895.01/328: Telegram
The Ambassador in China ( Gauss ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:38 p.m.]
647. As Korean representative here had previously indicated to Embassy Chinese authorities would not permit Koreans to send representatives abroad, I took up informally with Foreign Minister2 April 4 and 12 matter of proposed visit of five Koreans to United States [Page 1291] (Department’s 396, March 28, 3 p.m.). He states Chinese Government has no objection to proposed visit and that Gmo,3 whom he consulted, expressed hope Koreans would go as such visit would develop interest in Far Eastern situation and in promise Korean independence.
United States Army authorities are indifferent to matter but have no objection to trip, indicating they would be governed by Embassy’s recommendations.
David Young (Young So Buck), who states he is member of Korean Independence Party, called at Embassy April 7 to show two telegrams March 27 and 28 from Syngman Rhee to Tjo So-wang (Provisional Government Foreign Minister) regarding proposed visit and to give list of following Koreans who will compose group for trip: Tjo So-wang, David Young, Choi Sojung (Mrs. David Young), Lim Yitack and Colonel Choy Yongduck (said to be head of Korean Army but not known to Embassy). First four are said by Young to be members of Independence Party while political affiliation of Colonel Choy not known. Mr. and Mrs. Young wish to take two children, four and six.
Korean Congress, which began session October 9 last year (Embassy’s despatch 1815, November 154), still meeting with deadlock in vote said to have been reached on Cabinet changes and revision of Provisional Constitution to allow for more representative Congress. National Revolutionary [Party] reportedly supported by younger members Independence Party but changes blocked by older members latter group.
In view apparent continued lack of unity and seeming intention Independence Party to monopolize selection of group for proposed visit as representatives Provisional Government, it might be desirable to suggest inclusion in group of Revolutionary Party members. Members both parties reluctant to discuss Congress meetings since information proposed visit as [has?] reached them. Independence Party member Congress March 25 was bitterly critical of his party as responsible for deadlock and expressed belief situation had reached impasse but Kim Kiu-sik (Revolutionary Party head and Provisional Government Minister) stated April 6 there was hope of reaching some compromise agreement on differences between two parties, thus giving possible indication of Korean reaction to news of proposed trip.
[For memorandum of April 18, 1944, giving the views of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs on “The Status of Korea”, see page 1232. For policy planning papers PWC 124a, 125, and 126 submitted to the War Department on May 15, 1944, dealing with the establishment of a provisional government in Korea and with the composition of forces and the utilization of Japanese technical personnel during occupation of Korea and under a military government, see pages 1239, 1224 and 1228.]
- T. V. Soong.↩
- Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, President of the National Government of the Republic of China.↩
- Not printed; it reported that the Korean National Revolutionary Party had demanded equal representation in the Cabinet with the Korean Independence Party and revision of the provisional constitution to allow election of Congressional delegates at large by all Koreans in free China rather than proportional representation of all Korean provinces (895.01/300).↩