895.30/10–1949: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
1295. ReDeptels 594 July 15, 706 August 19,1 and Embtel 931 July 26. I am increasingly concerned over failure to date to implement paragraph [3] F (2) of NSC 8/2.2
American interest, strategic and otherwise, in Korea is large and increasing daily. It is apparent that a weak coast guard not only [Page 1089] results in jeopardizing this American investment but also results in a lessening of prestige due to impunity with which pirates and smugglers operate. Even efficient future operations of the army are involved, as they have been in past, in moving troops, supplies and arms by sea to Yosu, Onjin, and islands in southern Archipelago. I urgently recommend that rapid action be taken on problem of strengthening coast guard at least expense to the US by providing obsolescent equipment, guns, ammunition, and planes.
After careful reconsideration and full restudy by KMAG and Naval Attaché of the problem in light of current conditions, and based on retention of 10 ex-Jap vessels, following recommendations for aid to coast guard, submitted for urgent consideration, are considered to be minimum sound needs of this branch of the security forces of ROK:
- a.
- Procurement of 4 ex-US PC type vessels complete with 1, 3 inch/50 caliber gun, 6, 50 caliber machine guns, 3 inch ammunition, and radio equipment, but less radar and sonar equipment, 40 millimeter and 20 millimeter guns, and depth charge equipment.
- b.
- Procurement of 5, 40–5 foot picket boats each equipped with 1, 50 caliber machine gun.
- c.
- Procurement of 5 ex-US Navy OS 2U or SOC type single engine seaplanes complete with radio equipment plus 2 spare engines and 3 spare center floats; these would be invaluable for coast patrol purposes; competent Korean pilots are available.
- d.
- Procurement of 15, 3 inch/50 caliber single mount manual control guns to rearm 14 present ex-US YMS type vessels and one ROK purchased ex-PC (now at Kings Point) each with some ammunition (YMS type now armed with one US Army field type 37 millimeter gun to each vessel. Guns and mounts completely unsuited for naval use where unstable firing platform involved).
- e.
- Present advisory group woefully inadequate to advise even a 4,000 man coast guard. Therefore urge expansion of present advisory group to coast guard (within KMAG) from present total of 10 persons to new total 23 persons. Additions should be in following category: 1 communications advisor with technical and operating experience; one gunnery advisor; 3 instructors advisors covering subjects of marine engineering, ship repair, tactics, communications and gunnery; 1 administrative assistant at Naval Academy and Service Schools, caliber of US Naval Chief Yeoman; 5 technical assistants (Naval Academy, Service Schools, and naval operating base) covering naval fields of quartermaster, diesel machinist, carpenter, electrician and boilerman; and 2 clerk stenographers. Chief advisor billet presently filled by commander should be replaced by captain.
Details of above recommendations being forwarded by pouch.3
- Not printed. It gave the breakdown (requested in telegram 931, July 26, from Seoul) of the NME estimate of $50 million for the vessels mentioned in paragraph 5 of telegram 447, April 26, from Seoul (893.30/7–2649).↩
- Dated March 22, p. 969. Reference is to the paragraph, under “Conclusions”, dealing with the ROK Coast Guard.↩
- Not printed.↩