Korean Peninsula
230. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, January 5, 1973, 2:30 p.m.
Nixon and Prime Minister Kim discussed Korean affairs.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 1026, Presidential/HAK Memcons, January–March 1973. Secret; Nodis. The conversation took place in the Oval Office. Prime Minister Kim and Foreign Minister Kim visited Washington to represent the Republic of Korea at the memorial service for Harry Truman on January 5. According to the President’s Daily Diary, the memorandum of conversation lists an incorrect date for the meeting, which occurred on January 5, 1973, from 2:31 until 3. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Central Files, President’s Daily Diary)
231. Memorandum From Richard Kennedy of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, January 16, 1973.
Kennedy recommended that Kissinger approve a cable informing Habib of U.S. policy toward Korean security and development issues.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 544, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Volume 6, January 1973–October 1973. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. A notation near the bottom reads, “John Holdridge concurs.” Kissinger initialed his approval of the recommendation. Habib’s proposed policy paper enclosed in A–432 from Seoul, December 10, 1972 and the draft backchannel telegram are attached but not published. Backchannel telegram 30190 from Kissinger to Habib, January 24, is ibid., Box 411, Backchannel Messages, Southeast Asia, vol. 1.
232. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, February 24, 1973, 10:10 a.m.
Kissinger and Foreign Minister Kim discussed U.S.-ROK relations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Far East, Box 544, Korea, Volume 6, January 1973–October 1973. Secret; Sensitive. The conversation took place in Kissinger’s office.
233. Memorandum From John Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 1, 1973.
Holdridge informed Kissinger about the Department of State’s discussions with South Korea.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Far East, Box 544, Korea, Volume 6, January 1973–October 1973. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. Kissinger initialed the memorandum on March 20.
234. Memorandum From John Holdridge of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, March 15, 1973.
Holdridge recommended that Kissinger approve a backchannel message to Habib concerning UNCURK.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Far East, Box 544, Korea, Volume 6, January 1973–October 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only; Entirely Outside System. In the top right hand corner Kissinger wrote, “Where is the extra paper by Rush?” A response in an unknown hand wrote “Tab C,” referring to the March 8 Department of State paper. At the top of the first page, an unknown hand indicated that the situation room received the telegram for dispatch on the morning of March 19, 1973. Attached but not published is Tab A, the draft backchannel telegram from Kissinger to Habib, which was sent as backchannel telegram 30768 to Habib, March 19. (ibid., Box 411, Backchannel Messages, Southeast Asia, Volume II, 1973, Part 1) Tab B, a February 24 memorandum of conversation, is Document 232. Tab C, a paper prepared in the Department of State, March 8, is attached but not published.
235. Summary and Options From a Study Prepared by the Interdepartmental Group for East Asia and the Pacific, Washington, undated.
The Interdepartmental Group for East Asia and the Pacific prepared a paper on U.S. policy toward the Korean Peninsula in response to NSSM 154.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–191, NSSM 155 (sic) [1 of 2]. Secret. NSSM 154 is scheduled to be published in see Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume XIX, Part I, Korea, 1969–1972. Richard Sneider, Acting Chairman of the Interdepartmental Group that prepared the NSSM 154 paper, sent it to Kissinger under a covering letter dated April 3. (Ibid.) On May 4, Davis forwarded the study to the Deputy Secretaries of the Departments of State, Defense, and Treasury, to the Acting Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, to the Director of Central Intelligence, and to the Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also received a copy. (Ibid.)
236. Transcript of Telephone Conversation Between the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) and Deputy Secretary of State Rush, Washington, April 9, 1973, 5:58 p.m.
Kissinger and Rush discussed whether UNCURK should be abolished.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, Henry Kissinger Telephone Conversation Transcripts, Box 19–2 [March–April 1973]. No classification marking. Kissinger was in Washington. A transcript of Kissinger’s and Rush’s earlier conversation about UNCURK, April 7, is ibid.
237. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Porter) to President Nixon, Washington, June 15, 1973.
Porter reported on the recommendations of the Korea Force Modernization Steering Group.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–241, NSDMs, NSDM 227, folder 6. Secret; Norforn. Attached but not published are the December 27, 1972 memorandum of U. Alexis Johnson, Acting Chairman of the NSC Under Secretaries Committee; the February 7 memorandum from Kissinger to the Chairman of the Under Secretaries Committee; and the May 31 Report of the Korea Force Modernization Interagency Steering Group. The memorandum from Clements, 13 June, and the June 13 response of the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the paper are ibid., H–68, SRG Meetings, NSSM 154, 6/15/73 [4 of 4].
238. Minutes of Senior Review Group Meeting, Washington, June 15, 1973, 3:03 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
The Senior Review Group gathered to discuss U.S. policy toward Korea.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–113, SRG Minutes (Originals) 1972–3 [2 of 4]. Secret. The meeting was held in the White House Situation Room. The June 18 meeting of the SRG was subsequently cancelled. On May 25, Habib reported that South Korea’s “new policy is acceptance of a two-Korea policy for an indefinite period while maintaining the ultimate objective of reunification.” (Telegram 3353 from Seoul; ibid., Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files.) Habib provided the Embassy’s recommendations on South Korea’s “Two Koreas” policy shift. (Telegram 3438 from Seoul, May 30; ibid.)
239. National Intelligence Estimate 42/14.2–73, Washington, June 18, 1973.
The estimate assessed implications of South Korea’s diplomatic initiative.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OPI 122 (National Intelligence Council), Job 79R01012A, Box 467, NIE 42/14.2–73, Folder 6. Secret. All members of the U.S. Intelligence Board concurred in the estimate except the representatives of the FBI and the Department of Treasury, who abstained because the subject was outside of their jurisdiction. On June 18, Colby sent this NIE to Kissinger, as requested. Colby added, “The analysis in the NIE basically supports the approach advocated by State.” (Ibid.) [secret] On June 19, the Department sent instructions to Habib in telegram 118917 to Seoul. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Far East, Box 544, Korea, Volume 6, January 1973–October 1973.)
240. Memorandum From Lawrence Eagleburger of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Washington, July 13, 1973.
Eagleburger recommended that Kissinger issue Habib instructions relating to UNCURK.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 544, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Volume 6, January 1973–October 1973. Secret. Sent for action. Kissinger initialed his approval of the recommendation. Attached to the memorandum is a note from Scowcroft that reads, “Henry—I am inclined to think Larry is right. Brent.” Froebe gave Kissinger a memorandum, June 23, summarizing Park’s speech. (Ibid.) The backchannel telegram, 31859, from the White House to Habib, July 18, is ibid., Box 411, Backchannel Messages, Southeast Asia, vol. II, 1973, Part 1.
241. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of State Rogers and Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Washington, July 18, 1973.
Kissinger conveyed interim guidance on U.S. policy toward the Korean Peninsula.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 544, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Volume 6, January 1973–October 1973. Secret. According to an attached undated note by Scowcroft to Kissinger, Rogers would probably ignore this guidance, but Clements might be more sympathetic. Scowcroft also believed there was “no need” to send this memorandum to Nixon.
242. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon, Washington, July 25, 1973.
Kissinger recommended that Nixon approve the issuance of a NSDM on Korean Force modernization.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–241, NSDMs, NSDM 227, Folder 6. Secret. Sent for action. Nixon initialed the “approve” option.
243. National Security Decision Memorandum 227, Washington, July 27, 1973.
Kissinger issued NSDM 227 concerning the Korean Force Modernization Plan.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–241, NSDMs, NSDM 227, Folder 6. Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of Central Intelligence, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
244. Telegram 5409 From the Embassy in the Republic of Korea to the Department of State, August 15, 1973, 0326Z.
The embassy analyzed the circumstances and consequences of the abduction of Kim Dae-jung.
Source: National Archives, Record Group 59, Central Foreign Policy Files. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Repeated for information to Tokyo. On August 8, Republic of Korea intelligence agents kidnapped opposition politician Kim Dae-jung from a hotel in Tokyo, allegedly with plans to assassinate him.
245. Backchannel Message 0818 From the Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (Habib) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger), Seoul, August 24, 1973, 0615Z.
Habib reported on a meeting with Park and a proposed meeting with North Korean officials in Beijing.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 527, Country Files, Far East, PRC, Volume 8, July 10, 1973–December 31, 1973. Secret; Sensitive; Exclusively Eyes Only. Habib’s backchannel telegram was Tab C of a memorandum, August 24, from Richard Solomon to Kissinger. (Ibid.) The meeting between the North Korean Chargé and members of the USLO in Bejing is described ibid., HAK Office Files, Box 95, Country Files, Far East, Folder 4 [2 of 2], China Exchange, 7/10/73–10/31/73.
246. Memorandum of Conversation, Seoul, November 16, 1973.
Kissinger and Park discussed U.S.-Korean relations and U.S. negotiations with China.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–1973 (TS Files), Box 24, Misc Refiles [No Folder Title], POL 7 US/Kissinger. Top Secret; Nodis. Drafted by Hummel. The meeting was held in the Blue House.
247. Minutes of Washington Special Actions Group Meeting, Washington, December 4, 1973, 10:40 a.m.–12:02 p.m.
A WSAG meeting considered North Korean maritime demands.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Staff for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, Convenience Files, Box 24, WSAG Working Group, Dec. 4, 1973[Korea]. Top Secret; Nodis. The minutes were attached to a covering memorandum, December 5, from Davis to Kissinger, explaining that the WSAG met “to discuss North Korea’s demand that UN Command naval and merchant ships obtain prior permission to navigate the waters contiguous to five UNC-controlled islands off the west coast of Korea.” On December 22, Scowcroft approved draft State-Defense cables to the Embassy in Seoul giving guidance for the upcoming Military Armistice Commission meeting and commenting on a South Korean memorandum on the island dispute. (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 544, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Volume 7, November 1973–)
248. National Security Study Memorandum 190, Washington, December 31, 1973.
Kissinger asked the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Central Intelligence Agency to study potential diplomatic initiatives regarding security arrangements on the Korean peninsula.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–201, NSSMs, NSSM 190 (1 of 3). Top Secret; Nodis. Coped to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On December 20, Kissinger received a memorandum from Solomon and Froebe recommending that he sign a NSSM on diplomatic initiatives in Korea. On the first page of this memorandum, Kissinger wrote, “I want NSSM sent.” (Ibid.) The NSSM 190 issues were eventually referred to the President for decision without a prior meeting of the SRG.
249. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting, Washington, January 25, 1974.
Habib and Kissinger led a discussion of U.S. policy toward the Korean peninsula.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 2. Secret; Nodis. In telegram 22538 to Seoul, February 2, Hummel informed Habib, “The Secretary has asked that we reiterate to you his disinclination to have us pressing the Koreans, either privately or publicly, on their domestic situation. You will recall his remarks on this subject during the discussion at your meeting January 25. This reiteration stems from that discussion, rather than from any new developments; we have not seen evidence of such pressing in your recent reporting.” (Ibid, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 544, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Volume 7, November 1973–)
250. Intelligence Memorandum Prepared in the Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, February 1, 1974.
The authors predicted that Park’s regime would remain in power in the short run, but domestic opposition to it would grow.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OPI 16 (Office of Current Intelligence), Job 79T00863A, Box 31, Folder 22, Intelligence Memorandum [unnumbered]. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. The Office of Current Intelligence at the CIA prepared this report in response to a January 19 request from Scowcroft, on behalf of Kissinger, that “an assessment be made of the current South Korean internal political situation, accompanied by a projection of the prospects for the next two to three months.” (National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 544, Country Files, Far East, Korea, Volume 7, November 1973–)
251. Memorandum From Richard Smyser and John Froebe of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, February 11, 1974.
Smyser and Froebe recommended that Kissinger ask Sisco to urge the British Ambassador to delay an expansion of relations with North Korea.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Country Files, Far East, Box 544, Korea, Volume 7, November 1973–. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. Concurred in by Soloman. Kissinger initialed his approval of the recommendation. Attached but not published is the table of states.
252. Memorandum From Secretary of State Kissinger to President Nixon, Washington, March 25, 1974.
Kissinger presented his own and agency views about negotiations on terminating the UN Command in Korea, and recommended that Nixon approve the issuance of a NSDM on this subject.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–202, NSSMs, NSSM 190 [2 of 3]. Top Secret; Sensitive. The President approved the NSDM recommendation, and, next to section 4b, he wrote, “K—Vital to highlight this.” On February 7, Acting Chairman Hummel of the IG for East Asia and the Pacific sent Scowcroft its response to NSSM 190. (Ibid.) On February 24, Kissinger request comments from the Departments of Defense, State, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, noting that there would be no SRG meeting on Korea before the President made decisions on issues in NSSM 190. (Ibid., Box H–311, Miscellaneous Institutional Files of the Nixon Administration, NSC Subject, [Korea] [1 of 2])
253. National Security Decision Memorandum 251, Washington, March 29, 1974.
Kissinger issued NSDM 251 concerning the termination of the UN Command in Korea.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–246, NSDMs, NSDM 251. Top Secret; Sensitive. Copies were sent to the Director of Central Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
254. Memorandum of Conversation, Washington, May 28, 1974, 2:05–3:05 p.m.
Habib briefed Clements on U.S. relations with Korea.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–77–0054, Korea, 333, 1974, June 20. Secret. Prepared by Vandegrift and approved by Jordan. The conversation took place in Clements’s office. Clements’s talking points for the meeting, dated May 28, are ibid.
255. National Intelligence Analytical Memorandum 14.2–1–74, Washington, July 15, 1974.
The memorandum assessed North Korea’s military and strategic intentions.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, OPI 122 (National Intelligence Council), Job 79R01012A, Box 480, NIAM 14.2–1–74, Folder 3. Top Secret. The memorandum was prepared by the CIA and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, and the National Security Agency. Concurred in by members from the CIA, INR, DIA, NSA; representatives from the AEC, FBI, and the Department of Treasury abstained. Representatives of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force also participated.
256. Memorandum From Richard Smyser of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger, Washington, undated.
Smyser sent Kissinger a memorandum about informing the South Korean government of U.S. aid plans.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–241, NSDMs, NSDM 227, folder 6. Secret. Sent for urgent action. Concurred in by Kennedy. Attached but not published are Tab A the undated draft memorandum from Kissinger to the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of State; and Tab B, the memorandum from Clements to Kissinger. Tab C, NSDM 227, is attached and published as Document 243. Kissinger did not sign Tab A. An attached note from Scowcroft indicates that the matter was instead handled by phone on September 23.
257. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Secretary of Defense Schlesinger, Washington, October 8, 1974.
Kissinger asked the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the CIA to produce a study of the U.S. security assistance program to the Republic of Korea.
Source: Ford Library, NSC Institutional Files (H-Files), Box H–32, NSSM 211, Review of U.S. Security Assistance to the Republic of Korea (2). Top Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
258. Memorandum of Conversation, Seoul, November 22, 1974, 3 p.m.
Park, Ford, and Kissinger discussed U.S. support for South Korea, the North Korean threat, North-South dialogue, Japan, the Soviet Union, China, and economic issues.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 7. Secret; Nodis. The conversation took place in the Blue House. Ford visited South Korea November 21–22; his arrival speech, dinner toast, and the joint communiqué he issued with Park are in The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. LXXI, No. 1852, December 23, pp. 875–878.
259. Memorandum of Conversation, Seoul, November 1974.
Park, Ford, and Kissinger briefly discussed issues in U.S.-South Korean relations.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversation, Box 7. Secret; Nodis. The conversation took place in the Blue House. The exact date and time of this conversation is not indicated.