895.00/2–2048: Telegram
The Acting Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
us urgent
103. Cite Zpol 218. For Jacobs: Reference Deptel 46, February 19th.1 Rozier2 at time carefully examined material and reported no passage therein affecting substance PolAd 75, February 11th.1 This confirmed by scrutiny just completed. Citation for your statement was report of proceedings of 4th plenary session of North Korea People’s Council February 7th, broadcast same date from Pyongyang. Last item in proceedings was proposal by chairman of council Kim Doo Bong (concurrent chairman of constitution drafting committee) that draft constitution be referred to people for discussion. Kim’s proposal [Page 1123] was put in form of motion and carried unanimously. Substance of motion as follows:
- “1. With a view to having the will of all the people reflected, the provisional constitution drafted by the Provisional Korean Constitution Drafting Committee should be referred to the people for general discussions;
- 2. That a special session of the People’s Assembly be convened in the middle of March 1948, for the purpose of discussing and adopting the provisional Korean constitution.”
There have been no broadcasts indicating any change in or intention to proclaim republic prior assembly action above plan.
At least not since 15th (date of latest intercepts at hand) when Pyongyang announced following: “The Korean Provisional Constitution Drafting Committee released the following bulletin at 5 p. m., February 13 on the public discussion of the Korean provisional constitution draft: ‘The whole of the Korean people, whoever they are, are requested to study and discuss fully the provisional constitution draft of the Korean Democratic People’s Republic announced by this committee on February 11. If there are supplements or amendments after studying and discussing the constitution draft, it is requested that they be presented directly to this committee by each group or individual.
Signed Chief Secretary Kim Taek Yong of the Korean Provisional Constitution Drafting Committee. Date February 13, 1948. Office of the North Korean People’s Council, Special City of Pyongyang.’”
North Korean People’s Council same thing as North Korean People’s Assembly used herein and in PolAd 75.
New subject. Reference PolAd 100, today General Hodge met Kimm Kiu Sik on behalf purportedly of himself and Kim Koo. Their position unchanged that they will support any UN sponsored election but will initiate nothing themselves. Foregoing stand not affected by Menon address.