795.00/6–252
President Truman to the President of the Republic of Korea (Rhee)1
Amb Muccio has reported to me on the situation in Korea and is returning immed at my request to discuss it with you.
I am shocked at the turn of events during the past week reported to me by many official sources. I find it difficult to believe that, at this critical hour in the history of the ROK, differences between the several branches of the Korean Govt cannot be resolved in a manner which will maintain the confidence of the peoples of the US and the free world in Korean leadership and Korean democratic institutions. It would be a tragic mockery of the great sacrifices in blood and treasure [Page 286] which the people of many free nations and of Korea have made in the past two years if any changes considered necessary in the political structure of the ROK cannot be carried out in accordance with due process of law.
Therefore I urge you most strongly to seek acceptable and workable ways to bring this crisis to an end and hope that you will take no irrevocable acts2 before Amb Muccio returns to Pusan. When he arrives he will immed convey my further views to you.
- The text of the note was transmitted in telegram 900 to Pusan, repeated to Tokyo for CINCUNC, June 2, 1952; it was drafted by Johnson and cleared with Matthews and President Truman.↩
- On the morning of June 2, President Rhee informed his Cabinet that he was asking his Prime Minister to communicate the following ultimatum to the National Assembly: agree to pass his amendment for direct election of the President within 24 hours or he would dissolve the Assembly (telegram 1244 from Pusan, June 2, 1952, not printed; 795.00/6–252). In telegram 901 to Pusan the same day, Lightner was authorized to make it clear to Rhee that Truman’s reference to “irrevocable acts” referred to this ultimatum (795.00/6–252).↩