ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1066 14 September 1950
FIELD REPORT (U.S. Fleet Activities, Navy #3912 - Serial 019) 15 September 1950
SUBJECT: Interrogation of Korean Prisoners
1. The interview with CHI Tai Jun, Korean prisoner, disclosed the following information:
a. CHI is described as a Korean male; age 22; born 1 March 1928 at Chusee Nando, Jozengun, Munzaumei, Kentoku-ri, South Korea; height 1.57 meter; weight 60 kilos; black hair; black eyes; gold teeth on both sides of mouth.
b. CHI stated that his permanent address was that of his birth; that he had gone to high school in China, Japan, in 1943 and 1944 on a student’s visa, after which he returned to Seoul where he obtained a scholarship and lived with his grandfather while attending school.
c. CHI stated that he was one of five children, the remainder of his family consisting of two brothers and two sisters. The oldest sister, CHI Yung Soo, was described as having received some sort of scholarship to study music under the auspices of a Christian Missionary Society at New York University; the oldest brother, age 33, was described as having lost an arm in a farming accident, and was characterized as being an active member of the South Korean Youth League; the younger sister, age 17, was still at home with the parents, both of whom are still living, and the other brother, CHI Tae Sul, age 25, was reputedly with his grandfather, one CHI Ching Chang, age 62, in Pusan; CHI Ching Chang is supposedly a prominent member of the South Korean parliament and a personal friend of President RHEE. Upon being requested to explain how his father, who he said was 63, could be older than his grandfather, who was 62, CHI stated that CHI Ching Chang was not really a grandfather, the real one having died; but Korean custom dictates that in such a case a proxy grandfather is gained by adoption, and that CHI Ching Chang was in reality a distant relative of the same family, though not a grandfather.
d. CHI stated that when the NK forces attacked he was a law student at Kuming University in Seoul, and although the NK troops entered Seoul on the morning of 28 June 1950, he continued his studies there until 5 July 1950. On the latter date he left Seoul, arriving at his home a week later; he then went to the home of a friend (presumably IM) where they remained until 28 July 1950, planning the action described above; on that date they proceeded to Jokyuryu, on the west coast of Korea, from which place they departed by boat on 31 July 1950 and were subsequently picked up by the HHNS EVERTSEN.
e. CHI was unable to furnish any military information of any kind, stating only that he had once seen a tank in the neighborhood of Seoul. CHI appeared to be straightforward in his answers. He complained of tireness as a result of rowing the boat, and at the end of the interview appeared crestfallen when informed that he was to remain in custody. Nothing transpired which led the interviewing officer to believe that CHI was telling anything but the truth.
2. When the prisoner was taken into custody, CHI had belongings with him, these being wrapped up in a kerchief, and consisted of several law books, two wallets containing various cards and personal items of no intelligence value, and a large stack of Korean notes in 100 yuan denominations, estimated to be worth about $35 at the present rate of exchange. CHI stated that such an accumulation of money was the result of family savings, and offered no further explanations.
3. The signature of the prisoner was taken and is on file at this activity, as are some rought notes which were made by the prisoner for explanatory purposes during his interview with Lt. Cdr. PAK; neither of these items have an apparent value but are retained only for references purposes if needed. Lt. Cdr. PAK stated that the presence of such a large amount of money in CHI’s possession led him to suspect the man of some sort of illegal dealing, but declined to commit himself as to whether or not the prisoner was sympathetic to the Communist cause. CHI had denied any affiliations with the Communist Party.
4. Subject prisoner is presently in custody of this command, but in view of the foregoing information it is the intention of this command to return him to the ROK authorities at Pusan for disposition.
M. C. WALLEY
