740.00119 Control (Korea)/5–446
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
44. Tfgbi 254. “Summary of Conditions in Korea March 15 through 31:
1. Internal situation: Principal political activity during period centered around continuance of efforts of both right and left-wing groups to unify and to marshal their forces for a test of strength when formation of an interim government is implemented by Joint Commission under terms of Moscow agreement. Position of these two groups with respect to each other is becoming more diametrically opposed, right wing in general supporting Military Government and continuing to oppose trusteeship principle, while leftist groups are becoming increasingly critical of U. S. and are in some instances, echoing sentiments and propaganda emanating direct from Soviet sources. Neither group appears confident of strength, of its fundamental position and both are attempting to increase their following by any possible means, particularly in rural districts. Political activity in both camps is apparently centered more upon personalities and upon jockeying for position than upon firm convictions with respect to fundamental issues.
In mid-March right-wing leaders held series of secret conferences looking towards formation of a single party of the right. By end of [Page 659] period this movement appeared to have made little headway, possibly because of inter-party rivalry. On 18 March Rhee, Syngman resigned as chairman of Representative Democratic Council, offering ill health as reason. Council refused to accept resignation but granted him leave of absence, to which Rhee has agreed. He has recently been under attack from leftist press and propaganda as allegedly having given promise of important Korean mining concessions to New York firm should he become president.
Left-wing parties also continued efforts at consolidation through medium of Democratic People’s Front. Communist Leader, Pak, appeared to be losing further influence, although no new leader of sufficent stature to take over left-wing leadership has yet emerged. Press and propaganda campaign against Rhee faction and, to lesser extent, against military government, continued. Certain Communist leaders have privately expressed opinion that Communist party in South Korea should not be dissipated by maintaining a majority of party members in those organizations affiliated with the Communist party. Rather control should be exercised by assigning only key personnel and by giving general directives to Allied organizations. Left-wing has strongly supported position taken by Shtikov in his opening address at initial meeting of Joint Commission on March 20, particularly emphasizing that only those groups which have supported Moscow Decisions should be included in transitional government. According to their interpretation this would automatically exclude all groups or individuals except the Communist-directed Democratic People’s Front . . . .[”]
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