Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VII, Part 2

501.BB Korea/3–1749: Telegram

The Chargé of the American Mission in Korea (Drumright) to the Secretary of State

confidential

Seoul, March 17, 1949—5 p. m.

253. Deptel 155, March 11.¹ It our observation UNCOK has exhibited no noticeable interest in progress Republic Korea’s membership application through SC membership committee or in upcoming SC consideration thereon. It therefore our conclusion UNCOK has either given problem no serious consideration or feels SC action one way or other will not materially prejudice UNCOK mission in Korea.

In light foregoing conclusion, we feel it desirable avoid raising this issue with UNCOK and will not do so unless instructed to contrary.

Since SC membership committee has voted decisively in favor Republic Korea’s application,² we submit it now best US policy give affirmative support Republic’s application in SC deliberations.

While Soviet veto taken for granted and while veto can be expected impair present high hopes Korean people in efficacy UN and concurrently damage prestige UNCOK, yet veto will have advantageous effect of further alienating Korean people from Soviets and rendering more difficult Soviet attempts attain hegemony whole country. Moreover, in our view, preponderant SC vote favoring Korea’s application—despite Soviet veto—will, even though it renders UNCOK mission more difficult, have inevitable effect of influencing UNCOK favorably toward Republic Korea.

Drumright

1. Not printed; concerning the Republic of Korea’s unsuccessful bid for membership in the U.N., see the bracketed note under date of January 19, p. 943.
2. The vote in the Security Council’s Committee on Admission of New Members was 8 to 2 in favor of membership for the Republic of Korea (see U.N. document S/1281).