501.BB Korea/8–2248: Telegram
The Political Adviser in Korea (Jacobs) to the Secretary of State
701. Cite Zpol 9550. Have now obtained copy of letter to UNTCOK mentioned Seoul PolAd 683, August 181 and find that it was [Page 1285] dated August 17 (not August 18) and that it was signed by Foreign Minister Chang Taik Sang and not by President Rhee. Its text is as follows:
“With reference to your letter of August 16, 1948, addressed to the President, I have the honor to inform you that the President has instructed me to appoint representatives of this government to consult with UNTCOK.
“The President has directed me to express for him, and I also express for myself, great pleasure at the decision of your commission to engage in consultations with this government as provided for in Resolution II on Korea, paragraph 4, of the United Nations General Assembly of November 14, 1947. The subjects therein defined are:
- “(1) Establishment of a security force;
- (2) The arrangements for transfer of authority from the United States occupation forces to the Korean Government; and
- (3) The withdrawal of foreign troops when practicable.
“I have designated Mister Chang Myun, Mister Chang Ki Yung and Koh Chang II as representatives of the Foreign Ministry to conduct these consultations. I have noted your designation of the main committee of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea as the consultative body, and have so informed the Korean representatives named above.
“With assurances of my high regard. (Signed) Chang Taik Sang.”
UNTCOK replied to the above-quoted letter on August 20 in a communication dated August 19 reading as follows:
“I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of 17 August, 1948, in which you informed the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea of the designation of Mister Chang Myun, Mister Chang Ki Yung and Mister Koh Chang II, as representatives of the Foreign Ministry to conduct consultations as provided for in paragraph 4 of Resolution II, of the United Nations General Assembly of 14 November, 1947.
“Expressing the readiness of the main committee to conduct those consultations with the representatives of the Foreign Ministry, I would like to point out that, in view of the forthcoming session of the General Assembly in Paris, the members of the committee are desirous that any concrete problems with regard to consultations be taken up with the committee on or before 1 September, 1948.
“Accept, sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. (Signed) Rufino Luna, chairman.”
With reference to date of September 1 mentioned in foregoing letter, most of the delegates and members of Secretariat scheduled to leave Seoul by air either on August 26 or September 2 bound for Lake Success to complete report there. It has not been decided who will remain here but have heard of discussions of that question which seem [Page 1286] to indicate that French and Chinese alternate together with one or two members of the Secretariat will remain as a “main committee”.
- Not printed.↩