Office of the Historian

795.00/6–254: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea1

secret
Washington, June 2, 1954—1:05 p.m.

974. Seoul’s 12592 and 12723 re Korean Defense Treaty repeated Tokyo 746 and 755 Geneva 132 and 140, Seoul’s 12774 repeated Tokyo 757. Tokyo pass CINCUNC.

Especially since President Rhee in his May 29 letter to Dean emphasized alleged discriminatory aspect Korean Defense Treaty, you should utilize convenient opportunity near future convey to him in writing and discuss with him Secretary’s thinking as set forth Deptel 9565 repeated Geneva Tosec 280 Tokyo 2637.

This question discussed in some detail on May 28 with Han of Korean Embassy by Department officer who told him substance Deptel 956 and said it probably already communicated Rhee. Han coming in again today to discuss subject.6

Appreciate analysis situation your 1259 but do not believe we have bargaining factor in Defense Treaty. As Secretary pointed out in Tedul 527 repeated Seoul 907 Tokyo 2481 we should not ask ROK buy same horse twice. In addition see no chance US would agree either to termination article of “aggressor clause” of sort Rhee wants.

Dulles
  1. This telegram, drafted by McClurkin and cleared by Drumright, was repeated to Tokyo as telegram 2668 and to Geneva as telegram Tosec 324.↩
  2. Supra.↩
  3. In this telegram, the Embassy transmitted to the Department of State Rhee’s letter to Dean of May 29 in which the South Korean President alleged that the Mutual Defense Treaty between South Korea and the United States did not provide the security granted to the Japanese in their treaty. Rhee noted that the Japanese treaty could be terminated only by mutual agreement while the Korean treaty only required notice by one party to the other. For text of this telegram, see vol. xvi, p. 327.↩
  4. In this telegram, June 1, Briggs requested that before he replied to Rhee’s concerns about the Mutual Defense Treaty, the Department of State should consider the factors he mentioned in telegram 1259 from Seoul, May 28.↩
  5. Dated May 27, p. 1810.↩
  6. A report of this meeting can be found in telegram 978 to Seoul, June 2, 1954, not printed. (795B.5/6–254)↩
  7. For the text of this telegram, dated May 10, see vol. xvi, p. 242.↩