501.BB Korea/12–3148; Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Special Representative in Korea (Muccio)
us urgent
211. To meet requirements dictated by phraseology Public Law 793 it is proposed Executive Order on ECA-State takeover from Army [which not to be made public]1 contain statement that as of date formal US recognition (Deptel 206 Dec 302) US occupation Korea deemed to have terminated “within meaning of” that act. This statement, which designed solely to meet administrative technicality, intended refer fact that civil affairs and mil govt branches of occupation which have been responsible for adminis funds appropriated under that law have been or are being liquidated and that for that restricted purpose and insofar as that particular responsibility is concerned occupation may therefore be regarded as having come to an end.
This statement not intended imply any change in status US forces remaining Korea as governed by terms interim mil agreement signed Aug 24, which we assume will continue in effect as provided “until completion of withdrawal of US forces from Korea”. Latter assumption reflected in further statement contained in Executive Order to effect that some US troops remain Korea at request Korean Govt “and under terms and conditions of agreement entered into between Govts of Republic of Korea and US on Aug 24.”
Your attention is called to fact the Executive Order, which expected bear date Jan 1, is to be classified “Confidential”. Dept particularly anxious this classification be preserved lest ref therein to “termination of occupation”, even in ltd sense in which that term is used, give rise in Korea and elsewhere to misunderstanding and conjecture.