740.00119 Control (Korea)/9–1446: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
priority
[Received September 16—11:57 a.m.]
108. “Summary of conditions in Korea August 15 through 31”.
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The trial of the Communist counterfeiters was resumed on the 22nd, and as it was preceded the day before by sentences, ranging up to 5 years imprisonment, on 50 persons who had led the demonstration around the courthouse on 29 July, the pressure on the trial eased. Indicative perhaps of the tragic view taken by the Communists of the trial was the petition of Hu Hun, a national revolutionary figure, to defend the accused, just as he had defended the leaders of the “Mansie” uprising in 1919 against the Japanese. Military Government measures that came in for loudest Leftist criticism, notwithstanding appropriate official explanations of their urgency and usefulness, were:
- 1.
- The 25,000,000 dollar Foreign Liquidation Commission loan to military government (for future negotiations with the provisional government) and the question of Korean liability for relief supplies now totaling 35,000,000 dollars already sold or imported under the civilian supply program.
- 2.
- The establishment of Seoul National University through disestablishment and consolidation of 10 local colleges.
- 3.
- The erection of army housing in the grounds, but removed from any monuments, of the former main palace for royal ceremonies (this criticism was general). Our loan and civilian supply program furnished [Page 738] the Left with a new line of attack on the United States, military government and Korean elements cooperating with US: economic enslavement and “colonialism”.
The United Press story from Washington on the 23rd that new United States policy contemplated creating in south Korea, by wide reforms, such a contrast with north Korea that the Soviets would feel impelled to come to terms with US on the Korean question created much interest. Leftist journals said they could not follow our line of reasoning because it was unbelievable that the Russians would keep north Korea in a backward condition while Americans made marked progress in their zone. In this connection mention might be made of a report from Embassy Moscow on the 25th distinguished Koreans from north Korea had arrived in Moscow as State guests.
As though there were not excitement enough, political parties decided to observe the 29th as another day of patriotic demonstrations: Humiliation day or anniversary of the 1910 annexation agreement. Rightist organizations held an outdoor mass meeting in a tense atmosphere in which speeches, including one by Syngman Rhee, were made calling for early independence by the Koreans’ own efforts. In the course of this meeting, which was otherwise orderly, some handbills were distributed with a manifest for immediate independence and a slate for an independent government drawn up by Syan Ik Hi, an extremist from the Chungking group (who was later arrested for interrogation). The Leftists held their meeting, a small affair, indoors and passed stereotyped resolutions.
To counteract the increasingly bold and hostile Leftist propaganda and activities, General Hodge on the 31st made public a detailed review of America’s primary role in Korea’s liberation and American assistance to Koreans, and a refutation of current Leftist detractions of the American effort. Followed the next day by the Under Secretary’s clear-cut and firm statement of American policy toward Korea, and also by the arrival in Seoul of a Congressional party to look into the condition of United States Forces (interpreted as a political visit by the Korean public), General Hodge’s release had a visible sobering effect on all political parties. The Leftist leaders acknowledged Korea’s debt to America, but grieved that their “just” criticisms had been interpreted as vicious and stoutly denied ill will toward US and avowed a cooperative attitude but not blind obedience to military government.
Other events of interest were the return from the United States of the Korean educational mission and of Young Hill Kang the author and the publication by US of the exchange of letters between General Hodge and Chistiakov on the reconvening of the Joint Commission (see last report). After 24 years’ absence, Kang stated he [Page 739] found little material improvement in Korea but a spiritual degeneration (a finding I personally question). The educators were lavish with their thanks for their treatment in the United States but declared they found little interest in or knowledge of the Korean question in America. There were indications of deteriorating conditions in north Korea.
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