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

214. Telegram From the Commander in Chief, United Nations Command, and Commander of United States, Korea (Bonesteel) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)¹

Seoul, January 23, 1968, 1405Z.

231405Z/UK 50223. Subject: Briefing of ROK Minister of Defense on Pueblo incident (S).

1. (S) C/S UNC/USFK briefed ROK MND at about 1830 I, 23 Jan 68, local (0930 Z) after approval received for classified briefing. MND was emotionally irate and indicated US had done little after North Korean raid aimed at assassination of President Park except call meeting at Panmunjom and take normal operational steps, but because of Pueblo incident brought F–105’s into Osan without prior ROK knowledge, was moving Enterprise, and seemed to be ready to risk war.

2. (S) He said would refrain from retaliatory raids against North Korea for time being, but if North Koreans made other significant raids, he would promise nothing further.

3. (S) He commented it would be wrong to cancel Armistice Commission meeting set for 1100 hours tomorrow because it had been announced publicly with purpose to protest vicious attack on President’s mansion, Seoul.

1. Source: Department of State,INR/IL Historical Files, Pueblo, 23 January 1968 to December 1968. Secret; Immediate; Noforn. Repeated to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and passed to the Department of Defense, the White House, the Department of State, and the Defense Intelligence Agency.