Memorandum of Conversation with Secretary of State Dean Acheson, the Special Representative of the President of Korea, the Ambassador of Korea, and Niles Bond

F 8. 627 DEPARTMENT OF STATE Memorandum of Conversation 187 DATE: July 11, 1949 SUBJECT: Korea: Military Assistance and Related Natters PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Pyung Ok Chough, Special Representative of the President of Korea. Dr. John M. Chang, Ambassador of Korea The Secretary COPIES TO: Mr. Niles W. Bond, Assistant Chief, Division of Northeast Asian Affairs g U S/CFA FE Departmen of the Arny (Plane and Operations) 1-1493 Ambassador Muecio, Seoul. Dr. Chough called on me by appointment this afternoon accompanied by Ambassador Chang. He stated at the outset that he wished to express to me, personally and on behalf of his President, appreciation for the assistance which had been extended to Korea by the United States, and in particular for the strong advocacy of the Korean cause which had been evidenced by recent official statements made in support of the pending Korean Aid Bill. Dr. Chough then stated that/he had been instructed by President Rhee to raise three points with me. In the first place, he stated that the Korean Government and people had been disturbed by the recent withdrawal of United States occupation forces because of what they regarded as the inadequacy of existing Korean security forces. He said that, although this concern had been somewhat alleviated by recent expressions of United States support, it continued to be the view of his Government that the effective strength of the Korean Army (1.2. the size of the force to be equipped and supplied by the United States) should be raised from the present figure of 65,000 to 100,000, with an additional reserve of 50,000. He added that he had discussed this matter with General Wedemeyer and that the latter, al though originally in favor of the 65,000 DECLASSIFIED figure E. O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (B) 2-23-25 Dept. of State letter, CONPIDONTIAL Res NLI> H : NARS Date 4.2676