501.BB Korea/7–2548: Telegram
The Secretary of State
to the Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs)
secret
us urgent
Washington, July
25, 1948—3 p. m.
262. Before seeking final intra-governmental clearance, urgently
request your concurrence in or comments on following proposed text
statement to be issued by US Govt following formation new Korean
Govt (paras numbered for convenient reference):
- “1. In joint Declaration issued at Cairo Dec 1, 1943
the three subscribing. Powers—US, China and Great
Brit—expressed their determination ‘that in due course
Korea shall become free and independent’. This
determination was reaffirmed in Potsdam Declaration Jul
26, 1945 with which Soviet Union associated itself upon
its declaration of war against Japan on Aug 8 of that
year. On Dec 27, 1945 in Moscow FonMins of Soviet Union,
US and Great Brit concluded an agreement, later adhered
to by Govt China, designed to re-establish Korea as an
independent State.
- 2. Although annexation of Korea by Japan was
effectively terminated with occupation of that country
by armed forces of Soviet Union and US in Aug and Sep
1945, freedom and independence of Korea so solemnly
pledged by Four Powers has proven slow of realization.
After nearly two years of painstaking but unavailing
effort to give effect to those pledges through
negotiations with other occupying Power, US Govt on Sep
17, 1947 laid problem of Korean independence before
GA of UN. The will of an
overwhelming majority of that body was expressed in two
Resolutions adopted by it on Nov 14, 1947 purpose of
which was to make it possible for Korean people to
attain their long-sought freedom and independence
through holding of free and democratic elections and
establishment, on basis thereof, of a sovereign Natl
Govt.
- 3. In pursuance of those Resolutions, elections were
held in Korea on May 10 of this year, under obs of
UNTCOK, for
purpose of electing reps to a Natl Assembly which might
in turn form a Natl Govt. The Natl Assembly so elected
convened May 31 and has proceeded to form a Govt—a Govt
in which it is hoped that people of north Korea, who
were prevented from participating in May 10 elections by
refusal of Soviet Union to permit implementation of
GA Resolutions in its
zone of occupation, will be free in due course to assume
their rightful role. Notification of formation of new
Govt was communicated by Natl Assembly to UNTCOK on (Blank Date).
- 4. US Govt believes that Korean Govt so established is
to be regarded as Govt of Korea envisaged by GA Resolutions of Nov 14,
1947. Pending consideration by GA at its forthcoming Third Session of
report of UNTCOK, US,
pursuant to its responsibility as occupying Power, is
sending to Seoul a Special Rep who will be authorized to carry on
negotiations with that Govt, in consultation with UNTCOK, concerning
implementation of further provisions of GA Resolutions of Nov 14,
1947 including that relating to the withdrawal of
occupation forces from Korea.”
[Page 1259]
Language of foregoing statement reflects effort on part Dept to meet
objections of certain other interested govts to phraseology
suggested para 6 Depcirtel Jul 10, 1 pm. [a.
m.] Exact wording of that part of para 4 above relating to
designation of special rep will depend upon final decision as to
timing of his arrival, concerning which Dept’s views are being
outlined in separate telegram.
Your recommendations would be appreciated as to optimum timing of
release foregoing statement, text of which Dept desires to
communicate in advance to interested govts and to UNTCOK.
