283. Memorandum of Conversation0

PARTICIPANTS

  • Mr. Kim
  • Ambassador Chung, Korean Ambassador
  • Colonel Kim (interpreter)
  • Governor Harriman, Assistant Secretary, FE
  • Mr. Natsios, Special Assistant to Ambassador Berger
  • Mr. Rady, CIA
  • Mr. Yager, Director, EA

Governor Harriman took Director Kim to his office to continue discussions after conclusion of Kim’s call on the Secretary.

Governor Harriman said that the Secretary had spoken of plans for the elections in South Korea. The Governor commented that these elections can make a great difference in the confidence of the Korean people.

Mr. Kim asked in what respect Governor Harriman is particularly concerned about the elections. The Governor replied that he is concerned over the restriction of candidates. Mr. Kim said that the Korean authorities are not going to apply restrictions beyond those in the political purification law, but candidates will not be allowed to run as independents. They must run as members of a political party because in the past independents have been corrupt and easily bought. In response to Governor Harriman’s question, Mr. Kim said that all parties except the Communists and “socialistic elements” will be allowed to put up candidates.

Governor Harriman said that we greatly respect the determination of the Korean leaders to eliminate corruption but that political freedom is quite another matter. Mr. Kim said that it is necessary to avoid recurrence of the old evils that would threaten stability of the ROK and might block further progress toward freedom. The Korean Government however intends to develop a sound party system. Government and opposition parties will be given an equal chance.

Governor Harriman asked how soon free political discussion is to be permitted. Mr. Kim answered this will be done at the beginning of 1963, thereby providing five to five and one half months of free discussion before the elections.

Governor Harriman asked how many politicians on the proscribed list have been taken off. Mr. Kim replied that over 4,000 persons were listed at first. Between 2600 or 2700 remain on the list. More are to be taken off.

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Governor Harriman asked Mr. Kim about his talks at the Pentagon. Mr. Kim replied that he had seen a number of people, including Deputy Assistant Secretary Bundy and Generals Wheeler, Fitch, Breitweiser, Carroll and Taylor.1 He said that some of the discussions had been heated. Governor Harriman asked whether Mr. Kim wanted to maintain armed forces at 600,000. Mr. Kim replied “at least that large.” Governor Harriman asked how long this would be necessary. Mr Kim replied “until we have driven the Communists out.” Mr. Kim noted that former Premier Chang Myon had reduced the forces by 30,000 men. He described this action as a complete failure. The economy had not been helped. Unemployment had been increased.

Governor Harriman asked about the civic action program. Mr. Kim said that this program is very active. In the past it suffered from diversion of military supplies but this has been stopped. He said that good results have been obtained in training soldiers before their discharge in skills that they can use when they return home.

Governor Harriman asked Mr. Kim what activity he saw in the North Korean military. Mr. Kim recalled that he had told the Secretary that he had seen no significant North Korean activity because he understood the Secretary’s question to refer to activity in response to the Cuban crisis. Mr. Kim said that there has been a significant development, however. A combined North Korean-Chinese Communist headquarters has been established. Also, the number of Chinese advisers in all fields: military, political and industrial has increased. There are more Chinese advisers than Russian advisers. Russian influence is declining and Chinese influence is increasing.

In response to Governor Harriman’s question concerning conditions in North Korea, Mr. Kim said that although people there get enough to eat, life is miserable beyond description because of the lack of freedom. North Korea, however, is superior to South Korea in many economic fields. Mr. Kim commented that this is why the ROK is trying to advance in all economic fields. Governor Harriman said that we are very anxious that the ROK industrial program succeed. Mr. Kim said that the Korean Government is determined to do all it can to develop basic industry quickly.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 795B.00/10-2962. Secret. Drafted by Yager.
  2. No other record of these talks has been found. On October 26 and 28 Kim had two hour-long discussions with Walt Rostow, Counselor and Chairman of the Policy Planning Staff. The first discussion dealt with problems of generating economic development and the second with how a military dictatorship disengages and moves a nation into a democracy. (Memorandum of conversation, October 28; ibid., 033.95B11/10-2862)