Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 125: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
operational immediate
CX–59781. Ref our msg C 58702 dtd 5 Dec 51.1 The reclassification of 37500 South Koreans to civ internees has resulted in press speculation as to the exact status of these individuals, particularly in re to the present armistice negotiations. The lack of accurate public info has further caused apprehension on the part of certain gps within the ROK as to the status of these individuals and our intentions toward them. Subj to your contrary instructions, I intend to release the fol public statement at 220300Z: “The UNC has confirmed the fact that a careful screening of all POWs, completed early in Nov, has resulted in the reclassification of approx 37,500 individuals, all former civs [Page 1404] residing south of the 38th Parallel who had been detained as POWs. The screening process and investigation of all individuals detained in UN POW camps disclosed the presence of many persons whose detention was attributable to various accidental circumstances attendant upon the confusion inseparable from hostilities and the consequent displacement of large masses of the civ population. These civs, originally processed as POWs, are now segregated in other camps separate and distinct from POWs. All are citizens of the ROK and will gradually be released to return to their homes fol a thorough rescreening now being carried out jointly by the ROK and the UNC to make certain that no individuals possibly dangerous to the security of UN Forces are included. The UNC has furnished the ICRC, Geneva, with complete info in re to this gp to include the names and identifying serial numbers of all the individuals concerned”.2