Office of the Historian

895.00/5–1148: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs)

restricted
us urgent
Washington, May 12, 1948—3 p. m.

144. Reur 342, May 11,1 Secy made following statement press conference noon May 12:

“The Korean people are to be congratulated on the success of Korea’s first democratic election on Monday, held under the observation of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea. The fact that some 90 percent of the registered voters cast their ballots, despite the lawless efforts of a Communist-dominated minority to prevent or sabotage the election, is a clear revelation that the Korean people are determined to form their own government by democratic means”.2

Marshall
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Dr. Syngman Rhee sent a telegram of thanks through B. C. Limb, Chairman of the Korean Commission, Washington, on May 17.↩