795.00/12–1951: Telegram
The Ambassador in Korea (Muccio) to the Secretary of State
584. Ref your C–59695, Dec 18.1 Only existing lists civilians are (1) ROK OPI list prepared by Home Ministry listing 2438 persons from Seoul area taken north and additional 1202 missing from Seoul area and 976 identified as killed by enemy in Seoul during 1950 occupation and (2) list of 2527 persons kidnapped from ROK preponderantly from Seoul area. This latter list subdivided by provinces prepared by “Association of Families of Kidnapped Persons”. Neither list is complete and they overlap. Total number of civilians taken north against their will is generally given as 20,000.
In addition the Home Ministry has been having lists prepared by provincial auths. I understand provinces of Kyonggido and Kyongsang Pukto have completed theirs. Presumably Gen Lee2 referred yesterday to list (1) above when he said he had names of over 2,000 from Seoul area and second figure of some 8,000 he referred to was from provincial lists furnished him by Korean Auths.
(b) I consider lists (1) and (2) referred to above as reliable as possible. Provincial lists bound to be much more unreliable and [Page 1377] incomplete. Furthermore all lists will possibly include persons who either did go north voluntarily, or who later decided play Commie game. Therefore lists (1) and (2) above should be given whatever priority practicable.
Suggest CINCUNC Advance ascertain origin Gen Lee’s lists. Assume they are (1) and (2) referred to above plus provincial lists thus far completed. I shall press Koreans complete other provincial lists earliest.
(c) I have no recommendations or comments to add to the gen exchange we had on this subj yesterday.
Rptd info Dept, CINCFE Tokyo Japan and CINCUNC Advance have for action by other means.