서북청년단의 활동

INCLOSURE t[illegible] t[illegible] X[illegible]IV CORPS G-2 WS 90 HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES IN KOREA, OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, G-2 A.P.C. 235 3 June 1947 ACTIVITIES OF NORTH WEST KOREAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION (SAW BOOK TCHAWNG NYAWN HWAY) The recent surge of terroristic activities on the part of the NORTH WEST KOREAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION, together with the present threat of anti-Trusteeship demonstrations in conjunction with the reconvention of the US-USSR JOINT COMMISSIC makes it propitious to review the background and present statue of this NORTH WEST YOUTH ASSOCIATION, together with an evaluation of their capabilities as a terrorist group in support of extreme Right Wing political figures, and the determination of the part they might play in rightist demonstrations opposing the JOINT COMMISSION and the Moscow Foreign Ministers' Decision. The NORTH WEST YOUTH ASSOCIATION (SAW BOOK) was formally organized in SEOUL, (see attached map for organizational spread) on or about 30 November 1946 (RPO records indicate organization date as 6 December 1946). This group constituted a merger of 4 or 5 youth alliances which had formerly existed, in the main, in North Korea. These groups wore the PIYONGAN DO YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION, the HAMGYONO PUKTO YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION; the HAMGYONG NAMDO TAI HAN REVOLUTIONARY YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION; the HWANGHAE DO YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION, and probably others. At this 30 November merger, congratulatory addresses were delivered at the Korean YMCA in SEOUL by SHIN, Ik Hi, a Leader of KIM, Koo'u Provisional Government Group; LEE, Yoon Young, South Korean leader of the CHOSUN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (CHOSUN MIN CHOO DANG), and TCHEI, Dong O, a moderate who is a member of the Korean Interim Legislative Assembly and a former leader of the NATIONAL CONGRESS. The primary aim of this association is to obtain complete independence for KOREA; their stated "Program of Action" for the attainment of this end is as follows: (1) Movement for the abolishment of the 38th Parallel; (2) Unification of the Youth Movement throughout KOREA; (3) Abolition of the plotters who disturb KOREA's International Affairs; (4) Purge of the treasonable Pro-Japanese; (5) A mutual nationalistic struggle to gain the unification of North and South KOREA; (6) Abolition of the bureaucracy which disturbs the unification of Koreans; (7) Protection of freedom of speech, religion, and assembly; (8) Stabilization of the national economy and the rescue of the refugees; (9) The exercise of body and soul for the National Defense. Initially the members had all been refugees from North KOREA with real or imaginary grievances against the Soviets and the Korean Communists.. Complaining that members of their families had been imprisoned, raped or murdered in North KORLA, and that their property had been confiscated to fatten the holdings of Communist politicians, these young men possessed the most vindictive hostility to the Communists of any similar group. Losing sight of their lofty ideal (Independence for Korea), they have engaged in a "Red-hunt", energetically lashing out against those persons they suspect of being "anti-Democratic". Best declarative of this nature is a document written by their TAEJON branch about 16 April 1947: "We, the NORTH WEST young men, being unable to tolerate their (Soviet and Communist) slaughter of patriotic young men, had to leave North KOREA and cross the 38th Parallel into South KOREA. We have been exerting our best efforts to induce by enlightenment, the traitors who are squirming throughout South KOREA. Nevertheless, they have been deceiving and instigating the good people into carrying on terrorism, violence, and influencing the interpreters of a certain organization, and have been disturbing the patriotic movement, with various intrigues and anti-propaganda. These deeds cannot be forgiven. Hereafter, if they wish to carry out their ill deeds, they will have to be determined to fight since wo will stop them. We hereupon declare." (See attached chart and chro ology for the number of times they have felt impelled to fight against those evil influencers.) The leader of this association is SUNWOO, Ki Sung, whose headquarters is located in SEOUL. Other leaders are LIM, Il, who heads the organizing activities south of KYONGGI PC Province, and who maintains his headquarters in TAEJON (1040-1490); KIK,. Soung. Chi, head of the Propaganda Section; and CHANG, Yoon Pil, Vice-Chairman. In December, 1946, the association registered with the Bureau of Public Opinion, USAMGIK, as having a membership of 6,000 on the national level; however, at present the organization claims only about 2,000 active members. Observers feel that this figure does not represent the complete strength of this group, and it is probable that they can call on "sunshine" supporters, or other sympathetic right wing youth when they wish to demonstrate, or engage in acts of terrorism. The greatest strength of the NORTH WEST KOREAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION is concentrated along the 38th Parallel in such places as CHONG DAN (890-1690), ONGJIN (840-1680), YONAN (910-1680), etc., where they, themselves, have crossed the border to escape from the persecution of North.KOREA. They work closely with relief agencies in these areas, and claim to assist the refugees in their trek southward. Further, they aid the Korean police by screening the travellers and apprehending known North KOREAN Communist young men, who they feel to be coming South on espionage, liaison, or terrorist missions. Secret underground chapters of this organization are said to be maintained in all of the provinces of North KOREA, where the members continue to work for the overthrow of Communism. One of the most active programs conducted by the South Korean branches, has been the propagandizing of the "true conditions existing in North KOREA", and toward this end, they have given lectures throughout South KOR.A, and have submitted articles for publication in newspapers. These North Korean chapters have been used to furnish up-to-the-minute news, and in addition, many members from Seoul and environs have made frequent trips north of the 38th Parallel to gather news, as well as intelligence information. In this regard, these young men have been cooperative with American intelligence gathering agencies, and have willingly sought to secure information of interest to those Agencies. NORTH WEST Affiliations with other Right Wing Groups: The merged P'YONGAX DO YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION was formerly affiliated with the CHOSUN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, and was headed by SUNWOO, Ki Sung, who presently heads the SAW BOOK. They regard CHO, Man Sik, for over a year held in "Protective Custody" by the Soviets and titular head of the right wing element of the CHOSUN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, as one of the most eminent Korean statesman, and might closely follow him were he able to participate in politics. On 18 Dec 46, the SAW BOOK joined the KOREAN NATIONAL YOUTH PARTY (CHOSUN MIN CHOK CHUNG NYUN DANG), which is Military Government sponsored, and headed by LEE, Bum Guk; however, they withdrew from this Party on 12 April 1947, stating that the KOREAN NATIONAL YOUTH PARTY was unable to amalgamate the various groups which comprised it, thereby failing to accomplish one of the aims of the SAW BOOK - the unification of right wing youth. Actually, jealousy appears to have been a major factor for SUNWOO was not appointed to the Supreme Committee of the KNYP, as the SAW BOOK had proposed. RHEE, Syng Man - On 26 Jan 47, LIM, Il stated to a CIC Agent while on an organizational trip to CHONJU (1010-1430), that SAW BOOK considers Dr. RHEE as their advisor and that they would demonstrate or cause uprisings on his order. Other sources of information have proven that the SAW BOOK was one of the leading participants in the collection of funds to support RHEE's diplomatic mission to the UNITED STATES, JAPAN and CHINA. On 01 March 47, RHEE's GHQ for NATIONAL UNIFICATION radiced RHEE in WASHINGTON to the effect that 48 organizations, including the NC... WEST KOREAN YOUTH ASSOCIATION, were fully behind RHEE's policy. The SAW BOOK has not published an official stand on the reconvention of the JOINT COMMISSION; however, conversation with SUNWOO, its leader, indicate he claims in the violent stand against Trusts whis, and he states that the SAW BOOK will wait before announcing its stand on the COMMISSION. To all appearance, this will coincide with the position of Dr. RHEE. On 27 Feb :7, the SAW BOOK was present at a meeting in the homo of KIM, Suk Whang, to discuss the plan for the assumption of power by the Provisional Government Group, which had been planned for 01 Mar 47, but which was discovered by American authorities, and proved unsuccessful. It appears that the SAW BOOK was not in complete accord with this plan, although the SEOUL newspaper, the HYERN DAI ILBO (ERW), in a 25 Mar 47 article, announced that the SAW BOOK had joined the NATIONAL CONGRESS, whose main leaders support this Provisional Government group of KIM, Koo. SUNWOO presently claims no connection with this group; however, when organizing a new branch for the western part of the City of SEOUL on 10 May 47, a congratulatory address was given by CHANG, Ik Ho of the NATIONAL CONGRESS. The NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE ACCELERATION OF KOREAN INDEPENDENCE, a RHEE-controlled group, has loaned the SAW BOOK considerable assistance, and in some places in the provinces, the offices of those two organizations are under the same roof. The afore-mentioned LIM, Il has said that the NATIONAL SOCIETY backs them. Elsewhere contributions of money, food and shelter has been forthcoming from the NATIONAL SOCIETY. The financial status of the SAW BOOK is, as with other youth organizations, on an insecure basis, and perhaps explains why the membership is limited. Their campaign for funds follows the familiar pattern of subscription of contributions from Right Wing politicians and business-men, with special emphasis on those; persons who have fled from North KOREA. Their campaigns include dune from companies, some of whom they have assisted by working against leftist strikers; thus, on 14 April 47, the SAW BOOK is found requesting ¥10,000 from the KWANGJU (990-1250) branch of the South Koron Electric Company, which had been so aided. Refugees who have been able to cross into South KOREA with money are approached at the border. SUNWOO estimated that it takes about ¥150,000 monthly to run the SEOUL headquarters of the SAW BOOK, and further says that, insofar as possible, the or ring branches attempt to be self-supporting by conducting their own campal , a. In conclusion it can be said that the SAW BOOK, in the absence of. CHO, Man Sik, will follow the will of Dr. RHEE, Syng Man, even though they maintain cordial relationships with other Right Wing factions. They vigorously oppose "Trusteeship"; however, they may be expected to cooperate with, or demonstrate against, the US-USSR JOINT COMMISSION as directed by MGE.. Although their membership is small, they are extremely active, and are expanding. In spite of their protestations to the contrary, they will probably continue their reign of terror against suspected leftiets. Those members will be available, and willing to organize "Anti-Trusteeship" demonstrations if called upon to do so. They are not Anti-American, but will continue to call for the withdrawal of the UNITED STATES Army so that the administration of KOREA can be left to Koreans. (See ATTACHED EXHIBITS.)