1949년 5월 정치상황 요약

THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Despatch No. 346 American Embassy CONFIDENTIAL Seoul, Korea, June 13, 1949 [illegible] Assigned to [illegible] Subject: Political Summary for May, 1949; Action Taken Noted circulated w/memoms [illegible] dn [illegible] The Honorable The Secretary of State, Washington. [illegible] syopsis [illegible] [illegible] officer [illegible] [illegible] to DC/R [illegible] Sir: In continuation of Despatch No. 273, May 17, 1949, reporting on political developments in Korea for the month of April, 1949, I have the honor to submit a review of political developments in May, 1949. I. SUMMARY May was a difficult month for the Republic of Korea. The strain of impending United States troop withdrawal and of Communist successes in China led to anxious and inept attempts to secure guarantees of assistance against the Communist menace. Despite the efforts of the Philippine Delegate, the United Nations Commission on Korea resolved that it had no responsibilities in the timing or facilitation of troop withdrawal, and aside from that resolution accomplished little else. The executive branch of the Republic cracked its whip on the local scene, under pressure of international developments and of Communist disturbances at home. The National Assembly, reconvening in special session, gave voice to much criticism of the Executive but was unable to master unity among its own ranks to implement its criticism. Two clashes of some magnitude along the 38th parallel kept Korea reminded of its geographic and ideological division. The North Korean regime continued its propaganda, barrage, taking full advantage of the defection of South Korean Army and Navy units to the north, and offering competition to United Nations efforts at unification in the form of a meaningless "Fatherland Unification Front." III. Activities of the United Nations Commission C. Other UNCOK Activities. From May 8th to 14th, the French and Indian Delegates toured Cheju Island, accompanied by members of the Secretariat. They "were present" at the by-elections there on May 10th, and the French Delegate circumnavigated the island by jeep. The El Salvador Delegate and Principal Secretary visited Kaesong on May 9th, a few days after the fighting there, and the French Delegate later in the month visited the border town of Yongwal-Ni. Sub-Committee I toured Seoul industrial plants. 1. Despatch 287, May 23, 1949. 2. See Sec. VI; Embassy telegram 511, May 9, 1949. 3. Despatch 304, May 31, 1949. 4. Embassy telegram 511, May 9, 1949. VII. KOREAN POLITICS B. Internal Politics. KIM Koo's Korea Independence Party was again rumored (without apparent basis in fact) to be drawing closer to the government. On May 19th, President Rhee and KIM Koo met in the flower garden at Dukoo Palace, apparently by pure chance, giving fresh empetus to much speculation. The Tong-A Ilbo published a picture of the meeting, which turned out to be a photomontage. Elections in freshly-pacified northern districts of Cheju Island resulted in addition of two presumably pro-government members to the National Assembly: HONG Soon Hyung, 63, a National Society member, and KIANG Pyung Chik, 41, Great Korea Youth Corpsman.) Ex-Foreign Minister CHANG Taek Sang was originally a candidate in Cheju, but withdrew. 3. Embassy airgram A-178, May 21, 1949.