Records of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee, Lot 52–M45, SWNCC 232 Series: Telegram
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, at Tokyo
Warx 92187. State, War and Navy Departments have agreed to the following reply to your Cax 55238:74
“Authority is granted to arm Korean National Civil Police with U.S. equipment as requested by you. Equipment will be provided on the same basis as tools furnished to indigenous civilians employed on projects for U.S. Forces and should be (1) returned on completion of mission of this police force or at the time U.S. Forces evacuate Korea, whichever occurs first, or (2) sold or otherwise appropriately transferred to the Korean administration at the time of establishment of an international trusteeship or the establishment of a completely independent Korea.
[Page 1157]“Further information is requested as to the organization, equipment, and functions contemplated by you for the Korean Civil Police Force. Do you contemplate the establishment of police units with limited tactical organization and training?
“The matter of establishing ‘Korean National Armed Forces’ is closely allied to unsettled problems connected with international commitments for implementing Korean independence. Action to establish such force will therefore be deferred. In this connection information is requested as to whether the proposed Coast Guard will be limited to customary inshore patrol and police functions rather than constituting a nucleus of a Korean Naval Force.”