307. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State0
969. CINCPAC for POLAD. State pass DA, CNO, DAF. Ref: Embtel 968.1 Demonstrations have broken out again Seoul this evening following that university professors who late afternoon paraded through streets to National Assembly. Following account based incomplete reports received as of 2145 hours: after rally in front National Assembly, some effort made by troops disperse crowd with tear gas. Group, however, joined by others moved north in direction capitol building and Kyungmudae (not known however, if KMD objective crowd). Crowd halted by cordon tanks and troops in large crossing about 800 yards from capitol; crowd remained that area, despite efforts disperse with tear gas, with numbers increasing as groups began move into area from other directions. By 2030 hours crowd reported between 5,000 and 10,000 persons; as of that time some 300 troops reportedly had formed defense line from Kyungmudae to area location crowds.
From about 2030 hours part crowd moved in direction residence Yi Ki-pung, meeting no resistance. As crowd approximately 300–400 began gather around and move in on Yi residence, police apparently opened fire, reportedly joined by troops. Ten reported wounded thus far. ROKA foreign liaison officer told arms firing done by personal bodyguard Yi Ki-pung. At latest report, group demonstrators said have attempted break into Yi residence.
Additional troops apparently now being rushed into center city. Lt Gen Song has just announced curfew will be returned 2130 hours (today first day lifting to normal 2400); and also immediate release all students.
Situation again appears tense. Troops appear have behaved well-disciplined fashion and avoided firing on crowds. Despite curfew, however, as of 2300 hours large groups young men continue roam about city streets for several hours.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/4–2660. Confidential; Niact. Repeated to Tokyo and CINCPAC.↩
- Telegram 968 from Seoul, April 25, reported on a demonstration that day by approximately 200 faculty members from various universities in Seoul. The demonstration, which was peaceful, concluded with the adoption of resolutions calling for the March 15 elections to be declared null and void, for new elections to be scheduled, and for the punishment of those responsible for the election fraud and for injuries inflicted upon peaceful demonstrators. (Ibid., 795B.00/4–2560) The Embassy also reported on April 25, in telegram 967 from Seoul, that the National Assembly met that morning to consider the crisis, and that opposition members called for the resignation of President Rhee. (ibid.)↩