Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, The British Commonwealth, The Far East, Volume VI

740.00119 Control (Korea)/11–745

Memorandum by the Director of the Office of Far Eastern Affairs (Vincent) to Colonel Russell L. Vittrup, War Department

Washington, November 7, 1945.

Reference CG USAFIK’s telegram Tfgcg 138 of November 2 and SCAP’s CA 54311 of November 5, the Department of State is of the opinion that instructions should be sent to General Hodge to the effect that:

(1) This Government is well aware of the difficulties and complexities of the political situation which confronts General Hodge and is fully in favor of his efforts to use qualified Korean personnel to the fullest extent possible. This Government also realizes that there is need for some kind of responsible Korean leadership to counter-balance the activities of the Communist elements in the American zone.

(2) The fundamental policy of this Government with respect to Korea is (a) that an agreement should be reached with the Soviet Union as quickly as possible on specific problems arising from the establishment of the 38° parallel line of demarkation between the Soviet and American zones, (b) that military government be terminated as soon as possible, (c) that it be succeeded by an International Trusteeship with the U.S.S.R., Great Britain, China and the United States as the administering authority for Korea, and (d) that such a trusteeship be placed under the United Nations Organization when that Organization begins to function.

(3) To achieve these objectives this Government is (a) negotiating with the U.S.S.R. on problems concerning the opening of the border created by the 38° parallel and (b) planning to begin negotiations with the U.S.S.R., Great Britain and China in the immediate future to reach an agreement on an International Trusteeship for Korea.²⁰

(4) The U.S.S.R. and China have already agreed in principle to a trusteeship for Korea and though Great Britain has made no reply we feel that it will likewise approve.

(5) This Government has consistently advocated a policy that nothing be done by this Government or by the Commander in Korea to give any Korean group, such as the Kim Koo Group arriving from Chungking, or any Korean individual, such as Dr. Rhee, the impression that we were supporting such a group or individual as against any other Koreans. Such support, prior to an opportunity being given the Korean people to express their choice as to their future leaders, might greatly complicate the political problems facing military government, as well as encourage the Soviet Commander to sponsor a similar group in his zone and thus postpone the establishment of a unified Korea. The use, as suggested by General Hodge, of “the services of Dr. Rhee and Kim Koo to help screen additional Koreans to be brought to Korea” would seem to be indirect support at least of those individuals. General Hodge should be urged, therefore, to refrain from any such action.

(6) The success of the negotiations now in progress regarding the opening of the 38 parallel and the proposed negotiations regarding trusteeship might well be jeopardized by the types of action discussed in both the above mentioned telegrams.

(7) General Hodge’s telegram of November 2 does not adequately describe the objectionable Communistic activities referred to, nor does it indicate the course of action which, for military reasons, he may find it necessary to take. The Department of State would appreciate detailed information on both points, if possible, before such action is taken. He should be urged to postpone action on this matter as long as possible.

20. Seven drafts of a trusteeship agreement for Korea, identified as PR–30 and PR–30, Preliminary a to Preliminary e, were prepared in the Department between October 8 and November 8. The last of these, PR–30, November 8, stated: “The United States, China, the United Kingdom, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have resolved to place Korea within the trusteeship system pending the full exercise by Korea of the powers of independent government, to assume the responsibilities of administering authority for Korea and to agree upon terms of trusteeship. …” The draft agreement contained 38 articles dealing with the establishment of the trusteeship, the form of administration, the relationship of the administering authority to the Koreans, the United Nations and members of the United Nations, the purpose of the administering authority and the amendment, termination and ratification of the agreement. Appended to the draft agreement was a protocol “to be signed the same day”. (Records of the Executive Secretariat, Lot 52–D478, PR Documents 23–32)