740.00119 Control (Korea) /1–1946: Telegram
Lieutenant General John R. Hodge to the War Department
secret
Seoul, January 18, 1946—5:30
p.m.
[Received January 19—7:50 p.m.]
[Received January 19—7:50 p.m.]
[To Tokyo]. For JCS and State Department. Third meeting of United States and Soviet representatives opened 1300, 18 January. Discussion of agenda paragraphs continued.
- 1.
- Soviet representatives have agreed to discuss the following points: a. Supplying electric power to southern Korea from northern Korea. b. Permitting commerce in commodities such as rice, raw [Page 612] materials, fuel, industrial equipment and chemicals between north and south Korea, c. Railroad and motor transportation between the two zones and coastwise shipping between ports in north and south Korea. d. Establishment of uniform regulations of the ports and of the water born commerce between northern and southern Korean ports. e. Mutual payment for goods which are delivered from one zone to the other. f. Movement of approximately 100,000 Japanese in the category of displaced persons from north Korea to Japan. g. Establishment of joint United States and Soviet control posts along the boundary of zones of military responsibility, h. Movement of Korean citizens from one zone to the other. i. Movement of mail except parcels between zones. j. Allocation of radio broadcast frequencies in Korea. k. Working out of measures for the future coordination between the two commands in regards to economic administrative matters. l. Reestablishment of telephone and telegraph communications between the two zones.
- 2.
- The following points were left in the agenda but apparently the Soviet representatives are not empowered to discuss these points and agree to the inclusion for future study only: a. Transportation of coal and agriculture products through the territory of northern Korea into southern Korea (coal and agriculture products being obtained through United States channels from Manchuria). b. Establishment of uniform financial system, c. Permitting communication between the head offices of commercial organizations and their branches in different zones.
- 3.
- The Soviet representatives request that they be given the opportunity to obtain authority to discuss adjustment of the 38 degree boundary prior to inclusion in the agenda.
- 4.
- The Soviet representatives refused to agree to the inclusion of the following points in the agenda: a. Permitting newspaper circulation to all Korea. b. Prohibiting the removal of capital goods.
- 5.
- Following subcommittees were appointed; economic, administrative and transportation. These subcommittees will study points covered in agenda and prepare recommendation for presentation to formal meeting of conference on 21 January. Above not approved for press release.
[
Hodge
]