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THE FOREIGN SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DIVISION OF NORTHEAST ASIAN AFFAIRS American Embassy, Seoul, November 28, 1949 No. 749 DEPARTMENT [illegible] RESTRICTED Subject: Transmitting report by Captain FISCHGRUND (KMAG) on trip to Cheju Island The Ambassador refers to his despatch no. 354 of June 16, 1949, and to previous correspondence in regard to developments on Cheju Island, and has the honor to transmit, for the Department's information, a copy of a report submitted by Captain Harold FISCHGRUND, U. S. Army, who is attached to KMAG, on the subject of a tour recently made to Cheju Island. Early in November, the then Governor of Cheju Island (KIM Yong Ha) called on an Embassy Officer and intimated that conditions were deteriorating on the Island. He stated, for example, that elements of the Northwest Youth Corps continued to create various difficulties. He also charged army officers with engaging in business. In this regard he said that army officers were exporting cattle and horses to the mainland. He also stated that army personnel were levying a third of the fish catch for their own uses. The Governor has since been charged with misdemeanors and has been replaced (see Airgram A-376/of November 18, 1949). In the light of the ex-Governor's charges, it was suggested to the Chief, KMAG, and to the Minister of Defense that an inspection be made of the situation on Cheju Island. Accordingly, Captain Fischgrund and Colonel CHANG Chang Kock were detailed to go to Cheju Island to carry out an inspection. Captain Fischgrund's report, herewith submitted, is the result of his tour of the Island. Attention is particularly invited to Captain Fischgrund's recommendations which will, no doubt, come to the attention of the Minister of Defense, who takes considerable interest in developments there. Enclosures: [illegible] Report dated 22 Nov 49 by Captain Fischgrund. EDDrumright.md Parchment mat to Department Enclosure to despatch no. 749, dated November 28, 1949, from American Embassy, Seoul, Korea. RESTRICTED Tour of CHEJU DO - by To: Chief, KMAG Capt. Fischgrund 22 Nov 49 Info: Adv G-2, G-3, KA Mr Drumright 1. The undersigned in company with Colonel CHANG Chang Kook departed PUSAN for CHEJU DO on 151735 November aboard the City of CHUNGJU, an FS of the Korean Maritime "Rainbow Fleet"; arrived CHEJU UP on 161100 November; departed CHEJU UP 191700 November aboard the City of CHUNGJU, and arrived PUSAN 201100 November. 2. While on CHEJU DO, we looked over most army, police, and government agencies in CHEJU UP, MOSUL PO, and SOGNI PO. The outstanding observations follow: a. The only telephone line around the island is the police line. The commercial telephone net has not been rebuilt because of material shortages. b. The coastal road is considerably improved. However, vehicular transports are few for private and commercial use. c. All the coastal villages are in the process of reconstruction. People complained that one serious shortage is cement. I suggested that mud and rock be used for reconstruction. The reply was to the effect that the windy season is coming and the winds are so violent that the mud is blown away. I can verify this after having spent part of the windy season on CHEJU DO. Also, it was noticed that some of the schools are being constructed out of mud and straw. It is felt that these too will blow away. d. Two of the inland villages that were completely destroyed were visited. Neither showed signs of reconstruction, although the fields had been tilled. We were told that the people lived in those towns that had police protection and received passes from the police in order to work on their farms during the daylight hours. e. The assemblymen from the island visit their districts very infrequently. Two have returned one time since elected and one has returned twice. The people feel that they are not getting true representation in the National Government since the assemblymen get the opinions of the more prosperous citizens that are able to visit Seoul. f. Of the remaining Sawbuck, 300 are in the Police and around 200 are in business or in local government. A great deal of resentment is felt towards them by the people because in the year that the Sawbuck have been on the island, the majority have become rich and are the more favored merchants. Several factors must be considered here. The vice-governor and the present senior military commander are North Korean refugees and subsequently sympathize with the Sawbuck. The local press is now controlled by members of the Sawbuck, who print only what they desire. Also, the Sawbuck merchants sometimes use the names of the Police, Army, and Government in order to promote business deals in their favor. I was on CHEJU DO when the first Sawbuck arrived a year ago and can state that they have completed the rags-to-riches cycle. g. The fishermen are allowed to fish off the coast but must obtain passes, good for a period of 15 days, from the police. The vessels are allowed out daily but are inspected by the police prior to leaving and upon return. I was told that when the 2nd Regiment was on the island, one-third of the catch went to the army. The 1st Sep Bn continued this policy for a short time but due to unfavorable public opinion, the Bn CO got out of the fish business. The police claim that they receive no portion of the catch. This was verified by a civilian's statement. h. The coastal villages still have rock barricades. Also, along the coast of the island, at regular intervals, are lookouts to warn of any subversive landings i. The Police strength numbers 1300 strong. They appear to have strict control over all intra-island movement The police report around 200 rebels still in the hills, but the rebels have been inactive of late. We inspected the CHEJU UP jail where over 300 rebels are imprisoned Most looked emaciated. The Police Chief has asked National Police Headquarters to move the prisoners elsewhere, but has not received any action. j. The 1st Sep Bn has a strength of about 700 of which over 600 are in MOSUL PO and Headquarters (about 70 men) in CHEJU UP. Two companies are in squad training and two companies in platoon training. The barracks in MOSUL PO are in need of windows and some men are without beds. There are 51 Military Police assigned: 3 are in SOGNI PO; 3, in MOSUL PO; and the remainder in CHEJU UP. We recommended to the Bn CO that the bulk of the MP's should be stationed in the military area. 17 SIS agents are on the island. The BN CO has little or no control over their activities. k. There were other observations such as the poorer appearance of the people. The so-called rich men of the island are still influential despite the fact that governmental control has changed three times; the involved political, economical, and educational manifestations are due to Police, Government, SIS, MP, and 1st Sep Bn controls. 1. The condition of the air strips at CHEJU UP and MOSUL PO remains unchanged. The harbors are the same except for the dock at MOSUL PO which is being enlarged. 3. Recommendations: a. An American-Korean ECA team inspect the island in order to more closely determine its needs and capabilities. b. All Sawbuck be evacuated from CHEJU DO. c. The Senior Military Commander should be placed in command of all military troops. d. The representatives in the National Assembly from CHEJU DO visit their constituents more frequently. e. Action be taken to remove the prisoners from CHEJU DO. f. Military and Police Advisors visit CHEJU DO at regular intervals. g. Decrease the number of SJS and MP's on CHEJU DO. Move the MP's from CHEJU UP to MOSUL PO. h. Move Hqs of the 1st Sep Bn from CHEJU UP to MOSUL PO with a supply echelon remaining in CHEJU UP. i. KA allocate funds to re-build the camp at MOSUL PO. /s/ Harold Fischgrund HAROLD FISCHGRUND Capt CMIC Asst Adv. G-3