501.BB Korea/6–349: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea
417. In planning initiate activity contemplated under para 4(d) Res Dec 12, 19481 UNCOK may wish through suitable channels approach USSR with view verifying with assistance USSR military experts the already announced withdrawal USSR occupation forces from north Korea,2 simultaneously with UNCOK (and US military experts) observation and verification withdrawal US occupation forces from ROK. There is of course little hope response to such approach wld be affirmative, but UNCOK might find step appropriate for record with respect this para of Res, and as further endeavor obtain access north Korea. Chairman UNCOK might ask UNSYG address both US and USSR regarding UNCOK desire undertake such verification withdrawal occupation forces throughout Korea.
If USSR shd in reply propose their military experts accompany UNCOK in observation and verification in ROK, assumed acceptance proposal wld be contingent upon identical access for UNCOK and US military experts throughout north Korea.
If no objection, you may informally broach suggestion to appropriate UNCOK contacts.
- The paragraph under reference directed UNCOK to “observe the actual withdrawal of the occupying forces and verify the fact of withdrawal when such has occurred; and for this purpose, if it so desires, request the assistance of military experts of the two occupying powers”.↩
- See footnote 10, p. 950.↩