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G-2 PERIODIC REPORT From: 020800/I Dec 48 To : 030800/I Dec 48 Confidential Headquarters, USAFIK Seoul, Korea 1000/I 03 December 1948 Historical P/R #1003 MAPS: KOREA, 1/250,000 Eastern ASIA, 1/1,000,000 PART I SOUTH KOREA 1. ARMED FORCES Negative 2. CURRENT INTELLIGENCE a. Governmental Activities (1) Consolidation of Youth Groups Planned On 29 November representatives of the NORTHWEST YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION, UNITED YOUNG MEN'S PARTY, THE GENERAL ALLIANCE OF KOREAN YOUNG MEN, KOREAN INDEPENDENCE YOUNG MEN'S SOCIETY, THE NATIONAL SOCIETY for the ACCELERATION of KOREAN INDEPENDENCE YOUTH CORPS and the KOREAN VETERANS ASSOCIATION met in Seoul, at the request of President RHEE, to plan for the consolidation of all youth organizations into one group the GREAT KOREAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION. The KOREAN NATIONAL YOUTH CORPS, formerly SKIG-sponsored youth group led by Prime Minister LEE Bum Suk, was not represented. The youth group representatives were told that the KNYC refused to merge with any organizations which attempted to attack the present government of the Republic of Korea. Reportedly, the objectives of the GREAT KOREAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION WILL BE: (a) Combat communism; (b) Unification of Korea; (c) Furnish a source of manpower for a National Militia; and (d) Improvement of mind and body of Korean youth. As a result of the meeting, the representatives sent a message to President RHEE in which they stated they would assure the President of a 200,000 man National Guard if the following conditions were met: (a) President RHEE must be the active head of the organiza- tion; (b) Arms be issued and training in their use be conducted by American officers, down to company level; and (c) The following ministers be replaced: Prime Minister Minister of Home Affairs Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Minister of Industry and Commerce. DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 26570 Confidential Confidential XXIV CORPS G-2 P/R #1003 The merger of the youth groups is to be effective on or about 12 or 19 December and all youth groups, not formally re- presented, are to be invited to join. (B-2) Information received on 02 December stated that the merger of these youth groups would be announced on 12 December. This report also indicated that the UTNP, headed by LEE Chung Chun, has as yet not declared itself in full support of the merger. It is believed that LEE is contending that his UTNP is already an amalgamation and should, therefore, have a favored position in the negotiations. Leaders in the merger include YU Jin San, MOON Bong Jo, SUI Sang Chung and KANG Nak Won - all of whom have had long experience in directing youth organizations. YU Jin San, chairman of the GENERAL ALLIANCE OF KOREAN YOUNG MEN, will head the new organization. Foreign Minister CHANG Taik Sang is said to be backing YU and expects to wield greater influence in the government by virtue of the power latent in this consolidation of the nations youth. (B-3) COMMENT: This consolidation corresponds generally to a proposal which the Assembly forwarded to the President early in November to have 50,000 men from the patriotic youth groups organized into a Youth League for Protecting the Nation (page 5 W/S #165). The plans of consolidation were perhaps also influenced by an appeal which President Rhee broadcast to the youth of the Republic on 26 November (P/R #998). In view of President RHEE's adamant stand against reorganization of the government at this time, reportedly one of the major objectives of the proposed consolidation, it is not likely that RHEE will meet condition (c), above. In addition the present limited supply of military equipment and available officers will preclude fulfillment of condition (b). No prediction is made as to his attitude toward condition (a), which, apparently, is intended to gain higher official backing for the new organization than that held by the KOREAN NATIONAL YOUTH CORPS, which was built by and continues to pledge allegiance to Prime Minister LEE Bum Suk. It is obvious that even a partial consolidation of the youth to support the Republic will strengthen it. (4) Progress of the Grain Purchasing Program As of 02 December 1948, Korean authorities reported that a total of 1,318,000 suk of rice has been collected thus far throughout South Korea. The Korean authorities further state that the collection has averaged 400,000 suk per week for the past two weeks and if this average is maintained, the 7½ million suk quota will be obtained. b. Civil Unrest (1) Constabulary Action in KANGWON-DO On 02 December there appeared to be 4 groups of raiders operating in KANGWON-DO: one group of approximately 40 in the vicinity of (1112-1615), another of approximately 31 in the vicinity of (1152-1581), a third estimated at 25 in the vicinity of (1110-1590) and an estimated 100 reportedly in the vicinity of (1150-1670). Elements of the 7th, 6th and 10th Regiments are committed against these groups. (See attached map for location of raider groups.) -2- Confidential DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 745070 Confidential XXIV CORPS G-2 P/R #1003 On 02 December the 10th Constabulary Regiment reported that another battalion of raiders was entering South Korea at SONGION (1160-1680). (Constabulary Report) COMMENT: The three small groups (totalling 96) reported are probably remnants of the first battalion which is supposed to have entered South Korea early in November. According to prisoners, the battalion consisted of 3 companies of 60 men each, and a small battalion headquarters; the constabulary reports having killed approximately 40 and captured 30 of the raiders; and one report (F-6) was received that 20 raiders had returned to YANGYANG (1150-1700). There has been no confirmation of the report of another raider battalion entering South Korea. However, the terrain in KANGWON-DO along the parallel facilitates the undetected entry of small groups, and it is probable that eventually all of the 800 to 1000 men who attended the political school near PYONGYANG (PR #1000) will be dispatched to South Korea. (2) Dates for Communist Riots and Disturbances The following reports concerning dates for communist riots and disturbances have been received; these are in addition to those reported in W/S #165, #166 and #167: (a) "A general uprising and disturbances have been planned by the South Korea Labor Party and are to commence in February 1949. This will be in conjunction with the crossing of the 38th parallel by North Korean armed forces. The uprising will also coincide with the withdrawal of the last American forces from Korea." (F-6) (b) "...the leftists in South Korea should start an insurrection on or about 20 January 1949, when the North Korea People's Army will cross the 38th parallel." (Police Report) (3) Strikes In KYONGSANG-BUKTO On 30 November students of TAEGU (1157-1439) middle schools and the TAEGU University and employees of several industrial companies attempted to go on strike. Activities consisted of distribution of anti-government propaganda denouncing the RHEE government for requesting that the U.S. forces be retained in Korea. Rightist students and police halted the demonstration, dispersed the agitators and arrested many leftists. One leftist student was seriously injured. At 301500 November control had been restored by police. (Police Report) (4) Policeman attacked In TAEGU On 01 December a detective of Division "E" police, TAEGU, was shot and wounded by an unknown assailant. The detective was a former member of the SOUTH KOREA LABOR PARTY before turning rightist. The assailant escaped. (Police Report) (5) Communist Violence (Note: The following charts do not include any figures on the Yosu, Taegu or Kangwon Do outbreaks) DECLASSIFIED Authority NND [illegible] -3- Confidential XXIV CORPS G-2 P/R #1003 Confidential (a) Weekly Violence Summary (27 November - 03 December) | | Seoul | Kyonggi Do | Kyongsang Namdo | Kyongsang Pukto | Cheju Do | Total | |----------------------|-------|------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------|-------| | Attacks on towns | | | | | 2 | 2 | | Attacks on police | | 1 | | | | 1 | | Rightists killed | | | | | 50 | 50 | | Communists killed | | | | | 30 | 30 | | Attacks on rightists | | | 1 | 2 | | 3 | | Sabotage: | | | | | | | | communications | | 1 | | | | 1 | | Power | 1 | | | | | 1 | | Strikes: | | | | | | | | labor | 1 | | | 1 | | 2 | | schools | | | | 1 | | 1 | (b) Delayed reports which were not covered in W/S #167. (Period: 19 - 26 November) | | Kyonggi Do | Kyongsang Pukto | Cheju Do | Total | |----------------------|------------|-----------------|----------|-------| | Communists killed | | | 167 | 167 | | Attacks on rightists | 1 | 1 | | 2 | COMMENT: According to a KMAG report dated 01 December the constabulary commander on CHEJU DO reported that during the period 20-27 November 122 rebels were captured and 576 killed; between 01 October and 20 November 1363 captured and 1625 killed. It is believed by this office that these figures are exaggerated. (6) Other Violence (a) Three attacks on individuals on the part of persons of unknown political affiliations were reported during the period 27 November - 03 December 1948. One attack occurred in Kyongsang Namdo (B-2) and two in Kyongsang Pukto (Police Report). A delayed report disclosed that another attack occurred in Kyongsang Pukto on 18 November. (Police Report) (b) No rightist-inspired acts of violence were reported during the period 27 November - 03 December 1948. -4- Confidential DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 74550 XXIV CORPS G-2 P/R #1003 Confidential c. Economic (1) Price of Rice in Seoul The average price of rice on 03 December from 5 open markets in Seoul was 850 won per small metric mal. (1 small metric mal = 18.48 lbs) (2) Currency Exchange Rate United States dollar equals 1,100 won. Military payment script equals 520 won. Confidential -5- Confidential 1700 Chunchon Songchon Udae Mtns Taegi Mtns D 1650 KANGWON-DO Wonju Kangung 1600 B A Tongwol Sanchok C CH'UNGCH'ONG PUKTO 1550 Chongju Andong 1500 KYONGSANG-PUKTO 1450 Pohang-dong Taegu 1400 1050 1100 1150 1200 1250 A - EST - 25 RAIDERS B - EST - 40 " C - EST - 31 " D - EST - 100 " - MAP OF RAIDER CONCENTRATIONS - -6- Confidential DECLASSIFIED Authority NND 25870