248. Telegram From the Embassy in Japan to the Department of State 1
848. Herter–Richards trip.2 From Herter. Brief stay Seoul3 developed several interesting points. In morning call on President Rhee found him reasonably alert and generally agreeable frame of mind. During dinner with him in evening found him quite apathetic with mind apparently wandering from time to time. I am told this situation becoming more acute and all official appointments with Rhee now being made for morning sessions. Unfortunately single-man government still continuing with, I believe, substantial loss of confidence by public resulting.
Visit with Vice President which Foreign Office refused to arrange but which Ambassador had arranged for us provided most interesting conversation. Vice President extremely outspoken in his criticism of present government basing criticisms on three major points: (1) Dictatorial form of government; (2) Greatly excessive number of local police who being used essentially for political purposes and to intimidate population; (3) Widespread corruption throughout government due in part to gross under-payment government officials and army personnel and in part to officials of party controlling not only patronage but every type commercial licenses or opportunity for private initiative. Vice President stated that to date his party had confined itself to criticism specific acts of administration but had prepared memorandum copy of which he gave to Ambassador and myself confidentially outlining constructive program. This he expected to have approved by party leadership and to publish in few days. Have made complete report of conversation with the supporting documents4 but quick study of program indicates mature thoughtfulness and excellent constructive items both domestic and international. Program essentially conservative. I am having [Page 512] to confess to Richards that while I thought it would never happen I find myself in sympathy with Democratic Party (Korean, of course). Vice President laid great stress on corruption and gross irregularities in elections and feared same would recur next May when elections for Assembly held unless present Assembly, which apparently somewhat ashamed of boldness of government practices, enacts safeguarding legislation.
Stay in Korea included visit to front and discussions with General Decker. Latter gives me impression of being excellent officer with flexible mind and disposed cooperate fully with Ambassador Dowling. In general situation Seoul has many characteristics situation Formosa with morale army still good, but real danger deteriorating picture.
Question of reduction of forces discussed freely with Minister of Defense, Ambassador and General Decker. Latter personally convinced 21 instead of present 23 divisions essential for defense purposes but is now exploring with Korean defense authorities possibly reducing size Korean divisions rather than deactivating whole divisional units. Believe key to situation lies in making available for American divisions some [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] such as 280 mm. guns and Long John units on which no decision yet reached in Washington.
Perhaps most discouraging part of picture is wastage American funds because unrealistic exchange rate and widespread frittering away available dollars through corrupt practices but feel coming activities of Democratic Party while they may not overturn government may well force some necessary internal reforms. Strength Democratic Party not great in National Assembly, but its importance evidenced by fact that Municipal Council of Seoul has 40 Democratic members to 12 Liberals and I am told proportion almost equally great Municipal Councils other cities Korea.
Now enroute Tokyo with Ambassador MacArthur who came to meet us Seoul. All send you best wishes.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.12–HE/9–1857. Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution.↩
- Under Secretary of State Herter and Ambassador James P. Richards visited several Asian countries during a trip undertaken primarily to attend the independence ceremonies in Malaya on August 31. In addition to Malaya and Korea, Herter and Richards visited the Philippines, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Republic of China, and Japan during a one-month period from August 23 to September 22. Documentation on the Herter–Richards trip is ibid., 110.12–HE.↩
- The Under Secretary and his party arrived in Seoul on the afternoon of September 16 and departed for Tokyo on the morning of September 18. A more complete report on the visit is in despatch 229 from Seoul, September 30. (Ibid., 110.12–HE/9– 3057)↩
- A memorandum of Herter’s conversation with Chang Myon on September 17, with an attached copy of the memorandum given to Herter by Chang, is in despatch 341 from Seoul, September 30. (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181, CF 902)↩