Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Japan; Korea, Volume XVIII

303. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

Washington, April 19, 1960, 4:30–5 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Call by Korean Ambassador

PARTICIPANTS

• Dr. You Chan Yang, Korean Ambassador
• Mr. Sangjin Chyun, First Secretary, Embassy of Korea
• The Secretary
• Mr. J. Graham Parsons, Assistant Secretary for Far Eastern Affairs
• Mr. David M. Bane, Director, Office of Northeast Asian Affairs

Secretary Herter stated that, as Ambassador Yang could well imagine, we were greatly distressed by the most serious trend of events in Korea. He stated that he had prepared an aide-mémoire expressing our views as regards the situation in Korea and that Ambassador McConaughy had been instructed to deliver an identical aide-mémoire to President Rhee as soon as it was possible for him to do so. The Secretary then read with emphasis the aide-mémoire transmitted by the Department’s telegram 848 of April 19.¹ In the course of reading the aide-mémoire, the Secretary pointed out that the American public and Congress had already questioned the propriety of the President visiting the Republic of Korea this summer. The Secretary concluded, saying that as Ambassador Yang realized we would not be delivering an aide-mémoire of this nature unless we were most seriously concerned by the situation in Korea and that we were doing so as a close friend and ally of the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Yang stated that some of the points raised by the Secretary were already being taken care of by the Korean Government. The Home Minister had been replaced. A new Chief of Police as well as a new Director of OPI had been installed and the Mayor of Seoul had been replaced. Ambassador Yang said he was sure that the Secretary had noted UPI and AP reports indicating that the Korean police had exercised restraint in dealing with the demonstrators. The Secretary pointed out, however, that many people had been killed. Ambassador Yang responded saying that many of the students had acquired firearms which they were using and which forced the police to fire to protect themselves. The student demonstrators in Seoul, he said, were operating as mobs and engaging in irresponsible acts of violence. The mobs have burned the Kyonghyang Sinmun newspaper building as well as the CIC and anti-Communist league buildings. The latter, Ambassador Yang said, had nothing to do with politics. The mobs, he said, had even tried to destroy General MacArthur’s statue.

Ambassador Yang continued, saying that the Korean Government had found leaflets distributed by the mobs calling for the withdrawal of United States and United Nations troops from Korea. The mobs had also thrown stones indiscriminately through shop windows. All these actions, Ambassador Yang said, had nothing to do with the political situation. It was a case, he said, of mob psychology prevailing. President Rhee, he said, agreed with what the Secretary had had to say and was doing everything in his power to correct the situation.

With respect to the allegations that the presidential elections had been “rigged”, Ambassador Yang said that he had no proof one way or the other, nor was he in a position to say whether the ballot boxes had been stuffed or other fraudulent practices employed. He emphasized that President Rhee would have been elected in any event and recalled that Dr. Cho had said the same thing to him while in the hospital at Washington and that Dr. Cho did not consider that he had a chance in running against President Rhee.

Ambassador Yang said that he not only would send the aide-mémoire to his Government but that he would express his own feelings as well since the situation deeply concerns the Korean people. He said that he had sent a message to Korea April 18 for publication in the Korean press appealing to the Korean people to let law and order prevail and to permit an investigation to be made of the recent elections. He said that the Democratic Party had filed a petition with the Supreme Court to declare the March 15 elections null and void. The Supreme Court, he said, would undertake an investigation and in the process would likely open the ballot boxes and recount the ballots cast. Ambassador Yang said that he was urging the Korean people to be “good sports” and let law and order determine whether any fraudulent acts were employed in the recent elections.

The Secretary emphasized to Ambassador Yang that we deplore violence in any form. Ambassador Yang stated that President Rhee also deplores resort to violence. He said the Secretary could be sure something can and will be done to rectify the situation in Korea. He emphasized that the Communists look for trouble spots to infiltrate and exploit. Ambassador Yang pointed out that Pyongyang was broadcasting that north Korea was prepared to come to the help of the demonstrators. The Secretary intervened to say that the Korean Government should not give the Communists an excuse or an opportunity to infiltrate or exploit the situation.

Ambassador Yang concluded, stating that the exchange of views had been helpful and, in reference to the President’s visit, stated that he thought this would be very helpful and would be welcomed by all Koreans regardless of political affiliation.²

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/4–1960. Secret. Drafted by Bane and approved in S on April 22. The conversation took place in the Secretary’s office. Transmitted to the Embassy in Seoul in telegram 851, April 19. (ibid.)
1. Document 302.
2. Following the Secretary’s meeting with Ambassador Yang, the Department of State issued a statement that noted that the purpose of the meeting was to impress upon the Ambassador the growing concern of the United States over continuing public unrest and acts of violence in Korea. “Ambassador Yang was informed that this Government believes that the demonstrations in Korea are a reflection of popular dissatisfaction over the conduct of the recent elections and repressive measures unsuited to a free democracy.” (Telegram 851 to Seoul, April 19; Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/4–1960)