795B.00/12–650: Circular airgram
The Secretary of State to Diplomatic and Consular Offices
Alleged Atrocities by the Republic of Korea
In view of certain widespread criticisms of the Government of the Republic of Korea and the alleged ill treatment of collaborators and communists apprehended by Republic of Korea authorities, the following précis on the subject is forwarded for the information and guidance of your mission. The information is based on Seoul telegrams Nos. 251, October 13; 317, October 31; 333, November 4; 366, November 11; and 397, November 17;1 but source should in no way be cited. Following information is unclassified.
In general, observers have been impressed by the reasonable attitude and restraint of officials of the Republic of Korea toward persons suspected of aiding the Communist authorities during the occupation. Newspaper articles to any other effect have usually been based on [Page 1421] spot observations and some have been written by inexperienced, biased or apparently highly emotional reporters.
In support of statement that Republic of Korea agencies have shown generally commendable restraint it should be pointed out that, of approximately ten thousand arrestees who were investigated, about half were released for lack of legal evidence. Also, persons were arrested not for “collaboration” but for the violation of the specific terms of the National Security Law and other statutes, particularly those dealing with the conspiracy to overthrow the state by force of arms, murder or sabotage. Most arrestees have been delivered to civil rather than to military courts. Attention is also drawn to the fact that enemy prisoners of war captured by Republic of Korea forces have been treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. The excellence of this treatment has been attested by International Red Cross Representatives in Korea.
The Government organs of the Republic of Korea have consistently urged moderation in the treatment of collaborators. President Rhee himself has publicly advocated forgiveness of enemies and “small fry” among communists. The Director of the Seoul Police Bureau and the Republic of Korea Home Minister have made statements that mistreatment of suspected collaborators not only would not be tolerated but would be summarily punished. The Korean National Assembly passed two bills setting up an 11-man commission to review collaboration cases and prohibiting search, questioning, apprehension, and punishment of suspected collaborators except by due process of law.
The steps taken by the Republic of Korea in regard to Communist collaboration should be contrasted with the activities of the Communist invaders and their wanton disregard of every civilized standard of behavior. It should be borne in mind that many of Korea’s principal cities have been largely destroyed by departing Communist arsonists. Moreover, more than ten thousand civilians disappeared from Seoul after the occupation and countless more were murdered. The Communist atrocities have been summarized by a preliminary report by the United Nations Commission’s report which stated: “The Commission condemns the complete disregard by the North Korean authorities of civilized standards of behavior as well as of the principle of the Geneva Conventions despite assurances to the contrary.”