1948년 11월의 정치요약

THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA American Mission in Korea, Seoul, December 07, 1948. No. 122 NORTHEAST ASIAN AFFAIRS CONFIDENTIAL JAN - 4 1949 Subject: Political Summary for November DEPARTMENT OF STATE The Honorable The Secretary of State, Washington. Sir: In continuation of this Mission's despatch No. 90, November 16, 1948, reporting on political developments for October, I have the honor to report herewith on political developments in Korea for the month of November 1948. I. Summary While the immediate repercoussions of the Korean Constabulary mutiny in South Cholla Province during October were manifested in widespread National Assembly and public criticism of the conduct and composition of President Syngman RHEE's Government, the delayed reaction proved more immediately significant for the United States. This took the form of a widespread campaign in the press, in Government circles, in the National Assembly, and among leaders in the community to convince the United Statesof the necessity of continuing to station troops in Korea to guard the integrity of the infant Republic. As the month ended, however, without definite commitment by any American official as to the future disposition of U. S. troops, the Korean authorities turned their attention to the United Nations General Assembly meeting in Paris, where they hoped some formula would be devised which would both insure international recognition of their Government and induce the United States Army to remain in Korea. Slight progress was made toward Rightist political coalition in the face of danger, especially among the youth groups. The security forces were also active in cleaning their own houses of possible subversive elements and in increasing their spiritual and physical preparation for trouble. Nevertheless, a united front of all non-Communist elements was still only a distant hope, while incompetence and feuding among factions in the State Council sapped the Government's strength, of which there was relatively little to spare. The North Korean-inspired Communists, furthermore, gave little respite to loyal forces, continued guerrilla activities on Cheju Island and in the mountains around Yosu and Sunchon, started new operations in Kangwon Province (just south of the 38th parallel), instigated two significant defections in the Constabulary, and pressed forward with underground party organization and disruption plans. V. Communists in Korea. Although troubles on the scale of the Yosu uprising were fortunately not repeated in November, several incidents, in addition to the long familiar pattern of sporadic scattered village police raids, Communist mob retaliations, etcetera, marred the peace of South Korea. One Constabulary mutiny was almost nipped in the bud on November third in the third largest city of Taegu. About two hundred disloyal troops, however, did desert to the countryside with arms, vehicles, and supplies, only to be caught, in large measure, before month's end. One Constabulary company in South Cholla Province killed its commander and fled on November second, but a number of mutineers were reported captured on the sixteenth. The scene around the October revolt area was yet by no means normal. Sizeable raids took place near the Chiri and Paegun Mountains with repeated attacks on the town of Kurye, South Cholla Province. By November's end, the Constabulary reported the capture of several hundred rebels, and the retaking of substantial quantities of arms and supplies. Raids and killings on both sides were still reported from Cheju Island without much prospect of improvement. Guerrilla activities in the Odai Mountains of Kangwon Province were intensified. In that area just South of the 38th parallel, two to five hundred South Korean graduates of a Communist "Political School" in Pyongyang were apparently being infiltrated to raise havoc in South Korea. Their main effort seemingly consisted of an attempt to penetrate to the Yongwol Power Plant which supplies about one-third of South Korea's electricity, and destroy it. They were dispersed by loyal guard units of Constabulary, who pressed on to take a number of prisoners. By month's end, this particular spot seemed on the way to being cleaned out. Reports and rumors continued rife about general uprisings in South Korea and about an invasion of the "People's Army" from North Korea. None of these seemed to deserve any special credence; Respectfully yours, John J. Muccio