여순반란과 병사위원회 문서

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS FAR EAST COMMAND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SECTION, GENERAL STAFF # INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY INTELLIGENCE DATA COVERING THE MILITARY ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FIELDS IN: **JAPAN** **KOREA** **PHILIPPINES** **CHINA-MANCHURIA** **SOUTHEAST ASIA** **N. E. I.** GENERAL HEADQUARTERS FAR EAST COMMAND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SECTION, GENERAL STAFF TABLE OF CONTENTS NO. Selected items for the Information of Commanders and Staffs of the Far East Command DATE 2262 17 November 1948 **INTELLIGENCE HIGHLIGHTS** (3) KOREA Possible underlying causes of Yosu revolt revealed by "Soldiers Committee." Close liaison between Communists on Cheju Island, those on mainland indicated; revolt designed to establish participants as "real Korean People's Army." North Korean People's Army troops reportedly attack South Korean policemen about 50 miles northeast of Seoul. One South Korean killed, four missing. No U.S. troops involved. **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 MILITARY SITUATION 1. Unrest in South Korea: (a) Cause of Yosu Revolt: Possible underlying causes of the Yosu revolt which began on 20 Oct were revealed by a document written by the "soldiers' Committee" in Yosu during the insurrection. The committee stated that its aim was to protect the country from foreign imperialism and accused President RHEE Syngman and Prime Minister LEE Bum Suk of selling their country by forming a separate Government. The people of Cheju Island began a fight against imperialist policy in April, according to the committee, and are dedicating their lives to the defense of their fatherland. The committee claimed that the soldiers in Yosu refused to murder the people of Cheju and would not agree to a plan to be sent to the island. According to the committee, the Yosu revolt was an uprising designed to establish the participants as the "real Korean People's Army" and to obtain the real independence of Korea. The people of Yosu were called upon to join the revolt. Mass meetings reportedly were held in Yosu and a message of appreciation was sent to "the soldiers of the Great People's Army" for refusing "to slay their brethren on Cheju Island." (a) Comment: Previous reports of activities of the Yosu mutineers indicated that the Communists either planned the revolt or exploited a spontaneous uprising by Constabulary troops. This document by the Soldiers' Committee not only indicates that the Yosu revolt was instigated by Communist elements but bears evidence of close liaison between Communists on Cheju Island and those on the mainland. Despite the relatively sensational aspects of the first reports on the Yosu uprising, it is probable that South Korean security forces, with proper discretion and backing by Government officials, reasonably can be expected to maintain internal order. The situation with respect to North Korea may worsen as a result of the Soviet withdrawal announcement, and increased infiltration or actual invasion are possibilities which, heretofore, have been restrained by Soviet authorities. The period required for the RHEE Government to gain experience, strength, and stability cannot be determined definitely. 2. North Korean Troops in South Korea: (a) Fighting in Kangwon Province: A group of approximately 150 North Korean People's Army (PA) troops engaged South Korean police in a fire fight near Hoengseon, South Korea, about 50 miles northeast of Seoul, on 15 Nov according to a police report. South Korean casualties consisted of one killed and four missing. Another report from Constabulary sources states that 60 PA soldiers in position, in the same general area, were being attacked by South Korean police and one Constabulary battalion on 14 Nov. Other reports state that between 60 and 500 PA personnel are operating in the Hoengsong area, some in civilian clothes. One PA soldier reportedly was killed in the operations and a Japanese 99 rifle was recovered. (F-6) XXIV Corps Comment: No indication was given in the reports as to how the people in civilian clothes were identified as PA soldiers, nor have U.S. personnel been able to recover the body of the PA casualty. It is considered probable that the forces reported near Hoengsong are guerrillas who have operated periodically in the area since the summer of 1948. (b) Comment: Although the sources of the above reports, the South Korean police and Constabulary, often are inaccurate and given to exaggeration, it is possible that PA troops have infiltrated across the 38th Parallel and are engaging in preliminary attacks against South Korean forces. However, the reports are fragmentary, have not been confirmed, and sufficient evidence is not available to determine their significance accurately.