795B.11/7–1054: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Briggs) to the Department of State
priority
27. Repeated information Tokyo 14. Tokyo pass CINCUNC exclusive for General Hull. For the Secretary.
President Rhee asked me to call this morning and informed me he has now decided accept Washington invitation. He said this decision made on receipt Ambassador Yang’s report of recent conversation1 in which you had again urged visit and had pointed out advantages personal conversations concerning pending matters, “especially”, added Rhee, “two alternatives set forth my letter July 1 [2]”.2
Prime Minister Pyun and Vice Foreign Minister Cho present this morning.
Rhee discussed various plans but ended by suggesting tentative program be drafted in Washington and telegraphed to me for his consideration. Said would like depart “within two or three weeks” if that convenient President Eisenhower and spoke of spending day or two in Honolulu on invitation Admiral Stump and day or two New York after Washington. President expects at least nine or ten persons in party including Mrs. Rhee, Admiral Sohn Won-il, Defense Minister (“as suggested [Page 1831] by Secretary McNeil”, said Rhee), Major General Choi Tokshin, ROK Observer at Panmunjom during armistice negotiations, General Chung Il-kwon, Chief of Staff ROKA, General Im Chung-yul, ROK Air Force (chosen because speaks English whereas General Choi,3 head Air Force, does not), one or two secretaries and “perhaps Dr. Glenn” (Rhee’s American advisor on public information who assists in drafting Presidential letters, statements, et cetera).
Only other observation relevant to trip made by President was in connection alleged “unrest among ROK Generals” along lines penultimate paragraph Rhee’s July 1 letter. (I found this no more impressive than paragraph in question.) It is of interest, however, that accompanying staff is so predominantly military.
Parenthetically, I have never seen President Rhee in such poor shape. Mind wandered several times during half-hour meeting and he appeared confused and to have difficulty expressing himself as well as in following conversation. Moreover, he has developed in recent weeks pronounced droop left eyelid with possibly impaired vision that eye. When at end of conversation about trip he asked whether any additional subject I wished bring up, I mentioned Department’s efforts toward ROK administrative control of area between 38th Parallel and DZ (Department telegram 17 July 84). This remark appeared not to penetrate at all; after pause President made vague reference to Banto Hotel.
Having in mind President’s age and recent apparent deterioration his condition (see my letter June 30 to Young summarizing latest medical report5), I suggest in drafting schedule Department consider 24-hour pauses at least twice en route. I assume special mission aircraft will be made available.
Since no mention Pyun to accompany President, I gather he may remain Korea during President’s absence.
President expressed hope there would be no publicity concerning trip at least until after dates and details arranged.
- See McClurkin’s memorandum of conversation, supra.↩
- Ante, p. 1818.↩
- Gen. Choi Yong Duk.↩
- In this telegram, the Department of State informed the Embassy that the 16 allies had raised no objections to the proposal to give administrative control of the UNC territory north of the 38th parallel to the Republic of Korea and it was then consulting countries with UNCURK representation. (795B.00/7–754)↩
- Not found in Department of State files.↩