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

7078. Subj: Summary of Sixteenth Senior MAC Members Meeting at Panmunjom, May 8, 1968. Ref: State 151745.2

1.
Meeting opened at 1100 hrs and ended at 1132.3
2.
Pak opened with statement that meetings are between reps of Govt DPRK and Govt of US, discussing issue of Pueblo crew. Asked Woodward to make clear whether he representative of United States Govt replacing RAdm Smith with full authority to discuss issue of Pueblo crew.4 Woodward responded he senior member Military Armistice Commission our side and that he represents United States Govt with full authority to discuss release of Pueblo and its crew. Pak noted that “you are representative of United States Govt” with full authority to discuss issue of Pueblo crew.
3.

Pak then read prepared statement, first portion of which dedicated to rejection of draft receipt which RAdm Smith had presented at fifteenth meeting. He said draft fails to reflect any consideration of Pak’s previous statements explaining in detail way in which document would be prepared to enable return of Pueblo crew, and that draft vividly reflects unjust position by which US side intends to persist in denying crimes committed by Pueblo and to refuse to bear responsibility for them. Said “we cannot but be surprised” at presentation of draft document devoid of any substance and cannot but doubt real intention of your side. After saying that it NK “consistent position” that question of return of crew “may be considered” only when your side makes “proper” apology, Pak continued that “in order to make document of apology and assurance which your side submits worthy of our consideration, it should be written as follows”:

“The Govt of the United States of America,

Acknowledging the validity of the confessions of the crew of the USS Pueblo and of the documents of evidence produced by the representative of the Govt of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the effect that the ship, which was seized by the self-defence measures of the naval vessels of the Korean People’s Army in the territorial waters of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on many occasions and conducted espionage activities of spying out important military and state secrets of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,

Shoulders full responsibility and solemnly apologizes for the grave acts of espionage committed by the US ship against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea after intruding into the territorial waters of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,

And gives firm assurance that no US ships will intrude again in future into the territorial waters of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Meanwhile, the Govt of the United States of America earnestly requests that the Govt of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, taking into consideration the fact that the former crew members of the USS Pueblo confiscated by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea side have confessed honestly to their crimes and petitioned the Govt of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for leniency as well as the above mentioned apology and assurance of the Govt of the United States of America, deal leniently with the crew members.”

4.
Pak continued that if your side submits such document, means for settlement of question of crews will be easily arranged and preparations of receipt will not be big problem. Pak advised serious study of this statement and that Woodward come to next meeting with such prepared document.
5.
Woodward responded with language of first two sentences para four reftel, but reserved use of language from this para beginning with word “specifically” as probably more useful at later meeting.5 He also said he noted that contents of document Pak submitted today differed greatly from fair and reasonable proposals submitted by our side and that it would be necessary for him to submit Pak’s document to higher authority.
6.
Pak replied with ad hoc statement that his proposal today is just and reasonable one which can make it possible to settle matter practically, again recommending serious study and return to next meeting with such document in hand. Pak then proposed recess, and Woodward agreed.
7.
Comment: Pak’s manner at today’s meeting was mildest yet observed according to Woodward’s staff, and in reading his prepared statement Pak made definite effort to use persuasive tone. There was no hint of any threat to crew.
8.
We will probably not be able to ascertain without further probing whether position Pak put forward in his draft document today represents starting point for further negotiations or something close to NK final position.6 In essence, document is apology from USG and entreaty that NK deal leniently with crew. It does not even take form of request for release. Judging from language of Pak’s presentation NK has in mind two documents: one of nature tabled today to be submitted first and probably exploited for propaganda purposes, followed by receipt which would probably incorporate much of language contained in basic document and which would be negotiated subsequently. Question of who might sign either apology or receipt, or even whether signature on basic document might be required, is left open.
9.
There was nothing in Pak’s presentation today to indicate that NK is prepared now to discuss details or timing of crew release. Pak [Page 686] very carefully made clear that basic document tabled today is designed only to permit NK to “give consideration” to details of eventual return.
10.
Byplay at beginning of meeting again emphasizes NK concern over govt to govt aspect of meetings and fact that NK considers it is negotiating on crew only and not on ship itself. We do not believe Pak has ever before used word “confiscated” when referring to ship.
11.
Although question of who would call next meeting is also left open, it seems clear from Pak’s statements about Woodward coming to next meeting with appropriate document and fact that Pak has tabled concrete proposal, that Koreans find it to their advantage to continue and prolong these sessions and probably intend to do so.
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 151745 to Seoul, April 23, transmitted instructions for the next closed meeting. (Ibid.)
  3. Telegram 7087 from Seoul, May 8, transmitted the verbatim text of the meeting. (Ibid.)
  4. Brigadier General Gilbert H. Woodward replaced Smith as Senior Member of UNCMAC in the normal course of military rotation. He attended the Senior Members meetings only after being fully accredited to enhance as greatly as possible “the psychological impact of new representative, fresh from consultations in Washington.” (Telegrams 5859 from Seoul and 151746 to Seoul, both April 23; both ibid.)
  5. Woodward emphasized he had “consulted intensively with responsible officials in Washington on problem created by illegal seizure of USS Pueblo,” and assured Pak that all positions presented to date by Smith reflected the “policy of the United States Government.” Woodward chose not to inform the North Koreans that the draft receipt given them at the last meeting “represents in substance furthest that United States Government is prepared to go.” (Telegram 151745 to Seoul, April 23; ibid.)
  6. In response to Porter’s suggestions, the Department of State authorized him to brief the South Koreans on the proposal, but to refrain from giving them a copy of the documents “unless they press hard for them.” (Telegram 7088 from Seoul and telegram 160538 to Seoul, both May 8; both ibid.) After the briefing on May 9, Porter reported being “compelled to give Pak written copy of the draft receipt” Smith presented at the 15th meeting and anticipated receiving a request for the text of the North Korean proposal. (Telegram 7119 from Seoul, May 9; ibid.) Shortly thereafter the ROKG submitted an aide memoire reminding the United States of its previous assurances not to sign “a helicopter-type document in return for the release of the crew.” (Telegram 7279 from Seoul, May 17, and airgram A–594 from Seoul, May 20; both ibid.)