740.00119 Control (Korea)/10–2147
The United States Representative at the United
Nations (
Austin
) to the Secretary General
of the United Nations (
Lie
)43
October 17, 1947
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to the
facts that on September 17, 1947, the United States Secretary of State
announced that the United States was placing the problem of Korean
Independence before the General Assembly and on September 23, 1947, the
General Assembly voted to place that problem upon its agenda. On
September 26, 1947, the Chief Soviet Delegate on the Joint United States
U.S.S.R. Commission meeting in Seoul, Korea, made the following
statement, in translation:
“Therefore, the Soviet Delegation considers that it is possible
to afford the Koreans an opportunity to form a government by
themselves without the aid and participation of the Allies under
the condition of withdrawing the American and Soviet troops from
Korea.”
The United States Government desires to take any practicable step which
will further the speedy establishment of a truly independent Korea. The
only concern of this Government is to make certain that its
responsibilities to the Korean people and to the United Nations are
properly carried out. It will be recalled that after negotiations in the
Joint Commission had reached a stalemate the United States Government
proposed that the question of forming a government for Korea be
discussed in Washington by representatives of all powers adhering to the
Moscow Agreement on Korea, China, the United Kingdom, the U.S.S.R. and
the United States. China and the United Kingdom accepted this suggestion
but the U.S.S.R. did not. It was only after this that the matter was
presented to the United Nations. It is believed that inasmuch as the
General Assembly has already voted to consider the problem of Korean
independence, its attention [Page 833]
should be called to the most recent Soviet proposal, referred to above,
as well as the suggestions for a solution of the problem which the
Secretary of State said the United States Government would be prepared
to advance. With these proposals before it the General Assembly will, it
is hoped, be able to recommend measures for an orderly transition from
the present systems of government in north and south Korea to an
independent, united Korean government and the consequent speedy
withdrawal of all occupying forces.
There is therefore transmitted herewith a Resolution which contains the
suggestions the United States Delegation will submit for the
consideration of Committee 1 of the General Assembly when the problem of
Korean independence comes before that body. It is considered that an
arrangement of the nature indicated in this Resolution should make
possible the early establishment by the Korean people themselves of
their own government and the withdrawal of all Soviet and United States
armed forces from Korea.
It is requested that copies of this letter together with its enclosure be
circulated to the various delegations to the General Assembly for their
information.
Accept [etc.],
[Enclosure]
Resolution
The General Assembly
Recognizing the urgent and rightful claims to independence of the
people of Korea;
Having in mind that it is one of the purposes of the United Nations
to develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the
principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples;
Having noted the international obligations undertaken with respect to
Korea, including the Cairo Declaration of December 1, 1943, in which
China, the United Kingdom and the United States stated their
determination that in due course Korea shall become free and
independent, the Potsdam Proclamation of July 26,1945, in which
China, the United Kingdom, and the United States reaffirmed the
terms of the Cairo Declaration and to which the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics adhered upon entering the war in the Pacific,
and the Moscow Agreement of December 27, 1945, in which the United
Kingdom, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United
States, with the adherence of China, provided that there shall be
set up a provisional Korean democratic government with a view to the
reestablishment of Korea as an independent state;
[Page 834]
Believing that the national independence of Korea should be
reestablished and all occupying forces should be withdrawn from
Korea at the earliest practicable date;
To this end, Recommends that the occupying powers hold elections in
their respective zones not later than March 31, 1948, under the
observation of the United Nations, as the initial step leading to
the creation of a National Assembly and the establishment of a
National Government of Korea in conformity with the procedure set
out in the Annex to this Resolution;
Further Recommends that immediately upon the establishment of the
National Government of Korea referred to above, that government will
constitute its own national security forces and will arrange with
the occupying powers for the early and complete withdrawal from
Korea of the armed forces of the U.S.S.R. and the United States;
Resolves, that the responsibilities assumed by the United Nations
under this resolution should be discharged by a United Nations
Temporary Commission on Korea, consisting of the representatives of
(names of states). This United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea
shall (1) be present in Korea during the elections in each zone with
the right of freedom of travel and observation throughout all of
Korea, (2) be available for such consultation as may be appropriate
in connection with the elections, the organization of the national
assembly, the formation of the national government and the
conclusion of agreements for the withdrawal of the occupying forces,
(3) report to the General Assembly or if in its judgment
developments so require to any competent agency of the Assembly with
respect to its activities under the terms of this resolution, and
make any recommendations that it may wish concerning further UN
action in maintaining the independence of Korea;
Calls upon the member states concerned to afford every assistance and
facility to the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea in the
fulfillment of these responsibilities.
Annex
Recommended Procedure for the Holding of Elections
and the Establishment of a National Government of Korea
- (1)
- The elections to be held by the occupying powers in their
respective zones not later than March 31, 1948, shall be for the
purpose of choosing representatives to a National Assembly. The
number of representatives elected to the National Assembly from
each zone shall bear the same proportion to the total membership
of the National Assembly as the population of that zone bears to
the total population of Korea. Subject to this principle, the
number of representatives to be elected [Page 835] from each zone shall be
determined by the United Nations Commission on Korea in
consultation with the occupying powers.
- (2)
- As soon as possible after the elections the National Assembly
of Korea shall meet and form a Government and shall notify the
United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea of the formation of
this Government.
- (3)
- Upon notification to the United Nations Temporary Commission
on Korea of the formation of a National Government of Korea,
that Government shall take over the functions of government from
the military commands and civilian authorities of North and
South Korea, respectively, in accordance with arrangements to be
agreed upon under the auspices of the United Nations Commission
on Korea between the Government of Korea and the respective
occupying authorities.
- (4)
- The United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea shall be
available for such consultation and assistance as may be
requested and appropriate in connection with the decisions and
actions contemplated in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)
above.
