895.00/7–247: Telegram
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur to the Secretary of State
priority
C 53768. The following message from General Hodge, ComGen USAFIK. Message in two parts:
“Subject is conditions in Korea.
Part I. Political.
In my opinion the Korean situation is more precarious today than at any time since the occupation began. During the year that the Joint Commission was recessed, the Russians have worked diligently in developing a stronger Comintern fifth-column in South Korea and strengthening the Soviet hold in North Korea. During last summer and winter they apparently helped reorganize and re-equip the Chinese Communist army in Manchuria and trained a North Korean Communist army of at least 150,000 most of which is now being battle-seasoned in Manchuria. The ill-timed attempt at Communist revolution last September–October in South Korea showed a lack of strength in the cell organization. This weakness has now been in considerable degree overcome by eliminating the name ‘Communist Party’ and the [Page 683] extension of its control to include wider and more powerful front organizations and in unceasing and increasing propaganda to discredit the United States efforts and win the following of all malcontents and refugees in South Korea. This effort has been reinforced by well trained and well indoctrinated assistance infiltrating from North Korea plus considerable funds and some weapons and munitions smuggled in. Large amounts of printed Marxist doctrine in Korean have been imported and distributed with telling effect. Abortive efforts by Syngman Rhee, Kim Koo and followers to put the old provisional government group in power, plus their continued and senseless anti-trusteeship agitation, have driven large numbers of Liberals into the Communist controlled (leftist) camp and have thus strengthened Communist propaganda aimed at destruction of all the rightist groups.
The reconvening of the Joint Commission was the signal for intensely renewed political activity, chicanery and scramble for power. The great desire in the minds of the masses for a united country and their own government, makes most Koreans anxious to see the work of the Joint Commission succeed. The Syngman Rhee propaganda against trusteeship makes the word synonymous with communism and Russian control and greatly confuses a politically infantile people. They are made to feel that if they cooperate with the Joint Commission they are joining the leftist camp and favoring communism. There is strong indication that several rightist groups who signified intention to cooperate with the Joint Commission are doing so to ‘fight the trusteeship’ rather than in an effort to help the negotiators implement the Moscow decision. The result is that the Communist controlled left wing is being greatly strengthened by middle of the road and former rightist followers. With the ‘extremist psychology’ of the Koreans it appears impossible to develop any truly moderate political strength. The rightists offer nothing except ‘anti-trusteeship’. The Communists offer history’s finest civil liberties and ‘democratic’ window dressing to an uninitiated people through thousands of ardent and well trained salesmen. The Korean has no knowledge of where Communist leadership will take him. He does, however, reach for the fulfillment of the rainbow promises of free land and share the wealth.
This increase in the leftist strength creates a situation more and more hostile to the American type of democracy, making the task of the American delegation on the Joint Commission more difficult. It is also bringing the rightists into a frustration complex as they watch their sworn enemies grow stronger and watch the advent of Communistic control in Korea grow closer.
The situation becomes more explosive each day. If the Joint Commission fails, I expect to see terrorism by both factions begin on a scale that may approach an oriental style civil war and an early attempt by the Communists to carry out their much talked of ‘spontaneous uprising of the masses’. The Soviets have already laid the groundwork for extensive physical activity by their fifth-column and may be expected to reinforce it heavily. The Communist controlled groups have full confidence that the Joint Commission will result in a full-fledged Communist government for Korea. The rightist groups have no confidence [Page 684] in anything except the belief that they are going to have to fight for democratic independence either now or later. ‘Trusteeship’ is still the most dangerous word in all the Korean language.
The work of the Joint Commission has not developed far enough to estimate chances of its full success, but it can safely be said that the Russians have not changed their goal which is to hold Korea as a Communist satellite loyal to the Soviet and to insure Soviet use of Wonsan and Chinnampo [as] Soviet ports.
Syngman Rhee and Kim Koo, with die-hard memories of the extreme right, are reportedly planning widespread disturbance in hope that they can cause break-up of the Joint Commission and get me removed from Korea, particularly the latter. The Communists will welcome such activity in hope that United States will get disgusted and remove all troops from Korea.
Part II. Economics.
Economically, general improvement has been slow. Koreans are hungry but not starving, they are clothed but not well-dressed, their housing and employment are reaching a serious condition due to great increases in population. Economic recovery is delayed by division of the nation, by political turmoil and slow arrival of vital civilian supplies. Inflation is again progressing after a few months hold-the-line reprieve early this year. Some type of grant-in-aid over and above current concept of GARIOA funds is essential for any real progress toward economic stability.
Thievery against Americans, both federal and personal property, by Koreans is increasing so rapidly as to be a major concern. This, as well as many other problems including feeding, housing and employment of Koreans, is aggravated by the constant and heavy flow of indigent refugees from Soviet zone.” Hodge