Office of the Historian

256. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State0

Seoul, December 22, 1958, 11 p.m.

271. For Assistant Secretary Robertson. Re Embtel 270.1 I continue to be seriously concerned re political struggle on amendment National Security Act. I am convinced that if amendment passed as drafted by Liberal Party, it will set in motion series of actions resulting in complete discredit ROK Government on international scene, and which will require active opposition of US at one stage or another. I have therefore recommended strongest possible opposition to this attempt to muzzle press and hamstring opposition party, feeling that opposition now would be preferable in terms of US-ROK relations, to later and perhaps more bitter controversy, as well as more productive of results.

As you are aware from reports through other channels, your representations to Yang and my efforts here have had no influence on “tough” elements of LP, and have been represented by them as intervention in Korean domestic affairs–a view accepted by President Rhee who apparently is angry with me and the Embassy generally. On the other hand, Democratic Party leaders have remarked bitterly to us that we seem to be concerned only with ROK Government’s anti-Communist capabilities, regardless of how regime may conduct its domestic policies.

I fear that we run grave risk of serious loss of influence here if ROK Government persists in enactment present version of amendment and then “gets away” with it. It is for this reason that I reiterate my urgent request that we somehow induce stronger reaction from American press, perhaps including comments from Congressional and other public figures. I apologize for being tiresome about this, but I cannot escape a feeling that the issue is a vital one.

Dowling
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795B.34/12–2258. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution.↩
  2. Telegram 270 from Seoul, December 22, reported that the political crisis in Korea continued into the fourth day despite efforts of the leaders of both parties to reach agreement. Democratic Party Assemblymen remained inside the National Assembly, and the Embassy anticipated serious trouble if Liberal Party Assemblymen attempted to convene the National Assembly. (Ibid.) See Supplement.↩