85. Editorial Note
After the National Assembly voted on March 20, 1966, to approve the resolution enabling Korea to dispatch additional troops to Vietnam, Foreign Minister Yi Tong-won once again turned his attention to planning the Foreign Ministers Conference in Seoul. On March 22 the Japanese announced their decision to attend the conference. As a result of the timely intervention of Thai Foreign Minister Thanat Khoman, several Asian countries were persuaded to attend the conference, and a preparatory meeting to determine the agenda was held in Bangkok in April. (Memorandum from D.W. Ropa to Rostow, June 7; Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Korea, Vol. III, November 1965 to December 1966; and telegram 1065 from Seoul, March 23; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 7 KOR S)
The Ministerial Meeting for Asian and Pacific Cooperation (ASPAC) was subsequently held in Seoul June 14–16, 1966. In telegram 1465 from Seoul, June 16, the Embassy forwarded the text of the joint communiqué issued at the close of the meeting. (Ibid.) Afterward the Korean Foreign Minister characterized the meeting as the “beginning of new era in Asia-Pacific area leading to growing sense of regionalism and greater [garble—chance?] of solidarity among participating nations. Results of conference far exceeded anything he expected and consequently he very proud about role Korea played.” (Telegram 1472 from Seoul, June 18; ibid.) The Department of State also viewed the meeting as an “impressive achievement of Asian statesmanship” and welcomed “the constructive and forward-looking initiatives taken by the conference.” (Telegram 1365 to Seoul, June 17; ibid.)