Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Japan; Korea, Volume XVIII

142. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, January 19, 1960, 3:30–5:30 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Problems Relating to the Republic of Korea

PARTICIPANTS

• [Here follows the same list as Document 139.]

The Prime Minister expressed the appreciation of the Japanese Government for the understanding and efforts on the part of the U.S. in the course of its very difficult talks with the Republic of Korea. He also expressed appreciation for the U.S. attitude toward the repatriation of Koreans to north Korea. He said that the Japanese Government recognized that the present state of relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea is unfortunate not only for both countries but for the free world as a whole. As a result, the Japanese Government is continuing its negotiations with the Republic of Korea despite the difficulties involved. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the U.S. would continue to help and cooperate in steering the talks between Japan and the Republic of Korea to constructive channels. Secretary Herter expressed appreciation for the restrained manner in which Japan has been handling its negotiations with the Republic of Korea, particularly in view of the difficulties involved. He mentioned that the Department had received a telegram from Seoul¹ setting forth a request of the Korean Government that we ask the Prime Minister to stop further repatriation to north Korea. The U.S., however, intends to maintain its past position on the repatriation issue. The Secretary stressed that the U.S. continues to support the principle of voluntary repatriation to any part of Korea.

Foreign Minister Fujiyama mentioned that in past sessions of the UN General Assembly the U.S. has advocated admission to the UN of the Republic of Korea and of Viet Nam. He inquired regarding the reasons for not requesting the admission of these countries at the 1959 session of the UN General Assembly. Secretary Herter replied that our reasons were in the main pragmatic. He said that we considered that there was no prospect for the UN admitting those countries last year and that another rebuff would hurt the prestige of both countries. Mr. Parsons added that we had taken care in the speeches made by U.S. representatives at the Assembly to point out that the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam are both qualified for membership. However, at the 1959 Assembly, we did not have a situation parallel to the one faced at previous sessions where opportunities were afforded to seek the admission of both countries. He said that the U.S. had decided that fruitless debate on this issue would do more harm than good and therefore we would wait until an appropriate occasion arose. The Secretary said that the application of the Cameroons for early admission to the UN might afford such an occasion to raise the question of the admission of the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam to the UN and we were now studying this possibility. In any event, there would be other, and perhaps more appropriate, occasions this year in connection with prospective membership applications.

0. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1584. Confidential. Drafted by Sneider and approved in S. See also Documents 139–141 and 143–146.
1. Telegram 515 from Seoul, January 18, in which Ambassador McConaughy reported that the Korean Foreign Ministry asked him to urge the U.S. Government to prevail upon the Japanese Government during Kishi’s visit to Washington “to suspend further shipment Korean nationals to North Korea.” (Department of State, Central Files, 294.9522/1–1860)