357.AD/10–1650: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (MacArthur) to the President
[Received October 16—3:45 a. m.]
CX66554. To President of the United States, the Honorable Harry S. Truman, information JCS and Secretary of State. I have just received the following message from President Syngman Rhee:
“United Nations’ new committee’s resolution1 not acceptable. Korean people will insist on maintaining their inalienable right to hold elections and to set up any government according to their free will, under the observation of and in cooperation with United Nations Commission. But to allow any nation or nations, even United Nations, to interfere with the internal administration in cooperation with the existing Communist organizations imposed upon the people by alien power is impossible. After defeating the Communists at the cost of the precious blood of United Nations and Korean armies, the new committee’s proposal to protect and revive Communism in the north is unthinkable. This government is taking over the civilian administration whenever hostilities cease by dispatching the governors appointed 2 years ago for 5 provinces of the north to restore peace and order. When the situation is ready for elections, the people will be allowed to elect their own governors in free atmosphere and the same civic rights and privileges enjoyed by the citizens in south will be extended equally to all people of the north. In deference to the desire of United Nations’ new committee, I will resign in first opportune moment but must first settle the Communist problem which is the sole purpose of this war, and the will of people in north and south be carried out free from the influence of Soviet or any other outside power. Signed Syngman Rhee.”
I am advising President Rhee that he should carefully avoid any action which might encourage further public controversy as to this matter pending the opportunity for a thorough review of the same in Washington. His message does, however, reflect that resentment of which I expressed my deep concern during yesterday’s conference and I believe that every effort should be made by our government to reconcile the position of the United Nations’ interim committee on Korea with the previous resolutions and commitments of the United Nations with respect to the establishment of the existing government of the Republic of Korea. As you pointed out in yesterday’s conference, we must not unnecessarily alienate that government and the people it represents who during the past 3 months have displayed so determined and gallant a stand against aggression and in support of the US–UN [Page 964] principles, nor are we justified in ignoring decisions of the United Nations of the past 3 years, particularly as to the bona fides of the elections held on May 10, 1948 and May 30, 1950. To do so would be to create full legal and moral grounds for just such resentment. Ambassador Muccio fully concurs.