310. Editorial Note
With most Liberal members absent the South Korean National Assembly met on the afternoon of April 26, and unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the immediate resignation of President Rhee. The Assembly also resolved that the March 15 Presidential and Vice Presidential elections were invalid and reelections should be held, that the constitution should be amended to provide for a system of cabinet government, and that elections for a new National Assembly should be held immediately after passage of the constitutional amendment. (Telegram 984 from Seoul, April 26; Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/4–2660)
On April 27 President Rhee submitted his resignation to the National Assembly and released a statement which reads: “I, Syngman Rhee, respect the resolution of the National Assembly, and resign from the office of the presidency. Henceforth, I will devote myself for the rest of my life to country and people as a citizen of this country.” (Circular telegram 4 from Seoul, April 27; ibid., 795B.11/4–2760) Rhee was succeeded as Acting President by Huh Chung, who, as newly appointed Foreign Minister, was the senior member of the South Korean cabinet.
In Washington, a synopsis of intelligence material prepared for President Eisenhower by John S.D. Eisenhower anticipated that President [Page 645] Rhee’s resignation would improve but not solve the political difficulties in South Korea:
“President Syngman Rhee’s formal resignation, submitted to the National Assembly on 27 April in the wake of renewed rioting in the country, is expected to be accepted immediately and to transfer to that already seriously divided body responsibility for solving the deepening political crisis. A caretaker government headed by Ho Chong, newly-named by Rhee to be foreign minister, is likely to oversee new elections but not before a struggle in the Assembly over Rhee’s proposed constitutional amendment which would establish a parliamentary system of government. The ruling Liberal party is reported seeking to empower the Assembly to elect the president, while the opposition democrats are insisting on a popular election. Rhee may attempt to succeed himself as president.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries)