740.00119 Control (Korea)/10–247: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs)
240. Urtel 399 Oct 2. In reply to letter in which Limb transmitted copy Rhee’s telegram quoted urtel 39739 Asst Secy Saltzman stressed fact that Korean representation is matter for decision by GA rather than US but regardless Korean representation action in UN is to expedite Korean independence and that provision for consultation with Koreans in Korea will doubtless be made.
Letter concludes as follows.
“The above comments are offered in response to the substance of Dr. Rhee’s radiogram, but I feel that I must also call your attention to the inappropriateness of some of the statements in Dr. Rhee’s radiogram.
As you know, General Hodge is the representative of this Government in Korea and is carrying out in that country United States policies directed to the development of a free, united and sovereign [Page 829] Korea with a democratic government representative of the will of the people. This Government must therefore take exception to statements by Koreans residing in the United States zone of Korea which refer to General Hodge ‘sending only his personal representatives to UN’ and assert that they do not ‘recognize’ the South Korean Interim Legislative Assembly which was established in accordance with instructions of this Government as a step in the development of a fully representative body of Koreans to aid in achieving a democratic, independent and united Korea.”