정부수립 1주년 기념 이승만 연설문

DIVISION OF COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS TELEGRAPH BRANCH DEPARTMENT OF STATE INCOMING TELEGRAM Action Assigned to [illegible] Action Taken _No[illegible]_PLAIN Office of FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS 1 U 1949 A DIVISION OF NORTHEAST ASIAN AFFAIRS Control 5770 DIRECTOR [illegible] of State Date of Action [illegible] 15 [illegible] Action Crit[ic][illegible] AUG 1 5 1949 Rec'd August 14, 1949 DEPARTMENT OF STATE. 2:13 p.m. Name of Off[illegible] Direction to DC/R [illegible] FROM: Seoul TO: Secretary of State NO: 1023, August 14 . Following is translation of address to be delivered by President Rhee tomorrow on first anniversary of inauguration of Korean Government. "The first anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Korea marks the fourth anniversary of our liberation. Both the security and the stability of our nation have steadily improved during the first critical year despite the difficulties that have beset us. "A year ago, many among our friends, as well as our critics, were unconvinced that after a generation of foreign rule, we Koreans would have the skill and experience to govern ourselves. Few expected that we should be able at once to start making headway against economic and military problems as serious as those existing anywhere in the world. As our first year of restored independence ends, the record speaks for itself. National Security. "When the Government of the Republic of Korea was inaugurated, Cheju Island, with its 300,000 population, was largely in the hands of brutal Communist terrorists. The election of May 10, could be held in only 1 of the island's 3 districts. By last spring, however, the Communist forces had been eliminated and the election was held peacefully. "Communists who had been allowed in the name of democratic process to infiltrate into our armed services before the Government was in our hands, have been largely weeded out. A rebellion instigated by these Communist elements in the army at Yosu and Sunchon last October was promptly put down. Rebels who fled into the Chiri mountains were captured and their attempts to inflame the people against the government failed. "Repeated Communist attacks across the 38th parallel have all been steadily and substantially increased in size and improved in quality. In the test of difficult mountain fighting on Cheju Island, in the Chiri mountains, on the Ongjin Peninsula, and all along the 38th parallel, the high morale and tenacious fighting ability of our troops have repeatedly been proved. The seamanship and courage of our Coast Guard have thrown a thin but determined shield around our long coastline. Police cooperating with local officers and general public have demonstrated their high sense of loyalty and responsibility. "Following the withdrawal of the last American troops, my statement of last April that the Republic of Korea would be fully capable of maintaining internal security-- except in the case of a full-scale attack from outside-- has been fully substantiated by the event. "In the homes and villages, in the cities and country districts of Southern Korea, our people have remained loyal and steadfast, despite the propaganda, threats and murderous attacks by our Communist foe. "Bolstered by the same love of freedom and independence that kept us a liberty-seeking nation under forty years of Japanese rule and which kept us determined for self- rule during three years of division and occupation, the people of Korea have not faltered during this difficult first year of the Republic. "We have met the difficult first year of the Republic. We have met the challenge of establishing a new govern- ment of our own under men and women unused to the techni- cal administrative processes of large-scale democratic operations. We have woven together the long tradi- tions of our 4000-year old history and the new formulations of modern democratic theory into a solid fabric of successful government. And we have done it while under a threat as great as that faced by any people anywhere in the world. Above address is for release at 10 a.m. August 15, Seoul time. MUCCIC