OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum  concwenrtst

coPY
IO - Mr. Cleveland DATE: May 19, 1961

UNP = William G. Jones

SUBJECT: Korean Situation

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Background of United Nations Involvement in Korea

The United Nations is involved in Korea in two ways: first, through
its concern with unification, in partial implementation of which it was
involved in the formation of the fovernment of the Republic of Korea; and
secondly, through its action in repelling aggression in Korea which was
carried out by a United Nations Command for which the United States acts
as the executive agent.

The United Nations Temporary Commission formed in November, 197,
was charged with facilitating and expediting a United Nations program
for Korean independence. It observed and reported on the initial elec-
tions (1948) held in that part of Korea to which it had access, i.@-,
the area south of the 38th parallel. Subsequently, the United Nations in
its resolution of December 12, 1918, found that a lawful government had
been established in South Korea and that it was the only such government
in Korea. This resolution set up a new United Nations Comnission which,
inter alia, was to "Be available for observation and consultation in the
further development of representative government based on the freely
expressed will of the people", UNCURK, the present Commission, was
established by a General Assembly resolution of October, 1950, and assumed
its predecessor's functions. It has been continuously represented in the
Republic of Korea and has observed political developments, including each
election held in the Republic of Korea. This Commission submits an annual
report on Korea to the United Nations (which is the United Nations agenda
item on Korea) containing its observations on developments in the Republic
of Korea and, insofar as information is available, on developments in
North Korea. In 1952, UNCURK (and the American Embassy) became involved
in a serious internal political crisis and was in effect told by Presi-
dent Rhee to keep its nose out of Korean internal affairs. It since has
eschewed interference other than impartial observation of political and
economic developments in the Republic of Korea, and in these efforts has
received the full cooperation of the Korean Government.

In recent years, there has been considerable lack of enthusiasm on
the part of the members of UNCURK for continuation of the Commission, Its
permanent representation in Korea has been reduced to only four members
Australia, Philippines, Thailand, and Turkey. We have in a large part been

responsible for

CONFIDENTIAL

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