주한미육군사령부 정보참모부 주간요약보고

PART I SOUTH KOREA From: 251200/I June 48 To : 021200/I July 48 Headquarters, USAFIK Seoul, Korea 02 July 1948 No. 146 Maps: KOREA, 1/250,000 East ASIA, 1/1,000,000 A. ARMED FORCES 1. Strength (Secret) Police: No change Constabulary: 56,389 (including 9,120 recruits and 148 cadets) Coast Guard: 3,096 (including 132 cadets) 2. Operational Activity (Confidential) a. Border Incidents At 250220 June about 100 North Korean Constabularymen came south of the parallel to attack the CHANG KOK (917.9-1696.4) police box. Two South Korean policemen were wounded. (C-3) On 27 June approximately 80 North Korean Constabularymen attacked the police box at UCHONG DONG (934.6-1695.3). Three South Korean police and one civilian were wounded. (C-2) At 300500 June 2 North Korean Constabularymen advanced south to about (935.0-1696.0). The North Korean Constabularymen, upon being fired on by South Korean police, withdrew across the parallel. (Police Report) On 30 June 3 North Korean Constabularymen crossed the parallel at (959.2-1696.4) and abducted an undetermined number of South Koreans. (C-3) At 302200 June approximately 50 North Korean Constabulary crossed into South KOREA near (935.5-1696.7). South Korean police intercepted the NKC and engaged them in a sporadic firefight until 010430 July. COMMENT: The 5 border incidents reported this week included 1 which occurred during the preceeding period. Last weeks total incidents, therefore, number 6. The incident reported in W/S #143 concerning the abduction of 21 South Korean farmers on 04 June has been found to be in error. These farmers were north of the parallel and, after negotiating for water rights returned to South KOREA 06 June. b. Constabulary Action On CHEJU-DO A summarization indicates that as a result of six weeks of operation the 9th Constabulary Regiment on CHEJU-DO apprehended and screened approximately 4,000 suspected raiders. Of this group about 500 were detained after interrogation by police, Constabulary and American interrogators. Twenty-two rioters were reported killed and about 50 rifles, carbines, swords and pistols were confiscated. Considerable quantities of supplies were found in the hills and either destroyed, converted to the use of Constabulary troops or returned to CHEJU economy. The weather conditions at this time are such that operations have been suspended, and the four constabulary battalions have been assigned company areas around the perimeter of the island with a patrolling mission. 3 DECLASSIFIED Authority N[illegible]D 7450[illegible] XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 PART I B. CURRENT INTELLIGENCE 1. National Assembly a. Proceedings The National Assembly sessions from 26 June through 30 June were devoted primarily to questions from the floor concerning the draft constitution. These questions, written and oral, were normally answered by the legal experts attached to the Constitution Committee. The second reading of the draft constitution commenced on 01 July. Amendments responsive to criticisms made during the question-andanswer period will be presented during the course of the second reading. Chief criticism of the draft centered around the powers of the president. It is expected that during the second reading the draft will be amended to reduce these powers, especially with regard to: (1) Article 56 - Presidential powers to rule by decree in time of war and emergency when the National Assembly is not in session. An amendment is expected to define "emergency" in specific terms. (2) Article 58 - Presidential power to conclude treaties and declare war. This probably will be amended to show clearly that such actions can be taken only with the concurrence of the National Assembly and the cabinet. (3) Article 68 - Appointment of the prime minister and cabinet by the president. Amendments are expected to require concurrence by the Assembly in the appointment of the premier, and possibly to require the premier to designate the members of the cabinet, and then to have the president appoint them. (4) Article 93 - Providing for the continuation of the previous year's budget if the National Assembly has not adopted the government's new budget. This probably will be amended to keep fiscal control in the National Assembly by requiring adoption of an emergency budget until a completely new budget can be adopted. (5) Articles relating to rights of the citizen do not clearly give security of property and person to aliens. It is expected that these clauses will be clarified to give legal protection to aliens as well as citizens. COMMENT: Criticisms from the floor during this period bore out the attitudes of factions within the assembly, as were expressed in newspapers of 23 June: NON-PARTISAN CLUB - "We support the system of a cabinet responsible for political affairs. If the system of responsible presidency is passed by the Assembly, we shall insist on direct election of the president by the people." SAM IL CLUB - "We support the system of a responsible presidency. A president should be elected by the people directly, but in view of present political situation a president must be elected by the Assembly." HANKOOK DEMOCRATIC PARTY - "We support the system of a responsible cabinet for political affairs, but as Dr. RHEE insists on a responsible presidency we have no alternative as we support him for the presidency. As it will take too long to select a president by popular vote, we insist on the present 4 DECLASSIFIED Authority N[illegible]20745070 XXIV CORPS G-2 U/S #146 PART I assembly electing him. In our party, however, many members support the responsible cabinet idea but the responsible presidency idea will prevail. The method of election will be disputed much, but we agree with the NATIONAL "SOCIETY FOR THE ACCELERATION OF KOREAN INDEPENDENCE on an indirect election. So we expect the president to be elected by the Assembly." In Weekly Summary #145 it was reported that Dr. RHEE had negotiated with the Constitution Committee and had successfully persuaded them to concentrate the executive powers in the president rather than in a cabinet and a prime minister responsible to the Assembly. Later it was learned that Dr. RHEE had threatened to boycott the National Assembly if the clauses to which he objected were not revised. Dr. RHEE's opposition crumbled in the face of this threat; it was generally conceded that the National Assembly could not survive outside attacks from Dr. RHEE in addition to similar attacks from KIM Koo, and KIM Kyu Sik and the Communists. b. Committees The announcement, 25 June, of Mr. KIM Yong Hi as Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee completed the selection of chairmen to the nine Standing Committees. c. Relations with UNTCOK On 23 June a letter was sent to the chairman of UNTCOK informing him of the election of Mr. CHANG Myun as chairman of the Temporary Liaison Committee of the National Assembly. The letter further notified UNTCOK of the addition of two new members to the Committee, Dr. Henry CHUNG (Do Young) and Dr. Helen KIM, in the capacity of "co-optive" members. Brief biographical summaries of Dr. CHUNG and Dr. KIM appear below: Dr. Henry CHUNG (DeYoung) — Went to U.S. in 1905 during RussoJapanese War; was a member of the Korean delegation to the PARIS Peace Conference in 1919; an unofficial Korean representative at the San Francisco UN Organization Conference in 1945; served during World War II as a member of the Korean Commission in Washington; author of such books, relating to KOREA, as "The Case of Korea" (1922), and "The Russians Came to Korea" (1947). An admirer of Dr. RHEE, he has written articles for the "Korean Open Letter" supporting Dr. RHEE and his policies. A resident of the United States, he is now employed in Korea as a Department of the Army Civilian. Dr. Helen KIM (Hwal Lan) — Born about 1900; one of the best known Korean women; President of Ewha College for Women (Seoul); graduated from Ewha College; A.B. Ohio Wesley University 1924; Doctor of Education, Boston University; returned to Korea and Ewha College becoming successively Dean and President; active in Korean YWCA and other Christian activities; strong supporter of Dr. RHEE; defeated candidate in May 10 election. Dr. CHUNG was lent to the Liaison Committee by USAFGIK to serve in a technical capacity only. To avert misunderstanding over the announcement of the addition of a DAC to the Liaison Committee, CHANG Myun orally informed Mr. MILNER, Principal Secretary of UNTCOK, that the phrase "co-optive" members referred to persons rendering professional or technical assistance. Mr. MILNER is reported to have been satisfied with this explanation. On 25 June UNTCOK sent a letter to "Dr. Syng Man RHEE, Chairman, Korean National Assembly" implicitly recognizing the National Assembly. The letter stated: "I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 5 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745070 미국자료 IV 91 XXIV CORPS G-2 V/S #146 PART I 11 June 1948 in which you notify the Commission formally of the establishment of a Korean National Assembly in the capital city of Seoul on the thirty-first day of May 1948, by the representatives of the Korean people elected on 10 May 1948, under the observation of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea. "The Commission takes note of the fact that a National Assembly was constituted on 31 May 1948 by the elected representatives of the Korean people and desires to express the earnest hope that these representatives will seek to promote early attainment of the independence and unification of Korea. "Your letter further refers to the Resolution of 14 November 1947 of the General Assembly of the United Nations and to the Resolution of the Interim Committee of 26 February 1948, which constitute the terms of reference of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea. "In this regard, the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea desires to make reference to the letter of 10 June 1948 in which the then Chairman of the Commission, Mr. G. S. PATTERSON, advised you that the Commission is now ready for such consultation as the elected representatives may request concerning the further implementation of its terms of reference as defined in the Resolutions of the General Assembly adopted on 14 November 1947." On the same day, 25 June, the Commission approved a resolution stating its opinion that the 10 May election was valid. (See Inclosure #1.) All six delegates and most of the Secretariat of UNTCOK attended a part of the afternoon session of the National Assembly on 30 June, in response to an invitation extended by the chairman of the National Assembly. In order to avoid controversial topics UNTCOK requested that the agenda for the session be submitted to the Commission prior to its attendance. Dr. RHEE's welcoming address, as approved by the Commission, follows: "We are delighted to welcome to the Korean National Assembly the Chairman and other members of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea. They come as our guests, at our invitation, but they are no strangers to us. They have been working with us ever since they came to Korea last January to assist in and to observe the free election of true representatives of the Korean people. We, the members of the National Assembly assembled here together are those representatives, elected by the free choice of the Korean people in that portion of our country open to the observation of the United Nations Commission. Our debt to these friends who have come to Korea from all over the world to assist the Korean people in these difficult times is incalculable. But this is the sort of debt which we are honored to owe, for it is the debt of the proud, ancient people, whom we represent in this Assembly, to the free nations of the world, who have reached out to help us. "As is well known we are constantly striving and we pledge ourselves to continue to strive to establish national unity, and to bring together all Korean regardless of residence into one nation and one government. We look forward with unconcealed eagerness fo the day when our fellow countrymen in the north will be able to hold elections for their representatives in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations, and when they will be able to send their freely elected representatives to take their rightful places in this Assembly and in the forthcoming government. We are sure we have the goodwill and the support of the members of the United Nations Commission in our efforts to reunite our country, and that we can look forward to their continued assistance and good offices to that end." Speaking for UNTCOK, Dr. VALLE of El Salvador, new UNTCOK chairman, responded with the following address: 6 DECLASSIFIED Authority N NDO 745070 XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 PART I "As chairman of the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea, it is indeed a great honour for me in particular, to have this opportunity of greeting you gentlemen, honourable representatives of the Korean people, in the rich language of Cervantes. At the outset, I would like to say how sorry we were that we ourselves were not able to be present at the inaugural session of this distinguished Assembly. We were engaged at that time in writing the first part of our report in Shanghai, and at our request, Mr. COSTILHES, a member of the French delegation to the Commission represented us on that occasion. "To-day I would like to take the opportunity of announcing to you that on the 25th June, the Commission resolved unanimously to place on record its opinion that the results of the ballot of May 10th, 1948, were a valid expression of the free will of the electorate in those parts of Korea which were accessible to the Commission and in which the inhabitants constituted approximately two-thirds of the people of whole Korea. This decision was taken in the light of our observations of the elections in accordance with the terms of the Resolution of the General Assembly of 14 November 1947. These observations had previously led to our declaration that there existed a reasonable degree of free atmosphere wherein the democratic rights of freedom of speech, press and assembly were respected. Our decision was taken after the Commission had satisfied itself that the electoral procedures which it had recommended had on the whole been correctly applied by the respective authorities. "In extending our congratulations to the Korea people on the spirit of patriotism they demonstrated during the elections, the Commission entertains the hope that the distinguished representatives who are present here will exert their greatest efforts and will, in all sincerity, strive for the attainment of the unification of Korea within the shortest possible time. I am sure your efforts will receive the fullest co-operation of all Korean patriots. "In addition to announcing its resolution on the elections, the Commission wishes to reiterate the fact that in accordance with Resolution II of the General Assembly of the United Nations of 14 November 1948, it is ready for consultation with the elected representatives of the Korean people if they desire such consultation. "In expressing their sincere wishes for the peace and prosperity of the Korean people, the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea desires me to emphasize its belief and faith in the future of the Korean people — a future which will indeed remain bright so long as her sons work with patience and enthusiasm for the greatness of the country." COMMENT: Through this speech of the UNTCOK chairman, the UNTCOK resolution of 25 June (Inclosure #1) and the letter quoted above, the UNTCOK has clearly indorsed the election, recognized the Assembly as a national assembly, and announced its intention to proceed with the next step (consultation) provided for in the United Nations resolution of 14 November. d. Factions According to CHO Bong An, communist-inclined member of the National Assembly, three groups now exist in the National Assembly; viz: (1) Those who opposed the formation of any government in Korea until agreement has been reached with the Soviets, troops withdrawn, and the North and South united under their own leadership; (2) Those favoring the establishment of a government, but who desire to proceed slowly, giving careful consideration to the views of the U.S., the United Nations and interested countries; and 7 DECLASSIFIED Authority N[illegible]20745°70 XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 PART I (3) Those who want the government to be set up immediately, regardless of the consequences — including civil war. CHO said the first group was very small, the second — to which he belongs — the largest, and the third the most powerful. He also stated that the NON-PARTISAN (Independent) CLUB (see W/S #145, B, 1, c) now claims 76 members and that the core of the club consists of KIM Koo — KIM Kyu Sik men who had been repudiated by their leaders for participating in the election but who retain a degree of sympathy for the two KIMs. CHO asserted that the HANKOOK DEMOCRATIC PARTY is the chief political enemy of the "non-partisans." Presumably, the HANKOOKS fall into the third group in the above categorization. During the period, SEOUL papers reported that the SAM IL CLUB, led by SHIN Ik Hi, and LEE Chung Chun, and the NON-PARTISAN CLUB, headed by CHO Bong An, had merged. Since the two clubs are maneuvered largely by individuals of extremely divergent tendencies, it is unlikely that the merger, if consummated, was more than nominal, the coalescing motive derived from a singular important common aspiration of the two organizations: development of an anti-HANKOOK bloc. Associates of SHIN Ik Hi intimate that this merger has been completed, without including CHO Bong An and between 20 and 30 of his supporters, i.e., the KIM Koo — KIM Kyu Sik following. The name of the merged group is not as yet certain. 2. Departure of Australian Delegate Mr. S. W. JACKSON, Australian delegate to UNTCOK, left KOREA for AUSTRALIA on 24 June. It is not expected that he will return. AUSTRALIA will be represented by Mr. A.B. JAMIESON of the Australian mission in JAPAN. Prior to his departure, in a news conference on 22 June, Mr. JACKSON stated that the UN Commission "is not qualified either to approve or disapprove the Assembly. Our duty is to report the result of the 10 May election held under the observation of the Commission...." Asked by reporters if it were true that the Commission had decided to disapprove the election by a vote of 5 to 3, JACKSON replied evasively: "It is rather difficult to have a unanimous opinion on anything in any organization. You may expect better results by the presentation of different opinions." Despite his known attitude towards the Korean issue, many prominent Koreans showed native courtesy by being present at Mr. JACKSON's departure from the Kimpo Air Base. Included among the well-wishers was AHN Chai Hong, KIM Sung Soo and Helen KIM. 3. Non-Communist Opposition KIM Koo's and KIM Kyu Sik's COUNCIL FOR A UNIFIED INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT (erroneously reported in W/S #145, Part I, B, 2, as the PATRIOTIC INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT ALLIANCE FOR FREEDOM AND UNITY) continued discussions of achieving the unification of KOREA through negotiations with North KOREA communists. The "Council" is reported to be composed of 14 parties, the principal ones of which are KIM Koo's KOREAN INDEPENDENCE PARTY and the following moderate parties: the DEMOCRATIC INDEPENDENCE PARTY, whose chairman, HONG Myong Hi, is still believed to be in North KOREA; LYUH Woon Hong's SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY; the LABORING PEOPLE'S PARTY, whose leadership is being disputed by moderates and communists; KIM Boong Jun's NEW PROGRESSIVE PARTY; and the INDEPENDENT FARMERS AND LABORERS PARTY led by LYCO Rim. Maneuver of Electric Power Maneuvering of electric power as a means of regaining lost political 8 DECLASSIFIED Authority N[illegible]D 745070 XXIV CORPS G-2 U/S #146 PART I prestige at the expense of the new government and the UNITED STATES was reported by an intermediary this week. According to the intermediary, plans call for a conference between KIM Koo, KIM Kyu Sik and North Korean communists which will result in the North Korean communists promptly restoring the flow of electric current upon the request of the two KIMS. COMMENT: This maneuver is considered an ingenious means of under-cutting both the National Assembly and the occupation authorities. It is believed that the announcement of the State Department to the Soviet Government, and the MERKULOV letter to General HODGE (see Part II, B, 1), will effectively kill any furtherance of this particular attempt. Pro-JAISOHN Movement The efforts and aims of the group backing a "draft-JAISOHN" campaign (see U/S #143, Part I, B, 2) continues. There are some indications that the original group is receiving encouragement from KIM Koo. Dr. JAISOHN is reported to be unimpressed by the campaign. (For publicized reaction to the efforts to promote JAISOHN for president see Part I, D, 1.) COMMENT: The movement is promoted largely by malcontents who are seeking to find their way into the government on the coat-tails of an aged, respected, individual with negligible political following, and no political ambitions. 4. Civil Unrest Leftist-inspired violence was limited this week. Three delayed reports disclose beatings and counter-beatings by the NORTHWEST YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION, the Korean Constabulary and the Coast Guard. a. Weekly Violence Summary A summary of acts of violence involving communists for the week as reported up to 02 July is as follows: [TABLE with columns: Seoul, Kyonggi Do, Kangwon Do, Chungchong Nando, Chungchong Pukto, Cholla Nando, Cholla Pukto, Kyongsang Nando Puk Do, Che Ju-Do, Total] Attacks on towns 3 3 Attacks on police — Police Killed — Communists Killed 2 2 Rightists killed 1 3 4 Demonstrations, disorders, arson, & attacks on rightists; 1 4 2 1 8 Attacks on government buildings — Sabotage (communications) — Sabotage (RR lines) — Sabotage (Roads) — Sabotage (bridges) — Sabotage (power) — Strikes (labor) — Strikes (schools) — 9 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745070 미국자료 IV 95 XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 PART I b. Delayed Reports Covering Last Week Delayed reports of incidents that occurred during the week ending 25 June which were not carried in last week's summary (see Part I, B, 3, a, W/S #145) are: Seoul Kyonggi-Do Kangwon-Do Chungchong-Pukto Chungchong-Nando Cholla-Pukto Cholla-Nando Kyongsang-Pukto Kyongsang-Nando Cheju-Do Total Attacks on towns Attacks on police 1 1 2 Police killed Communist killed 12 2 1 15 Rightists killed 3 5 8 Demonstration, disorders, arson, & attacks on rightists 8 7 15 Attacks on government buildings Sabotage (communications) 1 1 Sabotage (RR lines) Sabotage (roads) Sabotage (bridges) Sabotage (power) Strikes (labor) Strikes (schools) c. 1948 Communist Activities In South KOREA JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE* JULY* TOT Attacks on towns 0 0 0 5 73 9 0 87 Attacks on police 0 130 118 50 86 10 0 394 Police killed 0 33 20 15 34 2 0 104 Communists killed 1 74 75 70 155 71 0 446 Rightists killed 1 14 14 81 144 43 0 297 Disorders, demonstrations, arson & attacks on rightists' offices & homes 6 118 69 126 196 64 0 579 Attacks on government buildings 0 9 14 2 9 2 0 36 Sabotage (communications) 14 53 58 32 57 7 0 221 Sabotage (RR lines) 1 12 6 0 8 0 0 27 Sabotage (RR Locomotives) 0 50 0 0 24 0 0 74 Sabotage (roads) 0 13 5 2 5 0 0 25 Sabotage (bridges) 0 6 9 5 4 0 0 24 Sabotage (power) 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 7 Strikes (labor) 0 14 6 3 16 0 0 39 Strikes (schools) 0 7 5 4 9 0 0 25 Attacks on registration & election booths 0 0 0 58 68 0 0 126 * Incomplete 10 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND745070 XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 PART I CIVIL UNREST CHART HWANGHAE-DO KANGWON-DO 38 Ongjin △ Chunchon △ Seoul JAPAN SEA KYONGGI-DO CHUNGCHONG CHUNGCHONG PUKTO Chon[illegible] NAMDO YELLOW SEA ⊙ Taejon Chonju △ Taegu △ 3 [illegible] CHOLLA PUKTO 3 ⊙ Kwanju KYONGSANG-NAMDO [illegible] △ CHOLLA [illegible] Pusan NAMDO [illegible] 2 ○ Cheju CHEJU-DO LEGEND ○· COMMUNIST KILLED ⊙ RIGHTIST KILLED [symbol] ATTACK ON TOWN 11 DECLASSIFIED Authority N[illegible]20745[illegible]o XXIV CORPS G-2 U/S #146 PART I C. WAR POTENTIAL 1. Electric Power - (See Part II, B, 1, ) 2. Cost-of-Living Three of the twenty-five cost-of-living items checked in SEOUL* during 21-26 June, increased in price during the period: polished rice, 4.91%; barley, 2.32%; and red beans, 6.67%. The remaining items showed no change or decreased: radishes by 16.67%; Korean cabbage 12.28%; flannelette, 11.18%; and eggs, 6.55%. Rice, on 02 July, was retailing for 995 won a small mal, an increase of 15 won over the week before. *Cost-of-Living Items Checked In SEOUL (21-26 June) ± Polished Rice Matches - Flannelette ± Barley Beef Kwang-mok (cloth) Wheat Pork - Silk myungju (clot - Soybeans -Eggs Silk sooksoo ± Red Beans -Korean cabbage Cotton socks Dried myungtai (fish) -Radish Anthracite - Sugar -Rubber shoes Firewood Salt Laundry soap Charcoal ± Increase - Decrease Rice Price Summary (Monthly Averages) Unit: 1 small mal (16.67 lbs) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE 02 JULY SEOUL 743 746 707 655 740 895 995 KANGWON DO 791 860 772 750 816 ** CHUNGCHONG PUKTO 586 557 554 600 723 ** CHUNGCHONG NANDO 630 562 613 576 650 ** KYONGSANG PUKTO 541 550 502 550 583 ** KYONGSANG NANDO 650 707 550 640 555 ** CHOLLA PUKTO 608 608 550 555 703 ** CHOLLA NANDO 558 575 508 541 728 ** CHEJU DO 733 680 617 740 733 ** AVERAGE 648 675 619 659 706 ** ** Date unavailable Source - National Price Administration, SKIG DECLASSIFIED 12 Authority NND 74507o XXIV CORPS G-2 U/S #146 PART I 3. Population a. Surrendered and Disarmed - No change: 179,376 b. Progress of Repatriation This Period To Date Japanese Civilians Arriving from N of 38° N KOREA, CHINA and MANCHURIA 0 288,529 Japanese Evacuated to JAPAN 0 884,063 Total Koreans Returning 2,849* 2,131,111 Total Repatriates Moved Since 15 Aug. 45 3,015,764 c. Koreans Apprehended While Attempting Illegal Entry to JAPAN 24,119 * Incomplete report 13 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745070 XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 PART I D. PSYCHOLOGICAL 1. Press Analysis (a) The Constitution: National Assembly debate on the Constitution elicited comment in several rightist and moderate papers published in SEOUL. Rightist DAI DONG SIN MOON (Great Eastern News) praised the Assembly for its "remarkable achievement" in acting upon the Constitution in just four weeks after the opening of the new legislative body. The editor briefly discussed unicameralism and bicameralism and the powers of the president. He indicated a preference for bicameralism and a "responsible cabinet." Bicameralism was also favored by moderate CHA YOO SHIN MUN (Korean Free Press) primarily because it will enable the government to escape domination by one political party (probably referring to the HANKOOKS). SEOUL SHIN MUN (Seoul Daily News) also a moderate publication, urged a rapid enactment of the Constitution so that the establishment of a government would not be delayed and KOREA could dispatch representatives to the meeting of the UN General Assembly in PARIS next September. Should imperfections be found in the Constitution, amendments could be made, of greatest importance now, said the editor, is speed of adoption. CHOSUN ILBO (Korean Daily News), which is backing the KIM Koo KIM Kyu Sik unification efforts, advised caution in approving the basic structure of the government. The peaceful pursuit of unification, it was stated, will depend largely upon the content and form of the constitution. The editor further asserted that although the Assemblymen were elected by the people, it is not correct to say that they truly represent the will of the people. Therefore, as soon as the draft of the Constitution is presented for Assembly deliberations, adjournment of the Assembly should be declared so that the members of the National Assembly may have an opportunity to feel the pulse of the public and act accordingly. This interim period would also give the people a chance to discuss their Constitution before it becomes law, it was stated. (b) Chinese Press on South Korean Election: The unfavorable criticism of the 10 May election supplied by Communist media was equalled, or surpassed, by TA KUNG PAO (Great Impartial News), which is, according to the SEOUL TIMES, "one of CHINA's leading dailies, published in SHANGHAI and NANKING and known for its liberal editorial policy." The TA KUNG PAO editorial appeared in the leftist CHOSUN CHOONG ANG ILBO (Korean Central Daily News) on 27 June and in the moderate, Englishlanguage SEOUL TIMES on 30 June. The latter publication printed an expurgated version. The following are extracts from the editorial as it was presented in the CHOONG ANG ILBO: "The 10 May election in South KOREA was an outrageous one. Since the entire population of South KOREA was bitterly opposed to the separate election in South KOREA, full support was given to the coalition conference of North and South Korean representatives.... The 10 May election was an uncontested one in which 908 rightist candidates ran for the 200 seats in the assembly. The election was dominated by RHEE Syng Man's pro-American followers and KIM Soung Soo's pro-Japanese party. RHEE consistently asserts: 'I represent the people; I am the State!'.... A famous Korean in CHINA, Min Suk Rin declares that most of the members of the South Korean police force and most officials of the South Korean government collaborated with the Japanese.... If the Japanese had not been withdrawn from KOREA, KOREA would again be in the process of colonization, jointly by the Japanese and the Americans.... (such has) been the MacARTHUR policy for governing JAPAN DECLASSIFIED Authority NND745070 14 XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 ...PART I conducted at four different places in the city of SEOUL. The results were as follows: Votes Per Cent of Total 1. RHEE Syng Man 1,023 40.8 2. KIM Koo 568 22.6 3. Philip JAISOHN 118 4.7 4. KIM Kyu Sik 89 3.5 5. PAK Hun Yong 62 2.4 6. KIM Il Sung 33 1.3 7. HUH Hun 30 1.2 8. LEE Chong Chun 26 1.0 9. CHO Bong An 18 .7 10. SHIN Ik Hi 12 .4 11. 23 other persons 45 1.6 12. Nullified (invalid) votes 475 1.9 2. JAISOHN and AHN Named Honorary Presidents of New Press Association Dr. Philip JAISOHN, advisor to SKIG (see Part I, B, 4), and AHN Chai Hong, former SKIG Civil Administrator, were named honorary presidents of a newly-formed press association called UL LON HYOP HOI (Fair Expression Association) on 24 June. Other prominent members of the organization include: SUL I Sik, who had twenty years' experience as managing editor of the DONG A ILBO and is now a free-lance writer; YI Huan Koo, formerly of KILA and once chief editor of the CHOSUN ILBO; YI Kap Soo, formerly of the CHOSUN ILBO and now employed by the HAPDONG News Agency; and MOON Dong Pyo, chief editor of the CHOSUN ILBO. The purpose of this press association, it is alleged, is the evolution of journalistic standards in KOREA in order to formulate sounder public opinion. There are at least four additional similar associations in South KOREA: (1) SIN MIN HYOP HOI (Newspaper Association), inactive at present, headed by KIM Dong Song, president of the HAPDONG News Agency; (2) CHOSUN KI CHA HOI (Korean Reporters' Society), comprised primarily of leftwing reporters, most of whom are now underground; (3) KI CHA HYOP HOI (Reporters' Association), consisting largely of newspapermen whose chief concern was supporting the South Korean election; and (4) TANG SOO HOI (literally, Fresh Water Society), organized by six or seven editors — includin representatives of HAPDONG, SEOUL SHIN MUN, CHOSUN ILBO, CHA YOO SHIN MUN, KYUNG HYANG SHIN MUN, and the CHOSUN TONG SHIN News Agency — for the purpose of discussing general publishing operations. 16 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745070 XXIV CORPS G-2 W/S #146 PART I E. SABOTAGE AND ESPIONAGE On 20 June an espionage agent was arrested in CHUNHWAJIN (1170-1680). His assigned target was information on United States Occupation Forces, South Korean Constabulary and present economic conditions in South KOREA. On 25-26 June 5 alleged espionage agents were arrested in HAMPYONG RI (1080-1680). These men reported that more agents were being sent from North KOREA. 17 DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745070