795B.00/11–450: Telegram
The Chargé in Korea (Drumright) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 4—2:56 p. m.]
333. Re Hague 630, October 30, to Department; repeated info Seoul 1.1 Following is Embassy’s comment: Difficult evaluate Times article which unavailable here; from context reftel appears, however, article purports describe alleged ROK widespread brutalities against Commies caught Seoul. Although Embassy much interested this subject even fearing prior to its return here there might be blood bath Seoul streets, Embassy has been pleasantly impressed generally reasonable attitude ROK officials towards persons suspected aiding enemy during Commie occupation. Embassy has inquired at British Legation both re Times correspondent and Legation’s possible possession information this subject. British Chargé says are no Times correspondents Korea present time; from date article appearing Times he believes must have been written by correspondent earlier here but then in Tokyo. Re charge brutalities, says only mention made him by [Page 1044] this man was of rough treatment sometimes encountered at police stations.
Embassy suggests Department consider forwarding to Embassy Hague for information Netherlands Foreign Office substance Embtel 281, October 20; Embtel 317, October 31,2 and pertinent part Embassy unnumbered despatch October 1.3 Considering nature Commie invasion three months occupation Seoul, perpetration atrocities including wide-scale murder and kidnaping, should be expected popular feeling against Commie agents very high especially among citizens Seoul who remained here during those three months; additionally, many police lost part or all their families although they themselves had gone south. Under such circumstances, Embassy considers ROK agencies have shown generally commendable restraint. Noteworthy as of October 27, of 9777 arrestees investigated approximately half released for lack legal evidence. Also noteworthy, those persons not arrested and tried for “collaboration”, but for violation specific terms National Security Law and other laws, especially those covering conspiracy overthrow state with force arms, espionage, and murder.
Embassy also draws attention many thousand enemy POW’s captured by ROK forces who treated in accordance with Geneva conventions according to testimony of International Red Cross representatives.
Reference to “policy permitting Rhee regime unfettered control ROK mistake” not understood here. ROK sovereign state with legally established government. Rhee’s public and private statements regarding forgiveness enemies, ignoring small fry among Commies, seem highly commendable. Should Embassy learn of practices alleged by Times article, it would urge their termination, as presumably would CINCUNC Japan.
Embassy believes, however, Times article as described highly imaginative, little associated with facts present situation.
- Not printed. It reported on expressions of concern by officials of the Netherlands Foreign Ministry over an article in The Times of London, October 25, dealing with alleged mistreatment by ROK officials of fellow Koreans in the Seoul area accused of being Communists or collaborators during the North Korean occupation. (795.00/10–3050)↩
- Neither printed. They reported on the Republic of Korea’s program for handling persons arrested for alleged collaboration with the Communists in the Seoul area. (795B.00/10–2050; 795.00/10–3150)↩
- Not printed.↩