Telegram from Ambassador John Muccio to Secretary of State Dean Acheson

I-38 INCOMING TELEGRAM Department of State TELEGRAPH BRANCH A. 3-2 GROREN Centrol: 8954 Rec'd: October 20, 1950 Seoul 11:01 p.m. SS TO: Seoretary of State G P 278, October 20 A PRIORITY L UNA SENT DEPARTMENT 278; REPEATED INFORMATION TOKYO UNNUMBERED. OLI DCR REDEPTEL 206, October 17 and WAR 93721, October 9. I recommend that first and second phases of occupation North Korea envisaged be contracted to shortest possible period, that barest minimum civil administrative structure be set up and that elections. be than early in January. I had good fortune being able to exchange views with General MacArthur to and from Wake and am confident this goes along with his thinking. Since my return from Wake I have had protracted discussions with President Rhee and also with PRIMIN, HOMIN and Chairman National Assembly. As a result I am satisfied that little disposition exists to question need retaining complete supreme authority North Korea in CINCUNC during occupation period. Mere thought that local North Korean civil authorities courts and police might be used for maintenance of law and order to maximum extent which military necessity permits has jarred Korean officials more than idea that Government ROK might be ignored by UN in achieving unification. However, I con- sider questioning UNC advisability retention local and pro- vincial governments academic. Local and provincial govern- ments in considerable portion of North Korea thus far liberated disappeared prior to arrival UN forces. As previously re- ported, I cannot conceive of any governmental machinery at national, provincial, or local levels being found anywhere in north. CINCUNC will therefore have to designate individuals to conduct necessary civil activities. Precise requirements for phases one and two cannot be foreseen and no attempt should be made to prescribe specific blue prints for such a complex operation. CINCUNC must be given widest latitude and discretion in establishment of peace and security measures without imposing on people of North Korea a complete governmental structure during this brief period. I felt that understanding and spirit of mutual respect existing, between Government of ROK, CINCUNC and this Embassy will facilitate eventual unification. President Rhee has agreed to avoid -29 REPRODUCTION OF THIS MESSAGE IS PROHIBITED