501.BB Korea/8–1348: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State 1
3671. Deptel 3166, August 10, 7 p.m.2 Foreign Office states will issue no formal statement on recognition of new Korean Government but has instructed its news department to reply as follows to inquiries that may be received in regard to the attitude of HMG towards the statement on Korea issued last night in Washington:
“The view of HMG is that the US Government as an occupying power are fully justified in establishing special relations with the new administration which has come into being in south Korea as a result of the elections recently held there under UN observation. The question of the formal recognition of the new administration by HMG will arise after the GA of the UN at its next session have considered the report of the UNTCOK”.
Foreign Office states above has received approval of Secretary Bevin and is as far as British Government can go in view previously expressed opinions.