740.00119 Control (Korea)/11–2446: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:23 p.m.]
137. “Summary conditions Korea November 1 through 15.
1. Political: Mob attacks against police stations occurred chiefly in South Cholla Province, all of which on November 4 involved first instance of organized attack on US troops. Approximately 25 attacks were reported in period and estimated casualties listed as rioters, 25 killed, 18 wounded; police 7 killed, 23 wounded. That these attacks were planned is indicated by the fact that on November 11, police stations in 6 towns inside radius of 10 miles were attacked within half hour’s time. Four instances of sabotage to US military communications were reported. An unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the Seoul Police Chief was made by Leftists. Four hundred prisoners escaped Chonju Jail November 11, over 170 of whom are now recaptured. The joint American Korean Conference to investigate the causes of the disorders and to make remedial recommendations continued its meetings, covering in the period the Korean charges of abuse by, and undesirable Korean elements within, the Police and Military Government.
General Hodge has not confirmed for office the successful candidates in the October elections for the interim Legislature, it being necessary first to investigate the accusations of unfairness in the elections. Also he has not received the Coalition Committee’s recommendations for appointed members. The Committee’s failure so far to recommend is related to its formal request on November 4 in which Lyuh seems more insistent than Doctor Kang [Kimm?], for new elections throughout the zone or in certain provinces. Moderate Leftist disappointment with the election and with the fact that some alleged ‘pro-Japanese’ sold seats and knowledge that overall re-elections will probably not be held (due in part to the urgency of convening this initial assembly which is required by ordinance immediately to enact [Page 771] a law replacing itself by more representative assembly), have been tempered by the renewed hope of a reconvening of the Russo-American Commission aroused by public announcement concerning General Hodge and Soviet Commander. In addition General Hodge’s statement of November 7 explaining the American position on Korean trusteeship and independence was received favorably by the majority of political parties. In [UNO?] Assembly favorable action on Louise Yim’s proposal on Korean independence received wide publicity and contributed to enhancement of Rightist party and general feeling of hopefulness. At the first executive meeting on November 12 of the Socialist Labor party (merger of moderate and nationalist Leftists in the three Leftist parties) Chairman Lyuh Woon Hyung advocated its unconditional merger with the South Korea Labor Party (composed of radical elements of left) with the understanding this united group would support the Coalition Committee to which Lyuh seems definitely committed. Doctor Paik Nam Un and Kang Jin, the chairman respectively of the new Democratic and Nationalist Communist parties in the former democratic people’s front, returned from Pyongyang with apparent approval to support Lyuh and the coalition.
2. North Korea: Results of election held in gala atmosphere on November 3 of candidates for provincial and [apparent omission] [Kim Il] Sawng and his regime. Radio broadcast from North Korea states that 96 percent of over 4,000,000 registered voters voted 99 percent for the recommended candidates. Electoral procedure allowed only political parties registered with interim people’s committee to recommend candidates and provided for no choice by electorate other than negative or affirmative vote by ballot for sponsored candidates. In post-elections radio broadcast, November 11, [Kim Il] Sawng praised the power of their army and implied that it was instrumental in his victory. Another occasion of much festivity was celebration on November 7 of anniversary of Russian revolution, the expected repercussion of which failed to materialize in South Korea although information of press caused police and US troops to be alerted. The liquidation of Soviet administrative control is proceeding rapidly, it being replaced by Korean Administration, although political guidance is still active. 1,500 Chinese 8th route army troops81 are reported to have retreated to Hwanghae province after defeat in Mukden area.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- Chinese Communist force.↩