February 15, 1960

No.89
Your Excellency,
On the 13th, I received a copy of a letter from ICRC to the president of our National Red Cross. In the letter, ICRC stated that
'There is not even the beginning of a solution to the problem of collective return to the Republic of Korea..... we would, however, welcome any development that would give the whole operation a balance....which is still lacking.'
Today I again had talks with ICRC on the subject and I said that we are now discussing with the Japanese Government on the issue of repatriation of our residents in Japan to the Republic of Korea. However, because of the Japanese scheme to deport our people to the Communist regime, we have great difficulty in dealing with them. The Japanese do not show any sincere attitude and take an adamant attitude towards us, believing that they would successfully dispel our people from Japan to the Communist regime with the assistance of ICRC.
If ICRC now realize that the operation is unbalanced because of disagreement between the Republic of Korea and Japan on the rapatriation issue, as mentioned in the letter, it should withdraw from Japan and avoid giving prejudice to our negotiation with Japan. I added that when Dr. Junod went to Japan, he established the so-called principle of free choice of residence; namely, to remain in Japan, to return to the Republic of Korea or to go to the Communist regime. However the registration has been tightly controlled by the Communist league in Japan and it became clear that no such free choice was over made in the 'registration'.
He said that the committee will review the situation and make a decision in this regard. The decision, according to him, will depend much on the development of the situation. He hinted that ICRC would not necessarily stay in Japan until the termination of the 'repatriation' and that it will not maintain indefinitely its delegation in Japan.
Still, there is no definite sign that they will soon withdraw from Japan, but it seems that our persistant representations have at least made them think twice, though they were already involved in the Japanese scheme.
In this connection I recommended the Government by cable to advise the Korean National Red Cross once again to send a letter to ICRC, stressing that the deportation prejudices any success of our diplomatic negotiation with the Japanese.
Of course, I will continue to make a representation in this rogard and am doing my best,

With sentiments of loyalty and esteem,

I remain,

Your Excellency's obedient servant,