Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIX, Part 1, Korea

108. Telegram From the Embassy in Korea to the Department of State¹

Seoul, February 22, 1967, 0325Z.

4420. Subj: ROK Troops to Vietnam.

1. Prime Minister has told us that he and Min of National Defense, as result recent visit to Vietnam, have concluded that marine brigade now in Vietnam should be reinforced by one additional battalion, provided it could be equipped and supported by U.S. Subject had not been discussed with President but PriMin plans see President this week and to recommend additional marine battalion.

2. To avoid difficulty with National Assembly additional company would be attached to each marine battalion in Vietnam as replacement /reserve company. Some time after elections, companies would be reassembled and fourth battalion formally constituted as part of marine brigade. PriMin feels pre-election despatch in manner he suggests would be within present National Assembly authorization.

3. Comment: If President approves despatch of additional marine battalion,² question will undoubtedly be raised with us promptly by ROKG on financial and equipment support for additional unit. Assume in light of discussions here during President Johnson visit and messages in this series, that U.S. would welcome additional marine battalion and that we would be prepared to provide equipment and financial support for that unit along lines governing second despatch of ROK forces to Vietnam.

4. MND has also told CINCUNC of his plans send additional marine battalion to Vietnam. Press also hints of further troop despatch as result PriMin visit to Vietnam (see Seoul 4413).³

Brown

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 27–3 VIET S. Secret; Priority;Exdis; Louisiana. Repeated to Saigon.
2. In telegram 4443 from Seoul, February 23, the Embassy advised that Pak approved sending three additional replacement/reserve companies for the marine battalions already in Vietnam. (Ibid.)
3. Telegram 4413 from Seoul, February 21, discusses press coverage of the Prime Minister’s visit to Vietnam, particularly media speculation that Vietnamese leaders had requested additional Korean troops. (Ibid.) In a February 23 conference with visiting Vietnamese journalists, however, Pak stated that Korea “faces ‘one million’ North Korean troops along DMZ and cannot afford to deploy additional troops to Viet-Nam.” (Telegram 4470 from Seoul, February 24; ibid.)