SOUTH KOREA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005641949
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: March 29, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-00766
• Publication Date: May 24, 1961

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24 May 1961
Copy No. C 79
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South Korea: Major General Pak Chong-hui, actual
leader of the military revolt, informed General Carter
Magruder, United Nations commander, on 23 May that
the new government desires to return its armed forces
to UN control. He added, however, that security consid-
erations in Seoul currently prevent compliance with orders
of the United Nations Command that troops removed from
the combat area during the coup be returned to their posi-
tions.
,esides wanting to retain in Seoul troops on whom he
can rely, Pak's temporizing may be the result of a split
within the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.
The split is -apparently between a moderate group led by
Lieutenant General Chang To-yong, army chief of staff and
head of the new cabinet, and a larger group, led by Pak and
Marine Corps Commandant Kim Yun-kun, which is attempt-
ing to expand its military control over all aspects of national
life. There are reports of dissatisfaction among army colonels
who, along with General Pak, planned and'executed the coup
but who were subsequently denied cabinet posts in favor of
general officers who joined the revolt belatedly
Mass arrests continue, including those of high military
officers and the speaker of the house of representatives, Kwak
Sang-hun, who returned to Korea on 22 May from a visit to
Washington. Official efforts to marshal student and veterans'
demonstrations in favor of the new government have met with
unenthusiastic response. (Backup,
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 South Korean Situation
/lements of the 5th and 12th Infantry Divisions, which
had been serving.as reserve units on the northern border,
and three field artillery battalions from the Sixth Corps, also
in the same area, were withdrawn to the Seoul area shortly
after the coup on 16 May. These units, plus reararea marine
and army airborne forces which actually carried out the coup,
remain in or near the city. American military observers
point out that the withdrawal of these forces has seriously
weakened the combat front, particularly in regard to artillery
support
he Supreme Council for National Reconstruction (SCNR)
has arrested two additional brigadiers, one a front-line divi-
sion commander, and three colonels. Thus far, however, the
SCNR has dealt leniently with Second Army Commander and
former Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Choe Kyong-nok, who did not
support the coup and temporarily blocked a military takeover
in the city of Taegu. Choe has been relieved of command and
ordered to proceed unescorted to army headquarters in Seoul.
The nationwide crackdown continues; military tribunals have
been established throughout the country to handle "murder, arson,
and rebellion, disturbances., and other criminal cases" except
those which were being processed by civilian courts. Reserve
legal officers have been recalled to the army, presumably to
try such cases. Reserve medical officers who were released
prior to completion of military service also have been recalled.
The SCNR has issued an order authorizing the suspension of
newspapers and other publications, and one unconfirmed report
indicates that 75 of the nation's 110 newspapers have been closed.
Radio listeners are reported turning to Pyongyang broadcasts
for "uncensored news:'
President Yun Po-sun, according to his personal secretary
who talked with an American Embassy officer on 22 May, believes
that a return to civilian authority is imperative and that the longer
the junta remains in power, the worse it will be for the South
-1 A AX-AL
24 May 61 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 3
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Korean Army. Yun sees long military rule increasing fac-
tionalism in the army and further weakening military dis-
cipline. He believes that there should be a return to civilian
authority within a maximum of six months under a strong
presidential system, but claims he is not thinking of him-
self as a candidate.
24 May 61 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN Page 4