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

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

Seoul, February 20, 1968, 0825Z.

4385. Subject: Eighth Senior MAC Members Meeting at Panmunjom, Feb 20. Ref: Seoul 4365.²

1. As you will note from reftel and complete text of today’s meeting to follow shortly,³ Pak uses apology by entire crew to alter NKorean position as stated in sixth (para 4X, Seoul 4261) and seventh (paras 3C and 10, Seoul 4305) meetings.⁴ Position now is that confessions and apology by entire crew constitute all evidence US needs to take proper action and that the release of crew “will be easily solved” after US makes “proper apology.” In this meeting Pak perhaps indicated (see reftel) that NK side would be willing to consider expression of regret as an apology. It seems more likely, however, that “proper apology” means something more than post-release expression of regret dependent on findings of impartial inquiry. It clearly means apology in advance of crew’s release. Pak’s failure to repeat request for assurance in his final statement and his notation of RAdm Smith’s statement at seventh meeting that US will assure that US naval vessels will continue to be ordered to remain more than twelve nautical miles from NK coast may indicate satisfaction on this essentially secondary point, but this is only inference and is not spelled out.

2. Main portion of Pak’s statement today was devoted to repetitive references to fact that USG had dispatched armed spy ship to intrude into NKorean territorial waters to conduct hostile acts. (Although Pueblo’s activities are described in various ways, phrase “hostile acts” is repeated in almost every other sentence.) Pak also makes passing reference to fact that DPRK has “full right” to punish crew members in accordance national law, but that in consideration of crew’s apology for their crime, their oath not to repeat criminal acts, and their appeal for lenient forgiveness, NK side has expressed position that it will consider their return when USG has made proper apology and assurance. He also makes reference to six intrusions of territorial waters between January 15 and 23, to allegation that Pueblo fired on KPA naval craft, and to existence of “abnormal hostile relations” between DPRK and US.

3. Pak made no mention of return of vessel itself in this meeting.

4. RAdm Smith reports that Pak today was more polite and circumspect in his attitude than he has been at any other previous meeting. He spoke slowly, carefully and politely, and seemed determined to make his points without arousing emotional response. In light of fact that Pak made it clear in his opening statement that timing on return of crew would depend on prior US apology, RAdm Smith saw no point in demanding specific date for return.

5. Will pouch tape recording and English and Korean versions of Pak’s statement which he provided RAdm Smith at close of meeting.

Porter

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 KOR N–US. Secret; Immediate;Nodis; Cactus. A retyped copy of this telegram was given to the President under a February 20 covering memorandum from Arthur McCafferty that indicates the President saw it. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Korea—Pueblo Incident—Cactus IV, Cactus Misc. Papers, February to December 1968)
2. Reference should be to telegram 4368 from Seoul; Document 280.
3. Telegram 4391 from Seoul, February 20, transmitted the verbatim text of the meeting. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69,POL 33–6, KOR N–US) A copy of this telegram was given to the President under a February 20 memorandum from Rostow in which Rostow suggested that “the issue is narrowed to a question of whether we are prepared to ‘make an apology’ after the return of the crew, or on the basis of their ‘unanimous confessions.’” Rostow’s memorandum indicates that the President saw the telegram. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Korea—Pueblo Incident—Cactus IIa, Cactus Seoul Cables, February 10 to February 28, 1968)
4. Both telegrams transmitted the verbatim text of the respective meeting. Paragraph 4X of telegram 4261 from Seoul, February 15, quotes the North Koreans as saying they will consider returning the crew members only when the United States “apologizes for the fact that the US Government dispatched the armed spy ship Pueblo to the territorial waters of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, conducted espionage activities and perpetrated hostile acts, assuring (and assures) that it will not commit such criminal acts again.” Paragraphs 3C and 10 of telegram 4305 from Seoul, February 16, contain Pak’s restatement of that position. (National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 KOR N–US)