Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIX, Part 1, Korea

194. Summary of Conversations Between President Johnson and President Pak¹

Honolulu, April 17, 1968, 10:10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 5–6:30 p.m.

1. Open Invitation to Park to Visit US

President Johnson advised President Park that another visit by the latter to the United States would be well received by the US people, and President Johnson would welcome Park and send a plane for him at any time he wished to visit with President Johnson.

2. Additional ROK Military and Civilian Manpower Commitment to SVN

(a) US View—At Canberra on December 21, 1967, President Park indicated willingness to send 5,000 civilians and 6,000 additional troops to South Vietnam; the equivalent of a light division. On the basis of the ROK commitment in Canberra, US assistance in equipment amounting to $88 million and additional military assistance of $45 million was earmarked from defense appropriations for the use of the additional ROK troops to be sent to Vietnam. $32 million of DOD funds for counterinsurgency equipment had been utilized for this purpose, and that counterinsurgency equipment plus $30 million other equipment is waiting in Okinawa for the use of the new ROK light division. Many of these items of equipment are of highest priority, and if additional ROK troops cannot use them, the USG must ship them to SVN for use by the ARVN.

(b) ROK View—President Park said it would be “impossible” for him to send more active soldiers to South Vietnam at present because of the situation in South Korea. He said, however, that it would be possible for the Republic of Korea to send one combat group (regimental combat team) numbering 5,000–6,000 men from rear areas in South Vietnam and to have them replaced by civilians. Park said about 1500 ROK soldiers are rotated every month and it would be possible in about three months to send 5,000 civilians to SVN. He agreed to set July 1 as the target date.

There is a possibility that the ROK might send more troops in the future but not under the present circumstances. If the military strength of ROK forces in South Korea is strengthened, however, it would be possible to send one or two additional ROK divisions to SVN. At a later point President Park said he would like to send 6,000 additional troops but he had just barely organized the local reserve corps in South Korea whose members must undergo training so he must wait until summer to see how the situation develops. The National Assembly will not (now) approve the troop dispatch proposal. When President Park “feels relieved at a certain stage” he will send the additional troops to Vietnam.

3. Proposal for ROK Extension of SVN Duty Tours

President Johnson suggested that before January 1969 the period of service of ROK troops already in Vietnam be extended and he observed that this action would have the effect of increasing ROK military strength in Vietnam by one division. Park will consider this proposal. The President hoped to have Park’s reply by the time Thanom (5/8–9) and Gorton (5/27–28) visit the US in May.

4. Bombing of North Vietnam

President Park spoke in favor of removing all restrictions against enemy targets in North Vietnam.

5. Situation in Korea

(a) US View—The Administration has sent an Aid to Korea Budget Bill totaling some $400 million to Congress. Mr. Vance recommended an extra $100 million² for Korea, which Congress has not yet acted on. The Administration is asking that part of the $100 million go toward activating one air squadron. The President noted that we had sent to Korea some squadrons already and called up reserves because of the Korean situation, which should have been destined for Vietnam [sic]. With the increased air power in Korea President Johnson thinks that South Korea is capable of defending itself from³ North Korea in all the services military capabilities and he does not think that North Korea will stage a large scale attack now.

(b) ROK View—The ROK is grateful for the added appropriation request but does not “feel at ease with this amount” since North Korea aims at creating a second Vietnam in South Korea. President Park considered ROK air power superior and ROK naval strength about equal to North Korea. He feels that since North Korea has tens of thousands trained guerrillas, the ROK army must strengthen defense in rear areas. He feels that ROK army fire power is “far inferior to North Korea’s.” He would like to strengthen the ROK air force and he needs US assistance for the strengthening of the local reserve corps.

6. ROK Investment in US Securities President Johnson asked whether ROK could make short term investment in US bonds and securities in the amount of $50 to $100 million and said this purchase would be helpful in having Congress approve a $230 million military aid bill. President Park did not respond directly but noted that the total ROK national budget is only about $1 billion.

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Korea, Memos, Vol. VI. Top Secret; Nodis. The two Presidents met in the Library of Kaiser Estate, Koko Head, Honolulu. Prepared by Read from a lengthy memorandum of conversation. (Memorandum from Read to Rostow, April 29, and memorandum of conversation; both ibid.) This summary was forwarded by Rostow to the President, who reviewed and corrected the text; see footnotes 2 and 3 below. Pak also met with Vance and Wheeler in Honolulu April 17 1:15–4:15 p.m. The focus of their discussion was the situation in Vietnam and the need for additional Korean troops there. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid.)
2. The President circled the figures $400 and $100 and noted “400 includes 100.”
3. The President deleted the words “superior to” and substituted “capable of defending itself from.” He also deleted the remainder of the sentence following the conjunction “and.”