309. Memorandum of Conversation0

SUBJECT

  • Presentation of Credentials by Korean Ambassador

PARTICIPANTS

  • The President
  • Ambassador Duke—U/PR1
  • Mr. ToneskU/PR
  • Ambassador Kim2
  • Joseph A. Yager, Director,EA
[Page 650]

After welcoming Ambassador Kim, the President remarked that he had been reading about the Ambassador’s military career. The President said that he had noted also that the Ambassador had been born in an excellent year. The Ambassador agreed and added that not only were both he and the President born in 1917, but they were born on the same day of the month although four months apart.

After photographers were admitted to the President’s office, the Ambassador handed the President his credentials, the letter recalling his predecessor and his prepared statement. After reading the Ambassador’s statement, the President remarked that he had been pleased over recent reports of progress in solving the ROK’s political problems. The President said that he is aware that Korea has serious economic problems. He said that the US will continue to help to the limit of its ability, but our resources must be spread over many countries. The Administration recently sent an aid program to Congress but does not yet know what action Congress will take.

Ambassador Kim said that the ROK’s heavy military burden adds to its economic problems. The President asked whether it might be possible to reduce the ROK military forces. Ambassador Kim responded that this would be most difficult since the ROK forces are thinly spread over a long line facing the Communists.

The President inquired into the status of the two American Army helicopter pilots who were captured by the North Koreans last month.3 Mr. Yager reviewed the efforts that are being made to obtain the release of these pilots and concluded with the judgment that we face a very difficult problem. Ambassador Kim agreed and said that we may expect the Communists to make the maximum propaganda exploitation of their seizure of the pilots.

The President said that we continue to be interested in the negotiations between Japan and the ROK. We believe that a settlement between Japan and Korea is most important. The extra resources which Korea will obtain by means of the settlement will be very useful in Korean economic development.

The President asked whether the fisheries question is the most important issue still being negotiated between Japan and the ROK. [Page 651] Ambassador Kim and Mr. Yager confirmed that this is the case. Ambassador Kim remarked that both the Japanese and Korean fishermen are complaining about the negotiations. The President said that in his opinion this is a sign of progress. It would be much worse if only one group of fishermen was complaining.

Ambassador Kim said he has been instructed to do what he can to facilitate a settlement with the Japanese, working here in Washington with the USG and the Japanese Embassy. The President said that he is sure that the State Department is actively pursuing this problem.

  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Korea, General, 4/63-11/63. Confidential. Drafted by Yager and approved in the White House on June 20 according to the copy in Department of State, Central Files, POL 17-1 KOR-US. There is no record of this meeting in the President’s Appointment Book. (Kennedy Library)
  2. Angier Biddle Duke was Chief of Protocol, Department of State, and William J. Tonesk was Deputy Chief of Protocol.
  3. Kim Chong-yul, Korean Ambassador to the United States since June 4.
  4. On May 17 Captain Ben W. Stutts of Florence, Alabama, and Captain Carleton W. Voltz of Frankfort, Michigan, were detained by North Korean authorities after their helicopter strayed into North Korea and made a forced landing. On May 28 Assistant Secretary of State Hilsman briefed Rusk on actions taken and plans to secure their release. (Memorandum from Hilsman to Rusk, May 28; Department of State, Central Files,POL 27-7 KOR N-US) On July 26 the Department of State suggested in a public statement that July 27, the tenth anniversary of the Korean armistice, would be an appropriate time to release the two Army captains. (American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1963, p. 788) They were not released by North Korea on that date.