Tokyo, October 15, 1058

THE GIST OF TALKS FIFTEENTH SESSION THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON VESSELS, COMMITTEE ON KOREAN CLAIMS
1. Time and Place:
03:00 p.m. - 04:20 p.m., on October 14, 1958, at Room 411 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japanese Goverment
2. Conferees:
Korean side:
Mr. CHOI, Kyu Hah
Mr. CHEE, Chul Keun
Mr. CHIN. Pil Shik
Mr. MOON, Chul Soon
Mr. OHM, Young Dal
Mr. LEE, Won Ho
Japanese side:
Mr. Katsuo AWASAWA
Mr. Tokichi, TAKANO
Mr. Handa Go
Mr. Kiyoshi SUGANUMA
Mr. Shiro KATSUO
Mr. Minao TSUCHIYA
3. The Dist of Talks:
Mr. Choi:
Let us open today's meeting now. Chief member of the Korean delegation to this Sub-committee Mr. LEE is now back in Korea. So, at this session, will represent the Korean side as an alternate chief member.
Mr. Awasawa:
When will Mr. Lee come back ?
Mr. Choi:
I think he will come back in a week or so. I was absent from the last meeting of this Sub-committee. I had a chance to look into the record on the proceeding of the last meeting. I wonder if the Japanese side has any good idea for settling the problem of adopting agenda items and starting our discussions on substantial matter at the earliest possible date.
Mr. Awasawa:
I was absent, too, as I was summoned by the Diet. I heard that the Japanese side made a proposal concerning the adoption of agenda items. So, I would like to hear the view of the Korean side here.
Mr. Choi:
With a view to expediting discussions and to clarify the contents of the Japanese proposal which was put forward at the last meeting to which Mr. Awasawa referred just now, I hope that the Japanese side will repeat the proposal.
Mr. Takano:
The Japanese proposal in question is as follows: First, as there has been a disagreement on the wording of agenda item D, this Sub-committee enters into substantial discussions without deciding now upon the wording of the said agenda item; or, secondly, the wording, adopted on November 6, 1951,be applied to all the four agenda items; or, thirdly, (it may be taken as a variation of the first idea,) the wording of the agenda item D be decided at a drafting group.
Mr. Choi:
In order to clarify my understanding on the Japanese proposal, I will repeat the ideas you have just mentioned. According to Mr. Takano, regarding the wording of agenda item D, the idea of the Japanese proposal is that as there continued some controversies on the adoption of agenda items, this Sub-committee enters into substantial discussions without deciding the wording now. Idea II of the proposal is that the wording, adopted on November 6, 1951, be applied to all the four agenda items and starts discussions from agenda item A. Lastly, Idea III of the proposal is that, as the matter on the wording of agenda item D has not been decided yet, the problem of the wording be referred to a drafting committee. I wonder if my hearing in connection with the Japanese proposal is correct.
Mr. Takano:
Generally speaking, your understanding on the proposal is almost same as the ideas which the Japanese side envisaged. However, let me say a word in connection with your understanding in this, regard. As to idea I, I have noting to say about. As to idea II, I just stated that the wording, adopted on November 6, 1951, be applied to all four items, but I did not say that we would start discussions from agenda item A. And concerning idea III, the words, a drafting committee, may sound a little bit big. We may replace them with "drafting group" or the like, instead of "committee".
Mr. Choi:
Am far as the general ideas are concerned, I think, the contents of Mr. Takano's explanation are identical with the contents of my repetition of your remarks. Am I wrong ?
Mr. Awasawa:
I think you are right.
Mr. Choi:
If my memory is correct, there have been various causes of delay in the proceeding of this Sub-committee since the resumption of the Overall Talks and of the talks here. However, the difference of opinions and difficulties were mainly aroused from the arguments in connection with the agenda item D. Therefore, I think, when we settle the problem on the agenda items, there will be no objection on both sides to entering into substantial discussions at an earliest possible date. To supplement my remarks which I made just now, I would like to recollect that, at the fourth session which was held on June 21, 1958, Mr. Awasawa stated that the Japanese side would report to its high level on the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels" and that, unless otherwise decided by the high levels of both sides, it will not take up the matter at this Sub-committee. I further recall that, at the fifth session of this Sub-committee which was held on June 27 1958, the Korean side stated that it took note of the above Japanese remarks on the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels". As I have recollected my memory in connection with the problem of the so-called "141 fishing vessels", I think that the Japanese position in this regard remains unchanged.
Mr. Awasawa:
The position of the Japanese side has not changed in that regard.
Mr. Choi:
Let us put your remarks on record.
Now, I believe that, if both sides reach an understanding on the question on the agenda, it will be taken for granted that both sides will enter into substantial discussions from agenda item A, isn't it ?
Mr. Awasawa:
Generally speaking, your belief is right. However, in the Japanese proposal, the Japanese side did not say anything about the order of discussions.
Mr. Choi:
My delegation has expressed sincere desire to settle the outstanding problems on vessels with its counterpart, namely, the Japanese side. The Korean delegation believes that substantial progress at this Sub-committee will contribute much to the smooth proceeding of other Committees. I am sure that the Japanese delegation whares the views of the Korean delegation. From that stand point, the Korean delegation will not raise objection if the Japanese side has no objection to such a way that this Sub-committee will proceed with the same agenda items as adopted on November 6, 1951, and that the Sub-committee will start substantial discussions from agenda item A.
Mr. Awasawa:
As the members of my delegation seem to have opinions in connection with your remarks, will you allow the Japanese side to withdrew from this room for about ten minutes to have a meeting among members of the Japanese delegation ?
Mr. Choi:
Yes.
Mr. Awasawa:
Thank you. (Members of the Japanese delegation withdrew from the conference room and thus, the meeting went into recession for about ten minutes).
Mr. Awasawa:
(After members of the Japanese delegation entered the Conference Room) The Japanese side does not have any objection to the way that this Sub-committee will proceed with the same agenda items as adoped on November 6, 1951, and will start substantial discussions from agenda item A.
Mr. Choi:
If so, I would like to make a brief remark.
Mr. Awasawa:
I think we may as well adjourn today's meeting at this point, inasmuch as we made a progress at today's meeting.
Mr. Choi:
Well, I will make some remarks before adjourning today's meeting.
(Thus, Mr. Choi made his remarks as follows:)
Inasmuch as it has been agreed that this Sub-committee will proceed with the same agenda items as adopted on November 6, 1951 and will start substantial discussions from agenda item A, the Korean side would like to enter into the discussions from agenda item A, in other words, the matter concerning the return to Korea of the vessels of Korean registry. In this regard I request the Japanese side to sbmit to this Sub-committee a full list of the vessels which come under Agenda item A, namely the list of the vessels of Korean registry, so as to enable this Sub-committee to effectively enter into substantial discussions on the problem related with agenda item A.
Mr. Awasawa:
You mean that the Japanese sids makes the list of vessels of Korean registry ? Doesn't it sound funny ?
Mr. Choi:
I think your delegation knows very well about the vessels coming under this category.
Mr. Awasawa:
Well, then, my delegation will study on your request, and will answer later, and I hope today's meeting is adjourned now.
Mr. Choi:
Then, when do you suggest for the next meeting?
Mr. Awasawa:
At 3:00 p.m. next Tuesday, October 21, 1958.
Mr. Choi:
Will it be difficult for the Japanese side to hold next meeting sometime earlier than next Tuesday?
Mr. Awasawa:
I think next Tuesday is still better.
Mr. Choi:
Then, I will accept next Tuesday for our next meeting. Do you have any idea on press release?
Mr. Awasawa:
Let us leave it to Mr. Chin and Mr. Suganuma as we did before.
Mr. Choi:
That will be all right.
(Joint press release: As a result of the exchange of general views on vessels problem, both sides have agreed to enter into substantial discussions.)

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