Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Japan; Korea, Volume XVIII

230. Telegram From the Department of Defense to the Commander in Chief, United Nations Command (Decker)⁰

Washington, July 2, 1958, 10:48 p.m.

DEF 944224. This is a joint Senate–Defense msg from ASD/ISA sgd. Sprague. Ref: UK 977970 CC DTG 040815Z Apr.¹CINCUNC pass to CINCREP Seoul; COMUSKOREA pass to PROVMAAG-K. This msg is in five parts.

Part I. You are authorized negotiate 1958 revision Appendix B of 1954 Agreed Minute² which Ambassador authorized sign on behalf U.S. Government³ subject approval any changes per Part IV below.

Part II. Text reads as follows:

Confidential

“(Proposed 1958 Revision)

“APPENDIX B TO AGREED MINUTE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

“Republic of Korea Force Levels and United States Support Thereof

1. “1. The United States will assist in supporting the following maximum number of ROK military personnel through calendar year 1959. Subsequent revisions of force levels to be supported will be accomplished, as necessary, by amendments hereto mutually agreed to by the United States and Republic of Korea Governments. The types, amounts, and timing of United States assistance to be provided pursuant to this Appendix in support of the following force levels, and any subsequent mutually agreed revisions thereto, will be determined in accordance with applicable United States legislation, policies, and procedures for programming such assistance, and subject to availability of funds.

Army	566,960
Navy	16,600
Marine Corps	24,000
Air Force	22,440
Total	630,000

• “A. The Republic of Korea Government may make minor shifts in number among the four services after consultation with CINCUNC provided that the maximum number of 630,000 is not exceeded. It is understood that the 630,000 total includes all military members of organizations approved and recognized by the United States in the active military establishment of the Republic of Korea, including Korean augmentation troops with the United States (KATUSA) and Common-wealth Contingent (KATCOM) personnel; all full time military personnel serving with the reserve components, Ministry of National Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Korea Service Corps; all reservists while on active duty training (the number of personnel in this category will be computed on a man-year basis); all personnel in training camps and service schools; and all other military personnel.
• “B. The Republic of Korea will provide the United States armed forces with that number of suitable personnel requested by CINCUNC for the maintenance of the Korea Service Corps at a strength not to exceed 8,000.
• “C. The strength, organization and composition of each Republic of Korea military service and the Ministry of National Defense, including civilian personnel, shall be jointly reviewed by the MND and CINCUNC, or his designated representative, and the composition of all Republic of Korea forces shall be established and maintained in accordance with service component tables of organization, allowance and equipment which are acceptable to CINCUNC. The Republic of Korea, in consultation with CINCUNC or his designated representative, will develop plans for the eventual establishment of a regular Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

“2. The Minister of National Defense, in consultation with CINCUNC or his designated representative, will take action as necessary to reexamine the ROK military force structure, military pay, food and monetary allowances, and propose legislation for necessary revisions consistent with the maintenance of financial and economic stability.

“3. The Republic of Korea, with U.S. assistance, will continue development of the reserve components within its military establishment, to include development of plans and programs for the organization and training of reserve units and the training of individual specialists in the reserve. Programs for the training of unit and reinforcement reservists will continue to be developed and further improved in order to insure that reservists undergo efficient training and maintain an effective state of readiness for combat.

“4. In the interest of efficiency and economy of manpower and resources, functions which are common to more than one military service will continue to be operated under a consolidated type of organization which will provide logistic support for common items and services for all ROK military forces. Such operations will be performed in accordance with policies approved by the ROKMND and CINCUNC. The following phases of logistical support will fall within the purview of the consolidated logistical service system:

• “A. Acquisition of authorized requirements of each military service.
• “B. Equitable distribution of required supplies in accordance with authorized allowances and/or approved programs.
• “C. Equitable apportionment of logistical support among the several military services.

“5. The Republic of Korea Army will organize and maintain a balanced fighting force not to exceed 18 active and 10 reserve divisions. These divisions will be organized as mutually agreed by MND and CINCUNC. The 10 reserve divisions will become capable of attaining combat readiness by M plus 60. The Republic of Korea Army will develop adequate combat capabilities and combat and logistic support units to meet wartime requirements.

“6. Other ROK Forces (Navy, Marine and Air Force) will continue build-up toward mutually agreed force objectives and required logistical support units.

“7. The Republic of Korea military budget will be jointly reviewed and analyzed by the Republic of Korea and CINCUNC in order to assure that the military program will produce the most effective forces at minimum cost. The MND budget will include all ROKF requirements which are or can be produced by the ROK economy without adversely affecting essential civilian supply.

“8. The Republic of Korea will cooperate with CINCUNC by implementing recommendations designed to increase the effectiveness of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and to effect economies therein. No Republic of Korea force asset shall be expended for any project which is not already and directly a military requirement unless specific concurrence for such diversion shall have been granted by CINCUNC.”

Part III.

1. Para 9 reference message deleted from revised Appendix because construction will be considered in normal MAP in accordance with MAP Guidance S–2110.20 Revised.

2. Items of shopping list (reference para 2, Part II, reference message) to be provided are those identified in para 7 thru (d) cited DEF 939246 DTG 282246Z March.

Part IV.

Any changes in text revised Appendix B as stated Part II above which may be necessary must be referred to Washington for approval.

Part V.

FYI. The word “through” in the first sentence para 1 of Part II was used in lieu of the word “beginning” for the following reasons:

(a) The word “beginning” implies an open-ended commitment on the part of the U.S. which would be contrary to the provisions of NSC Action 1550. (See Sections 1009 through 1009.4 of MAP Guidance S–2110.20 Revised.) By contrast, support of the new force level “through” CY 1959 signifies a specific, limited time period. Funds appropriated for FY 1959 are expected to cover the support of the 630,000 force level through CY 1959.

(b) An open-ended commitment as implied by the word “beginning” is in conflict with U.S. policy which envisages consideration of further reductions in ROK forces in longer range. Consistent with para 1 and Part II of ref msg the word “through” does not imply an arbitrary cessation of support at the end of CY 1959 but signifies the intent to undertake further negotiations regarding support subsequent to CY 1959. End FYI.

0. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 62 A 1698, Korea–320.2–334. Confidential; Priority. Drafted in OASD/ISA/FE by Henry J. Sandri and approved by Sprague. Cleared by General Lemnitzer for the Army, Admiral Rittenhouse for the Navy; Colonel Worden for the Air Force; Dr. Moyer for ICA; and Robertson, Raymond, Macomber, and Barnes for State. Also sent to the Embassy in Seoul and repeated to CINCPAC, CINCUSARPAC, CINCPACAF, COMUSKOREA, and CNO.
1. Document 220.
2. See footnote 4, Document 205, and footnote 3, Document 214.
3. On July 3 Assistant Secretary of State Robertson sent a copy of the proposed revision to Appendix B to Under Secretary Herter, and Herter approved the authorization to negotiate the agreement. (Department of State, Central Files, 795.00/7–358)