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

895.20/12–1949: Telegram

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

secret

Seoul, December 19, 1949—3 p. m.

1521. Embtel 1519 December 17.¹ While Embassy regards program presented to and approved by ROK December 17 as representing optimum utilization approximately $10.23 million presently allocated Korea under MDAP, it strongly of opinion objectives of MDA Act² would be effectively furthered by supplementing this patently inadequate amount with funds under section 303 of that act.³ Emergency situation with which ROK confronted in maintaining itself against communist aggression from North Korea has been materially aggravated by developments in China since passage MDA Act and there can be no doubt that under present circumstances allocation such additional funds would contribute significantly to accomplishment of “policies and purposes declared in this act” in “general area” China.

Embassy consequently recommends as matter of urgency that consideration be given to allocation for expenditure in Korea of section 303 funds in amount sufficient to bring total sum available for military assistance to Korea for FY 1950 to minimum of $20 million.

Muccio

1. The text of this telegram read as follows:

   “Proposed Korean MDA program as revised here on basis recommendations Embassy and KMAG presented to, and approved by ROK December 17. Revisions outlined KMAG telegram this date from Lawson to Department Army [not printed].” (895.20/12–1749)

2. See the editorial note under date of October 6, p. 1086.
3. See footnote 3, p. 1096.