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

277. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State¹

Seoul, February 16, 1968, 1122Z.

4304. Subject: Seventh Senior MAC Members Meeting, Panmunjom, February 16.

1. In essence, preliminary review of attendees’ notes and tape recording reveals today’s meeting produced very little in the way of progress. Pak was notably less truculent today but stated his position firmly. That position was:

(A) If Pueblo crew is to be returned at early date US side must change its attitude and provide apology and assurances of nature Pak demanded at sixth meeting.

(B) Return of ship cannot be subject of discussion on grounds there is no precedent for return of equipment used in espionage. Pak stated it “therefore will be better not to mention ship again.”

2. At today’s meeting Pak showed photostats of alleged confessions Pueblo crew and of various ship documents² as evidence to prove his assertion that “armed spy ship Pueblo” had intruded into NKorean territorial waters to commit espionage and hostile and aggressive acts on order of US Government. RAdm Smith requested and received copies of these photostats.

3. RAdm Smith read both statements contained State 116188 as amended.³ Pak summarily rejected these as “preposterous assertions” and several times played on theme that to cling to this attitude will not be beneficial to US side. On several occasions he also requested careful study of statements he made at sixth meeting. He did, however, expressly reserve right to comment on Smith’s statements of today at next meeting and agreed to call next meeting as soon as he had received reply to Smith’s statements. Smith gave him written copies of his two statements but Pak did not request copy of statement Smith would be able to sign.

4. NK attendees at seventh meeting were same as for sixth with exception absence one Jr. Lieutenant.

5. Verbatim text with language officer’s comments on English translation of Pak’s statements follows by immediate cable.⁴

Porter

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 KOR N–US. Secret; Flash; Nodis; Cactus. Rostow forwarded this telegram to President Johnson with an explanatory memorandum, February 16, which indicates that the President saw it. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Korea—Pueblo Incident—Cactus IIa, Cactus Seoul Cables, February 10 to February 28, 1968)
2. Smith received copies of Bucher’s and Murphy’s alleged confessions, a photograph of the cover of a document entitled “Position Log Record” with a notation “Odd Day Log” and “Federal Supply Service 7530–28608363,” photographs of various record books, and photographs of two maps allegedly plotting the Pueblo’s course. (Telegram 4301 from Seoul, February 16; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 KOR N–US) On February 16 the North Koreans also released a joint letter of apology from the entire crew of the Pueblo for having violated North Korean territorial waters and other acts. (Memorandum from Rostow to the President, February 16; Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Korea—Pueblo Incident, Vol. Ib, Part A [beginning February])
3. See footnote 3, Document 276.
4. Transmitted in telegram 4305 from Seoul, February 16. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 KOR N–US)