740.00119 Control (Korea)/6–2047: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
urgent
163. Cite Zpol 821. On June 18 paid courtesy calls on the President of the Assembly Kimm Kiusik and Civil Administrator Ahn Chai [Page 677] Hong. Kimm told me (what he had already told General Hodge the day before) that the Russians would soon request release of all political prisoners in South Korea and then went on to say that he was much concerned about the elections, first, because he did not like the Russian election system prescribed in North Korea and, second, he feared results of an election in the south under existing police control and collaborators with Japanese. Understand that for some time Kimm has expressed dissatisfaction with the present police system in the south.
Ahn Chai Hong revealed more serious struggle going on in the minds of Korean leaders who are afraid of the Russians and worried about Dr. Rhee’s attitude. He referred first to the situation in Hungary and inquired whether the US after having reached what might appear to be satisfactory agreement with the Soviet with respect to Korea would do anything if the Soviet began to support Korean Communists in their efforts to gain control. Tried to point out that the situations in Hungary and Korea were not the same but he could not be reassured because he feels that Soviet influence and power are on the up and up while ours are on the downgrade. As he is friendly towards the US, his misgivings are serious since they indicate that friendly group of Korean leaders are falling for Soviet propaganda to the effect that Soviet influence and power is increasing while that of the US is on the wane. Ahn then referred to Dr. Rhee’s statement (see Seoul PolAd No. 162, June 206) that differences existed between the State and War Departments with respect to Korea. He wanted to know whether there was any truth in that statement and inquired whether US would continue through Joint Commission to set up provisional government if rightists refused to cooperate. Assured Ahn that knew of no disagreement between State and War with respect to the policy of the US toward Korea and stated that insofar as I was aware the US through Joint Commission would continue its efforts, of [in?] keeping with Moscow agreement with respect to Korea, to set up provisional government and otherwise carry out the directives of that agreement regardless of the attitude of the rightists even though their noncooperation would make our task more difficult.
If Department has any observations to make in the premises both General Hodge and [Brown] would appreciate receiving same.
- Not printed; Dr. Rhee was reported by a Korean newspaper to have advised rightists not to split in regard to cooperating with the Joint Commission, as this would play into the hands of leftists (895.01/8–2047).↩