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

611.95B/9–154: Telegram

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

secret

Seoul, September 1, 1954—8 p.m.

253. Repeated information Tokyo 163, Manila 9. Manila for Secretary. Tokyo pass General Hull. Reference joint message from General Hull and me dated August 28, No. C 69431¹ and Embtels 240, 241, 243, dated August 30.²

Following submitted as of interest concerning current unsatisfactory atmosphere ROK Government circles connection US relations. While I do not attribute undue importance thereto, conversation is illustrative present official ROK misgivings and dissatisfaction. These derive, of course, almost exclusively from President Rhee.

What began as courtesy call on Vice Foreign Minister Cho developed into marathon meeting with Prime Minister Pyun who shortly joined us and dominated conversation ROK side. Pyun made following points:

1. ROK jurisdiction between 38th Parallel and DMZ. ROK must have sovereignty as well as administrative control, this is ROK territory, solution legal matters requires full sovereignty, elections must soon be held for Assembly representatives from territory, et cetera.

Pyun admitted there is no difficulty between UNC and appropriate ROK authorities; on contrary I gathered all moving smoothly there. Agitation for “full sovereignty” I accordingly regard as ROK propaganda move. I told Pyun present agitation incurs risk alienating our allies and that this golden opportunity on ROK side for silence.

2. NNSC. Pyun said since Swiss and Swedes apparently unwilling withdraw, solution is for ROK Government to eject Poles and Czechs from ROK territory. He said he had just signed letter to Secretary Dulles demanding NNSC leave country and that he would send copy to me this afternoon with request telegraphic transmission (see immediately following telegram).³

3. Pyun’s next act was litany of woe over “abandonment” and I once again explained situation in terms development and maintenance strong ROK military establishment plus assurance prompt US retaliation against Communists should they renew aggression. Pyun declared announcement redeployment has produced “situation of panic” within ROK territory. I said if panic exists I had failed observe it and in any case duty of ROK Government should be to reassure public. Continuing alarmist statements have had contrary effect.

Comment: Pyun appeared to be reasonably pacific in conversation; that is, he successively dropped subjects of complaint after discussion. However, in last analysis it is President Rhee who is calling turns and above all it is Rhee who is attacking our redeployment program and primarily responsible for such public uneasiness as prevails, one result of which has been create sufficient alarm so that flight of capital has occurred and also substantial further depreciation hwan. With regard NNSC, however, I have considerable sympathy ROK position and once more recommend General Hull be given requisite authorization forthwith to terminate that body.

Briggs

1. In this telegram, Hull and Briggs advised that signature of the revised draft minute should be obtained from the ROK before steps were taken to implement decisions concerning the South Korean military establishment and the economic aid program. (795.00/8–2854)
2. In these telegrams, Briggs reported on three visits (essentially courtesy calls) he had with Rhee on Aug. 30 as well as an interview with Pyun on that same date, none printed. (795B.5 MSP/8–3054)
3. Infra.