795.5/7–951: Telegram

The Ambassador in Korea ( Muccio ) to the Secretary of State

secret

22. Governor Dewey, who was in Pusan about three hours yesterday, met ROK President, Cabinet, leading members Natl Assembly, UNCURK and UNKRA; he talked with President for one hour; appeared before crowded special mtg Natl Assembly; and visited [Page 641] UN cemetery en route to airport. Entire Cabinet and many Assembly members were at airport to greet him and he recd ovation at Assembly. On whole I feel his visit helped ease tension ROK Govt circles. As influential US politician and one of leading members of opposition his assurances on US unity on big foreign policy issues, US continuing interest Korean fate, etc., reassured Koreans in sensitive spot at timely moment.

Fol are brief notes on interview with President Rhee in presence of PriMin, FonMin, General Coulter, and myself. President expressed appreciation for help recd from US but soon launched into subj of cease-fire. He said there was no doubt Chinese and NK defeated and he was sure Russia wld not come in if fighting continued to Yalu. Dewey asked how President cld be so sure of latter point. Rhee evaded question and said we were making big mistake treating aggressors as equals; US didn’t appreciate importance of prestige in orient and wld lose face with Orientals in mtg defeated enemy as equals in negots. Enemy already taking advantage of this and now proclaiming they are victorious and we suing for peace. Dewey asked who President thought we shld deal with and Rhee replied he thought we should make Russians come forward. (I gathered he is irked at prominent role Kim Il Sung will play in negots as contrasted negligible role of ROK.) Rhee reiterated misgiving that once there is cease-fire it will be possible to obtain political settlement and cited experience 1946–47 under Joint Commission. He claimed Korea can’t live if divided. If others didn’t want to continue fight Korean boys shld be allowed carry on alone. Dewey felt this wld be rash in view hordes of Chinese and asked if Rhee wld not expect UN forces come back and rescue ROKs. President evaded question. Dewey continued that we cld of course push few more miles north but beyond that we unable supply our troops or prevent enemy reinforcing and supplying theirs; therefore he did not believe Korea cld be united by force. I added that temper of people of free world much different now than in period mentioned by Rhee; much more aware Commie tactics and making great strides toward preparedness each month.

Dewey mentioned he had an opinion of which he wld like President’s views: He felt Soviets never strike twice in same place and therefore Korea shld be free from attack for long time to come if cease-fire arranged. Rhee throughout interview was inclined change subject when pinned down rather than pursue specific points to logical conclusion. In this case he again dodged question reiterating that Commies were now defeated and we shld obtain fruits of victory (unification of Korea). Cease-fire is admission we unable obtain our objectives although fact is enemy is defeated and objectives readily obtainable. All we apparently getting out of terrific sacrifices is divided Korea and [Page 642] all evils of before 1950, and in process we lose face throughout Far East.

Dewey closed interview with fine statement concerning need for patience, restraint and full collaboration of free world during this very tense period.

Rhee struck me as being in better mental condition than he has been in several weeks. Nevertheless Dewey remarked to me later that the old man appeared to be pretty senile and guided by emotions.

Party then proceeded to Natl Assembly where packed house (probably 1,000 people including visitors) gave Dewey ovation. After greeting by acting chairman, Dewey spoke extemporaneously of unlimited admiration of American people for heroic courage of Korean people and sympathy for their sufferings. He recalled he spoke as private citizen and member opposition party. He said he cld not make remarks of political character in view of delicacy of present situation. Referred to Ambassador Dulles’ remarks to Assembly little over year ago that Koreans do not stand alone.1 Those words proved prophetic. In crisis Koreans had not stood alone and do not stand alone today. Americans are dedicated to principle of collective security and are building up through UN force so overwhelming that no aggressor dare challenge it. Our purpose to build free association of nations with full equality and dignity for all. Common partnership in Korea has built bond of friendship between our peoples which it is hoped will grow in expanding free world and bring unity to all peoples of free world including those of Korea.

In view of short time at his disposal in Pusan, Dewey had intended merely see President and was a bit nettled when he learned he was expected appear before Natl Assembly. However on departure he told me it had been most worthwhile experience and he had enjoyed it. As indicated above, I am convinced his brief public appearance and well-chosen remarks had beneficial influence at timely moment. Also consider interview with President was helpful, at least in giving Rhee chance give vent to his emotions.

Sent Dept 22, repeated info Tokyo 7.

Muccio
  1. For the text of a statement made by Dulles before the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea on June 19, 1950, see Department of State Bulletin, July 3, 1950, p. 12.