795.00/9–1450
Memorandum Prepared in the Department of State
top secret
[Washington,] September 14, 1950.
SFM D–7/3a Revised
September Foreign Ministers Meetings
summary for briefing of the secretary on korea
The attached brief has been revised1 to include a statement of the
U.S. position as established in NSC
81/1.2
[Page 727]
[Annex]
Summary for Briefing of the Secretary on Korea
During the preliminary tripartite discussions general agreement was
reached on the following main points:
- 1.
- Every effort should be made to maintain the present impressive
degree of unanimity in the UN on the Korean question.
- 2.
- UN forces should not be committed to proceed north of the 38th
Parallel without prior UN direction. This would not preclude
tactical operations incident to actions south of the 38th
Parallel.
- 3.
- UN forces should not proceed north of the 38th Parallel if
Soviet or Chinese Communist forces have occupied North Korea to
the 38th Parallel or if major Soviet or Chinese Communist combat
units have engaged or clearly intend to engage in hostilities
against UN forces.
- 4.
- The GA should formulate its broad objectives and intentions
with respect to Korea at an early date, emphasizing the
necessity of implementing previous UN resolutions directed to
the achievement of the independence and unification of
Korea.
- 5.
- A commission of representatives of senior rank with a high
percentage of Asian members should be formed to make
recommendations to the UN on problems relating to the
establishment of an independent and unified Korea, including the
holding of elections.
- 6.
- UN forces with strong Asian participation should be retained
in Korea during the period of readjustment following the
cessation of hostilities.
- 7.
- Continued UN political and economic assistance to the Korean
Government will be necessary.
Agreement with the British and French should be sought as to the future
authority and competence of the present Government of the Republic of
Korea in the following sense:
- (a)
- The continuity and sovereignty of the ROK should continue to be recognized over Korea
south of the 38th Parallel.
- (b)
- The validity of the elections previously held by the ROK under UN supervision should not
be challenged.
- (c)
- Elections under UN supervision should be held when opportunity
offers, in Korea north of the 38th Parallel for the ultimate
extension of the authority of the ROK in that area.
With reference to paragraph 2 above, the U.S. position as established in
NSC 81/1 may be summarized as
follows:
Operations north of the 38th Parallel for the purpose of the
occupation of North Korea would be undertaken only after
consultation with and approval of United Nations members. The UN
forces now have a legal basis for conducting operations north of the
38th Parallel to compel the-withdrawal of the North Korean forces
behind this line or to defeat these forces. However, the UN
Commander, before undertaking such operations, including amphibious
and airborne landings or ground operations in pursuance of a
rollback, would, in view of the risks involved, obtain further
authorization from Washington.
