Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Korea, Volume XV, Part 2

S/S–NSC files, lot 63 D 351, NSC 170 Series

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Robertson) to the Director of the Policy Planning Staff (Bowie)¹

top secret

[Washington,] December 15, 1953.

Subject:

• Analysis of Possible Courses of Action in Korea

Attached is a memorandum from General Cutler on the above-cited subject.² It will be noted in reference to NSC action No. 972 that State and the JCS are requested to prepare a statement for NSC consideration before January 1 of initial military objectives and major courses of action to be undertaken in the event that hostilities are renewed in Korea by the Communists.

I suggest that S/P, as in the past, prepare the initial draft for our joint discussion and clearance.

In transmitting the attached memorandum, FE would like to submit the following preliminary comments on the subject matter.

As previously stated, FE considers that the military courses of action proposed by the JCS were too sweeping in character and likely, if implemented, to involve the United States in widespread hostilities. FE is of the view that if the Communists resume hostilities in Korea, a major effort should be made of course to dispose of the enemy forces. From the political point of view, FE would like, if possible, to see hostilities limited to Korea and to Manchuria, particularly lines of communication leading into Korea, air bases under use by the enemy and supply areas. FE believes that areas adjacent to the Soviet Union, areas in China proper and the Port Arthur-Darien area should be excluded from attack unless it is conclusively shown that installations and facilities in such areas are being used to great advantage by the enemy. The purpose of so limiting our military activities, if feasible, would be to avoid precipitation of general hostilities, but at the same time to take adequate action to dispose of the enemy in Korea and put out of action facilities needed by the enemy in Manchuria. FE also believes that military activities contemplated above should be accompanied by an effective blockade of the whole China coast.

If the enemy should resume hostilities in Korea, the United States should immediately call for implementation of the 16-power joint declaration issued in connection with the Korean armistice. Immediate and vigorous action should likewise be taken in and out of the United Nations to obtain the widest possible political and military support for the course of action taken by the UNC in Korea and adjacent areas. FE believes that if the enemy should launch a renewed attack in Korea, there should be no insuperable difficulty in getting the great majority of the UN powers and several friendly powers outside the UN to support our course of action. The main channel of activity would of course be through the United Nations.

1. This memorandum was drafted by Drumright.
2. In the attached memorandum, Dec. 10, 1953, Cutler informed the Department of State of NSC Action No. 972-b, which directed the Department of State and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare a restatement for Council consideration of military courses of action to be undertaken in the event that the Communists renewed hostilities in Korea.