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G-2 PERIODIC REPORT From: 230800/I Aug 48 To : 240800/I Aug 48 Headquarters, USAFIK Seoul, Korea 1000/I 24 August 1948 Confidential No. 919 MAPS: KOREA, 1/250,000 Eastern ASIA, 1/1,000,000 1. ARMED FORCES Negative 2. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES a. Philippine Republic Recognizes Korean Government The President of the Republic of the Philippines extended, by telegram to President RHEE on 19 August, "the sincerest wishes of the Republic of the Philippines and the Filipino people for the success of the new State of KOREA and the continued prosperity and well being of the Korean people." Rufino LUNA, representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the UN Commission, added his congratulations and best wishes to the Republic of KOREA in a letter to President RHEE on 20 August. (Political Liaison Report. B-2) b. Subjects For Consultation With UN Commission Outlined By Korean Representative On 21 August CHANG Myon, Chairman of the Liaison Committee for the Government of KOREA, acknowledged the UN Commission's agreement to consult with representatives of the Korean Government and stated that it was the desire of the Korean representatives to appear before the UN Commission at the earliest possible date. CHANG stated that it is the desire of the Korean representatives to consult with the UN Commission on problems connected with the establishment of a security force and consequent Korean relations to the U.S. occupation forces, transfer of governmental powers from the U.S. Forces to the Government of the Republic of KOREA and the withdrawal of occupation forces from KOREA in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolutions. (Political Liaison Report. B-2) c. New Rightist Organization Formed A new right wing organization has been formed to promote the release of "patriotic" prisoners. This new group, claiming a membership of 150, is known as the "Release of Imprisoned Patriotic Comrades Supporting Committee." (CIC P/R #196. C-3) COMMENT: Chief among the right wing "political prisoners" is KIM Do Won, convicted murderer of two leftists. d. Student Unification Group Formed On 15 August the "Students General League for the Unification of All Korea" was organized in SEOUL. It claims the support of 100,000 members. (CIC P/R #196. C-3) e. Rightists Distribute Handbills In SEOUL On 21 August handbills were distributed in SEOUL urging the people to unite under the flag of anti-Communism, to abolish the 38th parallel, to destroy the People's Committees and to take a firm stand against the spread of Marxism. (CIC P/R #198. F-3) Confidential DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745070 XXIV CORPS G-2 P/R #919 Confidential 3. CIVIL UNREST a. Communist Terrorism (1) Communist Constabularymen Arrested In CHUNGCHONG-PUKTO Twelve members of the South Korean Constabulary in CHUNGCHONG-PUKTO were arrested for Communist activities and will be discharged and turned over to the Korean police for further investigation. (CIC P/R #198. B-2) (2) Communist Activities On CHEJU-DO On 18 August a group of raiders ambushed a police patrol in the vicinity of ONGTO RI (924-1138) and killed the police Lieutenant in charge. Police returned the fire and the raiders dispersed. The same group, or a similiar group of raiders operating in the same area, kidnapped one member of the UNITED YOUNG MEN'S PARTY. This group then went to CHOSU RI (921-1130). At 190600 August the police attacked the raider group, captured 3 of the raiders and released the UYMP member. It is also reported that SOUTH KOREA LABOR PARTY members on CHEJU-DO are obtaining signatures on North Korean election ballots by force and intimidation. (MG Report. B-2) 4. PSYCHOLOGICAL Translation of SEOUL Newspapers. (See Incl. #1) 5. SABOTAGE AND ESPIONAGE Negative 6. INTELLIGENCE CONCERNING ADJACENT AREAS Negative 7. OTHER Change of Command of U.S. Forces Announced A special press release of 24 August announced that following the arrival of Mr. MUCCIO in SEOUL as a special representative of the President of the United States, with the rank of Ambassador, Lieutenant General John R. HODGE would be reassigned to duty in the United States. General HODGE expects to leave for TOKYO where he will confer with General MacARTHUR prior to his departure for Washington, D. C. The Department of the Army also announced that Major General John B. COULTER has been named to command the U.S. Army Forces in KOREA. 8. COMMANDING GENERAL'S STATEMENT The following statement was issued to all U.S. personnel in KOREA by the Commanding General prior to his departure: "I have known for several weeks that I would soon be faced with saying farewell to the USAFIK occupation team. I have tried to find words to express fully my deep emotion at leaving this fine command and my sincere appreciation for the loyal and faithful work done by all members of our occupation team both military and civilian. I now realize that the words I know are inadequate to carry the thoughts. "My dilemna has been partially solved during the past few days by the receipt of a letter from the President of the United States and message from the Secretary of the Army. They are addressed to me -2- Confidential DECLASSIFIED NND 775070 Authority XXIV CORPS G-2 P/R[illegible]19 Confidential as the Commander of our team, but as that Commander, I am in a position to know that they are in actuality a personal commendation to each man and woman of you. I pass the letter and message on to you with the hope that each one of you will realize as well as I do how utterly impossible it would have been for your commander to have accomplished anything without your loyal and sustained support and the high degree of teamwork you have displayed in working for our mission." "LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES" "'The White House Washington August 15, 1948 "'My Dear General Hodge: "'The achievement of constitutional government in Southern Korea completes the difficult task that was assigned to you. Your mission has been accomplished with outstanding success. "'As the government of this area is turned over to the Korean people, it must be very satisfying to you, as it is to our Government, to know that you have been instrumental in restoring freedom to a persecuted nation. "'You led United States troops to liberate Korea from the tyranny of a ruthless conqueror. The people of your area of this troubled country have held a free election in which a remarkably high percentage of the qualified voters participated. Now the responsibility for their own destiny rests with the elected representatives of a free people. "'By your skill, initiative and diplomacy you have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and you have earned the gratitude of the people, both of the United States and of Korea. "'Very sincerely yours, HARRY TRUMAN'" "'MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY "'On the completion of your difficult tasks in Korea I wish to express to you my hearty congratulations. The Department of the Army is deeply appreciative of the soldierly and statesmanlike manner in which you have ever handled the delicate tasks entrusted to you. I know that it must be a source of much satisfaction to you, as it is to the American people generally and especially to the Army, that the achievement of constitutional government for the Korean people should mark the end of your labors there. Your highly commendable performance of these arduous duties has brought full freedom much closer to a people who have known only foreign overlordship for almost half a century. You have reflected great credit upon yourself and the Army of the United States.'" "In spite of the many obstacles and inherent difficulties we have faced here, including understrength, rapid turnover, language barriers, lack of luxury living and rugged weather conditions for a considerable portion of each year, all of you have carried on in a cheerful and determined performance of difficult duties. Many of you have had to work in uncharted fields where individual judgment and initiative were paramount and where any quitting in face of difficulties would have been disastrous. "Your overall occupational accomplishments are covered in the two messages. On the purely military side, this command is second to none, either statistically man for man in such matters as health, discipline, athletics and military accomplishments, or in its overall tone and its performance of duty. -3Confidential DECLASSIFIED [illegible] Authority [illegible] Confidential XXIV CORPS G-2 F/R #919 "It has been an honor and privilege to work closely with so many fine American citizens. I have full confidence that each of you will continue to give the same type of efforts for your nation in aiding the Koreans that you have given in the past. I have confidence that you will give your highly qualified new Commander, General Coulter, the same loyalty you have given to me. "In saying a personal 'Farewell' to each of you, I add that no matter where I go or what I do in my permanent assignment, The Korean Command will be high in my thoughts and in my prayers and I shall watch with great interest your successes in the great work of stabilization still to be done here. "To each and every member of the USAFIK occupation team I say 'Good luck, God Bless you, and I hope we meet again.'" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [signature] AC of S, G-2 1 Incl. Translation of SEOUL Newspapers Under the provisions of par 22a (1), AR 380-5, 15 Aug 46, authority is hereby granted for destruction of this document after it has served its purpose, and is of no further value to the receiving agency. This authority is extended to cover destruction of previous issues of this publication in accordance with the foregoing instructions. -4Confidential DECLASSIFIED Authority NND [illegible]