795.00/6–2950: Telegram
The Chargé in Korea (Drumright) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received June 29—9:50 a. m.]
Unnumbered. Ambassador Muccio accompanied by President Rhee flew in from Taejon to Suwon this morning to confer with General MacArthur and his staff who flew in from Tokyo.1 After briefing at [Page 228] which Rhee and his Chief of Staff present, MacArthur drove up Seoul road to vicinity Han River where he surveyed critical situation. Following return Suwon he conferred privately with Ambassador and Rhee. Later Ambassador and Rhee returned Taejon by car.
As result of trip it understood MacArthur arrived at certain momentous decisions which he will no doubt communicate Washington.
War activities. Today dominated by air actions. In addition many strikes at enemy positions, a steady stream of supplies arrived from Japan. Artillery fire from enemy positions main activity Han River front. Threat to Korean left wing appears developing Kimpo area where enemy advancing south with estimated 1500 men. Eight Division defenses east coast area appear deteriorating. Estimated 60 percent First Division which encircled Munsan area attempting break through enemy lines and cross Han River to join friendly forces. Sixth Division continues hold well south of Chunchon. Most significant Korean activity today is regrouping of stragglers. Within day or two ROK should be able throw 25,000 men into Han River defenses. However, their fire power limited by small arms. Situation on the Han front remains critical and even with air and other support US now supplying, it highly doubtful whether sustained attempt to cross river can be thwarted.2
Koreans enormously heartened by MacArthur’s visit and there is little improvement if at all. Thousands of refugees continue stream south from Seoul.
- General MacArthur had arrived in Korea at approximately 10 a. m. on June 29 (Korean time) and remained until approximately 6 p. m.; see Appleman, South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu, pp. 44–45. General MacArthur had decided to fly to Korea following General Church’s report that U.S. ground troops would be needed to restore the boundary at the 38th parallel; see footnote 2 to unnumbered telegram from Suwon received at 9:33 p. m. on June 27, p. 210.↩
- At 6:48 a. m. (EDT), a teletype conference had been held with HQ, FEC in Tokyo by officers of G–2 in Washington along with officials of the Department of State and other agencies (DA TT–3437). At that time, FEC estimated that the ROK army had suffered 50 percent casualties, killed, wounded, and missing (Korean Conflict).↩