The Northeast Asia Department at the Japanese Foreign Ministry reports on the Korea question at the UN, inter-Korean relations, and political developments inside of the two Koreas.

Update on UNCURK committee meetings, 19th preliminary Red Cross negotiations, ROK statement on preconditions for Korean settlement, and expedition of Japan-DPRK trade relationship.

Update concerning the defense of Seoul, 15th preliminary Red Cross negotiations, and Japan's apparent establishment of links with North Korea and its emissary to North Korea for personal and economic exchanges.

Updates on the intensification of military tension, Park Chung Hee's commitment to war preparations through heavy and chemical industries, hypothesis on Japan's view on the Korean question, and Park's support of Red Cross talks.

Ozbudun sends Narasimhan a letter on Mr. Marshall Green's visit to the ROK, the doubling of Japan-DPRK trade during 1972, ROK-DPRK Red Cross talks: 3th working committee meeting, and USSR-DPRK contacts.

Ozbudun sends Narasimhan a letter on the 19th ROK-DPRK Red Cross preliminary meeting, the first session of the Commission for 1972, a briefing for UNCURK, Japan-DPRK trade and other "relations", and statement of the ROK Foreign Minister on pre-conditions towards a Korean settlement.

Ozbudun sends Narasimhan a report concerning the 17th preliminary meeting of the ROK and the DPRK Red Cross organizations, points of concession indicated at the 17th preliminary meeting of the North-South Red Cross organizations, the interview of Premier Kim Il Sung, and "Japan-DPRK trade agreement," etc.