SOUTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A001200080003-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 7, 2002
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: August 1, 1960
• Content Type: BRIEF

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NSC BRIEFING
SOUTH KOREA
1 August 1960
1. According to early press reports rioting which broke out in the
provin es during South Korea's 29 July elections has spread to Seoul
and may lay the opening of parliament, scheduled for 15 August.
A. Disturb ces led by students protesting alleged election viola-
tions.
1. Believe ost disturbances due student to anOmosity against
likely elec ion/persons identified with Rhee regime.
B. Police are using ear-gas in attempts to restore order.
C. Election officials ave recommended holding new elections on
due to disorders.
~....., n.&N_ vwuw uuuiit ing sboppea
II. Former Vice President Chang M ' s conservative pro-American Demo-
cratic party has swept the 29 Ju South Korean parliamentary
elections, as expected.
A. According to incomplete returns, a -president Rhee's discredited
Liberals won only about 10 seats in t e 233 seat lower house
and independents and minor party candida es about 43.
B. The new left-of-center Social Masses party ith over 100 candi-
dates running has won only about four seats.
C. The less important upper house will probVly be\ ontrolled by
the Democrats also.
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ITT. Overwhelming Democratic victory likely to be followed by factional
struggle for premiership and largely ceremonial presidency, possibly
leading to a party split.
A. Victorious democratic candidates appear to be about evenly
divided between pro- and anti-Chang factions.
B. Chang's opponents may hope to form a government of their own
with support of independents and former Rhee elements.
1. Anti-Chang factionists allegedly have been receiving strong
financial support from economic interests that hope to re-
tain the privileged position they had under the old regime.
C. However, factions may try to avoid an open split by dividing
offices between them.
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