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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 15May49 No. 2440 MILITARY SITUATION 1. Recent Developments: a. Rebels Scattered: Only 40 rebels of the 350 originally in the western sector of South Kyongsang Province are estimated to be active. It is believed that these rebels are divided into small groups of from four to 10 men, and widely dispersed throughout the southern provinces of the Korean mainland. The rebel lines of logistical support have been broken down by the harassing action of the National Police and Korean Army. Although the rebels are being assisted either directly or indirectly by leftist sympathizers, they are hard pressed for supplies, particularly food. Compelled to subsist locally, the rebels usually use force to obtain food. (B-3)(a) Source Comment: Although the rebels are widely dispersed and harassed, the few remaining members, joined by local leftists, are capable of continued unrest and disturbances. (a) b. Rebel Chieftain Killed: The body of a rebel identified as KIM Chi Hwei, notorious guerrilla chief, was delivered to headquarters of the Korean Army's combat command on 23 Apr. Identification of the body was made by KIM's wife and former political associates. The body was found after a captured rebel stated KIM had been killed in a battle on 8 Apr. (B-3)(b) Source Comment: The decomposed condition of the body made positive identification, through the use of fingerprints, impossible. This is the highest evaluated report that KIM actually has been killed. Many false rumors and reports of KIM's death have been received since the Yosu-Sunchon Oct 48 rebellion (Intell. Summary 2241). (b) Comment: KIM Chi Hwei had earned a notorious reputation since he joined the rebels during the Yosu rebellion. Becoming almost a legendary figure, KIM had been simultaneously reported in widely scattered areas leading bold attacks on Government forces. POLITICAL REPORT 2. Recent Developments: a. Assembly to Study Own "Traitors:" During the current recess of the National Assembly (Intell. Summary 2439), an eight-man committee of legislators will make a study of records of fellow Assemblymen, with a view to determining whether any of them are liable for action under the provisions of the National Traitor Law (Intell. Summary 2223). Committee members will tour the southern provinces of the Korean mainland and make queries among the constituencies concerned. (B-2) (c) Source Comment: To date, no action has been taken against any member of the National Assembly under provisions of the law, which is aimed at former pro-Japanese. As of 2 May, 179 arrests had been made under the law. (c) b. Grain Measure Vetoed: During the closing days of the regular session of the National Assembly, which ended 2 May (Intell. Summary 2439), President RHEE Syngman vetoed the emergency grain measure, passed by the National Assembly 15 Apr (Intell. Summary 2421). He returned the bill to the legislators. The government will attempt during the special Assembly session which opens 16 May, to secure passage of a bill authorizing the purchase of 700,000 suks (one suk weighs 330 pounds) of winter grains from the anticipated bumper harvest this summer. (B-2)(c) (a) USAFIK G-2 P/R 1109, 29 Apr 49 (b) USAFIK G-2 P/R 1108, 27 Apr 49 (c) USAFIK G-2 P/R 1112, 6 May 49 - 4 - S [illegible] DECLASSIFIED Authority E.O. 12b65