FE files, lot 55 D 128, tab 1: Telegram

The Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Clark) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

top secret
emergency

CX 68567. Ref JCS 908093.1

1. The following breakdown indicates the number of screened and unscreened personnel:

a. Screened personnel to return to Communist control:

NK POWs 26,161
SK POWs 4,287
CCF 5,236
CIs 3,801
Total 39,485

b. Unscreened personnel at Koje-Do:

NK POWs 37,624
SK POWs 64
CIs 6,115
Total 43,803

[Page 205]

c. With regard to the 3500 unscreened personnel at Inclosure No 10, Pusan,2 the emphasis will be placed on control, accomplishing only such screening as proves practicable as an incident thereto. Those inmates of Inclosure No 10 who remain unscreened as of 18 May will not be included in the rosters scheduled for completion about 20 May. They will be placed on an addendum roster to be furnished to the Communists at the time of repatriation. Failing to roster an estimated 2800 prisoners desiring to return to Communist control is considered an advantage in that it will compensate in numbers for inaccuracies that are inherent in rostering of prisoners in recalcitrant compounds of Koje-Do without actual count as of rostering date.

2. The following was broadcast several times over loud speakers to all inmates of unscreened compounds at Koje-Do on 13 May 1952:

“On the strength of previous statements of compound leaders, the UNC assumes that all inmates of blank compound desire to return to the other side and that they will be so returned following an armistice.

“It is now necessary to furnish an accurate roster of all prisoners of war who will be repatriated to the Korean People’s Army and the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. The names of all of you will be included in these rosters. However, if there are any of you who violently object to repatriation, you have the opportunity, individually, to report to, and place yourselves under the protection of the UN guards.

“There will be no screening to determine your wishes. There will be no opportunity for you to remain in South Korea once the rosters have been prepared. If you violently oppose repatriation, you must act quickly to keep your name from being included in the roster.”

As the result of this broadcast, 4 PWs have reported themselves to the UNC guards as violently objecting to repatriation.

3. The following message from Eighth Army was delivered in writing to the leaders of Compound 76 on 13 May 1952:

“To the prisoners of UNPW Enclosures:

“This is to insure that you fully understand the following:

  • “(1) The letter dated 10 May, addressed to Association of PW Representatives of KPA and CPV Chief, and signed by Brig Gen C F Colson in no way admits that the UN forces have in any way violated the Geneva Convention and agreement on treatment of prisoners of war.
  • “(2) The UN Forces have always scrupulously complied with the Geneva Convention Agreement of 1949.”

4. Eighth Army will complete the preparation on 20 May of final rosters to be submitted to the Communists. These rosters will contain: [Page 206]

a.
Those North Korean and Chinese prisoners of war who at a screening interview indicated that they would not forcibly oppose return to Communist control.
b.
Those South Korean and CIs who elect to return to Communist control.
c.
Those POWs and CIs remaining in compounds which have resisted screening after the announcement was made as indicated in Para 2 above.

5. To attempt to break the present deadlock in the armistice negotiations, I plan to take the following action:

a.
No more individual screening will be attemped on Koje-Do.
b.
As soon as practicable, inform the Communists thru Liaison Officers that approximately 80,000 individuals will be returned to their control, indicating that rosters containing at least this number will be available in a short period of time if the Communists agree in principle with the revised figure.
c.
If general agreement is reached on the 80,000 figure, submit to the Communists rosters outlined in Para 4 above.
d.
If both sides accept the revised rosters, we will repatriate all POWs and CIs whose names appear on the rosters which we submitted to the Communists.

6. It is believed desirable to release a statement that fully clarifies the screening procedure followed by the UNC, this statement to be released concurrently with the submission of the 80,000 figure to the Communists. I am preparing and will submit to you shortly such a statement for your consideration.

7. Request concurrence in procedure outlined above ASAP.

  1. Dated May 6, p. 189.
  2. Enclosure 10 at Pusan was for hospital cases. Some patients and hospital work details refused to be transferred to new compounds. On May 20, UN troops moved into the compound using tear gas and concussion grenades on recalcitrant prisoners forcing them into their new compound. (Hermes, Truce Tent and Fighting Front, pp. 255–257)