795A.00/5–1150: Telegram
The Chargé in Korea (Drumright) to the Secretary of State
683. ReEmbtel 675, May 11 quoting External Defense Minister’s statement on North Korean military strength, Embassy offers following comment.
In contrast figures quoted in statement, following is our current estimate of North Korean security strength. Total armed forces 103,000 including “People’s Army”, Korean volunteer army returnees from Manchuria, border constabulary, air division, armoured formation and navy. In addition foregoing, provincial police estimated number about 25,000. Only armoured formation in North Korea is of brigade size and composed of estimated 65 tanks, heaviest of which is Soviet model T–34. Estimated number of artillery pieces as follows: 76.2 mm guns and howitzers 224; 122 mm howitzers 72; 82 mm mortars 637; 120 mm mortars 143; 45 mm AT guns 356. Light and heavy machine guns 6,032. North Korean Air Force strength estimated prior defection April 28 of Lt. Lee Kun Soon1 as follows: 35 yak fighter aircraft; 3 twin engine bombers; 2 twin engine transports; 35 trainer aircraft. Information derived from Lt. Lee evaluated F–3 suggests 100 yak aircraft, including 22 trainers; 70 IL–10 attack bombers; 8 PO–2 reconnaisance and 2 US L-type liaison aircraft.
If Embassy estimates approximately accurate, it follows Korean figures are exaggerated—probably deliberately so. Purpose of exaggeration undoubtedly is to convince friendly powers, especially US, of disparity of strength between North and South Korean forces and thus enlist for additional military aid. In this connection, it perhaps not without significance that during recent conversations with President, [Page 85] including one today, he has spoken emphatically of need for further military aid.2
That Defense Minister’s statement was expressly issued for foreign consumption is indicated by fact Korean press excluded from conference with foreign correspondents and was later given much less detailed report of North Korean military strength. Fear specific figures would alarm ROK populace probably dictated exclusion detailed information from Korean press.
Sent Department 683, repeated CINFE.
- Lieutenant Lee had defected from the North Korean Air Force with a Soviet plane, as mentioned in the memorandum of conversation of May 10, p. 78.↩
-
On May 12, President Rhee held a press conference, a report on which was sent to the Department in despatch no. 519, May 15, from Seoul, not printed. In regard to the Defense Minister’s press conference of May 10, President Rhee was quoted as follows:
“I have heard North Korean troops (are) concentrating near the 38th parallel. A few days ago a North Korean rocket fell in the city of Kaesung. Another shell killed two more soldiers and wounded two civilians who died in the hospital. We can do nothing. We will solve this matter through the UN and the United States. A few days ago one American friend said that if the United States gives weapons to South Korea, she feared that South Korea would invade North Korea. This is a useless worry of some Americans who do not know South Korea. Our present war is not a cold war, but a real shooting war; Our troops will take all possible counter-measures. I think preparing counter-measures is the duty of our soldiers in self-defense. North Korea is concentrating: near the 38th parallel. I do not think these North Korean troops are concentrating near the 38th parallel to invade Japan or China.… In South Korea the United States has one foot in South Korea and one foot outside so that in case of an unfavorable situation it could pull out of our country. I daresay that if the United States wants to aid our country it should not be only lip-service. General Roberts and Ambassador Muccio have worked to obtain more arms for Korea, but people in the United States are dreaming.” (795B.00/5–1550)
↩