Memorandum of Conversation

PFT RE DEPARTMENT OF STATE DECLASSIFIED b6 PROTECT NLT 7853 Memorandum of Conversation BYALLT'S NARS, Date DATE: July 23, 1951 SUBJECT: Security Arrangements for Korea PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Yu Chan Yang, Korean Ambasandor Mr. Pyo Wook Han, First Secretary, Korean Embassy Mr. V. A. Johnson, Director, Office of Northeast Asian Affairs Mr. H.O.H. Frelinghuysen, NA COPIES TO: FE NA S/S RE FE - Mr. Fearey Ambassador Muccio U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16-61120-1 The Korean Ambagendor came in at hie request to see Mr. Johnson this afternoon. After inquiring whether or not there had been any change in General Ridgway's instructions, to which Ar. Johnson replied in the negative, the Ambassador expressed the desire that, in the interests of the Korean people and the future of the Korean Government, the United States give a firm guarentee for the COD- tinued security of his country. The Ambassador pointed out, that, even though 8 cesse-fire were negotiated and R Japanese treaty concluded, his country must be guarenteed protection from furthe attack. He indicated that although promises by United States officials, such as Mr. Dulles, and eresent setion by the United Nations was encouraging, they did not entirely antisfy the demand of his people or Government. Re would much prefer that S. bilatera treaty between the United States and Korea be concluded. Kr. Johnson pointed out that he WAS not at all certain whether the Koreen people's security would not be better assured by re- lying on the spirit of collective security presently demonstrated by the United Nations than by & bilateral tresty with the United States. In a political battle for the minds of the Korean people end the other peoples of the Far East, moreover, it would seem preferable to have the support of the entire United Nations and thus avoid Communist charges of American imperialism. The Ambassador asked whether, failing a bilateral treaty, it might not be possible for the United States to initiate the formation -66 TESTIAL