The Treaty on Basic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Japan was signed as a result of Korea-Japan talks from October 1951 to June 1965. Article 2 of the Korea- Japan Basic Treaty stipulates the so-called “Article Related to the Former Treaties and Agreements.” A compromise was adopted with the term, “already null and void.” As regards this expression, Japan asserts that the period of Japanese occupation was once valid, while Korea maintains that it has been “fundamentally null and void.” So, the meaning does not change even if ‘already’ is inserted in the beginning. Korean cultural properties taken away to Japan during the period of Japanese occupation should all be returned to Korea, but Japan evaded the expression, ‘return’ until Korea referred to the term, ‘turn over’ as an intermediate expression between ‘return’ and ‘donation.’ The author believes that the more both sides mutually communicate with each other for universal value, the earlier they arrive at the final resolution for these issues under international law and justice.

1. Introduction
 2. Article 2 of the Korea-Japan Basic Treaty and theReturn of Cultural Property: A Dispute
 3. Japan’s Position over Its Occupation of Korea andthe Cultural Properties
 4. ‘Return’ or ‘Donation’? What Does ‘Turn Over’ Mean?
 5. Return of Korean Cultural Properties in Japan
 6. Settlement of Article 2 of the Korea-Japan BasicTreaty and Agreement on Cultural Properties
  A. Initial signing of the basic treaty in February 1965
  B. Negotiation for the Return of Korean Cultural Properties
 7. Conclusion

• Yuji Hosaka(Professor at Sejong University)