893.01/9–1349: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 13—11:59 a. m.]
1144. Re queries posed third substantive paragraph Deptel 755, September 8,40 following is our estimate.
- a.
- ROK41 officials and public opinion will wholeheartedly welcome withholding by US and other principal Western Powers of recognition of any Communist regime or regimes which may be established in China.
- b.
- Recognition at any time of Chinese Communist regime by chief Western Powers would be most unfavorably regarded by ROK officials and people, would further confuse Korean public opinion re Western policy toward China and might impair determination of Korean Government and people to fight Communist aggression.
- c.
- Firm disposition on part US not to recognize in face UK or French recognition would receive utmost approbation on part ROK officialdom and public opinion.
Irrespective of UN developments, anti-Communist sentiment in ROK is so strong and pronounced, in light of persistent Communist endeavors absorb South Korea, that there is no prospect of Korean Government’s according recognition to any Chinese Communist regime. Chinese Communists regarded here as scarcely different from North Korean Communists, usually part of Moscow apparatus for achieving Communist world-domination. Both Chinese and Korean Communists considered to constitute active threat to security ROK.
President Rhee42 and his Cabinet, supported in large part by public opinion and press have consistently evinced sympathetic attitude toward Chinese Government in its fight against communism. Rhee’s receiving of Chiang and recent dispatch Korean Ambassador to [Page 81] Canton clearly reflect attitude Korean Government. It is considered view this Embassy Korean Government will continue accord recognition present Chinese Government as long as it continues in existence.