740.00119 Control (Korea)/3–1946: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 21—12:39 p.m.]
37. “Summary of conditions in Korea February 15th through March 14th:
“1. Internal situation.
“Major political activity during period was characterized by intensified maneuvering for position and effort at consolidation among Communist and anti-Communist lines in anticipation of establishment of Joint Commission and creation of Interim Korean Government. Little success has resulted from efforts to bridge gap between two groups and to form united political front for South Korea; in fact cleavage between these factions appears to be becoming sharper. Some followers of the Chungking Provisional Government have endeavored to capitalize on formation of Korean Representative Democratic Council of South Korea as an advisory body to CG USAFIK by making it appear that this body is merely a projection of Emergency National Assembly of original Kim Koo Provisional Government. This Council now has quarters in Chang Kuk Palace, and enjoys official recognition and support. Syngman Rhee is Chairman of Council, Kim Kiusik,67 Vice Chairman, and Kim Koo, Secretary [Page 649] General. Communist controlled Korean People’s Republic, People’s Party, Independence Alliance, and Communist Party are pinning their hopes on Democratic People’s Front and continue to refuse participation in Council despite continuing invitation to join up. A closer alignment between Left Wing Parties in South Korea and newly-formed Communistic Central People’s Government in north appears to be taking place, carrying with it implication of support from these parties for future Soviet position in setting up Interim Government under Joint Commission.
“Local Communists and Communist-controlled Korean People’s Republic have increased their propaganda against American Military Government. Democratic People’s Front appears to be gaining in unity and strength under joint leadership of four chairmen, leaders of four principal Leftist Parties in South Korea, following series of meetings during February in which a 17-point platform was adopted. There is some evidence that Kim Koo’s followers have gained an increasing influence in the provinces at expense of People’s Committee of Korean People’s Republic, to some degree attributable to the latter’s unpopular stand in supporting trusteeship. Very few civil disturbances and a general reduction of lawlessness among the Koreans marked period. This may have been due to realization on part of political leaders that violence should be avoided as a matter on [of] policy and to increasing prestige and effectiveness of Korean police.
“Celebration of Korean Independence Day on March 1st was carried Right Wing Grp numbering 200,000 persons participated in various ceremonies, without untoward incident. Communist-controlled Left Wing factions held their own celebration, at which an estimated 15,000 people were present. Soviet flags were in evidence and a scheduled parade was cancelled, owing probably to poor attendance. Neither Communist leader Pak68 nor Lyuh of People’s Republic were present.
“Ordinance NR 55 was issued by Military Government on February 23rd, and, in addition to other provisions, requires registration of all political parties, a list of their members, and copies of their accounts. Communists were most vociferous in condemning the ordinance, but opposition also came from other quarters, feeling being voiced in press that ordinance was an unwarranted restriction on political activity. First to register were the Communists.
“Fears appeared to be gaining ground that division of Korea along 38 degrees parallel may become permanent, and that country may develop into another ‘Poland’. Considerable cynicism is being expressed in press that efforts of forthcoming Joint Commission to achieve concrete results towards real economic and political unity of [Page 650] north and south are foredoomed to failure. This sentiment appears to be based largely upon alleged lack of success of initial Soviet-American conference and upon general atmosphere of our present relations with Russia.
“As of March 14th, 3,460 Japanese remained in South Korea and a total of approximately 1,575,000 Koreans had been repatriated from abroad, including 11,533 from China.
“2. Economic conditions.
“Land program. On March 7th Military Government announced decision to sell former Japanese-owned farms, urban residences, and small business properties to Koreans. Ordinance soon to be issued authorized sale of 875,000 acres of former Japanese-owned agricultural land to tenant and part-tenant farmers, who themselves must operate the land they purchase. Payments will be made in kind on a long term contract. At present farm households south of 38 degrees total about 2,000,000, including: 14 percent farm owner-operators; 33 percent part owners-part tenants; 51 percent tenant farmers; 2 percent all others. Sale Japanese land will enable about 300,000 tenant farmers to become owner-operators.
“Korean groups planning land reform programs applicable to large Korean-owned agricultural holdings. Seoul newspapers report that according to Ahovun Shinqmun (Korean Press) published in Pyongyang, the Interim People’s Committee of North Korea drafted land ordinance on March 5th which provides for land seizure and distribution ‘without cost’ to farmers in northern Korea of land formerly owned by the Japanese, by ‘national traitors’ and by those who fled south of 38 parallel. In addition, all farm tenants are to be given the land they cultivate ‘without cost’. Churches and religious groups will have all their land holdings above 12.5 acres seized and distributed. The People’s Committee will administer this program, which is scheduled to be completed by March 31. Of the approximately 1,000,000 farm households north of 38 degrees in 1943, 26 percent owned their farms, 31 percent were part owners–part tenants, 42 percent were tenants, and 17 percent were in other categories.
“Rice collection and distribution program is considered to be making some headway, although it is too early to forecast whether ultimate target figures can be reached. A National Economic Board has been established in Military Government, consisting of the American Directors of the Bureaus of Commerce, Agriculture, Finance and Transportation, to study and coordinate economic policy for Korea and to assist in complementing the various programs for industrial and commercial rehabilitation.
“3. External situation.
[Page 651]“On March 19th [?] party consisting of Colonel Booth, M. Benninghoff, and five other Americans proceeded to Pyongyang at Russian invitation to complete arrangements for initial meeting of Joint Commission; they returned with signed copies of six basic agreements reached with Soviets as result of January joint conference (myrad Tfgcg 316, March 6th). These final agreements represented some recession from American desiderata as reflected in original provisional agreement concluded at conference, particularly with respect to movement of private persons and commercial traffic across 38 degree line.
“Although Soviets originally suggested March 11th as opening date for Joint Commission to meet in Seoul, tentative date has now been set by Soviets for March 19th. Illness of General Shtikov, Head of Soviet delegation, is stated to be reason for delay. An American liaison mission of three officers is now stationed in Pyongyang and has direct telephone connection with Seoul.
“Principal political activity in Russian Zone now appears concentrated upon creation of a solid political front under Communist domination which would provide strength for the Soviet position at meeting of Joint Commission.
“Cho Man Sik, former leader of Democratic Party in North Korea, is now reported to have disappeared; he was previously reported as being held in protective custody. Reports indicate ever-increasing restrictions on civil liberties on non-Communists in Russian Area and a further tightening of 38 degree border control.
“So-called ‘People’s Government’, under leadership of Kim Il Sawng,69 continues to assume greater importance in the north and may be held out by Soviets as an indigenous form of self-government, for purposes of invidious comparison with American Military Government, since Soviets claim to stay aloof from internal Korean politics. An armed Korean police organization known as ‘Boan Dai’ is reported at disposition of People’s Government in carrying out policies and suppressing opposition. Funds for this government are said to be raised principally from forced ‘contributions’ levied on wealthy Koreans. Popular resentment is understood to be arising against methods of Boan Dai and Korean Communists.
“March 1st Korean Independence Day was reported to have been marked by disorders in Soviet area, including a bomb-throwing attempt of [on] life of Kim [Il] Sawng.
“Scarcity of food, fuel, medicines, and transportation is reported to be serious in Soviet Zone, while reports are received on continued stripping of industrial machinery from northern factories. Reports [Page 652] also persist that Soviets are shipping rice and other foodstuffs out of North Korea. Their propaganda continues to allege that large supplies of rice are being held in American Zone without distribution to Koreans. Russians have requested payment in rice for approximately 220,000,000 kwh of electric power furnished to southern zone, under threat of turning off power unless bill is paid. Our reply is that we will deduct cost of this power from credits owing to Southern Korea.
“Soviets have tentatively agreed to supply South Korea with 10 tons of chlorine and 30,000 tons of fertilizer monthly provided a satisfactory basis for payment in rice can be established. Final agreement would be subject to ratification by Soviet Commander.
“An increasing concentration of Soviet troops and material and construction of defenses is reported in Southern AAOC [area?] of Russian Zone. Former Soviet Consul General at Seoul has been requested by CG USAFIK to withdraw from circulation in American Zone certain Russian propaganda films and to refrain from all such activities in future.”