Matthews files, lot 53 D 413: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Clark) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
flash
CX 63170. 1. I have talked with Herren this morning, who has only fragmentary reports of the new outbreak which occurred last night. Factual info will be passed as soon as received. Preliminary reports indicate that approx 9,000 prisoners of war remain in Korean non-repatriate camps housing about 35,000 before current escapes began. It is known that some 30 prisoners of war were killed and 107 injured by mob action in an escape attempt.
2. Yesterday US trps immediately available in the vic of POW camps were moved to the Korean non-repatriate camps to take over where ROK security units are disaffected, and to supplement US control at other places. (See mymsg CX 63138.)1
3. Today Herren is concentrating remaining non-repatriated Korean POWs in compounds within enclosures where US trps by nightfall will have taken over the entire security of the remaining POWs. Riot tactics, heavy concentration of non-toxic irritants are continuing to be employed in an effort to restrain the remaining POWs. Instructions still stand for reasons which have been passed to you in previous msgs, that mass killings will not be resorted to.
4. I am informed by Herren that the Provost Marshal, Gen Won Yung Dok, has issued orders to ROK security units still in the vic of these camps to attack US forces who are preventing the release of Korean POWs. I have issued instructions to Herren to resist such attacks with all force at his disposal. He has also informed Gen Paik, Chief of Staff of the ROK Army, of his intentions. Gen Paik understands, but Won Yung Dok, who acts directly under Pres Rhee, apparently is issuing separate instructions which in many cases will be obeyed.
- In this telegram, Clark to the JCS, June 18, 1953, Clark also summarized available information on the magnitude of the mass escape and ROK collusion in the operation. (Matthews files, lot 53 D 413)↩