Office of the Historian

FE Files, Lot 244, Box 7946

Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Division of Northeast Asian Affairs (Allison)41

undated

As an aid to the discussion this morning regarding Korea I have listed below the various questions to be considered as I see them. They divide into immediate and long-term problems. By long-term problems I do not mean those which we can delay coming to a decision on, but those which affect future policy.

Short-Term Problems

[Here follows brief section on short-term problems.]

Long-Term Problems

1.
Stalemate in the Joint Commission—What do we do about it? It has been suggested that we address a letter to Molotov referring to his statement that the Joint Commission should report in July or August, calling attention to the present stalemate, reiterating U.S. previously expressed policy regarding freedom of expression and basis for Korean consultation, and finally suggesting that if no substantial progress [Page 714] is made by a given date, say August 10, that the two delegations be requested to report to their Governments and that the Governments then consider what further steps can usefully be taken to bring about a united, independent Korea.
Consideration might also be given to the possibility of presenting the Korean problem to the United Nations. The letter mentioned above to Mr. Molotov would have the effect of giving this Government freedom of action so that it might take any steps deemed necessary, including public recognition that the Moscow Agreement is unworkable and that therefore the matter should be presented to the United Nations.
2.
If, as is likely, the Joint Commission breaks down we will have to come to some definite decision with regard to what we should do about; (a) Rhee and his group, (b) elections in south Korea, and (c), a provisional or interim government for south Korea.
  1. Mr. Allison was designated steering member of an ad hoc committee to study and report on Korea as a result of the 59th meeting of SWNCC on July 23. The other two members were Lt. Col. T. N. Dupuy, War Department, and Capt. H. R. Hummer, Navy Department. Mr. Allison’s memorandum was undated but written probably on July 23.↩