting by friends and relatives are free in principle; and (3) that at the open office at Niigata, the would-be "returnees" will be simply asked whether they know the meaning of "freedom of choice of destination."
By this formula, the "Guide Book" will be superseded by a "Handbook for Repatriation" to be issued in the name of "JRC Committee for Repatriation Windows," which will contain the above three points. The Japanese and Korean Communists are said to be expestant the first "repatriation" ship will be able to sail around December 10,
18. In spite of all these facts, the Korean Government is still patiently watching whether the Government of Japan is really sincere enough to settle pending problems with the Republic of Korea including problems regarding Korean residents in Japan. It is the view of this Government that if the Japanese Government were to be interested in settling issues with the Republic of Korea, it should naturally desist from disposing of the problems on the Korean residents in Japan including the deportation issue.
The Korean Government hardly understand why the Japanese Government and Red Cross have made and are making the repeated concessions to the Korean Communist demand of purely political nature if Japan really support the cause of free nations of the world.