Foreign Relations of the United States, 1948, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VI

501.BB Korea/7–1448: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State

secret

Moscow, July 14, 1948—1 p. m.

1319. Reference recent Department airgrams concerning hesitation certain members UN Commission on Korea to agree to recognition recently elected legislative body as “National Assembly”, suggest point should be made to their governments that Soviet moves in North Korea unlikely be affected by such action. Soviets have long been proceeding without hesitation in their plans for “national government” in North Korea and are nearing accomplishment these plans as latest session in Pyongyang evidences (Embtel 1297, July 11¹). Beneficial results speedy recognition by UN of National Assembly in Seoul; would be legion. Argument that UN action would cause Soviets to set up separate government spurious since this already being done in North Korea in complete defiance all decisions and efforts of UN and UN Commission.

Sent Department 1319; Department pass Seoul 14.²

Smith

1. Not printed.
2. This was done at 10:45 p. m. the same day. A circular telegram of July 15, 2 a. m., repeated 1319 to 8 posts (UNTCOK capitals and London).