263. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State 1
493. New York Times correspondent Foster Hailey, long time friend of President Rhee, told me yesterday that when he visited Chinhae December 28 President was highly emotional in condemnation of armed forces reduction proposed by U.S. Hailey said Presidential Secretary Park Chon II, who met him at airfield and gave him memo on subjects President planned to discuss, seemed genuinely disturbed over possible outcome of President’s bitterness and excitement; and that during his three hours of conversation with President, Mrs. Rhee frequently nodded agreement when Hailey attempted counsel moderation.
Hailey said President talked of re-examining relations with the U.S., of “going it alone”, of “committing national suicide”, of blasting the USG in a public statement. He complained shipment of modern weapons to Korea had been frequently “postponed”; he did not see how he could agree to reduction of forces before such weapons arrived; and wondered whether they ever would arrive. He complained further that soldiers demobilized under reduction plan would constitute additional strain on Korean economy, and USG had not offered funds to help solve this problem. Hailey tried point out impracticability and unwisdom of taking any drastic steps at this time, and suggested if President Rhee could stimulate Senators and Congressmen to oppose reduction results would probably be more desirable than if President Rhee openly condemned the USG. Rhee argued that soliciting support in the U.S. would be a tedious process but asked Hailey to give him a memo with his suggestions.
During visit with President, Hailey was shown a memo from Min Kim Chong Yul requesting policy guidance on reduction of forces; reminding President that unilateral action would be futile without U.S. logistic support; and expressing view hostilities in Korea were not likely to be renewed unless there was war between U.S. and USSR.
President’s remarks to Hailey indicate he had received report of General Decker’s and my 8:30 am meeting with Defense Minister2 in Seoul just prior to Hailey’s arrival Chinhae around noon. Hailey said before conversation ended President seemed to have calmed down; that he actually changed subject and discussed Confucianism.
[Page 535]Fact that President asked Hailey for recommendations in memo would seem he was not in mood to take wholly impetuous action. It is to be hoped Mrs. Rhee, Park Chon II, and others will dissuade him from taking any drastic step. President and Mrs. Rhee expected return Seoul December 31.