Records of the Office of the Political Adviser in Japan, Lot 57–F103, 800 Korea: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Benninghoff) to the Acting Political Adviser in Japan (Atcheson)91
Tfgcg 108. On October 5th Major General Arnold, Military Governor, appointed an Advisory Council composed of 11 carefully chosen prominent Koreans including educators, lawyers, business men, “patriots” as well as the leaders of the two leading political groups (Left Wing or Radical and Conservative). General Arnold told them that they were selected to give him advice on Korean matters on an honest non-partisan basis, having in mind only the good of the country and not personal or party gain. The 11 men accepted: appointment on that basis and in secret session chose one of their number, Kig [Kim] Sung Soo by name, to act as chairman.
The purpose of the Council, aside from giving advice, is to build up in the consciousness of the Koreans the feeling that they are beginning to participate in their government. In order to accomplish this a carefully planned publicity campaign designed to give the Council “Face” will be necessary. So far the public announcements concerning the creation of the Council have not received much public reaction or comment in the press, perhaps because of similar council under Japanese auspices (recently dissolved) was regarded as a gathering of collaborationists. It is also not impossible that both political elements are lukewarm toward the Council because in giving it active support they would be weakening their own “Provisional Governments” and similar bodies which have been or are being formed.
In this connection the most prominent Korean newspaper published on October 5th an alleged interview with a prominent member of the Left-Wing “Korean Peoples Republic” in which a national election was promised for March 1st, 1946. There have been a number of other occasions when people with political aspirations have issued pronouncements or assumed authority with no basis other than that they represented some “Government”. On October 9th General Arnold accordingly instructed all papers to publish a statement to the effect that the Military Government was the sole authority South of the 38th parallel and calling on the Korean people to use their moral influence to put a stop to the irresponsible actions of foolish or venal people. The statement carried a clear implication that force would be used if necessary to put a stop to activities maliciously designed to disturb peace and order.
- Marginal notation: “Apparently not sent to Washington.”↩