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KOREA Military, Political, Economic, Social Situation, Press Review, Civil Intelligence, Miscellaneous Selected items for the Information of Commanders and Staffs of the Far East Command 19 Jan 49 No. 2324 MILITARY SITUATION 1. Recent Developments: (Refer to Map No. 2) (a) Trials Completed: Korean Army Headquarters announced on 10 Jan that trials have been completed for dissidents involved in the Yosu-Sunchon rebellion (Intell. Summary 2241). Of 2,817 individuals tried, 410 received the death sentence, 563 were given life imprisonment, some received sentences from one to 20 years, and a few were acquitted (Intell. Summary 2275). (a) (b) Leaflets Dropped: Twenty-thousand leaflets dropped by South Korea's security forces on areas containing rebels on 27 Dec 48 apparently had little effect, inasmuch as only two rebels surrendered voluntarily. The propaganda drop was made because the troops, who had defected during the Yosu-Sunchon rebellion, presumably were suffering from exposure and supply shortages. (a) Source Comment: The remaining rebels apparently are aware of the fate of their comrades. It is believed that the message would have had more effect if it had contained a safe-conduct clause similar to that used in U.S. messages during World War II. (a) (c) Disloyalty: A partly completed survey conducted by Korean Army Headquarters revealed that as of 11 Jan an average of 27 troops per regiment had been imprisoned for disloyalty to the Government. The number of disloyal troops varied greatly among units. (a) Comment: Korean Army Headquarters has attempted to rid its ranks of dissident elements since the Yosu-Sunchon revolt. (d) Guerrilla Activity: Minor guerrilla activity continued in South Cholla, South Kyongsang, and North Chungchong Provinces and in Cheju Island during 8-15 Jan. Six civilians, one soldier, and 18 rebels were killed in seven engagements between guerrillas and police and Army forces in South Cholla Province. Five villagers were killed during attacks on two villages in North Chungchong Province. In an engagement between Korean Army troops and guerrillas on Cheju Island, 51 guerrillas and two soldiers were killed and 10 soldiers wounded. One suspected Communist was killed in South Kyongsang Province when he attempted to wrest a carbine from a policeman. Delayed reports state that 22 guerrillas and four soldiers were killed in South Cholla Province. One policeman and one member of a local defense unit were killed in North Chungchong Province. (a) Korean Army intelligence sources announced on 6 Jan that guerrilla activity has increased on Cheju Island. The guerrillas reportedly have more armament, now possessing a mortar, four machine guns, and additional rifles. (b) (e) Police Chief Appointed: The Korean Republic's State Council approved the appointment of LEE Ho as chief of the Bureau of Public Peace on 7 Jan. Graduating from the Law School of the Tokyo Imperial University in 1936, LEE, 36 years old, is a native of North Kyongsang Province. He was made Procurator of the High Court in 1946, after a term in the Seoul Procurator's office, and in 1948 was appointed vice chief of the Seoul Procurator's office. (a) Source Comment: This appointment fills the position vacated in Aug 48 by CHOUGH Byung Ok, who was appointed delegate to the UN General Assembly in Paris and roving good-will Ambassador for President RHEE Syngman (Intell. Summary 2185). The filling of this vacancy should serve to strengthen the National Police. (a) (a) USAFIK 28793, 16 Jan 49 (b) USAFIK G-2 PR 1031, 7 Jan 49 - 4 - DECLASSIFIED Authority E.O.12065