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

795.00/3–2554: Telegram

The Ambassador in Korea (Briggs) to the Department of State

top secret

Seoul, March 25, 1954—2 p.m.

936. Repeated information Tokyo 572. Tokyo for CINCUNC exclusive for General Hull. Limit distribution.

Defense Minister Sohn has informed me in confidence that at meeting with President Rhee, top ROKA Generals (presumably JCS Chairman Yi, ROKA Chief of Staff Chung and ROK First Army Commander Paek) all informed Rhee flatly he could not hope to succeed in unifying Korea by unilateral ROK military action. Meeting in question apparently took place March 23.

Foregoing information, accuracy of which I have no reason to doubt, is interesting confirmation that top ROKA Generals realistic in their appraisal military factors involved in drive North.

I have informed General Taylor of above. He is reporting separately on other aspects Rhee’s relations with ranking Korean Generals.¹

Briggs

1. Not printed.