Office of the Historian

740.00119 Control (Korea)/11–1047: Telegram

Lieutenant General Albert C. Wedemeyer to General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, at Tokyo, and Lieutenant General John R. Hodge, at Seoul61

top secret
Washington, November 10, 1947.

Warx 90136. From CSGPO.62 Part 1. To assist the Far East Subcommittee of SANACC in determination future Korea policy specifically [Page 856] study recommended in paragraph 5 F of SWNCC 176/30,63 the detailed views and comments of ComGen USAFIK and such additional comments as you desire to make on the development of a future course of action would be appreciated in light of following consideration.

Part 2. Two major alternatives contemplated:

(a)
Most probable being Soviet refusal to cooperate with United Nations decision passing resolution64 transmitted by State tel 258 dated 5 November.65 In this case most likely United States will decide implement resolution insofar as possible in South Korea, or
(b)
Soviet cooperation in implementation of United Nations decision. In such case United States will follow action outlined in resolution and appropriate directives will be issued taking due consideration of your outline plan for an orderly withdrawal referred to in part 3.

Part 3. Either alternative will include possibility United States withdrawal soon after establishment South Korean or United Korean Government, perhaps third quarter 1948. Actual determination time of such withdrawal obviously will depend on developments including Soviet action, outlook as affected by presence North Korean Army and temper South Koreans (ComGen USAFIK’s Zgcg 133766). In light of these considerations, and to properly evaluate and correlate time factors, would greatly appreciate outline plan for an orderly withdrawal by air mail with telegraphic summary.

Part 4. As aid in planning, comments and info requested on

(a)
Projects or programs desirable be completed before withdrawal such as land reform, disposition of vested property, irrigation projects, et cetera.
(b)
Time, personnel and materials required to complete, before withdrawal, such projects and programs.

Part 5. With regard to the establishment South Korean Armed Forces, we are giving full consideration your views CX 5626667 and awaiting further info requested our Warx 89253 and 89254.

Part 6. State concurs this message.

[Wedemeyer]
  1. Received by the Department on November 23.↩
  2. General Wedemeyer was Director, Plans and Operations, General Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff, Army Department.↩
  3. August 4, p. 738; this paragraph recommended a study of political and economic considerations “should it become desirable or necessary to grant independence to South Korea”.↩
  4. Resolution adopted by the 1st Committee (Political and Security) of the UNGA on November 5; for final text, see p. 857, and Department of State Bulletin, November 30, 1947, p. 1031.↩
  5. Not printed.↩
  6. November 3, p. 852.↩
  7. October 22, not found in Department of State files.↩