795.00/6-452: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Korea 註01
secret
priority
Washington, June 4, 1952-3:36 p.m.
907. For Muccio. (Tokyo pass to CINCUNC for info.) FYI our desires and views with regard to internal situation in ROK remain much the same as when we met with you here. That is: (1) every means must be exhausted to obtain a resolution of this internal crisis by methods short of active military intervention. Apart from question of its undesirability we do not have available the milit forces that wld be required for the complete milit intervention which might eventually be required if we embark upon course of even limited milit intervention. (2) There has to be some leadership in the ROK Govt. It appears that this leadership can best be provided by Rhee under some controls and in a more chastened mood. It appears here that US and UN interests wld best be served if the end result is that Rhee remains as Pres. Rhee wld have much more standing within and without Korea if he were elected by popular vote rather than by a reluctant and coerced Assembly. However, we believe that he shld be subj to Assembly controls along the lines suggested by the PriMin in his Points 2 and 3 set forth in penultimate para section 1 Pusan’s 1259.
註02 Therefore we believe that constitutional amendment providing for popular election of Pres and subjecting him to greater degree of parliamentary control might be the most desirable outcome of the present crisis.
Foregoing shld not be interpreted as inflexible instructions as we recognize you must have and we desire to give you as much flexibility as possible to act immed on the spot to meet situation as it develops. We recognize the great influence that this Govt is able to bring to bear upon the situation but we prefer to be in a position of guiding and helping the two sides to the controversy in finding mutually acceptable solution rather than coercing either one or both sides.
Bearing in mind the foregoing you shld see Pres Rhee as quickly as possible fol your arrival in Pusan and discuss the internal polit strife in ROK making, in your discretion, all or such of the fol points as you deem desirable in light of immed situation existing at time of your interview with him:
1. As indicated by your personal visit with Pres and his msg to Rhee of Jun 2, the Pres, as well as the Depts of State and Defense, are deeply concerned over internal polit situation in ROK, and shocked at actions taken by Pres Rhee during the past two weeks.
2. Amer press and Cong are showing concern over situation. Support for relief, reconstruction, and milit strengthening of ROK is now in jeopardy.
3. Respect for the sovereignty of other states is a basic tenet of US policy. We have consistently applied this policy in our relations with the ROK. We are also deeply concerned over welfare of Korean people as most recently shown in a major matter by the conduct of negots leading to and content of Economic Coordination Agreement negotiated with the ROK. However, impossible to expect that US can remain indifferent to an internal situation in a country which owes the very fact of its existence to the still continuing loss of life and sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of Amer men, as well as to the sacrifices of all the Amer people.
4. If, in fact, there is an internal communist conspiracy involving ROK Assemblymen and officials and with connections outside Korea, it is a matter of the gravest moment and concern to the UNC as well as the US, involving as it wld the security of UNC Forces. In this event it is surprising Rhee did not inform the Embassy and the UNC of the fact in order that the resources of the UNC and the USG within and without Korea cld assist Govt of the ROK in exposing and dealing with the menace in consultation with each other so as to eliminate possibility of any unfavorable reactions against the ROK and avoid interference with the milit situation. If the situation required extraordinary measures, the USG and UNC wld be the first to cooperate with the ROK in taking all necessary action. If the alleged conspiracy is not of such nature there is no valid reason that it cannot and shld not be dealt with by normal legal process. In any event, USG must protest the action of Rhee in imposing and continuing martial law in the important base area of Pusan without consultation with and against explicit statements of CINCUNC and CGEUSAK.
5. The US has consistently supported and defended the Govt of the ROK against its detractors upon the basis of ROK performance under a democratic constitution and legal system.
6. Communists have capability launching large scale hostilities any time, and will seize opportunity exploit polit instability ROK. Thus present internal situation cld well be invitation for Communist attack.
7. Rhee should appreciate that degree of support he will continue receive as President ROK from US and other interested UN countries is inevitably related to his actions in this situation.
8. US Govt will be gravely concerned if large groups of people come to Pusan to protest in any fashion whatsoever, as this Govt will only conclude that such demonstrations will be inspired and controlled by Rhee. Such acts will constitute in opinion of US Govt continuing intention to go against unanimous advice all interested friends of Korea, internal and external.
In light of foregoing you are authorized to inform Rhee US Govt supports UNCURK statement that martial law be lifted, and Assemblymen except possibly So Min Ho be released.
Secondly, you shld emphasize in strongest terms necessity for Rhee as Pres of ROK to compose differences with opponents in form of working polit compromise within legal framework ROK constitutional structure. You shld refer to PriMins suggestion (urtel 1259) as an example. Only a quick resolution of polit differences along foregoing lines will maintain vital support in UN for Korean operation. It is also suggested you discuss with PriMin possibilities of a compromise solution along these same lines.
In connection with these discussions, you shld tell Rhee that US Govt so far has, despite strong pressure, not made public its attitude toward recent events in the ROK. However, unless satisfactory actions are taken immed to resolve crisis, US Govt will have to reconsider its stand in this matter.
Request your recommendations as to further steps which you may consider necessary.
FYI the Pres has approved these instructions.
Acheson