332. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State0
457. CINCPAC for, POLAD. Embtel 453,1 to CINCPAC 102. I met with PriMin today for approximately 45 minutes immediately following [Page 694] courtesy call of Adm Sides, CINCPACFLT. PriMin appeared in confident and buoyant mood. He took conversational lead disclosing that agreement had at long last been reached which, he said, offers every promise of giving his Govt a good working majority in National Assembly and laying groundwork for existence of two conservative parties. This, he stated, will put an end to “years of struggle and disagreement” and factional maneuvering which PriMin asserted had dissipated energies of himself and his administration since its formation. PriMin confident that in resulting division, he will obtain working majority and “before too long” will have 130–140 seats in lower house. Both sides now collecting signatures, and PriMin expects that membership lists may be announced tomorrow. He described development as paving way for two conservative parties, and assured me that he would “help and cooperate with” new opposition party. PriMin several times remarked that since taking office he had been almost completely preoccupied by factional issue and that with this now surmounted, both he and administration would be free to turn attention to pressing national problems.
I replied that this was most welcome news. Following approach indicated in reftel, I then spoke of our deep concern over problem of continuing political instability and extent to which this thus far had handicapped PriMin in exercising leadership and obstructed administration from moving forward to complete such tasks as reorganization govt, development constructive economic program, and creation public confidence. I stressed our concern over irresponsible criticism which tended to weaken confidence in administration and emphasized our view that Govt must take firm position of leadership resulting in decisive action on all fronts. We felt that firm decisive action would be widely welcome in the Korean community. I said that I was especially glad to hear that PriMin was about to achieve a working majority because I knew this would free him to take the decisive measures in political, economic and other fields he knew demanded immediate attention.
PriMin indicated he fully shared our concern on question popular attitudes toward Govt and atmosphere discontent highlighted by recent student demonstrations. He expressed satisfaction with his three hour meeting last evening with newspaper presidents and editors in chief and informed me that they in full agreement that effort must be made to restrain student agitation. PriMin stated that as result this conf he expects that major journals will insure joint statement appealing to people to remain patient and calm and to cooperate with govt. PriMin also confirmed report that Speaker Kwak Sang Hun had submitted resignation accepting “responsibility” for student invasion of Assembly Oct. 11; he expressed hope that Assembly would not accept resignation since he considers Kwak best qualified for post. PriMin stated, however, that [Page 695] administration must accept some responsibility for “disgraceful incident” and that Home Min probably would have to resign.
PriMin insisted that students pose particularly difficult problem for govt. Although he indicated Govt reluctant employ force to deal with student demonstrators, he expressed impatience with all these continuing demonstrations and he felt action required to redress situation. He mentioned that consideration being given to bill prohibiting demonstrations in vicinity public buildings, and expressed hope that this would provide some basis for dealing more effectively and forcefully with situation.
He concurred with my remarks on necessity Govt act more positively to improve its public image and with my suggestion that clear statement of govt’s legislative program would go far to provide public with sense direction and understanding govt’s efforts. Re latter, PriMin stated that he intends have all cabinet members explain their policies in detail to public. He commented, however, that press contains many corrupt and irresponsible elements, a situation which creates serious problems for govt. He agreed that measures should be taken to cope with rumormongers and irresponsible newspapermen.
In reply to my comments on importance of various “purges” being completed promptly, Prime Minister stated that this drive will be wound up with this month.
As to police and internal security problem, Prime Minister in full agreement regarding importance of constructive steps being taken immediately; he stated that government moving ahead with plans for neutralization police and expressed hope that program can be undertaken to improve technical competence police and internal security agencies. He welcomed any advice or special guidance or assistance we could render in this field. We discussed various measures to improve integrity and efficacy of police system.
At close our discussion, I expressed our confidence in ability and determination present government to meet tasks which face it and assured Prime Minister that we prepared, as appropriate, make public expressions our support. Prime Minister stated that he highly pleased by Department’s October 12 statement. He also suggested that at such time as Govt succeeds in obtaining working majority, it would be helpful to him if Department would express its satisfaction with such a development and its hope that people and government could now unite in accomplishment of task ahead.
I assured Prime Minister that Department would wish make such statement. I emphasized that it would be particularly opportune if development which he anticipates could be realized soonest so the Department’s gesture could take advantage of presence in Washington of [Page 696] Ambassador McConaughy and Dr. Moyer. Prime Minister replied that he also hoped this would be possible.
Comment: I believe that Prime Minister in agreement with our assessment situation and action required on part his administration. It evident from conversation today, however, that to date he has considered resolution factional problem and creation working majority to be essential prerequisite to setting his administration on course of decisive action and firm leadership. Fact that he feels close to surmounting this problem may, in fact, encourage him take more confident and positive stand immediately.
Although Prime Minister’s optimism on establishment working majority may be somewhat premature, fact that both sides now appear prepared formalize division of party tends weigh odds in favor that development. Embassy believes that with opposition moving definitely toward formation new party, group of approximately 20 to 30 moderates will move into support of Chang Government, although their actual reunion with new faction may be delayed.
Embassy will wire suggestions regarding proposed statement (last paragraph Deptel 319)2 as soon as such statement seems warranted.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/10–1360. Secret; Priority. Transmitted in two sections and also sent to CINCPAC.↩
- In telegram 453 from Seoul, October 12, the Embassy concurred with the Department’s assessment of the importance of encouraging the Chang government to take the measures necessary to achieve political stability. The problem had been highlighted by student demonstrations in Seoul, which began on October 8 to protest court decisions resulting in mild sentences for former members of the Rhee government, and culminated on October 11 with a brief takeover of the National Assembly by student leaders. The key to the problem facing the Chang government, the Embassy felt, was to establish a working majority in the Assembly. Green noted that Chang was not a forceful personality, and, although Green planned to encourage him to move to strengthen his political support, he felt it would not be wise to push the Prime Minister too hard or to create the impression that Chang was taking directions from Washington. (Ibid., 795B.00/10–1260)↩
- The final paragraph of telegram 319 to Seoul, October 11, indicates that the Department was prepared to issue a statement affirming strong U.S. support for the Chang administration and pointing out that popular unity behind the government was the essential basis for resuming the forward movement of the South Korean society and economy. (Ibid., 795B.00/10–1060)↩