Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume II

158. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Korea¹

Washington, September 10, 1960—7:08 p.m.

213. Your 308, info USUN 7.² Reappraisal of prospects for useful SC discussion Korean membership issue in light recent developments, especially presence Khrushchev at UN, and anticipated lengthy disarmament debate, leads Dept to belief SC meeting on ROK membership most productive if postponed until early November.

Principal factor leading this view is fact that any action SC on Korea during Khrushchev visit apt be greatly overshadowed by his activities and Council discussion will lose much of impact hoped for. In addition, view recent number SC meetings, and prospect more in next month, must expect some reluctance on part our friends to hold meeting at this time on issue which can be no more than exercise in view Soviet attitude. While no doubt meeting can be held soon if we desire, lack of enthusiasm likely result in less effort in SC debate on part other friendly members.Finally, seems highly likely general debate in Assembly will last longer than usual and the disarmament discussion, which may be prolonged, will result in pushing Korean question into November. Would be useful have Foreign Minister present atboth SC and GA discussions of Korean question. Postponement SC debate until November would be beneficial in that it would have maximum impact if timed close to unification debate in GA. This would also enable ROKFonMin easily attend both debates.

Nevertheless Dept believes Chung should be encouraged attend UN early in GA session, even though this would necessitate second trip for Korea debate. His presence would be useful in starting off work of ROK observer delegation in laying groundwork for subsequent debate on Korea, and in familiarizing him with UN problems. Moreover according Tokyo tel 845,³ Chung apparently planning confer privately with Japanese FonMin while latter in New York, which also desirable in terms ROK-Japan relations.

Suggest you discuss this with FonMin soonest, emphasizing for reasons cited above, would be preferable put SC action off until November. We would, of course, call SC meeting prior GA debate on Korean item. Also might note no disadvantage in Tunisian chairmanship SC in November.⁴

Herter

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 301/9–860. Confidential. Drafted by Jones and NA; cleared by Bane and in substance with Sullivan;and approved by Cargo. Repeated to USUN.
2. Telegram 308 from Seoul, September 8, reported on a conversation with the head of the Korean U.N. Observer Mission regarding Korea’s application for U.N. membership, the General Assembly item on Korean unification, and the composition and travel plans of Korea’s Delegation to the 15th General Assembly. (Ibid.)
3. Not found.
4. Telegram 324 from Seoul, September 12, reported that the Korean Foreign Minister had agreed to postponing Korea’s membership application until November and that he would be able to attend the General Assembly then, but would be unable to attend the earlier sessions. (Ibid., 301/9–1260)