Truman Library, Truman papers, White House central files, “Confidential file”
The President of the Republic of Korea (Rhee) to President Truman1
My Dear Mr. President: Today is the Second Anniversary of the war in Korea. For two long years the Korean people have bled, suffered, and died in their unwavering determination to resist the Communist aggressors, and, thanks to you, the Free World rallied and joined us in the front-line battle against the common enemy. I wish to remind Your Excellency again of the fact that the whole Korean nation shall forever be grateful to you for your courageous decision and for the gallant and generous contributions of the American people.
It is my earnest desire to express to Your Excellency my sincere regret over my inability to comply with the suggestions and requests made by the United Nations regarding the current disturbance in Pusan. I feel that I owe you a fuller explanation, which I was unable to give at first.
The information that has been so widely circulated in the foreign press has so grossly distorted the true facts that it is not at all surprising that our friends have been shocked and concerned. These stories manufactured by my political enemies were accepted at face-value, and in some cases they were so fantastically exaggerated that even I myself was overwhelmed!
However, I have a firm belief that the truth will reveal itself and all my friends will come to understand. In fact, it has been impossible for me to explain fully my position under the prevailing circumstances. I beseech you and other friends to be a little more patient with me, so [Page 355] that as the facts unfold one by one you will know why it was impossible to carry out the suggestions of the United Nations representatives at once.
It has been published in the press more than once, and as I have personally explained in confidence to the members of the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea and the United States Embassy, that a serious Communist conspiracy in connection with certain members of the National Assembly has been discovered; it is evident and clear that the Communists are trying to get into the Korean Government through the back-door; in a short time, the trial will reveal all these facts surrounding the conspiracy. Unfortunately, the foreign representatives here seem to have ignored the serious nature of the case involving our national security and continue to press me to lift the martial law and to release the accused Assemblymen. But that is just what our enemies want us to do, because if that is done the way will be wide open for the Communists to come in and take the Government under their control.
This, then, is the reason why I was unable to carry out your advice. I make this brief explanation with the hope that Your Excellency will understand that I have not been purposely uncooperative. Believe me, Mr. President, when I say that out of my deep gratitude to Your Excellency and the other friendly nations I am ready always, to accept any advice and counsel which you may deem advisable to offer. Naturally, no matter what the cost—personal or otherwise, I cannot surrender to the Communists the common cause for which all our gallant allies and ourselves have sacrificed so much.
Please be reassured that I will never make of myself a “dictator” nor will I ever be a hindrance to the development of democracy. I continue to strive, despite the many adverse pressures exerted upon me, to seek a solution that will be acceptable to the people of Korea without going to extremes and taking irrevocable steps. I am still endeavoring to solve the problem without dissolving the Assembly. The people are demanding immediate action for an election which would ultimately result in a reorganization of the Assembly, which of itself will reflect the will of the people. The recalcitrant elements in the Assembly are still obstructing the adoption of the constitutional amendment; this deadlock may lead to a serious repercussion and some action should be taken without further delay. I hope to see a solution reached within a short time.
Thanking you for your patience and understanding, I remain, as always,
Your loyal ally and friend,
-
No action was taken on this letter until Aug. 13, 1952, when Acting Secretary Bruce sent a memorandum to Matthew J. Connelly which read in part as follows:
↩“Action on your memorandum has been delayed until now in order to permit the Department to determine whether developments in the Korean political situation might necessitate either further action by the Government or a reply by the President. In recent weeks the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea has approved the constitutional amendments desired by President Rhee, martial law has been lifted and popular presidential elections have been held in a seemingly free and uneventful atmosphere.
“In light of these developments and the fact that President Rhee’s letter is not considered to have constituted a conclusive or adequate reply to President Truman’s earlier suggestions and recommendations, it is not believed that further action or an acknowledgement by President Truman is necessary or desirable.” (Truman Library, White House central files, “Confidential file”)