892.00/6–346: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 4—11 a.m.]
Tfurc 50 [to Tokyo]. [From Langdon and Thayer.] Reference State serial 82 May 29th.7 We feel elections within the next few months would be helpful not merely to determine relative strength of parties but also to give the Koreans practice in the elementary forms of democratic procedure under American guidance. It would also stimulate organizational activity in the provinces of non-Communist controlled parties which until recently had devoted all their effort to politicizing here in the capital. Furthermore the prestige of any body to which elected representatives are sent would be greatly enhanced thereby.8
We believe that best way accomplishing this is to arrange series of indirect elections from villages to counties and thence to provinces, each province to elect one or two representatives to legislative body. Elections would be free to all over 21 and would employ the traditional Korean town meeting electoral methods on the lowest levels, but above some secret ballot box device. If carefully supervised, it is believed such elections would produce useful results and some worthwhile additions to local political scene. It would possibly be necessary to forbid or at least prevent any combining of parties on one ticket and in that case Communists might possibly not participate since they seem reluctant to enter any contest in which they are not assured of an unfair opportunity to win. Election results would therefore probably be described as reactionary in the North and in the Soviet press but would undoubtedly enhance the prestige of the Democratic left at the expense of the Fifth Column. Furthermore, if limited to the provincial level, the results of such elections would not complicate our negotiating position if and when the commission reconvenes.
It is contemplated that elections of this nature could be organized within two months. In the meantime appointive members of the legislative could function without waiting for their elective colleagues to be chosen. Hodge concurs.
- See footnote 6, p. 685.↩
- In telegram Tfgcz 397, June 4, from Seoul, the Department was informed that “It is absolutely essential that whatever steps are taken in connection with establishment of a Korean Policy Cabinet and Senate that all public statements make clear that this Korean participation is supplemental to the Military Government and not a ‘Separate Government’ for South Korea.” (740.00119 Control-(Korea)/6–446)↩