795.00/12–1150: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11—2:37 p. m.]
563. Situation described in Embtel 530, December 6 [7],1 worsened through December 9, but yesterday and today there has been perceptible easing of tension. It would appear Truman–Attlee statement primarily responsible for calmer atmosphere of past two days.
Mayor of Seoul estimates that during past five or six days some 200,000 people have left Seoul for adjacent countryside or points south. While there has been steady exodus past few days, Embassy feels Mayor’s estimate exaggerated. Outward flow appeared much reduced today. Public statements issued by Social Affairs Minister, ROK Army Provost Marshal, Home Minister and ROK OPI have contributed to exodus.
Since General Walker’s return to Seoul, I have conferred almost daily with him about general situation. In conversation yesterday Walker expressed confidence enemy could not now push UN forces out of this area by frontal approach. Enemy might be able to maneuver UN forces out, however, by pushing in from northeast. The success of such maneuver would be contingent on ability to drive through ROK forces. ROK morale had been depressed since first encounter with CCF.
I suggested to General Walker it might be helpful for him to outline situation to Rhee and War Cabinet, pointing out military situation far from hopeless and it imperative to have revival of spirit of ROK troops and Rhee and Cabinet members, as Korean leaders, should do everything possible to bring this about.
General Walker concurred and later yesterday morning he and I met with Rhee and War Cabinet. At this meeting Walker made forthright explanation in much same way he had talked with me. Rhee, who has been nervous and jittery past few days, pressed Walker for commitments to defend Seoul and arm Korean youth. Walker replied his instructions are same today as when he arrived: “to destroy enemy”. To carry out this mission, he had as first responsibility preservation of fighting ability of UN army. Rhee appeared either unwilling or unable to grasp Walker’s explanation. However Embassy understands that following meeting with Walker yesterday morning, Rhee called special meeting of Cabinet yesterday afternoon and asked members to do everything possible to bolster morale of people and army. [Page 1522] Among other things, he stated he planned to address mass meeting in stadium in day or two and would visit Korean army II Corps headquarters north of Seoul shortly.
Embassy understands that at his press conference this afternoon Rhee announced calling monster rally at which he would discuss defense of Seoul and related problems. President also stated he had sent instructions by cable yesterday to Korean Ambassador in Washington directing him to state that any negotiations aimed at re-establishing 38th Parallel barrier would be unacceptable to ROK Government.
On receipt here this morning of Depcirtel 256, December 9, I called on Rhee and read out pertinent excerpts. He appeared comforted by knowledge our stand re no appeasement, for it is clear apprehensions of some such move had been foremost in his mind past few days.
Repeated information Tokyo unnumbered.
- Not printed; it described the widespread uneasiness among the populace of Seoul during the past few days stemming mainly from the unfavorable turn in the military situation as a result of mass intervention by the Chinese Communists (795.00/12–750).↩