5‧10선거 기간의 소요 상황

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 2104 12 May 1948 INTELLIGENCE HIGHLIGHTS KOREA Total of 39 persons killed in pre-election disturbances in South Korea. Acts of sabotage increase during week end 7-9 May. Communists killed on Cheju Island. Wells polluted near Seoul; no casualties reported. North Korean Constabulary attacks South Korean police box. Eighteen killed on election day. (Page 4) 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 POLITICAL REPORT No. 2104 1. Antielection Violence Rises: (a) 39 Dead, 14 Wounded, Six Missing: A recapitulation of Communist-inspired acts of violence committed in South Korea during the period 7-9 May reveals the following list of incidents. Killed Wounded Missing South Korean police 2 11 4 Election candidates 1 - Election officials 2 1 2 --- p248 --- Rightists 7 1 - Communists 27 1 - Total 39 14 6 In addition, 133 persons were arrested by South Korean police during this period in connection with the pre-election disturbances. (a) (b) Sabotage on Upswing: During the period the number of acts of sabotage apparently increased in frequency as had been anticipated for the period just prior to the 10 May elections. Specific incidents included the following: Six police boxes attacked 24 locomotives damaged Two railroad tracks cut One bridge destroyed 17 telephone lines cut Five ballot boxes destroyed 6,000 ballots burned 14 companies on strike Five electric power interruptions Seven wells polluted Comment: Most of these incidents occurred in the southern and southeastern provinces of South Korea with the exception of the incidents resulting in the death of Communist rioters, the majority of which occurred on Cheju Island, approximately 50 miles off the south coast of Korea, where police continued suppressing the actions of antielection rioters (Intell. Summary 2094). The intensity of civil disturbances for the week end of 7-9 May shows a definite increase over the preceding week end. Apparently these incidents were part of the anticipated increase in antielection disturbances designed to frighten South Koreans away from the polls on 10 May. (c) Drinking Water Polluted: Seven wells were polluted in a town about 20 miles northwest of Seoul on 8 May. As yet no evidence has been uncovered to prove who was responsible. It is possible, however, that it was done as an example of antielection terrorism by members of the South Korean Labor Party to frighten Koreans in that vicinity. The substance taken from the wells was a bluish green crystal material resembling soda flakes. No cases of sickness among Koreans using the wells were reported and dogs that drank the water apparently suffered no ill effects. Samples of this substance are being analyzed but no report has been disclosed. (b) (d) Police Box Attacked: Approximately 50 North Korean Constabularymen crossed the 38th Parallel near Mulmong-Mi, about 35 miles northwest of Seoul, on 6 May and fired two rounds at a South Korean police box. The police returned the fire. The North Koreans then threw seven sticks of dynamite toward the police box and withdrew north of the parallel. No casualties were reported. (c) Comment: Although attacks of this type by North Korean Constabulary have occurred fairly frequently in the past, this particular incident apparently is a clear cut act of harassment coinciding with the increase of civil disturbances during the past week in South Korea aimed at disrupting the 10 May elections. (o) Election Day Casualties: The 10 May elections in South Korea apparently were comparatively quiet and orderly. Available information indicates that there has been no large-scale violence or serious incidents of any nature. No reports have been received from the outlying provinces. Eighteen persons were killed during the elections, including five policemen, nine Communists, and four Rightists. Even though this figure may increase as information becomes available, it is believed that the elections will not be seriously affected. The total casualties among the 20 million Koreans is likely to be comparatively small. Voting in Seoul was heavy with more than 90 per cent of the registrants voting. Reports from other provinces also indicate a heavy vote. To date there have been no reports of involvement of United States troops stationed in Korea.