501.BB Korea/10–2047
Dr. Syngman Rhee to the Korean Commission at Washington50
Radiogram from General Saltzman to General Hodge said in substance:
“This government takes exception to Dr. Rhee’s telegram accusing General Hodge of sending only his personal representatives to UN and asserting that Koreans don’t recognize South Korea Interim Legislature.”51
Please submit to Assistant Secretary following explanation:
If my telegram appeared as accusation am exceedingly sorry but it was only for information. On September 24th Civil Administrator Ahn Chai Hong, Chief of Police Department Dr. Cho Pyungok, and head of SKIG Public Relations Dr. Chulwon Ryee came and informed me that directorate of SKIG and USAMGIK had chosen Dr Kiusic Kimm Moderate and myself Rightist as UN Delegates. I replied that I will not go with any Coalitionist; first, because that would encourage Communists in South; second, delegation representing Rightist and Leftist would work cross purposes. When people later learned about directorate choice of delegates they openly denounced choosing of Coalitionist. Then came State Department’s statement by Mr. Austin, published Seoul Press, that Korean delegates should be chosen by Interim Legislature and Civil Administrator. Dr. Kimm and Mr. Ahn are both Coalitionists. People vigorously opposed it through press and public meetings. General Hodge told inquirers that UN and State Department would decide. This has created great excitement throughout country. Four hundred delegates representing seven million members of National Federation met Seoul October 4th to 7th and adopted four resolutions, one of which requested General Hodge to dissolve Coalition Committee which had been originated by him last year for purpose of inducing Soviets to resume discussions. Now that Joint Commission failed again, people believe General Hodge should dissolve it, for its continuation only tends to revive Communism. But General Hodge refused to comply. People are extremely restless because in past two years Communist terrorists, under AMG neutral policy, have repeatedly burned and destroyed many homes, institutions, and lives, and now another loophole is left open for them.
To set up a free independent Korean Government is the objective of USA and UN. Korean people should be consulted, not AMG, which the Korean people don’t regard as their representative government. [Page 839] People don’t understand why USA and UN should choose Korean Delegates to UN or any other conference. That is the prerogative of the Korean people. Korea is not an enemy nation. AMG ordinances declared that Legislature’s first duty was to pass election law. They don’t regard Interim Legislature as their true representative body because half of its members were appointed by General Hodge.52
In short it is the wisest and best policy to let people have promised and long overdue general election in South to set up government of their choice, with understanding that whenever UN settles problem satisfactorily they will drop present plan in order to accept UN settlement, instead of waiting indefinitely.
- Copy of telegram transmitted to the Department by Chairman Limb of the Korean Commission on October 20.↩
- See telegram 240, October 10, 7 p.m., to Seoul, p. 828.↩
- Telegram 441, October 23, from Seoul, reported the Assembly on October 20 had passed a resolution referring the matter of Korean representation at UN to the Civil Administration and the Military Government (895.00/10–2347).↩