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

46. Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Johnson¹

Washington, May 17, 1965.

SUBJECT

• Topics Particularly Appropriate for your Private Meeting with President Park

The following topics appear particularly appropriate for your personal talk with President Park, with only interpreters present. We are taking steps to be sure that Park is aware you may wish to lead off this way, and that his interpreter will be someone in whose discretion he has complete confidence.

1. Additional ROK force contribution to South Viet-Nam. As you know, the Honolulu meeting included discussion re a possible Korean regimental combat team (4000 men or so) some time in the next two months, with the possibility that at a later phase the ROK force might be expanded to a division. Ambassador Lodge and Ambassador Brown have discussed with Park only the possibility of the RCT only. Park has responded that this would take serious thought, and we have been most anxious not to let this possibility become public in Korea, because of its possible impact on his major political problem of getting ratification of the agreement with Japan. We suggest you refer to the RCT possibility but indicate that you are well aware of his political problem. This would be the right occasion to draw him out as to just how he does see his political situation and its impact on further ROK combat force contributions in South Viet-Nam. You will certainly wish to lead off by thanking him warmly for the contribution they have already made.

In this connection the South Vietnamese Government has conveyed a formal request to Park for additional Korean forces, and we have consulted with Park to head off publicity. This request itself does not change anything, as the South Vietnamese (who acted without telling us) will certainly not press unless we urge them to. The real question is whether Park can now bite off the issue of additional troops—requiring formal Assembly approval—at the same time that he has his major fight on ratifying the Japan settlement.

2. Additional Project. We are looking urgently for a special proposal arising directly from these talks, such as the joint medical project at the time of the Sato visit. The best bets appear to be introduction of the Peace Corps into Korea, and/or an expansion of English-language training in Korea in the interests of world-wide communication. Your staff and we will have final recommendations on this at your briefing session at 4:30.

3. Status of Forces Agreement with Korea. We do not recommend that you raise this topic. However, Park might do so in your private session. We recommend that you refer this matter to my conversation the following morning, saying only that we want to do the right and fair thing.

The first two topics are in addition to those covered in the basic memorandum to you,² some or all of which could also be covered in the private session as you see fit. Park will undoubtedly benefit from a substantial private talk with you before you join the larger group in the Cabinet Room, and we would see no problem in your extending the private session as much as you and he feel wise.

Dean Rusk

1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Korea, Park Visit, May 1965. Secret.
2. A May 13 memorandum from Ball to President Johnson outlined the major points President Johnson and Pak would likely discuss. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66,POL 7 KOR S) The major points made in Ball’s memorandum were also delineated in a memorandum from Thomson to Johnson; see Document 47.