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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 1770　10 October 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS - 1042)　5 October 1950

PW was intelligent, cooperative and in good physical and mental condition. Reliability good. Not recommended for further interrogation.

15 Oct 49: Enlisted in the NKPA at KOSONG. Assigned to Engr Co, 1st Border Constabulary Brigade, with Brigade Hqs situated in KANSONG. The Engr Co, 45mm AT Co, 82mm Mortar Co and Sig Co were also located in KANGSONG.

14 Dec 49: 50 men each from Engr Co, Sig Co and 82mm mortar Co were dispatched to SINCH’ON for 3 months advanced training.

15 Dec 49: Representatives from above units received training in their branch of sevice.

15 Jan 50: Men from the Engr Co and Sig Co, sent to P’YONGYANG. Men of the Mortar Co remained at SINCH’ON.

15 Jan 50: Men of the Engr and Sig Cos received training in P;YONGYANG. Engr troops received one Month of basic infantry training and one moth of Engr training. Engr training consisted of neutralizing US and Russian AT mines, obstacle clearing methods and demolitions.

19 Mar 50: All trainees graduated from advanced training in grade of Sgt. All except PW were returned to KANSONG.

25 Jun 50: Assigned to North Korean Security Dept as clerk in the operations section. During this period, the security Dept of the Internal Affairs Ministry consisted of:

1st Border Constabulary Brigade: Hqs at KANGSONG. Area of responsibility extended west from YANGYANG to CH’ORWON. Units of 1st Brigade consisted of 1st Bn, stationed in YANGYANG, 5th Bn, stationed in KANSONG, and 25th Bn stationed in INJE. Strength of 1st Brigade was approx 3,500 men.

3rd Border Constabulary Brigade: Hqs at KUMCH’ON Area of responsibility extended west from CH’ORWON to HAEJU. Units of the 3rd BC brigade unknown. Strength of the Brigade was approx 5,000 men.

7th Border Constabulary Brigade: Hqs located in CHUKCH’ONNI Area of responsibility extended west from HAEJU to the west coast. Strength was approx 3,000 men. Brigade was organized in Jul 49.

5th RR Guard Brigade: Hqs located in P’YONGYANG. Responsible for all rail communication facilities throughout North KOREA. Strength of Brigade was approx 13,000 men, more than the strength of one division. Over strength railroad bns were situated at the following locations: 2bns in P’YONGYANG, one bn in HAMHUNG, one bn in SONGJIN and one bn in CH’ONGJIN.

Separate Security Bns: In addition, the Security Department also controlled the Security battalions which were stationed in strategic areas to assist in the administration of the areas. Location of the units were as follows:

P’YONGYANG: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 2,000 men. One separate Traffic Control Bn, no designation, Strength approx 1,000 men.

HAMHUNG: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 2,000 men.

SONGJIN: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 2,000 men.

Ch’ONGJIN: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 2,000 men.

NAJIN: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 2,000 men.

MUSAN: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 2,000 men.

KANGGYE: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 2,000 men.

HWANGJU: One separate security bn, no designation, strength approx 1,000 men. This bn was composed of approx 600 ROK troops who deserted en masse in Jun 49 and about 400 North Korean troops. This unit had no security responsibilities. The men were not permitted to leave the camp area, and underwent daily cultural and military training.

The separate security bns with the exception of the odd bn in HWANGJU had company and platoon level units scattered throughout the areas of responsibility. The primary function of the security units was to guard public granaries, warehouses, etc.

Coastal Security Units: The security department also controlled the coastal security units which were responsible for coastal patrols, security of port facilities, and inspection of all ship traffic. Units were stationed at the following locations:

WONSAN: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 500 men.

SINUIJUL: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 200 men.

SONGJINL: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 100 men.

HUNGNAM: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 200 men.

CH’ONGJIN: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 300 men.

HOERYONG: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 50 men.

NAMYANG: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 50 men.NAJIN: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 100 men.

CHUNGGANGJIN: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 50 men.

MANP’OJIN: One coastal security unit, no designation, strength approx 50 men.

The above wre the composite unites of the North KOREA Security Dept as of 25 June 50.

2 Jul 50: Security Dept was renamed and called the Security Forces Hqs. The Chief of the Security Dept became the commander of Security Forces, his assistant, the C of S, etc.

7 Jul 50: Security Forces Hqs was divided into two separate hqs, the Combat Area Security Hqs and the Rear Echelon Security Hqs. The commander assumed command of the Combat Area Security Forces and his C of S assumed command of the Rear Echelon Security Forces. On 7 Jul 50, the Combat Area Security Hqs was moved to SEOUL. The Rear Echelon Security Hqs remained in P’YONGYANG, and assumed responsibility for the 5th RR Brigade, separate Security Bns and the Coastal Security Units. Combat Area Security Forces began recruiting South Korean nationals to serve in its ranks.

o/a 9 Jul 50: 7th BC Brigade redesignated as the 7th Div and partially trained reserves from N. KOREA were assigned to the unit to bring it up to division strength. Activation took place in the general area north of SEOUL. 1st BC Brigade was redesignated as the 8th Div and trained reserves from N. KOREA were used to fill its ranks. Activation occurred in the general area of the east coast south of the 48th parallel. 3rd BC Brigade was redesignated as the 3rd NKPA Division. Trained reserves from N. KOREA were assigned to the unit to bring it up to division strength. Organization of the 3rd Div occurred in SEOUL. The 3rd, 7th and 1st Divs since their activation were under the control of the GHQ, NKPA.

o/a 7 Jul 50-30 Aug 50: Combat area Security Hqs organized a total of 11 battalions during this period. The organization of one battalion required an average of two days. Immediately upon completion of organization, the bns were dispatched from SEOUL to various NKPA Occupied areas. When dispatched from SEOUL, the strength of each Bn was approx 550 men. All of the officers and the majority of the NCO’s of the Bns were former members of the deactivated constabulary brigades. Upon arrival at their respective designations, the bns recruited local volunteers to bring the units up to TO strength. A total of three (3) bns were sent to each province. The Regt COs were sent out with the Bns from SEOUL. The objective of the combat Area Security Hqs was to organize one security Regt in each province.

When the security bns were dispatched from SEOUL, approx all of the men were in uniform but only one-third of them were armed. Weapons were not standardized and consisted of US M-1 rifles and carbines, Russian M1891/30 rifles and Jap 0.0 rifles. The units were ordered to equip all of the men with weapons found in the field. Each Bn was issued three trucks plus one truck load of small arms ammunition. The trucks were confiscated from ROK citizens. All of the men were South Koreans with the exception of the officers and the majority of the NCO’s.

1 Aug 50: Assigned to the recently activated 102nd Regt and departed SEOUL with Regt’l Hqs and the 25th Bn of the Regt. The 1st and 3rd Bns of the 102nd Regt departed SEOUL on 28 and 30 Jul 50 respectively. All security troops were required to march to their destination.

9 Aug 50: Hqs, arrived at AJUNG-MI (3km E of CHONJU). Route of travel was via SUWON, CH’ONAN, CHOCH’iWON, TAEJON, YONSAN, KOSAN and CHONJU. enroute, the unit was strafed by US aircraft on three occasions and suffered a total loss of 23 men

9 Aug 50: Disposition of the 102nd Regt units were as follows:

I-RI: 1st Bn, 300 men

NAMWON: 3rd Bn, 700 men

AJUNG-NI: 25th Bn, 500 men

82mm mortar Co, 60 men

Regt’l Hqs, 50 men

Med Plt, 20 men

Guard Co, 140 men

Trans Co, 80 men

Sig Plt, 30 men

When the Regt’l Hqs arrived AJUNG-NI, the 1st bn had recruited additional men and was up to full strength. Also, weapons had been found for all men of the Bn. The 3rd Bn was in the process of recruiting additional men and it was as yet 100 men under strength. The 25th Bn also began to build up its strength. 102nd Regt was responsible for the security of CHOLLA PUKTO (全羅北道).

15 Aug 50: The strength of the units remained unchanged except that the 25th Bn strength had increased to about 580 men. The 1st and 3rd Bns were completely armed but the 25th Bn had only 50% of the necessary rifles. 82mm mortar Co had only three pieces. The Regt’l entertainment platoon was made up of 20 new recruits.

30 Aug 50: 25th Bn was still short 50% of the necessary weapons. The Bns did not have any automatic weapons or mortars and the 82mm mortar Co had only 3 mortars. There were on other weapons in the entire Regt.

1 Sep 50: PW was dispatched with 15 enlisted men to search the area for weapons with which to arm the men of the 25th Bn. Entered a little village and indulged in a drinking spree. The news of his behavior reached the Regt’l CP and PW was placed in confinement in the Chonju prison.

1 Sep 50-29 Sep 50: Remained in jail. No news of his unit.

29 Sep 50: Released and told that the UN forces had landed at KUNSAN.

29 Sep 50-1 Oct 40: Heard that his unit had withdrawn to the north so he made his way to a point 8 km S of CH’ONGJU where he was captured.

As of 1 Sep 50 morale of the troops was extremely high. Although the soldiers were ROK citizens they were good troops and were very obedient to orders.

Combat Area Security Forces:

Name: Pak, Hun Il (朴勳一) (박훈일)

Rank: Lt Gen

Age: 40

Position: CG, Combat Area Security Forces

Remarks: Former Chief of Security Department, Internal Affairs Ministry. Formerly a member of the 8th Route Army, CCF.

Name: KUM, Son Ok (金先玉) (김선옥)

Rank: Col

Age: 26

Position: Troop Commander

Remarks: Former Engr Officer of Combat Area Security Forces Hqs. Prior to war, was Engr Officer, Security Dept, Internal Affaires Ministry. Until 1 Sep 50, troop Hqs was located in TAEJON.

Name: KANG, T’ae Mu (姜泰武) (강태무)

Rank: Col

Age: 28

Position: CO, 102nd Security Regt

Name: KIM, Ch’ang Hyon (金昌憲) (김창헌)

Rank: Sr Lt

Age: 28

Position: CO, 25th Bn

Remarks: Assumed command of 25th Bn since there were no qualified officers during organization of the Bn.

Name: O, Paeng Nyong (吳白龍) (오백용)

Rank: Maj Gen

Age: 42

Position: CG, Former 1st BC Brigade

Remarks: Speaks a little Korean. Russian citizen.

Name: CH‘OE Hon (崔憲) (최헌)

Rank: Maj Gen

Age: 45

Position: CG, Former 3rd Brigade

Remarks: Ex CCF officer, Russian educated.

Name: LEE, Ik Son (李益善) (이익선)

Rank: Maj Gen

Age: 45

Position: CG, Former 7th BC Brigade

Remarks: Former CCF officer.

100% of all rations consumed by the security units in ROK territory were procured within the jurisdictional boundaries of the units. There were no supply difficulties. Aside from the initial allotment of one truckload of ammunition, approx 2½ tons was issued to the security bns when they were organized in SEOUL, there have been no supplies from higher echelons. The units collected all ammunition found within their areas of jurisdiction to replenish their stock.

Equipment:

Equipment of all the N Korean security units south of the 38th parallel consisted of captured equipment or weapons discarded by NKPA. All of the weapons were operable.

A. NK Currency Information:

1. Rate of exchange: 1 ruble - 4 NK won (as of Jul 50) 1 NK won - 8 ROK won (as of Aug 50)

2. Extent of usage: The people had faith in their currency and it was the standard medium of exchange. Some of the prices as of Jul 50 are as follows:

10 quarts rice: 320 won - free market price 78 won - ration price

1 pr leather shoes: 1,500 won - free market price 800 won - ration price

1 pr serge trousers: 2,500 won - free market price, no ration.

Wages paid as of Jul 50:

Middle school teacher: 1,500 won per mo

Truck driver: 3,000 won per mo

Lathe operator: 2,000 won per mo

Office worker: 1,500 won per mo

B. N Korean Economic Conditions (as of Jul 50):

1. Taxes:

a. Farmers: The farmers were required to give the government approx 25% of their harvest. IN addition to this, they were required to pay in cash or produce, 10% of their yearly income for the fertilizer ration they received twice during the planting seasons. The amount of fertilizer received depended upon the acreage but no details are available. There was no other form of taxation for the farmers.

b. White Collar workers: Workers in this category paid 10% of their yearly income.

c. Laborers: Workers in this category paid 10% of their yearly wages.

2. Electricity:

There was no limitation in the use of electricity for lighting but the use of hot plates and electrical heating system was discouraged.

For the Commanding Officer: