Telegram from Robert Murphy to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State RC 6 SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION Action Control: 20 FE Rec'd: October 1, 1952 FROM: Tokyo 2:21 a .M. Info SS TO: Secretary of State G EUR NO: 1079, October 1, 2 p.m. L UNA PRIORITY E UFW DE PT PASS PUSAN; SENT DEPT 1079; RPTD INFO PRIORITY PUSAN 50. P I NO DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE DE PARTMENT. Clark announced establishment "sea defense zone" in waters continuous Korea in short press release issued September 27. At same time, he ordered COMNAVFE maintain zone inviolate and prevent entry "in accordance current blockage instructions". This order was repeated to Embassies Pusan and Tokyo with request we relay information to governments concerned. Zone as established completely envelopes Korean peninsula and would appear to make all continuous waters out of bounds. The short press release issued by FEC has brought sharp reaction from Japanese fishing and shipping circles. Foreign Office has sent note to Embassy asking for detailed info re zone, its legal effect and method of administration. Korean press is reported to have claimed this as victory for ROK and to have indicated that Clark has endorsed the "Rhee line". In view of this and in view of my reservations about method of Clark's action, I have refrained temporarily from sending any official notification to JG and am exploring nature of defense zone with Clark and staff of FEC. This action was hastily taken and not (rpt not) well conceived. Our Navy authorities seem to consider the zone impossible to administer as an area of total prohibition and they have not (rpt not) yet issued any patrol changes to implement its terms. No (rpt no) implementing regulations have been prepared by FEC. It is hoped that the zone will be administered in liberal fashion and that it be used principally as a threat to prevent smuggling and for security purposes. At same time, its very existence, even without enforce- ment, should give satisfaction to Rhee and should temporarily at least calm his fears re Jap fishing exploitation. I have discussed matter informally with Clark who realizes now (rpt now) that there are political and economic issues involved which may REPRODUCTION FROM 176 SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION COPY, IF CLASSIFIEI PROHIBITED