Republic of Korea Troops in Vietnam and Force Modernization, April 1971–December 1972


89. Memorandum From John H. Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. Secret. Sent for action.


90. Report by John H. Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. Secret; Sensitive. Holdridge sent the report to Kissinger under cover of an April 21 memorandum. Kissinger initialed the covering memorandum.


91. Conversation Among President Nixon, Secretary of the Treasury Connally, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson), and Others

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Cabinet Room, Presidential Recordings, Conversation 53–2. No classification marking. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the conversation was held in the Cabinet Room between 9:34 and 10:45 a.m. Also attending were Kissinger, Stans, David Kennedy, Peterson, Shultz, and Flanigan. (Ibid., White House Central Files) The editors transcribed the portions of the conversation printed here specifically for this volume.


92. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. Secret; Exdis.


94. Memorandum From Ernest Johnston of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. No classification marking. According to a note on the first page, this memorandum was “OBE.”


95. Paper Prepared in the Department of State

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–224, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 113. Top Secret; Sensitive. No drafting information appears on the paper. The paper and a June 17 covering memorandum from Rogers to the President were attached to a July 6 memorandum from Kissinger to Nixon.


96. National Security Decision Memorandum 113

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 364, Subject Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Nos. 97–144. Top Secret; Sensitive; Nodis.


97. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to President Nixon

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–224, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 113. Top Secret; Sensitive.


98. Memorandum From the Chairman of the National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee (Irwin) to President Nixon

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files:FRC 330 76 197, Korea, 000.1–292. Secret; Noforn. A June 28 covering memorandum from Arthur Hartman, Staff Director for the NSC Under Secretaries Committee, indicates that this memorandum was sent to the President.


99. Memorandum From President Nixon to Secretary of Defense Laird

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–224, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 113. Top Secret; Sensitive. Attached to a July 6 memorandum from Kissinger to Nixon in which Kissinger analyzed Laird’s views and concluded that “while the Secretary’s reasoning is troublesome,” his specific recommendations were generally consistent with NSDM 113. Kissinger recommended that Nixon send the memorandum to Laird. NSDM 113 is Document 96.


100. Letter From President Nixon to Korean President Park

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 757, Presidential Correspondence File 1969–1974, Korea, President Chung Hee Park, 1971. No classification marking. Nixon signed a similar letter to Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato after receiving both letters from Ambassador Kennedy during a meeting at the Western White House in San Clemente on July 16, 10:08–10:40 a.m. Kennedy also gave Nixon a memorandum describing the course of the textile negotiations in the Far East. He noted that the negotiations were at a “make or break point” and “the key is Japan.” (Ibid.) According to the President’s Daily Diary, Nixon also met with Kissinger, Haig, and Peterson from 10:08 to 10:35 a.m. (Ibid., White House Central Files) No record of the meeting has been found. On July 15, Richard Kennedy and Ernest Johnston prepared talking points for Kissinger to send to Nixon in anticipation of the July 16 meeting. (Ibid., NSC Files, Box 757, Presidential Correspondence File 1969–1974, Korea, President Chung Hee Park, 1971)


101. Memorandum From Secretary of Defense Laird to President Nixon

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 227, Agency Files, Dept of Defense, 16 May–31 Jul 71, Vol. XII. Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only. Kissinger forwarded Laird’s memorandum to Nixon under a July 22 memorandum. A notation on Kissinger’s memorandum indicates the President saw it. Kissinger summarized Laird’s conclusions and recommendations as follows: “The ROK is a staunch and dedicated ally, and we should continue to cultivate that relationship with it in the spirit of harmony and candor. The present composite ROK/US military capability constitutes an adequate deterrent.” He continued: “Starting in FY 73, we should plan to reduce U.S. ground force strength in Korea by at least 14,000 additional men. We should maintain a tactical air presence in Korea for the indefinite future.”


102. Conversation Among President Nixon, Secretary of Defense Laird, and the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Tapes, Oval Office, Conversation 543–6. No classification marking. According to the Nixon Tape Log, Haldeman was also present. (Ibid.) The transcript is part of a larger conversation, 5:35–6:20 p.m. The editors transcribed the portions of the conversation printed here specifically for this volume.


103. Memorandum From Vice President Agnew to President Nixon

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 951, VIP Visits, Vice President’s Trip, June–July 1971 [1 of 2]. Secret; Sensitive. The memorandum was forwarded to the President under an August 19 covering memorandum from Kissinger. Agnew conferred with foreign leaders in 10 nations during a round-the-world trip undertaken at Nixon’s request.


104. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL KOR N–KOR S. Confidential.


105. Memorandum From K. Wayne Smith and John H. Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–224, National Security Decision Memoranda, NSDM 113. Top Secret; Nodis. Sent for action. Froebe initialed for Holdridge.


106. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. Secret. The meeting was held at the White House.


107. National Security Decision Memorandum 129

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 364, Subject Files, National Security Decision Memoranda, Nos. 97–144. Top Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.


108. Memorandum From John H. Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. Confidential. Sent for information. Froebe initialed the memorandum for Holdridge. Kissinger initialed the memorandum on September 27.


109. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Korea

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 7 KOR S. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Ranard on September 21, cleared by Green and Johnson (S/S), and approved by Eliot.


110. Memorandum of Conversation

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. Secret. The meeting was held in Kissinger’s office. On October 1, Holdridge forwarded the memorandum to Kissinger, who initialed his approval.


111. Memorandum From Robert Hormats of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. No classification marking. Sent for information. Concurred in by Holdridge.


112. Letter From Korean Prime Minister Kim to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. No classification marking.


113. Intelligence Note Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23–8 KOR S. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Drafted by B. Donovan Picard (INR/REA) and approved by INR/REA Director Paul M. Popple.


114. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 542, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Vol. IV, 1 Jan–31 Dec 1971. Top Secret;Nodis.


115. Letter From President Nixon to Korean President Park

Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 757, Presidential Correspondence 1969–1974, Korea, President Chung Hee Park, 1971. Secret. Copies were sent to Holdridge, Rosemary Woods, and the Department of State. A notation on the letter reads: “Dispatched via SS, Rept # 2843, @ 1830 29 Nov.” On November 24, Holdridge sent a draft of this letter to Kissinger with the recommendation that he sign the attached covering memorandum and send both it and the draft letter to the President. On November 26, Kissinger sent the letter to Nixon with the recommendation that he sign it. All attached but not printed.


116. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Korea

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL KOR N–KOR S. Secret; Noforn; Exdis. Drafted by Ranard and Robert Dorr (EA/K) on December 1, cleared by Miller (S/S), and approved by Brown. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD and to COMUSK.


117. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 KOR S. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated to Tokyo and CINCPAC for POLAD.


118. Intelligence Note Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 KOR. Confidential; No Foreign Dissem. Drafted by Picard and approved by Popple.