228. Memorandum for the Record0
SUBJECT
- Conversation with ROK Vice President Chang Myon1
On June 19, 1958, at 1000 hours Ambassador Dowling and the reporting officer called upon Vice President Chang Myon. The interview was arranged at the request of Ambassador Dowling.
The Ambassador opened the conversation by stating that the views he would express should be considered as personal opinions and not official United States Government policy. He further emphasized that [Page 465] he had no intention of interfering in the domestic affairs of the Republic of Korea; he was interested as those affairs affected the international situation.
Speaking upon the subject of unification of Korea, the Ambassador stated that the prospects seemed somewhat more encouraging at this time than at any other time during his tenure here. He pointed out that the Soviet Union was the key figure in the resolution of this problem and opined that the short-term policy of the USSR was undoubtedly to eliminate the “atomic bases” which the United States has established in the various parts of the world. He believed that the introduction of more modern weapons into Korea had given the Soviet Union cause to consider the value of maintaining a divided Korea. It was the Ambassador’s view that the withdrawal of Chinese Communist troops had been initiated in the hope of obtaining UN withdrawal from the Republic of Korea by propaganda moves; when these failed the Soviet Union would then have to consider if, and on what basis, it would agree to unification. He stated that this might become a much larger issue in the United Nations General Assembly this fall than in recent years. The Ambassador also expressed the opinion that with the withdrawal of Chinese Communist troops the quiescence which has existed among the people of North Korea might disappear and there might very well be more active opposition to the Communist regime in the North; that perhaps we should increase our propaganda efforts with this in mind. Given this situation, in which unification of Korea is coming to the forefront of the world scene, the Ambassador pointed out that the ROK must put its best foot forward as a model democratic state. For these reasons he wished to speak to the Vice President on matters of domestic politics in Korea.
The Vice President apparently accepted as valid the speculations of the Ambassador and asked whether the Ambassador felt Communist China might agree to the above mentioned unification scheme or would put a price on its acquiescence such as entry into the United Nations. The Ambassador stated his belief that the Communist Chinese would have to follow the Soviet Union’s policy in this matter.
Turning to the domestic scene, the Ambassador praised the actions and attitudes of the Democratic Party during the past year pointing out that in a democratic country it was desirable to have a vocal yet loyal opposition party. He stated that in his opinion conditions in the ROK had improved in the past year or so, the economic stabilization program had been effective, and, while there was still much to be done, real progress had been made. Moving to the recent National Assembly elections, the Ambassador stated that he felt they were much more free of irregularities, although some irregularities still took place, than in any previous election. The Vice President interrupted to disagree, stating that it was the worst election the Republic of Korea had ever experienced [Page 466] pointing to the number of suits which had been filed charging election irregularities numbering over 100 and indicated that this was only a partial coverage of the subject. The Vice President continued, pointing out that the Liberal Party made full and effective use of business and financial institutions by either borrowing or levying requests for funds for Liberal Party use and had virtually bought the elections inasmuch as the Democratic Party had no access to such funds.
The Ambassador agreed that some of the claims made by the Vice President were valid but that only in a few places had the election irregularities affected the results. He added that the number of election suits might also be said to be evidence of an aroused political consciousness; in other words, irregularities which had gone unchallenged in past years were now being brought up. The Vice President agreed that this was true to some extent.
Turning from this subject, the Ambassador pointed out he agreed with the Vice President that the Democratic Party should place upon the record their opinions of these election irregularities, but after making the record the party should turn to a serious and sober consideration of the matters which should be accomplished for the benefit of the people. In this respect, the Ambassador pointed out, it might be necessary at times for the Democratic Party to join with the Liberal Party in passing certain measures sponsored by the Administration which would be for the common good, for example, the bill to raise salaries of civil service and military personnel. The Vice President agreed that this was a good idea and pointed out the Democratic Party questioned only how the money was to be raised in order to make this increase possible. The Ambassador then said that he hoped the Democratic Party would also take the initiative in introducing legislation for the public weal, citing as a possible example a Conflict of Interest Law, explaining the initiation of such a law might go a long way toward eliminating the corruption now existing in government. The Vice President agreed that this was an excellent suggestion and stated the Democratic Party Assembly would readily support such a move because they had nothing to lose.
After some further discussion of the general situation, the Vice President requested a private conference with the Ambassador and the reporting officer withdrew. However, at the end of the conference the Ambassador informed the reporting officer that Dr. Chang’s concern had been with his personal safety. The Vice President made the point that continual efforts were being made and plans being laid to eliminate him in anticipation of the death of President Rhee. The Vice President pointed out that on three fronts continuous persecution and investigations were being conducted by Administration authorities; that Monsignor Carroll and the National Catholic Welfare Council, the Catholic newspaper, Kyonghyang Sinmun, the Catholic Church in general, and [Page 467] specifically Bishop Ro were being harassed because of their alleged support of the Vice President. In addition, the Vice President stated that hope had not been abandoned for passage of a constitutional amendment, as had been the intent of the Liberal Party before the last National Assembly elections. Lastly, he stated that plans were being made to eliminate him physically. He had been informed that certain individuals had been instructed to make plans for his assassination, rigging the plot to attribute the crime to Communist agents who were being sent from North Korea for the purpose of eliminating the leading officials of the ROK Government. The Vice President said he was uncertain what action should be taken and asked the advice of the Ambassador stating that he was afraid of doing the wrong thing. The Ambassador promised to discuss this matter with him again after giving the matter serious consideration.