Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXII, Northeast Asia

299. Memorandum for the Record⁰

Washington, March 29, 1963.

SUBJECT

• Call of the Korean Ambassador upon the President

The President received Ambassador Il Kwon Chung of Korea at 6 p.m. today. Ambassador Chung delivered to the President a letter from Chairman Park explaining his reasons for deciding that it was necessary to extend military rule in Korea four more years.

The President remarked that he and the American people were concerned for the future of South Korea and were anxious to see the country successful. The President stressed the importance of avoiding political instability which would prevent an evolution into democratic procedures. The President said that Ambassador Berger spoke for the United States, and that the President shared the Ambassador’s hope that the military and civilian leaders in Korea could reach an accord establishing a timetable for the smooth transition to civilian government.

Ambassador Chung responded that Chairman Park was doing his best, and said that the military leaders have stepped into the situation with a constructive program. The Ambassador said that he would convey the President’s remarks to Chairman Park.

The President re-emphasized the importance of finding a Korean solution to the problem of transition to civilian government.¹

MVF

0. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Korea, General, 8/62-3/63. Secret. Yager also attended this meeting between Kennedy and Ambassador Chung. According to a March 29 memorandum of conversation by Yager, the meeting took place in the President’s office. (Ibid.)
1. After consultation with the Embassy (telegrams 594 and 597 to Seoul, March 29 and 31; Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 S KOR), the Department of State and the White House sent a letter from Kennedy to Pak, March 31, which reads in part: “We believe that a solution to the current political problem in Korea is to be found through consultations between your government and political leaders with a view to reaching an accord on a procedure for transition that will be acceptable to the Korean nation as a whole.” (Ibid.)