740.00119 Control (Korea)/12–1145: Telegram
The Acting Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 13—7:59 a.m.]
Reutel No. 12 dated 29 November, 8 p.m. Department’s views have been studied earnestly by USAFIK which is glad to note that we might be willing to abandon international trusteeship for Korea if adequate specific guarantees for unification and independence of the country can be obtained from USSR. In view of probable attitude of USSR toward such trusteeship now (see Moscow’s 3827, November [Page 1141] 12 to Department) as distinguished from what Stalin said about it last May when USSR was still committed to peace with Japan for another year, and of Korean attitude, we ask ourselves whether it might not be more realistic to by-pass trusteeship and seek these guarantees directly in forthcoming discussion mentioned in telegram under reference. One more thought on international trusteeship. Although out of touch with the sentiment of Congress and American people USAFIK senses beginnings of a tugging to get the troops and military government out of this liberated land, and wonders whether a physical structure for such trusteeship can be erected in time to take over from military government even if the task began now. Two months ago Military Government asked for 40 professional assistants. To date none have arrived and only dozen or so found. With regard to proposals to be taken up in the pending discussions with USSR regarding the status of Korea until and after complete independence, the Department might wish to put forward the program I laid before it which was an elaboration of General Hodge’s scheme shaped to mesh into Military Government. As an alternative the Department might wish to consider proposing a US trusteeship for South Korea and a USSR trusteeship for North Korea, both under UNO, to end mutually with reciprocal withdrawal of troops and invitation to UNO membership say after 5 years, with free movement of persons and goods between two zones in meantime. The latter idea came from a source one would hardly expect, Mr. Hu Hun Coa, leader of the Radical Korean People’s Republic, who thought a short period of American protection over Korea similar to that over the Philippine Commonwealth ideally suited to the present Korean situation. In principle we, of course, favor settlement with Russia of every aspect of the Korean problem [. However, we feel here]57 that our Korean policy so far had been predicated solely on Russia[n cooperation]57 with no planning beyond this premise. A factor seemingly missing from State, War, Navy CC58 papers is the [present mood of]57 the Korean people in [is] impatient of spoon-feeding, conscious of independence and eager to exercise it. We believe that only by making important concessions to this move [mood] can the situation be kept in hand, conflict avoided, and cooperation obtained in our zone. What course to follow in situation where Russian cooperation or agreement is not forthcoming and easy to be done without in the interest of our position here, is a matter no doubt engaging the Department’s study.
The report cited by the Department of Kim Koo’s plans for early formation of a government is face saving publicity, as the “People’s [Page 1142] Republic” fully understand and profess to be abiding by our injunction that neither is to make pretensions to or exercise governing authority. On the other hand, with Kim Koo and the national leaders at last gathered in Seoul, political fever is running high and expectations are great. But without offices to fill or fight for it will soon be realized that all Korean political activity is mummery and resentment will follow frustration. To meet the Dept’s wishes General Hodge will name the projected council something less imposing than “governing commission” and assign to it functions in scope to our zone. A functional council through which leading national figures can take part in government, however, is essential at the moment to meet current emotions and maintain goodwill for military government.
- Bracketed insertion taken from War Department telegram Tfymg 459, December 14 (740.00119 Control (Korea)/12–1145).↩
- Bracketed insertion taken from War Department telegram Tfymg 459, December 14 (740.00119 Control (Korea)/12–1145).↩
- State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee.↩
- Bracketed insertion taken from War Department telegram Tfymg 459, December 14 (740.00119 Control (Korea)/12–1145).↩