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

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

Seoul, April 11, 1968, 0950Z.

5639. Subj: Summary of Fourteenth Senior MAC Members Meeting at Panmunjom, April 11, 1968. Ref: (A) State 139480; (B) State 144448.²

1. Today’s lengthy meeting (2 hrs, 15 min) resulted in stalemate, with Pak rejecting latest US proposal along lines he took at 13th meeting and reiterating NKorean demand for “proper apology”.³ Only significant new item to emerge on NKorean side was demand that Smith provide written document or documents embodying NKorean proposal. In his presentation Pak made no obvious threat with regard to fate of crew, but again NKoreans doubtless feel that many letters from crew which Pyongyang has broadcast since 13th meeting adequately cover this point.

2. Pak’s opening statement was devoted to denial that NKoreans had failed to state what specific changes should be made in US proposal and to assertion that NKoreans themselves had made concrete proposal to settle issue. He said “our side has clearly indicated that question of returning crew may be considered if your side makes apology it deserves to make on basis of confessions of crew of Pueblo which was captured while perpetrating espionage and hostile acts after intruding into DPRK territorial waters and assures that your side will not commit again hostile acts against DPRK.” He complained that by its proposal US was merely attempting to avoid responsibility for proven espionage and was attempting to treat intrusions as hypothetical acts. He concluded prepared statement by twice referring to necessity that US side present appropriate documents and “write clearly and submit to us details of apology,” instead of asking for written proposal from North Korea.

3. As opening portion his response, RAdm Smith used language provided paras 4A, B, and C of Ref (A). He followed this with statement from paras 3B (1) and (2) of Ref (B).⁴ He concluded by offering to provide Pak immediately with copy of draft receipt which Smith had brought to 13th meeting, if Pak would request it, and by asserting that unless Pak prepared to accept this proposal he must provide in writing receipt Pak visualizes.

4. After pause of 4 minutes, during which Pak sifted through various prepared statements and finally wrote his response, Pak revived old language concerning “unwarrantedness” of US claim and rejecting US position as basis for settlement. He reiterated refusal to provide written draft of documentation desire by North Korea, saying that basis for settlement could be easily provided only if US takes into consideration North Korean proposal and presents document apologizing for Pueblo acts in proper manner. He then again “seriously warned” Smith about discourteous act of describing DPRK as “North Korea”. He concluded this statement by reserving right to answer Smith’s statement of today.

5. Smith responded with language from para 7, Ref (A),⁵ again pressed for written proposal from NKoreans and acknowledged he would call next meeting.

6. Pak responded with another request for appropriate document from US side.

7. Comment: Issue has boiled down to which side will submit written document, with both fully aware that anything submitted by one will not be acceptable to other. NKoreans clearly anticipate additional meetings, however, since they said as much during this session, and were also overheard saying in Korean that they would hold one of their prepared statements for next meeting. In view their growing insistence that North Korea be referred to as DPRK, however, there is some feeling here that they may not respond to call for closed meeting unless request is addressed to representative of DPRK. Heretofore we have simply addressed request to senior member their side.

8. Of incidental interest, local Newsweek correspondent Kreisher says that item in this week’s periscope column regarding movie of Pueblo crew was obtained through Newsweek Bonn Bureau, presumably from East German sources.

Porter

1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 33–6 KOR N–US. Secret; Immediate;Nodis; Cactus.
2. Telegram 139480 to Seoul, March 30, transmitted Smith’s instructions for this meeting; telegram 144448 to Seoul, April 10, outlined procedures for Smith to follow in the event the North Koreans brought a crew member to a closed meeting. (Both ibid.)
3. Telegram 5641 from Seoul, April 11, transmitted the verbatim text of the meeting. (Ibid.)
4. Smith’s comments centered on the U.S. proposal and on the position of the Pueblo when captured.
5. Smith reminded Pak that after 14 meetings the North Korean side has still not offered a proposal to resolve the crisis.