501.BB Korea/3–1048: Telegram
The Acting Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
priority
140. Cite Zpol 295. Reference Deptel 71, March 8,1 Seoul PolAd’s 133, March 6 quotes brief story as known at that time. Believe fuller details may be needed.
Developments leading to announcement of May 9 as date for general election are as follows: Menon in broadcast to “my friends in Korea” from New York February 28 stated in part “the next 3 or 4 months are going to be a critical period in Korean history. A great deal has to be done. A date, which I hope will not be later than the 1st week of May, has to be fixed for the elections.”
Meetings of members of Commission present in Korea were held for purpose of deciding future action of commission. So far as information of General Hodge at any time was concerned, meetings were official and plenary, although Patterson was known to be in Tokyo. After several meetings, last one lasting well into night of 28th, principal Secretary Schmidt informed General Weckerling, liaison officer for General Hodge with UNTCOK, that Commission members here were unanimously agreed upon May 9 as date for election and would contact Menon and Patterson by phone to clear with them. This was done and, so far as command was informed, clearances were made. On February 29 UNTCOK issued Press Release 33 and on March 1st Liu, acting chairman, made speech at Sam Il (Korean independence day) celebration before some 100,000 Koreans, which he concluded by quoting verbatim Press Release 33 (quoted in full in PolAd’s 118, March 11). Although complete understanding has been reached between General Hodge’s liaison representative and principal secretary that date of May 9 was agreeable to all concerned. General Hodge did not announce date of election at stadium (see PolAd 116, March 11) but stated date of election would be announced soon.
Following celebration meeting Syngman Rhee called public caucus his followers at stadium (an old trick of his) and announced that he had information and understanding with authorities that date of election would be May 2. Following this, and in order to save later confusion, General Hodge had his representative clear finally with principal secretary the announcement of date of election, and announced it to press as being by agreement between the command and the Commission, publishing official proclamation required under Korean-made [Page 1147] election law (Public Law No. 5 SKILA) which Commission has indicated will be used as framework for the elections held.
At no place and no time has there been any remonstrance or indication of any lack of assurance that full agreement within Commission had been reached on this subject until open session of Commission on March 8 when Patterson raised issue that action by the Commission had not been legal (see PolAd’s 136, March 92). In 2 closed meetings on March 9, Patterson filibustered and eventually, when vote went against him, walked out of meeting, following which Menon in effect changed his vote with announcement that they must keep full membership, nullifying all motions taken by Commission prior to that time and reducing previous action to informal character which did not preclude further consideration of whether or not Commission would proceed with elections in south Korea.
Oral press release following 2nd of March 9 meetings which ended late in evening was as follows: “The United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea held its 17th and 18th meetings on the 9th of March and discussed questions arising out of the resolution adopted on the 27th of February by the Interim Committee of the General Assembly. On the initiative of the representative of Canada, the Commission has kept note of certain statements made by General Hodge announcing the date of elections for May 9. These statements were to the effect that the Commission would observe elections. They were made on the basis of conclusions unanimously reached by members of the Commission present at an informal meeting February 28. The whole question of observing elections and implementing the resolution of the Interim Committee is now under consideration by the Commission.”
Foregoing indicates strongly an attitude on part of Secretariat and delegates to attempt to throw entire onus of announcing election on General Hodge. It is particularly noted that no mention was made of Menon’s broadcast, of UNTCOK Press Release 33, or Liu’s public statement of March 1.
In this connection, it had been promised by various members of UNTCOK in public and private statements to Koreans that if Interim Committee acted in time, Koreans would be informed of future of elections on or before March 1. The Commission had been carefully briefed on dangers of turmoil at this period which might arise through uncertainty as to future action. General Hodge considers that current trend in Commission and their public repudiation of what he and Koreans have understood and accepted as UNTCOK’s official statement may give rise to misunderstandings with various repercussions. At best there is no question but that it will greatly increase current political confusion and is already increasing subversive Communist activity and violence which is currently going on daily. Situation [Page 1148] apparently arises through international conflicts within Commission itself and an effort to get certain points on record for future reference to General Assembly. It is discouraging to Korean people to see their fate kicked around by such methods and tactics. The prestige of UNTCOK already badly damaged by its fumbling, hesitancy, and snub by Soviets, can only sink further with probable conclusion by Koreans that it neither can nor will do anything to lift them from their dilemma. Unless UNTCOK recovers rapidly, General Hodge considers whole UN effort will result in a backward reaction rather than progress.