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보/고/서

ATIS INTERROGATION REPORT NO. 2715　18 December 1950

FIELD REPORT (ADVATIS FWD - #1 - 0241)　5 December 1950

Informant is a NK Government Assemblyman and has considerable knowledge of government operations. He was cooperative and appeared to be highly intelligent and observant.

The bulk of information obtained from the informant is based from his personal opinions and experiences. Though it seems reliable, the information should be assessed accordingly.

Informant is recommended for further interrogation.

1922: Chief of General Affairs of TAEGU Youths' League (大邱靑年同盟)

1924: Member of Education Section of Labor Mutual Relief Committee at TAEGU (大邱).

Apr 1925: Official of the new Korean Communist Party of the TAEGU Area.

May 1920 (Sic): Imprisoned by the Japanese police at SEOUL West Gate Prison for being a Communist.

Sep 1928： Released from prison, but he was kept under constant police surveillance.

1931: Compelled to report to the Japanese Court procurator as a parolee on the average of once to twice each month until Apr 44.

Apr 1944: Imprisoned again as an active member of the Korean Emancipation Party, which sought to overthrow the Japanese Government.

Jan 1945：Released from prison and immediately became an active member of the "League for the Establishment of an Independent State."

44 Aug 45： Imprisoned at TAEGU for 2 weeks for being a member of the above league.

16 Aug 45: Released from prison.

25 Aug 45: With the loss of Japanese power, the "Committee for Maintainance of Security" was established in KYONGSANG PUKTO (慶尙北道). Became its "Chief of General Affairs".

Sep 45：Chief of Peoples' Committee of KYONGSANG PUKTO.

25 Sep 45: Korean Communist Party re-established in KOREA. Informant named Chief of Propaganda of KYONGSANG PUKTO Communist Party.

Jun 46: "Democratic Unification of Race Advancement Group" was established in KOREA. In its SEOUL chapter, informant became an active member concurrently holding chairmanship in the KYONGSANG PUKTO Chapter.

Mar 47: "South Korean Labor Party", which consisted of "Peoples' Party", was established. Informant served as an central member of its SEOUL Chapter, while at the same time acted as chairman of KYONGSANG PUKTO Chapter.

Sep 47: Informant was transferred to P'YONGYANG (平壤) by the SK Labor Party.

Nov 47: Attended "Central Political Leaders Training School" for 3 months in P'YONGYANG.

Mar 48: Informant was assigned the task of principal of P'YONGYANG 5th Middle School, later to 2nd High School.

25 Aug 48: Informant was elected as a member of the "Supreme Peoples' Council" (Parliament)

Aug 49: "KOREA Labor Party," composed of NK and SK Labor Parties, was established. While still a parliament member, informant joined the Central Committee of above party.

30 Jun 50: "Spoils of War (SK) Administrative Committee" was formed at SEOUL. One of its sub-units, "Standing Property" (buildings) was headed by the informant.

25 Jul 50: Appointed a member of "Corps for Political Infiltration of KYONGSANG PUKTO" by Korean Labor Party. He was sent to KUMCH'ON (金泉), where the "KYONGSANG PUKTO Peoples' Committee" was located. Informant's objective was TAEGU, which was still under the enemy's control. He walked to SONSAN (善山), where he awaited further developments of the war.

25 Sep 50: Informant departed SONSAN prior to its entry by UN Forces.

10 Oct 50: He arrived at SEOUL, which was now occupied by the UN Forces. For the next 10 days informant was undecided as to whether he should remain in hiding or surrender himself.

21 Oct 50: Through his friend's friend, PW contacted an unidentified member of US G-2 section in SEOUL and finally surrendered himself to a representative (Capt) of Lt Gen WALKER.

The Korea Communist Party was first established in SEOUL on 17 Apr 1925 with 500 to 600 pledged members. Of this number approximately 20 to 30 were "TO" (Provincial) representatives (There are 15 provinces in KOREA. Number of representatives depends on the overall size or population of each prefecture). These representatives on the above date appointed 2 Secretaries - chief and vice-chief. (Since such parties are strictly outlawed by the occupying Japanese Government, the above event was kept secret. At that time, the primary objective for forming a Communist Party was to offer organized resistances against the Japanese. Its eventual aim was to achieve complete independence for the fatherland). The Central Committee, which included the 2 secretaries, was next set up with 10 additional prefecture representatives as officials. To be acknowledged by the Soviet Government and entered as a group of the 3rd International Party, a representative of the newly organized KOREA Communist Party was sent to MOSCOW with dispatches and party organization documents. The party was soon accepted into the International Party.

Jun 1928 MOSCOW ordered the disbandment of the KOREA Communist Party. This was brought about by the fact that the members, instead of pursuing the ideals of Communism, were actually using the party power to resist the Japanese. With this order the members were scattered but not for long. An un-named group was organized soon after. Its aim was to resist the occupation policies of the Japanese Government. With the defeat of the Japanese Army on 15 Aug 45, the aims of the group came to an end.

Sep 45 the Korean Communist Party was reestablished. This time MOSCOW sanction was not required (During World War II the 3rd International Party was abolished). The Korean Communist Party was now on its own feet. The party now strived to rid KOREA of all Japanese, to set up a Peoples' Committee, and to abolish feudalism. With the cessation of the late war, the Korean Communist Party came out into the open. Now that KOREA was divided into 2 parts at the 38° parallel, the Party began to assume a new role. The Party Hq was located in SEOUL but plans were made to establish a second Hq in P'YONGYANG, due to the unpopularity of Communism in South KOREA.

During Dec 45 the North Korean Communist Party Hq was set up at P'YONGYANG. Liaison systems were established between the SEOUL and P'YONGYANG Hq. Gradually all the former power of Seoul Hq shifted to P'YONGYANG. In the meantime SEOUL Hq continued to spread the ideals of Communism to South Koreans, who were now under US (Lt Gen HODGE) control.

During Jun 46 the North Korean Communist Party was redesignated as "The North Korean Labor Party". The South Korean Communist Party tried to follow suit, however, the actions and activities necessary for the change were not authorized by the US military governor.

Thus, during Oct 46 the South Korean Communist Party on orders from P'YONGY ANG Hq, went underground and commenced to carry out an intensive anti-American program.

23 Nov 46 the redesignation of the Communist Party to South Korean Labor Party. For this occasion the Party temporarily came out of hiding. Though the redesignation was permitted, the US army would not authorize official meetings and rallies. In addition to this, numerous top level leaders of the party were confined, since they held unauthorized meetings. The South Korean Labor Party soon went underground again.

During Jul 47, the South Korean Labor Party (still underground) completely organized the various sub-units in each prefecture. In the same month the entire Korean Labor Party strived to unite, South and North KOREA into one independent nation and be rid of both US Army and Soviet Forces. This failed to materialize, when it turned out that US Army would not abandon South KOREA. The Labor Party saw its opportunity to incite the independence-seeking population.

From Sep 47, the South Korean Labor Party placed all its efforts in Anti-American drives. Though banned by US Army, meetings, rallies, and parades infiltrated with well-meaning posters and slogans, were held through underground efforts.

In Jan 48 through increasing pressure from the US Army, the South Korean Labor Party went deeper underground, accompanied by other Leftist Groups (Peoples' Republican Party and Working Peoples' Party, to name two).

During May 48 the Republic of KOREA Government was established in SEOUL. The Labor Party bitterly opposed this movement by staging violent demonstrations.

Sep 48 the North Korean Government under Labor Party control was established.

Dec 48 the Soviet Forces left North KOREA. This movement was carefully planned by the Russians with the leaders of the Labor Party, to pull the US Army out of South KOREA by popular demand. This planning at P'OYGNGYANG included the strengthening of Soviet ties with North Korean and eventually with South KOREA, once the US Army departed. Communistic ties were also to be immediately strengthen between the two Labor Parties, once the US Army lost control of South KOREA.

On or about Feb 49 US Army finally departed from South KOREA. However, the South Korean Labor Party, under the watchful eyes of ROK Government, was not able to come out in the open and operate freely. In fact the situation became worse for the Party.

During Aug 49 the South and North Korean Labor Parties were united and became the Korean Labor Party. The underground Hq in SEOUL was dissolved and the existing P'YONGYANG Hq was redesignated at Central Hq or Central Committee. The underground activities in South KOREA still continued, under the orders of the Central Committee.

With the start of the present war and with the ROK Government retreating south, the here-to-fore underground cells of the Labor Party commenced open operations in the form of aiding the advancing North Korean Army.

NOTE: The above history constitutes personal facts and opinions of the informant. Information should be assessed accordingly.

With the cessation of World War II, after the surrender of JAPAN, KOREA was ultimately emancipated from her controls. However, KOREA, by the immediate occupying US and USSR powers, was divided into two separate states, each with individual economic and government systems.

That the Russians would desire to pattern the economic and government systems of her occupied state (NK) according to her own USSR standards, is not hard to perceive. During the interval from the end of hostilities to the present war USSR firmly established her governing influence in North KOREA. With the relations existing between USSR and NK under such a premise, it is not hard to realize that the movements of NK government are manipulated exclusively by the dominating power.

Prior to the present war USSR treated NK as if it was one of her satellite states. To all outward appearances USSR did not invade NK autonomy nor interfere with internal government administration. Substantially this is far from the truth. USSR wants NK as an obedient satellite state. USSR, in her effort to secure state political power, was compelled to appoint sympathetic members to the NK Communist Party through the NK Political Party, which she controls.

As soon as USSR occupied NK, immediate steps were taken to: (1) Organize the Communist Party (2) Place Soviet born Koreans (members of Soviet Communist Party) in high Party offices to facilitate control. The next steps were (1) Completely abolish any remaining Japanese influences in the NK political organizations (2) Set up a new political organization with USSR controlled Communist members holding top offices and install non-Communist members, who are popular with the public, in secondary offices. The non-Communist members were treated with kindness and gradually indoctrinated with Communistic principles. The USSR aim for these members was to permit them to adopt communism voluntarily and preach its ideals. The complete communization of the members and the establishment of the USSR controlled political organization required almost 5 years (Aug 45 to Jun 50).

To further the advancement of NK and USSR relationship numerous Staff Training Organizations, which were controlled by NK Communist Party, were established. These organizations specialized in lecturing on the following topics in rallies or assemblies: (1) History of Soviet Communist Party (2) Introduction to USSR (3) Economic system under Capitalism (Capitalism can only be abolished by creating a revolution between the Bourgeoise and the Proletariat classes. Essential elements of a successful revolution would include invincible manpower, strong productive power, and military might).

Before the outbreak of the present war USSR sent armament, military advisers, and factory technicians to NK. Korean military leaders were taught tactics in USSR. The present war was initiated either through the direct orders of the USSR government or through a mutual military understanding between USSR and NK. Whichever the case may be, why did she (USSR) sanction such a desperate war? The following motives are highly suspected: (1) NK was apprehensive of an impending SK encroachment and struck first to solve this dilemma. (2) NK believed that by sending an overwhelming military force into SK, it would achieve a complete victory and the two states could be united (The subsequent intervention of the UN Army was not planned on at this time).

Nevertheless, NK failed to achieve her purpose. How will USSR receive the tidings of the catastrophe? By forfeiting a satellite (NK), USSR has lost a part of her power, and her own position (defense) has been endangered. While perceiving her position, USSR maintains her silence. It is perplexing to consider her apatheticness. Is it due to the fact that USSR has not enough military might to speak up against the UN (US) Army? Or is the Korean War but a momentary stall, which may induce the beginning of World War III?

The US, with her military might and material power, is attempting to subdue the world, while USSR is endeavoring to master the world with propaganda. The intervention of the UN Force in the present Korean war is (according to USSR propaganda) solely controlled by the US, US is also interfering with the control of Internal government affairs of KOREA. Her (USSR) propaganda shows that she sympathizes with the defenseless (NK) nation. USSR intends to undermine the allies of the US and have them turn against her (US).

No matter to what extent USSR utilizes the propaganda system, the issue of victory or defeat in war (in the event World War III starts) will depend wholly on military power. US with her mighty forces must place greater effort in securing humane welfare and happiness for the whole world.

NOTE: The above is a translation of a document that Informant wrote out for the interrogation. Informant voluntarily suggested that he be allowed to write this.

Prior to planning means of suppressing Communism, we must primarily ascertain the reasons for its existence and rapid growth. Communism has not been instinctively developed by humans, nor has it been born haphazardly. It has mainly sprung up as a means to solve anxieties and sufferings to human existence. Thinking along this line, what kind of human wretchednees is there on the earth?

It must be only in the present capitalistic economic and social systems. True, capitalism has contributed greatly in breaking down the past feudalistic economic and social systems and enrichened the human life by abolishing the here-to-fore severe social classes and succeeded in liberating individuality.

However, the intense growth of the capitalistic economic system has, without one's apparent knowledge, produced many faults. Free competition, at first, brought out many desirable traits. However, during this historic period, the industrial production power was developed to such a degree that the capital was monopolized by a few upper class people. The commercial and industrial businesses of the middle and lower classes have been squeezed-out and unemployment created on a large scale.

The above are the reasons for the birth and rapid spread of communism. If the faults can be successfully removed, its growth will be stopped. Moreover, the capitalistic economic system can be developed in such a way that the standard of living will be raised.

It is not impossible to remove the faults through the use of several methods: (1) Control the profits of the capitalists (2) Form a union of capitalists, which, while leading the various enterprises, will properly control the flow of products. The unemployment situation, which offers extreme hardships to the persons involved, should always be borne in mind and proper countermeasures devised.

These problems must be solved not only in any one nation but throughout the world. The following steps must be taken:

Nation - In the various economic realms, the unions of capitalists must enforce the most important social policies: (l) Properly control profits (2) Solve unemployment problems (3) Free competition must be changed to state-managed economic system.

Entire World - A world union of advanced capitalistic nations must lead and direct the industrial development of retarded nations. The past colonial economic system, in which large countries treated smaller nations as their colonies, must be abolished, and minor nations be admitted into the union on equal basis with others.

Between Nations - Free competition of capitalistic economic system between nations must be abolished, and the development of industries in the retarded nations must be aided by the stronger countries. The economically advanced capitalistic nations must abolish the status of feudalism in semi-feudalistic nations. The old landownership system must be revised and the mode of living of farmers (who comprise the majority of the population) must be stabilized.

Toward the semi-feudalistic nations, the economically advanced capitalistic countries must discontinue further aid to large landowners and the bureaucracy classes. To bring about the abolishment of the feudalistic status systems, the freedom of individuality must be accorded to the majority of the people, who will then welcome the principles of democracy.

By reforming the feudalistic landownership system, the retarded nations can secure benefits for their farmers, who in turn will increase agricultural products. The farmers' buying power of industrial goods will thus increase. When the development of the nations' industry advances, they will be able to purchase more machinery and equipment from the advanced capitalistic countries.

In order to appease a few large landowners, the economically advanced capitalistic countries have abandoned the majority of the working class, who had no alternative but to turn to Communism for its existence.

In conclusion, the main factors in suppressing communism are (l) Stabilize the mode of living for the working class (2) Abolish free-competition of capitalist economical systems and instead establish a state controlled system (3) Industrial products must be regulated along with the consumption of products.

ORGANIZATION OF KOREAN LABOR PARTY

KOREAN LABOR PARTY COMMUNICATION CHANNEL As of Dec 1949

BREAKDOWN OF P'YONGYANG CENTRAL COMM OF KOREAN LABOR PARTY

NOTE: This interrogation was terminated at this point due to the situation. Informer has been sent to the PUSAN POW Camp.

For the Commanding Officers: