310.361/6–2551
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of Northeast Asian Affairs (Johnson)
Subject: Malik’s June 23 Broadcast.
| Participants: | Mr. Sae Sun Kim, Counselor, Korean Embassy |
| Mr. Pyo Wook Han, First Secretary, Korean Embassy | |
| Mr. Dean Rusk, Assistant Secretary, FE | |
| Mr. U. Alexis Johnson, Director, NA |
Mr. Kim called today in the absence of the Ambassador who is in New York and stated that they had received instructions from their Government to inquire as to whether or not we had any information in addition to that which has been published and to express the desire of the ROK to be represented in any discussions that may take place.
Mr. Rusk assured them that we had no information of any kind in addition to that which had been published. He pointed out that Mr. Malik’s statement on Korea obviously left many questions unanswered.
There followed a long discussion during which Mr. Kim and Mr. Han expressed the concern of the Government of the ROK as well as the Korean people over any return to the status quo ante June 25, 1950. Mr. Rusk developed in detail the problems involved. Mr. Rusk, in particular, pointed out that no Government has recognized the authority of the Government of the ROK over the territory north of the 38th parallel and that no Government has committed itself to unifying Korea by force. He pointed out the changes in the power situation of the world that have taken place during this generation and the vital necessity that the Koreans maintain the closest type of cooperation with the UN because only through such means would it be possible for them to take advantage of any situation which might arise in their favor and permit the attainment of unification.
In reply to Mr. Rusk’s question, Mr. Kim stated that the Government of the ROK had received no indication whatever of any attempts by the North Korean regime to make contact with them.