288. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Hyland) to President Ford, Washington, September 5, 1976.1 2

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

September 5, 1976

MEMORANDUM FOR: THE PRESIDENT
FROM: WILLIAM G. HYLAND [WGH initialed]

SUBJECT: Revision of the Korean DMZ Agreement

It is virtually certain that we will sign a new agreement tomorrow morning with the North Koreans, establishing new regulations for the Joint Security Area where the August 18 incident occurred.

Following the murder of two American Officers in the DMZ and the firm U.S. response, the dispute was referred, at our insistence, to the U.N. Armistice Commission (MAC). At the first meeting, the North Koreans, speaking for Kim Il-sung, expressed “regret” that the incident had taken place and proposed that the Secretaries of the MAC meet to consider changes in the Agreement governing security of each side’s forces in the Joint Security Area (JSA).

We agreed and meetings have taken place between the Secretaries of both sides over the past two weeks. As the talks have progressed the North Koreans have conceded several changes to our benefit and final agreement has been reached on a modification to be signed and published jointly tomorrow morning. It provides that the military of both sides will be restricted to their respective sides of the Military Demarcation Line and will not cross into the territory of the other; that neither side will construct barriers or any other obstacle to the vision or right of way in the territory of the other; the security of each other’s personnel will be guaranteed; and that the North Koreans will remove existing guard posts (4) on the United Nations side in the JSA.

[Page 2]

This should bring the incident to a close on very favorable terms. What started as a probable attempt by the North Koreans to enhance their position at the Non-Aligned Conference then in session in Colombo, has ended — due to the firmness of the U.S. response — in a clear setback to North Korea’s international image, as well as a loss of “face” in the Far East.

After publication of the new Agreement on Monday, which will come into effect in ten days, we will gradually return U.S. forces to their former status, going to DEFCON 4 on Monday and commencing the partial withdrawal of the two fighter squadrons (F-4s and F-llls), the following week. We will also withdraw the Midway, after a port visit to Pusan, although we will continue with monthly B-52 training flights.

In sum, our demands have been met; the Koreans expressed regret (the closest they will come to an outright apology); they have agreed to guarantee the safety of our personnel, and have unilaterally withdrawn their four guard posts from the zone.

  1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for East Asia and the Pacific, Box 10, Korea (19). Confidential. Ford initialed the first page of the memorandum.
  2. Hyland informed Ford of a revision to the Korean DMZ agreement.