740.00119 Control (Korea)/5–648: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
318. Cite Zpol 605. Syngman Rhee in conversation May 3 with reliable informant stated his position on withdrawal US–USSR armed forces as follows:
In general he agreed wholeheartedly with desirability of immediate withdrawal both US and USSR forces and thus permit Koreans settle their own affairs. He said he had expressed his position to that effect many times. However, such troop withdrawal would be meaningless unless simultaneously people’s army of North Korea and any similar organizations were disarmed and disbanded and the arms turned over to Korean Central Government. Otherwise US forces must not leave [Page 1192] Korea until government has been set up, based on forthcoming election and has been given time and assistance to establish itself and to build up military forces adequate to defend South Korea from northern attack.