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Military, Political, Economic, Social Situation, Press Review, Civil Intelligence, Miscellaneous Selected items for the Information of Commanders and Staffs of the Far East Command 8/36 No. 2344 MILITARY SITUATION 1. Recent Developments: (Refer to Map No. 1) a. Lull in Incidents: A comparative lull in the number of civil disturbances was evident in South Korea during the period 29 Jan to 5 Feb, with minor activity in South Cholla, South Chungchong, and South Kyongsang Provinces. Delayed reports state that some activity took place on Cheju Island, 19-25 Jan. Three policemen were killed and three villagers kidnaped when rebels attacked a village and a police box in South Cholla Province. Two soldiers were killed in South Kyongsang Province when rebels burned a schoolhouse used as a billet by Korean Army troops. Reports indicate that rebel activity on Cheju Island is decreasing. Six policemen, 15 rebels, and 12 civilians were killed during three attacks by rebels. U.S. advisers to the 2d Regiment, Korean Army stationed on the island, saw 97 bodies of civilian men, women, and children who had been shot, but were unable to ascertain who was responsible--the rebels, police, or soldiers. (a) Five members, including one woman, of a six-person assassination squad were arrested in Taejon, South Chungchong Province. The group, which had three rifles and two grenades in its possession, had instructions to kill political leaders and to sabotage important facilities. (a) Comment: Although there was a slight lull in civil disturbances in South Korea during 29 Jan-5 Feb, border incidents have increased in frequency and intensity (Intell. Summary 2341). Continued violations of the 38th Parallel by the North Koreans and a sustained propaganda barrage by Radio Pyongyang, designed to create disaffection in South Korea, may inspire dissident elements in South Korea to renew terrorism and violence. b. Protest Troop Presence: Coal miners at a large mine near Samchok recently drew up a petition protesting the presence of a guard platoon of Korean Army troops. (a) Source Comment: The troops were placed on guard duty at the mine where, on 25 Jan, a railroad building was destroyed by a fire of incendiary origin. Receiving information that there were many Communists among the miners, Korean Army authorities took preventative measures against possible future sabotage. (a) c. SKLP Tactics: A recently captured directive from the South Korean Labor Party (SKLP) headquarters to regional agencies indicates that the Communist-dominated organization is contemplating an on-the-surface change of tactics in dealing with the problem of the UN Commission on Korea (UNCOK). The directive states that externally the SKLP will co-operate with UNCOK, but internally will strive to prepare itself to realize the unification of North and South Korea. (a) Source Comment: The Communists, who hitherto have flayed the UN as a tool of American imperialism, may switch to insincere semblance of cooperation. Later, an attempt to bring another satellite into the Soviet orbit probably will be resumed with renewed vigor. (a) d. Army, Police Not Exempt From Traitor Law: KIM Sang Ton, vice chairman of the National Traitor Act Investigating Committee, is said to have taken the stand that pro-Japanese in the Korean Army and police force will not be exempt from indictment for trial under provisions of the National Traitor Act (Intell. Summary 2223), according to a Korean press dispatch. KIM was quoted as having said, "the 30 million people of Korea have no need of such military personnel and police officials who offered their loyalty to the Japanese Emperor, no matter how excellent their ability. Such treacherous elements will be purged wherever they may have escaped." (a) Source Comment: It has not been revealed what standards the committee is utilizing in assessing pro-Japanese sentiments but, if the purge is pursued too vigorously, it could eliminate a large percentage of the best Korean Army and police officers, including the Commanding General of the Korean Army and several important police officials. (a) (a) [illegible] DECLASSIFIED