Editorial Note
At midnight on May 24, the Government of the Republic of Korea proclaimed martial law in Pusan and 22 counties in south Kyonsang and Chohlas. Immediately prior to this proclamation, President Rhee appointed Yi Pom Suk, Home Minister; Hong Pom-Hi, Vice Home Minister; and Yun-Kyong, Chief of National Police. The first act of the government under martial law was the arrest of So Min-ho early in the morning of May 25. Republic of Korea military police then began to roust opposition assemblymen from their beds and arrest them, but they arrested only four legislators.
According to the Republic of Korea Constitution, the National Assembly had the power to end martial law. The United States Embassy staff in Pusan believed that Rhee was making every effort to prevent the Assembly from gaining a quorum and thus acting to end martial law. The Embassy also concluded that the imposition of martial law was a political maneuver to provide an excuse for extralegal action by Rhee. A fuller account of these details can be found in telegram 1160 from Pusan, May 26, 1952, not printed. (795B.00/5–2652)