740.00119 Control (Korea)/6–947: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Langdon) to the Secretary of State
146. Zpol 780. Summary of 32d session Joint Commission June 7, General Brown presiding, follows:
“Subcommission number 1 reported agreement reached on order of consultation with parties. This agreement examined by Commission and approved. Text which is appended hereto represents broad acceptance of our principles of unlimited oral consultation and of publication of full facts of Hodge’s three conditions for consultation. Translation and printing of invitation to consultation and of questionnaires as well as other arrangements for execution by stipulated deadlines of consultation procedures indicated in agreement are now going forward.
Following approval of agreement on consultation, we moved to delete references to a ‘pro-Japanese’ and ‘reactionary’ elements in questionnaire on political platform. Specifically we proposed to rewrite article A–2 of last year’s paper as follows: ‘Elimination of Japanese influence. (1) What measures should be undertaken for the elimination of Japanese influence? (2) What measures should be taken by the Korean provisional government to classify and punish the Koreans who collaborated with the Japanese to the detriment of the Korean people?’ As for article A–3, we wanted the word ‘reactionary’ stricken out. After a recess to consider the motions, Soviet agreed to our rewording of A–2 but insisted on retention of the word ‘reactionary’ in A–3. Not to hold up our substantive work, General Brown stated, he reluctantly yielded to the Soviets and thus the questionnaire decision number 6 was approved as amended above.
In committing itself to unrestricted oral consultation, the Commission is exposing itself to an immense load of work, but procedures are being devised to handle expeditiously the processing and analyzing of a maximum foreseeable volume of Korean written and oral recommendations. Attention is invited to article IX of the new agreement, providing in substance for a consultative body. This article was more or less written by the Soviets (see summary of June 4 meeting) and was accepted because of the soundness of the principle it represents. As the body may be looked upon by the Soviets as the chief source of key personnel for the provisional government, we expect a battle to develop when the questions of its compositions come up.
Shtikov showed satisfaction over the prospect of concrete work, confirming our impression that he may be under instructions to produce concrete results by July or August.
[Page 669]Text of decision number 4 on the order of consultation with Korean democratic parties and social organization[s] in northern and southern Korea follows:
1. In consulting with Korean democratic parties and social organizations, the Joint Commission shall be guided by the conditions stated in the letter of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR, V. M. Molotov, of May 7, 1947, and accepted by the Secretary of State of the USA, George Marshall, in his letter of May 13, 1947.96 The appropriate quotation from the letter of Foreign Minister Molotov is given below: ‘The Soviet Commander in his letter of November 26, 1946, advanced the following proposals as a basis for the resumption of the work of the Joint Commission: (Here follows the passage of the letter citing Chistiakov’s three points and Hodge’s three proposals for amendment thereof.) With a view to expediting the resumption of the work of the Joint Commission and the creation of a temporary Korean democratic government, I am prepared to accept the amendments set forth above proposed by the American Commander.’
2. The Joint Commission will consult with Korean democratic parties and social organizations which are truly democratic in their aims and methods and which will subscribe to the following declarations: ‘We declare that we will uphold the aims of the Moscow decision on Korea as stated in paragraph 1 of this decision, namely: The reestablishment of Korea as an independent state, the creation of conditions for developing the country on democratic principles, and the earliest possible liquidation of the disastrous results of the protracted Japanese domination in Korea.
Further we will abide by the decision of the Joint Commission in its fulfillment of paragraph 2 of the Moscow decision in the formation of a provisional Korean democratic government.
Further we will cooperate with the Joint Commission in working out by it, with the participation of the provisional Korean democratic government, of proposals concerning measures foreseen by paragraph 3 of the Moscow decision. Signed by . . . . . . . . . . . . representing the . . . . . . . party or organization.’
3. Democratic parties and social organizations of northern and southern Korea are hereby invited to submit their applications for participation in consultation with the Joint Commission. Every party and organization must submit only one application through its central zonal organ.
The application should be accompanied by a copy of the declaration given in paragraph 2 above, duly signed and sealed with the seal of its central organ and also signed by the designated representative. The application shall contain the following information:
- (a)
- The full name of the party or organization, the address of its central office, the date of establishment, the membership number and location of branches, and total membership.
- (b)
- The full name of a designated representative given in Chinese characters and, where possible, in English and Russian translation, the place and home address. Applications for participation in [Page 670] consultation shall be submitted to the Joint Commission at address in Seoul or address in Pyongyang by June 23, 1947.
4. Democratic parties and social organizations of northern and southern Korea which have signed the declaration contained in paragraph 2 may submit to the Joint Commission in written form their considerations regarding the structure and principles of organization of the provisional Korean democratic government and local organs of authority (provisional charter) and also the political platform for this government may be in accordance with a questionnaire approved by the Commission. This questionnaire shall be published in the press and printed copies will be available to the Joint Commission headquarters in Duksoo Palace, Seoul, and (address) Pyongyang.
The applications for considerations shall be submitted to the Joint Commission by July 1, 1947.
5. Subcommission number 1, upon receiving the applications for consultation, shall compile a list of all democratic parties and social organizations and their designated representatives of North and South Korea which have signed the declaration in paragraph 2.
6. Following the approval by the Joint Commission of the list of democratic parties and social organizations and their representatives, mentioned in paragraph 5, the Joint Commission shall convene in Seoul on June 25, 1947 a joint meeting to which it shall invite the above-mentioned representatives of parties and social organizations in South Korea. A similar meeting of representatives of parties and social organizations in North Korea shall take place in Pyongyang on June 30, 1947. The Chief Commissioner of the Soviet delegation shall preside over the meeting in Seoul, and the Chief Commissioner of the American delegation shall preside at the meeting at Pyongyang. In such meetings the chief of the delegation in whose zone the Assembly is being held will present a statement elaborated by the Joint Commission.
7. Representatives of parties and social organizations of both northern and southern Korea which are included in the list referred to in paragraph 5 above will be invited to individual oral consultation regarding the structure and principles of organization of the Korean provisional democratic government and loyal [local] organs of authority (provisional charter) and also regarding the political platform for this government. For this purpose the Joint Commission will appoint the necessary numbers of subcommittees and shall notify each representative of the time and place he is to appear for consultation.
Oral consultation shall commence on July 5, 1947 and take place in Seoul and Pyongyang.
8. The Joint Commission will present the considerations and proposals received from the Korean democratic parties and social organizations of North as well as South Korea for study and elaboration of coordinated proposals to the corresponding subcommissions which will create, for this purpose, the necessary members of subcommittees. Advisors, experts and technical personnel for the work in the joint subcommissions and subcommittees will be appointed by the heads of the corresponding delegations.
9. For the purpose of consultation and aiding the Joint Commission in elaboration by it of recommendations regarding the structure [Page 671] and principles of organization of the Korean provisional democratic government or the local organs of authority (provisional charter) and also the political platform for his government, representatives of parties and social organizations shall be invited from among parties and organizations included in the list mentioned in paragraph 5.
The number of such representatives of various parties and organizations shall be determined by the Joint Commission in accordance with their membership and, as far as possible, taking into account their influence. The Joint Commission shall convene joint meeting with such representatives and may also call upon them to take part in the elaboration of recommendations by subcommissions and subcommittees. The time and the agenda of the joint sessions of the Joint Commission with such representatives will be appointed by the Chief Commissioners.
10. Democratic parties and social organizations of both northern and southern Korea shall have equal rights and opportunities in consultation with the Joint Commission.
11. The coordinated proposals elaborated by the subcommissions shall be submitted for consideration to the Joint Commission which shall examine such proposals and shall grant its provisional approval. Following this the Joint Commission shall appoint a Drafting Commission to which it shall give the necessary instructions regarding the compilation of the final text of the recommendations concerning the structure and principles for organization of the Korean provisional democratic government and local organs of authority (provisional charter) and also the political platform for his government. The texts of recommendations elaborated by the Drafting Commission shall be approved by the Joint Commission.
12. Following the approval of the texts of recommendations submitted by the Drafting Commission, the Joint Commission shall proceed with elaboration of recommendation regarding the personnel of the Korean provisional democratic government.”