740.00119 Control (Korea)/12–1046: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15—3:08 p.m.]
142 [?]. Tfgbi [to Tokyo], Summary conditions Korean November 15 through 30.
1. Political. …
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2. In a letter dated November 29 addressed to the Korean Communist Party, General Hodge pointed out that he had never yet in public statement denounced the Communist Party as such or declared it to be illegal. He also stated that the maintenance of law and order is a mission of greatest importance and reminded the Communist Party that the actions of a large number of its members is now outlawing itself as a legitimate political group.
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The formalizing on November 23 of the South Korean Labor Party (merger of the Communist Party and Communist elements for [of] the people’s and new democratic parties) will probably enable the entry into political activity of the extreme Leftist faction which have suffered from lack of leadership since Communist leader, Pak Heun Yung, went into hiding from arrest. This party has been gaining adherence from Lyuh Woon Hyung’s Socialist Labor Party as a result of Lyuh’s support of the Legislative Assembly, to which the Left is generally opposed, but there is still no disposition of the two parties to merge.
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The trial of Communists charged with counterfeiting which began last August terminated on November 28 with four of the defendants being sentenced to life imprisonment and the remaining six getting 15–10 year terms.
4. North Korea. …
[Page 780]On November 26 the Soviet commander replied to General Hodge’s, letter of November 1 regarding reconvening of joint commission. He still demurred to the last American proposal and suggested further modification in favor of the Soviet position.
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