895.01/9–2247: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
369. Zurc 1175. 1. Have conferred with General Hodge and American delegation, and following represents our comments on draft resolution quoted in Deptel No. 201, Sept 18.17
2. We feel that the draft resolution is defective because it does not clearly indicate whether the provisional government is to be an operating government or merely an advisory government pending the submission by the UN Commission of its interim report provided for in paragraph 6 of II.
3. If the provisional government is to be merely “advisory” pending approval of the Commission’s interim report, then we suggest that it [Page 810] be not styled a “provisional government” but rather “consultative body” until it is ready to assume the functions of government.
4. It is our opinion that a provisional government over a united Korea should be established at the earliest practicable moment; that the first task of the National Constituent Assembly should be to determine the type, composition and organization of that provisional government, to create that government and to bring it into being; and that the second task of the National Constituent Assembly should be the drafting of a constitution for Korea which will govern the permanent government which is to replace the Provisional Government.
5. If, as recommended above, the Provisional Government is in fact, when formed, to assume the functions of government, then the draft proposal should be modified to include provisions with respect to the following: a, relationship of the provisional government to the existing zonal governments of North and South Korea and occupying powers now in authority, and b, relationships of the UN Commission with the aforementioned authorities and the provisional government. Due to the political and economic immaturity of the Korean and his inclination to go his own way without foreign interference, if it is intended that the provisional government shall supersede the existing governments of North and South Korea, it is essential that the UN Commission be given sufficient authority over the provisional government to assure successful execution of the tasks assigned to the UN Commission.
6. There is no provision regarding the transfer of authority from the zonal and military governments to the new provisional government. Possibly the authors of the draft resolution feel that the clause “to conclude appropriate arrangements with the proper authorities in Korea” in paragraph 7 of Part II covers this point, but our experience here with both Russians and Koreans leads us to feel that the provision quoted is too vague on this point and will lead to difficulty. If, therefore, it is contemplated that the provisional government, when declared such by the UN Commission, is to become an operating government, then more definite provisions regarding the transfer of authority must be inserted in the resolution.