740.00119 Control (Korea)/5–2049: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
579. Accompanied by Chief ECA mission, I called on President Rhee yesterday afternoon to discuss problems relating Korean goodwill mission to United States.
In course conversation, I informed Rhee I had just seen press release issued under name Foreign Minister and Defense Minister (mytel 567, May 19). I then reminded Rhee of statement he had once made to effect worst thing could happen would be to have Pyongyang and Moscow feel there lack understanding between Koreans and Americans. [Page 1034] I added I considered above-mentioned press release as giving Communist propagandists exactly type of ammunition they desire.
Rhee then inquired to what press release I referred and instructed his secretary to obtain copy. After carefully reading release Rhee said he had instructed Director Korean Office Public Information not to issue any release without his advance approval. Rhee then instructed his secretary to summon Foreign Minister and Defense Minister at once. On their arrival a few minutes later Rhee curtly requested that no press release be issued in future without his approval. Defense Minister then inquired re nature of press release under discussion and asked permission read it which he did carefully. At this point Foreign Minister turned to me, said he prepared release and inquired what wrong with it. I then repeated statement made earlier to Rhee re Korean-American misunderstanding etc. Foreign Minister thereupon flew into rage, declared United States had sold China down river and were pursuing same course respecting Korea. Both Rhee and Defense Minister were obviously embarrassed at spectacle presented by Foreign Minister. In end Rhee found it necessary ask him to calm himself.
This morning Defense Minister came to see me, saying he had been directed by President Rhee to say latter distressed by Foreign Minister’s outburst and to express Rhee’s regret.
I feel it obvious from what occurred Foreign Minister acted on his own initiative. Foreign Minister has not seen fit contact me since occurrence incident.