CONFIDENTIAL
Republic of Korea
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
June 6. 1952.
Dear Doc:
It is difficult at this stage of the game to know where to begin or what to say. I know that the press, editorial and diplomatic reaction to the turn of events here is very, very negative. It is a tough public relations assignment here; haven’t gotten more than 4 or 5 hours sleep a night since this began and there is always something popping; newsmen beseige us constantly and diplomatic notes flow in like water. Part of the difficulty is that the groundwork--public-relations-wise--wasn’t laid sufficiently before the events began to occur; everyone, including Clarence, was totally unaware of what was pending; we didn’t know about the martial law until after it had been declared, and still don’t know the exact charges against the Assemblymen. Worse, the popular resolutions coming in from the provinces expressing the will of the people for the past 4 months were never translated and released__contrarily when they finally were, it looked like ex post facto excusings.
Aside from all the above whimpering, I know clearly where the Prexy himself stands : (1) The will of the people supersedes the constitution and the legislative organ (2) The National Assembly, by refusing to accede to the peoples’ demands, has rendered itself unfit for office. (3) The uncovered Communist plot indicates bribery, corruption, etc. in the effort to unite Korea by a coalition government. (4) most importantly, this is an internal affair and foreign governments ■hould not try to interfere.
He and Mme. are anxious that the following be “leaked" somehow to newsmen and editorial writers there: SunWu, the ringleader of the plot, is being protected in American quarters, Kim Sung Soo is on the Hospital ship the HAVEN, and others wanted for investigation are being protected in various foreign quarters. Also, they want it leaked that the Embassy here from the very beginning has been against SMR and has supported Chang Myon at every step of the way. This is the type of foreign interference which the President bitterly resents.
Now, privately, and strictly between ourselves: Muccio and Van Fleet are at swords-points, with Van Fleet keeping hands off the internal situation; Lee Bum Suk is definitely in the saddle; SMR's chances of reelection, barring a last-minute miracle, are non-existent; what you previously mentioned about the Health situation has deteriorated during the past several months so that in the afternoons it is difficult to reason with him; General Won the Martial Law Commander has taken over much power, and has actually done some things without the President’s knowledge or consent; scores of people are afraid of their lives because of the intentions of over-zealous Rhee supporters; AND, 8th Army expects an all-out attack any day now, tying in with the political unrest here and the Koje disturbances.
I have enclosed to Charlotte everything written on the Administration side on this affair, hoping that she will make copies and pass them along. I keep right on plugging, but sometimes feel as if I were the boy at the dike!
