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

740.00119 Control (Korea)/5–3149: Telegram

The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State

secret
priority

Seoul, May 31, 1949.

627. Part 1. Nearly 2200 US Army personnel left Inchon May 28 and 30, thus initiating steps leading completion withdrawal US Forces Korea by June 30. CG USAFIK estimated 60 percent Army equipment scheduled out shipment has left Inchon.

Part 2. Clamor and fear aroused by troop withdrawal have far exceeded my expectations. It now appears sense of crisis bordering on panic has enveloped higher circles Korean Government which has in turn spread to people at large. Among factors responsible are propaganda line espoused by government directed at retention US troops, recent troop and YMS defections,¹ China debacle, et cetera.

Part 3. In view shaky situation here, we face several critical weeks, worst of which may come about the time troop withdrawal completed.

Part 4. I, therefore, feel we should do everything possible during this critical period to bolster confidence of Korean Government and public. I suggest for one thing no public announcement be made by any US official agency giving completion date troop withdrawal and avoiding where practicable reference withdrawal activities. On positive side I suggest following measures:

(a) Early press release re KMAG (mytel 557, May 18)² coupled with some general assurances continuing US support.

(b) Full publicity re ECA aid when practicable.

(c) Continued effort meet ROK minimum needs for coast guard vessels and planes.

(d) Announcement initiation negotiations Fulbright Agreement.

(e) Visit of naval force shortly after completion troop withdrawal.

Sent Department 627, repeated CINCFE.

Muccio

1. Telegram 601, May 25, from Seoul (not printed), indicated that one of these vessels had defected to the north on May 7; see also telegram 498, May 6, from Seoul, p. 1008.
2. In this telegram, Ambassador Muccio had suggested release of his May 2 letter to President Rhee to the press early in the week beginning Sunday, May 22; see footnote 3 to telegram 299, April 28, p. 998.