740.00119 Control (Korea)/4–3046: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 3—12:29 p.m.]
52. Tfgbi 265 [to Tokyo.] Summary of conditions in Korea April 1 through 15:
1. Internal Situation: Political scene has remained generally quiescent throughout period. Both Left and Right wing leaders engaged in speaking tours in provinces in effort to extend influence. Certain of Left-wing speakers were arrested in early April for distributing literature openly opposing Military Government and for speaking against it. Many other arrests of Leftists were made in southern part of American Zone for illegal assumption of government prerogatives, [Page 663] such as issuance of rice permits, as well as for other activities against established order and authority. Closing in March by Military Government of Leftist “Seoul Law and Political School” for lack of proper credentials from Department of Education has caused several minor disturbances, including student “sympathy strikes” in other Seoul schools and universities. [Apparent omission] Has been obtained from Education Department and when political bias of teaching was eliminated. Closing received wide publicity in Leftist press. On April 15 a rally was held in Seoul by Left wing groups attended by about 15,000, at which speeches followed Communist line. Lyuh Woon Hyung, leader of People’s Republic, was conspicuously absent. Reliable reports indicate that Lyuh is endeavoring to break with Communist factions and to bring his following to more moderate Left wing position, possibly in an effort to meet moderate Left wing groups on more mutually acceptable ground. Press comment concerning Soviet-American Commission dwindled considerably during period, principally due to lack of specific details as to result of meetings. All factions continued to try to glean every clue from commission’s periodic joint communiqués as to subjects under discussion and degree of accord being achieved. Koreans are restive and dissatisfied with what they consider lack of concrete progress on part of commission and many are cynical as to probable effect of ultimate outcome in unifying country and restoring independence. Serious unrest in both North and South Korea is thought likely to develop should current talks fail to produce concrete results in the direction. Many Koreans, particularly those of Leftist tendencies, are more and more openly voicing opinion that both American and Soviet occupation forces should be withdrawn and that Korea should be permitted to run its own affairs free of all outside interference and influence except for services of selected advisors.…
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3. External Situation: Other reports indicate that Soviets have largely completed program of stripping industrial equipment from plants within their occupation zone, and also that continuing shipments of large quantities of lumber, foodstuff, and other commodities are being made by rail and sea to Siberia. Serious shortage of artificial fertilizer, Soviet confiscation of many draft animals, and lack of adequate farm implements combine to render prospects for coming harvest poor in many areas north of 38 degrees. Rice shortage is still reported serious in some areas, due partly to lack of transportation. Central Government budget for North Korea from April 1 to December 31 has been set at approximately 624,000,000 yen and for provincial committees at about 544,000,000 yen. Funds would be raised by taxes, forced (contributions), bond issues, and lotteries. On April [Page 664] 9 an Army B–17 proceeding to Korea from Okinawa lost its bearing and while flying near Wonsan was forced to land at Wonfan airfield by Soviet fighter planes. Pilot and crew were held one day and questioned, but were well treated and plane was not molested. They were permitted to take off on April 10 and plane escorted to border by Soviet fighters. Reports were received of increasing incidence of disease in North Korea particularly smallpox, typhus, and plague. Large-scale Soviet Army maneuvers with full equipment, including tanks and artillery, were reported taking place south of Pyongyang during period, as well as continued influx of troops into southern areas of Soviet Zone.