주한미육군사령부 정보참모부 주간요약보고

Secret From: 231800/I Feb To : 021800/I Mar G-2 Weekly Summary Headquarters, USAFIK Seoul, Korea 1030/I 06 March 1947 No. 77 Maps: KOREA, 1/250,000 Eastern ASIA, 1/1,000,000 1. OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE a. Surrendered and Disarmed - No change: 179,278 b. Progress of Repatriation -- This Period To Date Japanese Civilians Arriving from N of 38°(N KOREA, CHINA and MANCHURIA) 0 287,998 Japanese Evacuated to JAPAN 369 881,602 Other Nationals Evacuated CHINESE 0 1,521 RYUKYUANS 0 274 FORMOSANS 12 103 Koreans Arriving from JAPAN 1 1,103,262* North KOREA 2 390,258 MANCHURIA by Land 35 297,750 MANCHURIA by Water 0 3,120 CHINA by Water 0 58,133 PACIFIC Ocean Areas 0 13,986 CHINA by Land 0 13,458 SEA Areas 1 7,244* FORMOSA 0 3,449 AUSTRALIAN Areas 0 3,051 HAWAII 0 2,646 RYUKYUS 0 1,755 PHILIPPINES 0 1,406 HONG KONG 0 302 North INDO CHINA 0 118 TOTAL Koreans Returning 38 1,899,938 TOTAL Repatriates Moved Since Aug 45 2,783,366 c. Estimated Remaining Japanese Civilians in S KOREA 49** d. Koreans Returned to KOREA Attempted Illegal Entry to JAPAN 16,058 e. Illegal Passengers Apprehended in Korean Waters 416 *Revised to SCAP figure which shows 290 of previously reported 1123 as coming from sea areas. ** USAMGIK census report as of 4 March 47 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74507 XXIV CORPS G2 WS 77 *Secret* 3. COUNTERINTELLIGENCE a. Sabotage -- Seventh Division reports two incidents: (1) On 201430 February 47, the outpost telephone line running through PAEKCHON was cut. (2) On 22 February 47, one hundred fifty yards of telephone wire was removed from the Dartmouth line near KONGJU. b. Espionage -- None reported. c. Secret Organizations -- None reported. d. Mail Interceptions: The school strike was the subject of twenty letters intercepted during this period. The letters were varied, containing statements against the University plan, Trusteeship, the interference of police in school affairs, and in three cases against school officials. Three of the letters contained pro-strike handbills. Imperialism in the schools, the war cry of the strike organizers, is the theme of the majority of intercepts this week. This theme is expounded upon, and an attempt is made to envisage the Korean strikes as a part of a world wide fight of the democratic students against this. One of the handbills contains the following: "We hear that the Chinese students maintained their revolutionary spirit and are in conflict against the foreign imperialism. Also the students in the Philippines have won their victory in their struggle against the Imperialistic policy in education. All students in JAPAN, INDIA, SIAM, and INDONESIA are struggling desperately against this imperialism". A letter goes even further, and adds to an account of the success of the Filipino and Chinese students in "furiously opposing" the National University System, a patriotic appeal - "In the event that the National University System is put into effect here, the young men of these two countries will consider us as an inferior race". It is believed that this method of justification is further indication of the outside influence that is the main reason for these strikes in Korean schools. Two other letters contain rumors of this influence. The first states, "I am sure that the school strike has a political background, because it is said that the North Korean Communist Party ordered the students to continue their strike until after the 12 of February, which was the day the American journalists' party was to arrive in KOREA." The second -- "They say the real purpose behind the strike is that the South Korean Labor Party intends to demonstrate the failure of Military Government to the party of American journalists". The exchange of mail with North KOREA yielded several communications that contained comments on living conditions in the North. From these it appears that conditions are bad and there is apparently a grave shortage of food. One letter, evidently written by a person recently arrived in SEOUL from North KOREA, gives a good account of this - "In North KOREA we are having a terrible time getting our living because of the food shortage. All crops collected as goods tax have been carried away to Soviet RUSSIA. In addition to this, we had a bad harvest last year. We are much worried whether the stock of food will last until the coming March or April. Because of these facts, the price of rice has suddenly gone much higher. The price now is 1,400 yen per mal (4.76 gal) in CHONGJIN¹, 1,000 yen in PYONGYANG², and 900 yen in SINUIJU³." This letter, written in SEOUL, was not a part of the mail exchange but it expresses the feeling of other letters that were, and thereis included here. Other letters do not paint quite as dismal a picture and it is doubtfull if such a letter would pass Russian censorship, however, the intimation is there - "Food is the most important matter here. This situation will continue, as at present, until the 38th parallel is abolished". There have been many indications that this 1 - CHONGJIN (1250-2150)(41°46'N-129°49'E) 2 - PYONGYANG (880-1920)(39°01'N-125°44'E) 3 - SINUIJU (750-1950)(40°06'N-124°24'E) 2 *Secret* DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74[illegible] 216 제주4·3사건 추가진상조사자료집 3 Secret XXIV CORPS G2 WS 77 letter is not far wrong in its discussion of the conditions north of the 38th parallel. Four intercepts from the mail exchange were from Japanese technicians employed in the Soviet Occupation Zone. These letters once again expressed satisfaction with the writers lot and commented on the preferential treatment they receive (see W/S 73, per 3d). Three of the four intercepts, and one in the previous period, comment on the expiration of their present contracts in the near future (3 March 47, 1 May 47), and their early return to JAPAN. As an interesting sidelight on this ETD of March, the following intercepted radio broadcast from PYONGYANG, North KOREA, although outside the period (3March), is quoted: "It is announced that the Japanese specialists shall be given rice for their food ration and the members of their family shall be given 300 grams, per day, of mixed grains, from the 1st of March. Those technicians must work at factories under national control". e. Telecommunications: (1) Telegraph - No change (2) Telephone - Lines to points north of the 38th parallel remain inoperative during the period. 4. CIVIL RELATIONS a. The Press The most important event during this period was the 01 March anniversary of the 1919 revolution against the Japanese. There has been considerable press comment on this anniversary for several weeks past. There has also been considerable speculation on the possibility of trouble during the celebrations. Trouble was to have been of three types. Clashes between the Left and Right including acts of planned terrorism, demonstrations against trusteeship by the Right Wing, and a possible attempt on the part of the extreme Right to seize the reins of government. (see par 4b W/S #76). During the period the same press interest continued with accounts of the final preparation for celebration ceremonies, histories of significance of the day, warnings against demonstrations or riots by police officials, and at the end of the period accounts of the commemorative meetings with the text of the speechs given by Military Officials and Korean political leaders. The disturbances that occured were also covered and as a result of the disturbances in SEOUL (brought about by the clash of an unauthorized Rightist parade with Leftists) the leftist press had additional propaganda material for their continual anti-Rightist program. Concerning Rightist "terroristic" activities on 01 March the DOK LIB SINBO (Independence News -ELW) said, "It is a well known fact that the reactionaries have been indulging in offensive slander against the Communist actions so that it might make it sound as if we were planning a revolution. A wave of political terrorism climaxed with a terroristic incident on 1 March has been carried out by the reactionaries. ....A gang of terrorists threw stones toward the multitude (Leftists) who were returning home after attending the twenty-eight anniversary of the March First movement. .... it reminds us of the sabre-rattling politics of Japanese imperialists." Of particular interest was the discussion of the threatened coup d'etat of the extreme Right, to be attempted on March First. For the most part, this was confined to the expressions of various political parties on the subject. The CHUNG OI SHIN PO (Foreign and Domestic News - LW) carried the following article - "It is reported that some Right Wing political group is planning the establishment of the interim South Korean government inspired by Dr. RHEE. This same report also says: "The Democratic Council has already decided to establish this interim government. .... There is already organized a cabinet which will be publicly announced on 5 Secret DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74509 Secret XXIV CORPS G2 WS 77 1 March." The CHOSUN ILBO (Korean Daily News -RW) carried a statement of the National Society for the Acceleration of Korean Independence which would tend to add weight to this rumor - "The Korean provisional government, which was established by the will of the Korean people in 1919, is the orthodox government which has already held the sovereignty of KOREA for 30 years. Therefore, we have decided to acknowledge this government, publicly announce this government to the world, and to pledge our allegiance to this government. 'We the Korean people, absolutely oppose the international and domestic plague of puppet governments under the trusteeship of interfering foreign nations....'" This same statement was also carried in the KYENG HYANG SHINMUN (Rural and Urban News -RW). The trial of four enlisted men for alleged rape came to a close on 28 February. The original incident (7 Jan) was the cause of an extensive attack by all papers (see par 4a W/S #70). During the intervening period there has been intermittent reference to the incident and frequent reference to rumored similiar incidents. The progress of this trial received close attention. The Press, with its pre-conceived ideas as to the guilt of the accused, made little attempt to report the trial correctly. Only such portions of the testimony as were detrimental to the defense were carried. Unfortunately for the Press, the verdict of the Court was not announced on 28 February, leaving their stories "up in the air". As an interesting sidelight on this case, one of the interpreter staff made the statement that he was completely convinced that the Korean prosecution witnesses were politically inspired. He stated that he had no tangible proof of this but that from the manner of their testimony they gave every indication of having been carefully rehearsed in their answers. He further stated that the language that they used in their answers was not such as to be common usage among people of their status. This plus, the evident bias of the newspapers in their treatment of the evidence and the sudden rash of "rape" cases would seem to indicate that this is another manifestation of a "whispering" campaign against the Occupation Forces, in this case, no doubt inspired by the publicity of the similiar CHINA incident. b. The People (1) Disturbances Held to a Minimum Widespread disorders and inflammatory demonstrations were averted during the celebration of Sam Il Day on 01 March. Disturbances were reported as having occured in only eight scattered communities extending from CHEJU island in the south to the City of SEOUL. A recapitulation of casualies is as follows: Known Dead Known Injured Police Dead Police Injured 19 150 0 3 Clashes between police and demonstrating political groups of both camps were responsible for the majority of the casualties. At PAUN¹ and CHEJU² Leftists seized the opportunity to perpetrate attacks against the police, while KANGWOL was the scene of the only attack of consequence initiated by one party against another; in this case, Right Wing youths were the instigators. Isolated cases of terrorism were in evidence with Right Wing attacks against Leftist Party Headquarters continuing past the period. A disturbance of potentially huge proportions were held to a minimum of casualties near South Gate in SEOUL. Two columns consisting of several thousand Rightists participating in an illegal parade following an authorized meeting converged upon a point which was being approached by throngs of Leftists departing an authorized meeting of the Democratic People's Front. The Rightists columns were diverted and the Leftists were halted until the area was cleared. Thus, except for minor conflicts between 1 - PAUN (970-1420)(35°44'N-126°44'E) 2 - CHEJU (950-1150)(33°30'N-126°32'E) 4 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74[illegible] Secret Secret XXIV CORPS G2 WS #77 small groups and between militant Rightists and police, a riot of momentous proportions was obviated. Police fire resulted in two known deaths by ricochets; approximately seventy-five were injured in various ways. COMMENT: Extensive precautions were taken throughout South KOREA in anticipation of disorders which were expected to occur during the commemoration of the anniversary of the Korean Declaration of Independence of 1919. (see par 4b (1), W/S #76). Leaders of both Right and Left Wing political parties were warned against bloodshed and unauthorized demonstrations. Widespread precautionary measures, with intensified activity on the part of intelligence and law enforcement agencies, are believed to have held bloodshed and disorder to a minimum. (2) Economic Review The following information is based upon a report on the South Korean economic situation by the Economic Advisor to the Commanding General: Since 22 January 47, prices of most commodities have declined slightly following very sharp increases in December and early January. Notable exceptions to this trend include articles produced in textile, rubber, and paper industries which are now in the process of shutting down due to the lack of essential raw materials. During the past three weeks (for the first time in seven months) the Bank of CHOSUN note issue declined about five hundred million yen. As of 25 February, the note issue totalled 17.75 billion yen. Although this recent decline in prices and currency issue is in line with normal seasonal trends in KOREA, it does indicate the possibility of arresting the sharp inflationary spiral if production of consumers goods and civilian supply imports can be increased to complement successful rice collection. Rice collections totalled 520,000 metric tons of polished rice, or its equivalent, as of 24 February 47. The staple ration for SEOUL for the first half of March is to consist of 1.5 hop (225 grams) of rice and one hop (150) of American barley. Preliminary budget requests submitted to Military Government department for the fiscal year 1947 beginning 31 April totalled 44.6 billion yen. Principal requests in billions of yen include: Transportation 7.0 Education 5.6 Monopoly Bureau 5.3 Police 4.3 Agriculture 4.25 Communications 2.6 Public Health 2.2 Constabulary 2.0 Preliminary revenue estimates for the fiscal year, 1947, total 17.4 billion yen. The largest sources of revenue are indicated in billions of yen: Monopoly Bureau 9.5 Transportation 4.6 Taxes 2.2 These estimates are now undergoing critical review and the present indication is that the budget presented to the Interim Legislative Assembly by the Military Governor will not exceed 20 billion yen. New railway rates now in effect will permit transportation to be nearly self-supporting. The Monopoly Bureau should produce a substantial profit through the sale of salt, tobacco, and ginseng. Communications has estimated revenue to be 29 million yen, only about five percent of the estimated expenditures. Tax receipts should be larger than 2.2 billion yen as indicated since the estimates were based on existing rates rather than on higher rates which are in prospect. 5 Secret DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74[illegible] Secret XXIV CORPS G2 MS 77 A significant move is being considered which is expected to provide provincial and local governments with their own sources of revenue which should be adequate to meet all except extraordinary needs. This should encourage a sense of responsibility and participation in local governments and minimize present large grants and subsidies from the natural level. Should this plan be adopted, provincial taxes would comprise chiefly real and personal property taxes, while the national government would levy income, inheritance, revenue stamp, and capital increment taxes. The contemplated program should yield from three to four billion yen in local taxes, and about 3.5 billion yen in national taxes. Civil Service salaries may have to be substantially increased; otherwise, the deficit for the fiscal year beginning 01 April 1947 might be held quite low with continuing efforts in the direction of economy and tax reforms. While successful rice collection and importation of grains have helped to stabilize the cost of cereals -- the most important part of the Korean diet -- the prices of most other foodstuffs and consumer goods are extremely high in proportion to Civil Service salaries. Korean departmental directors have requested flat 100% wage increases for Civil Service employees. Future increases in that category of salaries will probably result in a deficit for the fiscal year 1947 - 48 of at least four to five billion yen, approximately one-half of the probable deficit for the current year. The inflationary effect of deficit spending may be offset in part by the sale of civilian supply imports and of vested urban residences, farm land, and small businesses, although proceeds from all such sales are deposited in blocked accounts and are not included in the general revenues of the government. The overall prospect for the coming fiscal year is generally better than for the current fiscal year from the viewpoint of public finance and inflation. The shortage of essential raw materials threatens to close important industries during the first half of 1947. The vital textile industry now has less than one month's supply of cotton on hand. One of the largest mills is closed and others have already reduced operations. South KOREA has eight large cotton textile plants and scores of small ones which produced over 200 million yards of cotton cloth annually previous to liberation. Although production increased steadily during most of 1946, the total output for the year was less than twenty percent of former production. In 1947, production should exceed 100 million yards of cotton cloth if spare parts now scheduled to be received from JAPAN and sufficient cotton becomes available. The current shortage of cotton is due primarily to the planting of one-half of former cotton acreage in food crops, and the utilization of most of the 1946 cotton production in home spinning and in small plants. Formerly, about one-half of the 240 million pounds of seed cotton was used by large mills and the remainder by households and small plants. Large mills need at least 20 million pounds of imported lint cotton in 1947, and as much as 30 million pounds could be utilized if large mills were operated on a three-shift basis to produce urgently needed cloth. Lack of raw rubber is forcing the closure of an increasing number of rubber plants each month. The rubber-shoe industry, which normally produces about 1.5 million pairs of shoes monthly, produced only 93,000 pairs in December 1946. This industry will be closed down entirely by April unless raw rubber becomes available. Negotiations with the British for the exchange of graphite for raw rubber are underway, and USAMGIK representatives are being sent to HONG KONG to expedite the barter of ginseng for rubber and other urgent needs. Paper mills are closing due to the exhaustion of stockpiles of sulphite pulp which normally was secured from North KOREA. These mills produced about 4,000 metric tons of paper in 1946 6 Secret DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74 507 Secret XXIV CORPS G2 WS #77 COMMENT: There is considered to be a shortage of almost every necessity to Korean life. Military Government has thus inherited the economic difficulties resulting from four decades of Japanese exploitation and seven years of war. The closing of industrial plants, with the resultant unemployment, creates further hunger and privation ... fuel for the Communist propaganda machine. (3) School Strikes Middles schools in SEOUL returned to almost normal operation during the period with those in the provinces lagging about one week behind in their return to normalcy. The few students in attendance at the various colleges of SEOUL National University were on semester vacation during the period. Registration for the second semester begins on 03 March and continues for two days following which it will be possible to determine whether or not the strike may be considered to be broken. (See per 4b W/S #76) HZ, Hun, chairman of the South KOREA Labor Party, continues to deny that his party is responsible for agitation against the educational system, however, facts at hand indicate to the contrary. COMMENT: It is believed that middle school strikes may be considered at an end due primarily to parents and teachers urging the younger students to return to their classrooms; the children, bored with the long period of inactivity, have responded in most cases. The situation at the university is far less encouraging since Left Wing agitation for continuance of the strike is believed sufficient to preclude an approach to normal registration for the second semester. 5. SUMMARY OF INTELLIGENCE IN ADJACENT AREAS a. CHOSUN Nitrogen Fertilizer Company, HUNGNAM The following information of high evaluation was obtained through the interrogation of two former employees of the CHOSUN Nitrogen Fertilizer Company in HUNGNAM. LEE, Kyu Yung was employed in the gunpowder plant until he departed for South KOREA in early February, 1947, with HYUN, Yoon Choon, a fellow worker, who had been active in the CHOSEN Democratic Party activities in the plant. The informants arrived in SEOUL in mid-February. Informants state that the control of the company is maintained by the Interim People's Committee which appoints the manager. Presently in that position is RO, Eung Ha, a native of North KOREA who was educated in JAPAN. RO is thirty-four years old and became active in the Leftist movement following the Japanese surrender, assuming the managerial post in the company in November, 1946. Informants state that RO is not conversant in the Russian language. Informants agreed that at the end of October, 1946, the plant employed approximately 22,000 persons, but due to a shortage of raw materials, this number was necessarily decreased to 16,000 by the end of January, 1947. Scattered through the various plants that comprise the company, informants estimate that there are approximately twenty Japanese engineers in the organizations employ. Employees are divided into five groups for the purpose of determining compensation for gainful labor: 1) industrial school graduates of the highest skills, 3,000 yen per month; 2) men skilled through long experience in the company's service, 1,500 yen per month; 3) heavy laborers, 1,000 yen per month; 4) ordinary unskilled laborers, 800 yen per month; 5) clerical employees, 800 yen per month. The latter, informants stated, receive more if they are highly experienced or are university graduates. 1 - HUNGNAM (1028-1870)(39°30'n-127°-14'E) DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745079 7 Secret S[illegible]-TIXXW CORPS, G2 WS #77 Employees are divided into two groups for the purpose of determining the amount of food rationed; those doing heavy manual labor receive four hop per day, others receive three hop. Two hop per day per person is rationed to family members regardless of the type of labor engaged in by the head of the family. Prior to the end of November, 1946, the ration was issued at the factory, but since that time, ration coupons have been issued instead. The composition of the ration was 30% rice and 70% other grain, however, this varied from time to time depending on the availability of the various grains. Production amounts to approximately four tons of fertilizer daily about four tons of laundry soap, and between two and three tons of gunpowder. The latter product, utilized mainly in mining, is said by the informants to be of inferior quality because of the use of considerable amounts of sawdust in the formula. The gunpowder plant is managed by DOO, Soon Joong who was appointed to the position in March, 1946. DOO is a native of South KOREA and a graduate of a Japanese engineering school in MANCHURIA in which city he had been previously employed by the railroads. In June, 1946, he visited RUSSIA, returning to HUNGNAM in December. There are approximately 3,000 employees in the gunpowder plant including seven Japanese technicians who are highly important to the operation. COMMENT: Previous information concerning this plant indicates that the Russian propensity to over-stuff industrial organizations has increased the number of employees three times in one year. Conversely, production has fallen off considerably due, primarily, to a lack of raw materials and trained technicians. The daily production of fertilizer as estimated by the informant seems ridiculously low for a plant of this size in spite of known obstacles to normal operation. The CHOSUN Nitrogen Fertilizer Company has suffered comparatively little from Russian machinery removals. However, stock piles, replacement machinery, items of special use and replacement parts are reported to have been stripped. The shortage of replacements parts is reported to be causing a considerable percentage of the production deficiency. 6. COMMENTS ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION a. Summary Indications of an attempt to establish an independent government by the powerful extreme Right Wing were intensified during the period and are believed to have been forestalled -- at least for the time being. The Interim Legislative Assembly was unproductive from a constructive standpoint; however, SHIN, Ik hi's initiation of a revolutionary governmental proposal may portend future trouble from the anti-trusteeship bloc. The paragraph closes with political briefs. b. The Provisional Government of the Republic of KOREA The following information, revealed immediately subsequent to the close of the period, is considered indicative of an attempt on the part of the RHEE-KIM, Koo extreme Right Wing following to establish an independent Korean provisional government separate and antagonistic to the lawful government of South KOREA. (See par 46 (1), W/S # 76) Significant of an attempt to establish a separate government is a secretly obtained document. "Proclamation Number One of the Provisional Government of the Republic of KOREA", the translation of which reveals an intent on the part of its promulgators --- believed to be the National Society for the Acceleration of Korean Independence and the National Congress -- to "punish severely" the following categories of persons who might be obstructive to its mission: (1) Any official of the present Military Government who violates the orders of the Provisional Government of the Republic of KOREA. 8 Secret DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74[illegible] XXIV CORPS G2 WS # 77 *Secret* (2) Any person or persons who use inflammatory language or inflammatory literature against said government. (3) Those individuals who help perpetuate (five spaces are left here for what is believed to be the Korean for USAMGIK), or anyone disturbing the public. (4) Any profiteer who threatens the public livelihood. (5) Any person who performs any action detrimental to morals or anyone who does anything bringing shame to the nation. A second instrument, "Outline of Congratulatory Ceremonial Procedure", was obtained at a meeting of the National Society for the Acceleration of Korean Independence on 04 March. Significant points contained in the outline are as follows: (1) That congratulatory ceremonies of seven days' duration shall take place following the announcement of the Cabinet. (2) Provinces and communities will display the flag; temples, churches, schools, factories and offices will ring bells every morning at 0600 and at noon; three rings or stop - one ring, executed twentyeight times (once for each commemoration of 01 March since 1919). (3) Congratulatory greetings will be exchanged between friends and between elders and the younger; there will be ancestral worship; each family will have a simple dinner (ceremonial); the head of the household will tell the children the story of the history of the nation and of the struggle for independence. (4) Congratulatory ceremonies will be held by individual groups and also by the cities. The United Congratulatory Ceremony will be held at a certain broad ground (stadium or public park) at "12:00 on March ______." (5) A parade is scheduled to follow the United Congratulatory Ceremony. The national flag will lead the parade, then the band, students, women, political parties, church groups and societies, citizens, labor groups, and young people's groups. Bands may be interspersed. (6) Lectures will be held in schools, churches and temples, cultural groups, factories, district and branch offices of the National Council. (7) The designation of holidays, publication of books, and the taking of motion pictures are other activities listed as a part of the ceremonial procedure. A CIC informant's report of high evaluation states that at a meeting of the National Congress on 04 March, a reinforced council was established by adding the names of eight older statesmen to the original eight Council members of the old CHUNKING Provisional Government. The older statesmen will reportedly appoint a cabinet. 9 *Secret* DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74530 [illegible] XXIV CORPS G2 WS # 77 Secret Council members of the old Provisional Government are: LEE, Si Yung LYOO, Rim CHO, Seung Whan CHO, So Ang CHO, Wan Koo CHO, Kyung Han WHANG, Hak Soo PAK, Chan Ik The following names of elder statesmen were added: CH, Sei Chang A signor of the 1919 Declaration of Independence, member of the National Society for the Acceleration of Korean Independence. KIM, Chang Sook Confucionist, resigned from Representative Democratic Council in October 46. Popular patriot, believes Legislative Assembly prolongs USAMGIK. CHO, Man Sik Chairman, CHOSUN Democratic Party, presently in protective custody of the USSR in PYONGYANG because of his refusal to deviate from his anti-trusteeship stand and non-support of the communistic government in North KOREA. LEE, Eul Kyu Under 50 years of age, member of the National Society for the Acceleration of Korean Independence. Considered to be a radical Rightist, not well known. PAK, Yul Described as a famous Korean anarchist now in JAPAN. LEE, Chung Chun Former commander of the KWAN BOK Army of the Provisional Government. He is believed to be in MANCHURIA, may return to KOREA. COMMENT: The confiscation of Proclamation Number One (should it prove authentic) would reveal the intent of the so-called Provisional Government of the Republic of KOREA to force into line anyone who refuses to accept it. This overt threat against members of the legally established government has, as far as is known, received only limited unauthorized dissemination. The "Outline of Congratulatory Ceremonial Procedure" is a strong appeal to the traditional Korean family and ancestral ties, and to the relationship of the family group to the community and to the nation. It is believed that the employment of this type of psychology could, if aptly applied, bring the nation to a high emotional pitch in short order. It is interesting to note that the "Outline of Congratulatory Ceremonial Procedure" is to become effective following the announcement of a Cabinet. The fact that three of the six elder statesmen (CHO, Man Sik, LEE Chung Chun and PAK, Yul) are not available for consultation is not explained; possibly (excepting CHO, Man Sik) they plan to return to South KOREA. Should this pseudo-government, by some devious method, manage to proclaim itself publicly as the true government of KOREA, it is expected that the American Command will brand it as a revolutionary movement and take vigorous action to suppress it. Already in custody are KIM, Suk Whan and UEM, Hang Sup; pick up orders have been placed upon CHO, So Ang, CHO, Seung Whan and CHO, Kyung Han, extreme Rightist leaders and propagandists, should an overt act occur. Orders were issued to bring before the Commanding General such top level leaders as KIM, Koo, CHO, Wan Koo, LEE Si Yung and LIOO, Rim for a stiff orientation on the illegality of their acts and the serious consequences which might ensue should they attempt to go through with this clumsy attempt at a coup d' etat. When confronted with the documents discussed, leaders denied knowledge of their existence, thus indicating that the movement may have weakened, after putting out the documents as a "feeler". 10 Secret DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74[illegible] XXIV CORPS G2 WS # 77 Secret c. Interim Legislative Assembly The Interim Legislative Assembly continued in its rather unproductive rut with the following items of interest coming before the members in the course of the three sessions held during the period: (1) SONG, Ho and SON, Won Il were appointed to the grades of Brigadier General and Commodore in the Korean Constabulary and Coast Guard respectively. (2) A letter from the Military Governor requesting legislative approval of the present method of appointing official, until an adequate election law is provided, was sent to the Legislative and Judicial Committee for study. (3) At the close of the session of 27 February, SHIN, Ik Hi, extreme Rightist leader, member of the National Congress and of the National Society, as chairman of the Committee for Drafting Administrative and Organizational Resolutions introduced the explosive Law for Administration and Government which provides for the establishment of the following Korean offices and departments: (a) Chief of State (probably RHEE) (b) Assistant Chief of State (probably KIM, Koo) (c) Premier (KIM, Kyu Sik may be invited to this post) (d) Departments: Home Affairs Education Foreign Affairs Health and Public Welfare Industry and Commerce Military Affairs Labor Judicial Agriculture and Forestry Transportation Financial Communications (e) Offices: Secretariat, Judicial, and Public Information. Under the provisions of this proposal, the Chief of State will be elected by the Assembly. He, in turn, will appoint the three heads of offices and the twelve department heads with the approval of the Assembly. A clause in the proposal states that the rights of the American Commander will not be infringed upon, but the veto question is not mentioned. COMMENT: In accordance with the laws of procedure, SHIN, Ik Hi's resolution was automatically refered to the Legislative and Judicial Committee following the first reading where it has remained since its introducion. Currently, it is over-shadowed by the attempt of the RHEE-KIM, Koo forces to establish the Provisional Government for the Republic of KOREA discussed in par 6b. Should the latter effort fail --- and it probably will -- it is possible that the extreme Rightists will attempt to railroad the SHIN resolution through the Assembly. The two most important pieces of legislation which the Assembly has proposed since its inauguration have been contrary to the expressed mission of USAFIK ---- the anti-trusteeship resolution of 20 January 47 (par 6b, W/S #72) and the SHIN, Ik Hi resolution. d. Political Briefs (1) The HANKOOK Democratic Party has been attempting to build up Ben LIMB as being highly successful in placing the Korean cause before the people of the UNITED KINGDOM -- information at hand indicates that he is considered to be persona non grata. This party has been publicizing Dr. RHEE's visit to the UNITED STATES in the same light in spite of the fact that he has accomplished almost nothing there. Possibly this is in preparation 11 Secret DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74[illegible] XXIV CORPS G2 WS # 77 Secret for his return to KOREA via TOKYO and NANKING. In the latter city he is expected to (1) place the Korean problem before the Chinese people, (2) attempt to pick up some much needed funds, and (3) possibly contact the Nationalist Government in relation to future military and political affairs. (2) LEE, Kap Sung's defeat of KIM, Seung Soo as an elective member of the Legislature was a crushing defeat to the power and prestige of the latter who campaigned personally for the post. (3) CHUN PIUN meetings held during the period indicate possible future strikes in the SEOUL Electric company and on the railroads. With attention focused upon the intensified activities of the Rightists, the All Korean Council of Labor Unions has been quite active -certainly to no good purpose. (4) KIM, Koo's attempt to merge his Korean Independence Party with the HANKOOK Democratic Party failed in spite of the fact that KIM threatened ed to divorce himself from the Independence Party should they block the merger. The Korean Independence Party refused to be absorbed and KIM, Koo withdrew his threat to leave the party. JOHN N. ROBINSON Colonel, GSC AC of S, G-2 Inclosure: 1- Illegal Activities NOTE: This report is prepared not only for higher headquarters but also for the purpose of disseminating to interested subordinate agencies such intelligence as will be of assistance in performing their missions. Although this is for use of authorized personnel only, it must of necessity be classified as "secret" and the provisions of AR 380-5 will be observed in regard to both the document and contents. If proper facilities are not available for safe-guarding this document, it should be turned upon completion of necessary study and circulation. DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74507 12 Secret HEADQUARTERS XXIV CORPS Office of the G-2 06 March 1947 ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES A summary of civil disturbances, attacks on US troops, cases of illegal bearing of arms, and of unauthorized shipping reported during the period of 23 February to 02 March is given below: [MAP OF KOREA WITH LOCATIONS MARKED:] SEOUL KIMPO INCHON YONGWOL PUAN KUNSAN HONGUP PUSAN YONGAM CHEJU LEGEND CIVIL DISTURBANCES SHOWN THUS . . . . . ATTACKS ON US TROOPS SHOWN THUS . . . . ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF ARMS SHOWN THUS . . . UNAUTHORIZED SHIPPING SHOWN THUS . . . . . DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74550[?] Incl. # 1 to XXIV CORPS G2 WS 77 1 Confidential Confidential 1. Civil Disturbances Civil disturbances reported during the period were primarily the result of tension between Right and Left Wing camps climaxing in Sam Il Pay attacks, collisions between opposite party demonstrators, and attempts to force police blockades. CHEJU (950-1150) (33°30'N-126°32'E) 011000 March 47 - A mob, assumed to be Leftists, attacked the police building and were met with police rifle fire which resulted in the death of five rioters and the wounding of an unknown number. US troops are reported as having assisted in the dispersal of the mob, but there is no indication that they resorted to the use of weapons. CHONGUP (980-1400) (35°34'N-126°52'E) 011500 March 47 - Approximately 225 demonstrators of unknown political affiliation attempted to enter CHONGUP in the face of a police warning that they would meet with rifle fire. One demonstrator was killed, two were slightly injured. INCHON (960-1630) (37°28'N-126°38'E) 231700 February 47 - A clash between Right and Left Wing Youth groups resulted in ten arrests. 241000 February 47 - A fight between Right and Left Wing union members of a factory, resulted in the arrest of fifteen participants believed to have been members of CHUN PYUNG. KUNSAN (970-1450) (36°00'N-126°42'E) 271130 February 47 - A mob estimated at 150 members of the National Society for the Acceleration of Korean Independence attacked members of the Communist dominated Farmers' Union one of whom was seriously injured by a brick. NANJONG NI (1045-1325) (34°56'N-127°25'E) (Not on the map) 011500 March 47 - A parade of 2000 persons of unknown political affiliation was intercepted by police who resorted to the use of firearms in an effort to turn them back. One member of the mob was fatally wounded; the mob was dispersed. PUAN (970-1420) (35°44'N-126°44'E) 01 March 47 - A group of 150 Leftists attacked and beat three policemen. The three policemen were missing at time of report. Two rifles and twenty-five rounds of ammunition taken at the time of the attack have not been recovered. PUSAN (1200-1340) (35°-04'N-129°02'E) 011600 March 47 - Two Rightists youths, members of a larger group who tried to disrupt a Leftist meeting, were arrested and placed on a truck which was stoned by a person in the crowd. Police arrested the man who threw the stones and placed him on the truck. As the vehicle departed, ten shots were fired from the crowd, precipitating police fire, presumably into the air. However, evidence indicates that shots were fired into the crowd, as five dead and nine wounded were picked up in the area. SEOUL (1060-1640) (37°34'N-127°00'E) [illegible] 221400 February 47 - A Leftist railroad union meeting was disrupted when it was learned that half of the 800 in attendance were members of the rival Rightist union. The Leftists, upon demanding that the Rightists leave, were ousted from the meeting hall. Police forced all participants to vacate the area. DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74507[illegible] 2 Confidential Confidential SEOUL (1000-1640) (37°34'N-127°00'E) 241700 February 47 - Members of a Rightist funeral procession attempted to enter a building in which an unauthorized meeting of the Leftist Christian Democratic Union was in progress. Leftist MIN CHUNG members who were guarding the meeting, threw stones at the Rightist young men who were armed with clubs. A Korean detective held the disturbance to a minimum by firing his pistol into the air. CIC agents arrived to establish order. 011330 March 47 - Two columns of Rightists, participating in an illegal parade following an authorized meeting, converged upon South Gate at approximately the same time Leftists approached the area following the adjournment of the Democratic People's Front meeting on NAM SAN hill. Police, attempting to avert a collision of thousands of Rightists and Leftists, fired into the air and clubbed militant Rightist young men with rifle butts. The Leftists behaved, and the area was cleared. Casualties were two dead from ricochets and approximately seventy-five injured. One policemen was hospitalized. (See par 4b). YONGAM (960-1300) (34°48'N-126°42'E) 01 March 47 - A number of small crowds of approximately 250 persons each attempted to force their way past a police barrier in an effort to enter the town. Police fired into the crowds, killed one demonstrator and wounded five others. The crowds dispersed. YONGWOL (1140-1590) (37°10'N-128°28'E) 01 March 47 - Sixty Rightists attacked twenty Leftists resulting in injuries to a total of ten participants from both sides. Police arrived to prevent further disorder. 2. Attacks on US troops KIMPO (970-1650) (37°38'N-126°42'E) 281700 February 47 - Provost Marshal investigators were fired upon by a person or persons unknown while investigating an alleged robbery in the dependant housing area at KIMPO Army Air Base. There were no casualties. 3. Illegal Possession of Arms SEOUL (1000-1640) (37°34'N-127°00'E) 28 February 47 - The arrest of three Rightists youths revealed that one possessed a pistol of foreign manufacture. 4. Unauthorized Shipping - None reported. DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 7450[illegible] 3 Confidential