795.00/11–651: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
410. CINCFE for Ridgway by other means. Ref CINCFE CX–56598 sent Dept Army rptd info American Embassy Pusan.1
In light UNC proposal agree demarcation line on basis line of contact and probability ROK seize opportunity criticize arrangement excluding Kaesong ROK territory, I called on President Rhee November [Page 1092] 5. I told him General Ridgway wanted me inform him difficulties involved, present phase negotiations. I recalled success General Ridgway has had holding out against withdrawal to 38th parallel on grounds demarcation line must be militarily defensible; pointed out Commies have now come far to meet us and appear ready agree on demarcation line if based on line of contact; UN has so far insisted major adjustments such line also required, but difficult adhere this position in face previous insistence on deciding issue on purely military grounds. World opinion could not be expected support continuing deadlock on this issue and fact was no proposal made more sense from mil point of view than line of contact.
Rhee appeared somewhat resigned to situation; he did not make scene but remarked that Kaesong of course meant great deal to Korean people and it wld be difficult having Commies south 38th parallel. He also repeated it was stupid believe Commies wld honor any settlement.
Rhee’s relatively mild reaction does not necessarily mean he will not be difficult. I anticipate agitated reactions several quarters, with Rhee figuring in background. At an instance, Natl Assembly yesterday passed unanimous resolution addressed to ROK Govt, General’s Ridgway, Van Fleet to effect “Korean people do not want to give up Yom-pack and Ongjin areas” and recommending they be “excluded from neutral zone”, (sic).
Among points which ROK likely raise in future if line contact becomes armistice line is fact Ongjin and other ROK areas in west will be handed over to North Korean administration whereas North Korean areas on east coast south of demarcation line cannot, under existing UN resolutions, be turned over to ROK administration.