NSC 170/1

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R003000140006-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 11, 2005
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: July 19, 1954
• Content Type: MF

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19 July 1954
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT:
or
NSC 170/1
1- The OCB at itil meeting June
Working Group, which is dealing wih NSC 170/1 Korea)stod the ~~
review
the current validity of that paper in terms of recent developoents
at Geneva. The Working Group has made such a review, and has pre-
pared a document on the subject, a copy of which is attached. Both
in the summary on the first page of the document, and in the bK>dy
of the main paper there are a variety of conclusions which I believe
should be looked at by ONE since they are in the nature of estimates
of future action by the ROK.
2. Will you ask the ONE people to look at this paper and
to let me have their comments back by Thursday, if possible?
Special a rector
Attachment:
TS 95501-A, copy 6 and
TS 95501 copy 6.
NSC review(s) completed.
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)P SECRET COPY NO.
OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD
Washington 25, D. C.
July 16, 1954
MEMORANDUM FOR THE BOARD ASSISTANTS
SUBJECT: Review of NSC 170/1 (Korea)
The attached report is transmitted for the information
of the Board in accordance with the Board's request at its
June 16th meeting (Agenda Item 3, Report Item 30).
Acting Executive Officer
George A. Morgan
Working Group Chairman,s Memo,
Subject as above, dated 7/15/54,
with attachment as listed.
OCIA" PFo ,elease 200JUdU
Downgraded to CONFIDENTIAL
T-RDP86 4 )* Re8d0ez **0ee6 hment
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OPERATIONS COORDINATING BOARD
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
July 15, 1954
MEMORANDUM FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICM3, OCB:
SUBJECT: Review of NSC 170/1 (Korea)
1. In accordance with the request of the Operations Coordinating
Board at its meeting of June 16, the Working Group on NSG 170/1 (Korea)
has reviewed the current validity of this policy statement in terms
of recent developments at Geneva. It is considered that a progress re-
port to the 0GB is not necessary.
2. The Working Group concludes:
a. That events at Geneva have not affected the validity of
NSC 170/1, including paragraph 6, Annex A (of. NSC Action 1087-b);
b. That efforts be continued to eliminate the NNSC and that
the provisions of the Armistice Agreement restricting the introduction
of materiel be reviewed by the Working Group with a view to seeking some
means of relief from such restrictions, since Ca miunist non-observance
of these provisions places the UNC at a disadvantage.
a. That there is no evidence of significant change in the in-
tention of either the. ROK or the Communists to renew hostilities in Korea.
3. The Working Group notes that the recommendations of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff on the recommendations of General Hull and the report
and recommendations of General Van Fleet (cf. NSC Action 1092) will be
relevant to implementation of NSC 170/1.
4. A more detailed summary is attached.
Robert J. G. McClurkin
Chairman, OCB Working Group on
NSC 170/1 (Korea)
Attachment:
Review of the Validity, Progress in Implementation of,
and Actions to be Taken with Respect to NSC 170/1 -
dtd 7/15/54
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July 15, 1954
REVIEW OF THE VALIDITY, PROGRESS IN 31iPLE 'E;NTATION OF, AND ACTIONS
TO BE TAKEN LTM_TH RESPECT TO NSC 170/1
1. Validity of NSC 170/1 as Policy Guidance
The Working Group on Korea has reviewed NSC 170/1 in the light of
the failure of the Geneva Conference and of the current situation. The
Working Group believes that NSC 170/1 in general continues to provide
valid guidance. The following elements of the paper, however, should
be specially noted.
a. Paragraph 6, Annex A
There has been no change to warrant modification of NSC Action
1087-b, which reaffirmed the validity of Annex A and provided for
continuous review by the Operations Coordinating Board.
b. Armistice Agreement
NSC 170/1 states that the U.S. should "continue to observe the
Armistice" (paragraph 5a), and should "seek to ensure that the ROK
observe the Armistice . . ." (paragraph 5b). CINCUNC believes that
he should be relieved of certain provisions of the Armistice which
adversely affect the security of the forces under his commund be-
cause he observes them but the Communists do not. These provisions
are paragraph 13d, Section A. Article II, which relates to the intro-
duction of reinforcing materiel, and Section C, Article II,which sets
up the NNSC. The other elements in the Armistice Agreement appear
tolerable and the Armistice itself should be retained..
With respect to the restrictions on replenishing materiel, the
Working Group on Korea should be directed to review the problem
both from the standpoint of military necessity and urgency and frcm
the standpoint of political desirability of the alternative methods
it is possible to employ to relieve ourselves of the restrictions.
With respect to the NNSC, informal discussions have already
been held with the Swiss and Swedes, and it appears likely that
they will voluntarily withdraw, thus rendering the Commission in-
operative. Czech and Polish team members could then be ousted
from the ROK. If the Swiss and Swedes do not voluntarily withdraw
in the immediate future, further efforts will be made to persuade
them.
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c. Retention in Korea of the Armed Forces of other UN Members
Paragraph lOc relates to the stationing of armed forces of
other UN members in Korea and directs a vigorous campaign to secure
additional armed forces from them. NSC Action 1087-c agreed that
implementation of this paragraph should not be pressed at that time.
The U.K. has already indicated its desire to reduce its contingent
in Korea by about 1/2 in order to reinforce Malaya. The U. K. was
informed at Geneva that the U.S. probably would not object to such
action but the Department of Defense, however, opposes such action
and has communicated its objections to Department of State.
2. Implementation of NSC 170/1
The following paragraphs describe action taken in implementing U.S.
policy with respect to Korea and suggest further actions to be takena
a. U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Trea_.ty (I'QT)
Paragraph 10a of NSC 170/1 states that the U.S. should ratify
the Mutual Defense Treaty with the ROK. This has been done. Ex-
change of ratifications to bring the Treaty into effect was
scheduled for May 26, 1954. The ROK declined to exchange ratifica-
tions because they wish to amend the Treaty in two respects: (1)
addition of an "aggressor" clause which would commit the U.S. to
support the ROK in military action to drive the Chinese out of
North Korea; and (2) a termination clause similar to that contained
in the Security Treaty between the U.S. and Japan which would re-
quire the mutual consent of both parties before the Treaty could
be terminated. President Rhee has been informed by Ambassador
Briggs that the U.S. cannot accede to either of these proposed
amendments. The initiative for exchanging ratifications and bring-
ing the Treaty into effect thus lies with the ROK, and there is no
reason for the U.S. to press the ROK on this matter.
b. Build-up of ROK Forces
Paragraph 9a(3) and 10b provide for sufficient ROK armed forces
for internal security and defense short of a major power's attack
and the development of ROK security within the Armistice terms,
respectively.
NSC Action 1092 approved the despatch of General Van Fleet to
the Far East, and to Korea in particular, for the purpose of assess-
ing our military programs in the area. He is reviewing the size and
composition of the ROK forces, and, in concert with General Hull,
will make recommendations. No action should be taken on this subject
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prior to review of the Van Fleet-Hull recommendations by the Secretary
of Defense and subsequent action by the NSC.
c. Redeployment of U.S. Forces
NSC Action 1087-d noted that the Secretary of Defense was de-
ferring all further redeployment of U.S. forces from Korea until
after June 1, 1954. This question is now being reexamined by State
and Defense in the light of the present situation in the Far East,
d, NSC Action 1004-a
The outcome of the Geneva Conference has not affected the validity
of the decision contained in this action.
e. Turning Over to the ROK Administrative Control North of the 3gth
Parallel
Both Ambassador Briggs and CINCUNC have recently recommended
that the UNC turn over to the ROK administrative control of the
area north of the 38th parallel now controlled by the UNC. Actions
is in process to effect the turnover.
f. Special Problems with the ROK as a Result of the Failure of
Geneva Conference
(1) U.S.-ROK Consultations: In their joint statement of August
8, 1953, Secretary Dulles and President Rhee agreed to consult
in the event of a failure of the Korean Political Conference.
President Rhee is considering an invitation to come to Washing-
ton for these consultations.
From the U.S. point of view, and probably that of ROK
as well, consultations should await review by the Joint
Chiefs of Staff and decisions on the recommendations of
the Van Fleet Mission.
(2) Unilateral Military Action: Failure of the Conference at
Geneva raised again the possibility that the ROK may undertake
unilateral action to unify Korea (paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of
NSC 170/1). CINCUNC has detailed plans for action in the event
of this contingency, which appear to be adequate. However, it
is presently unlikely that the ROK will take unilateral mili-
tary action, particularly in the light of President Rhee's hope
that current reconsideration of ROK force levels will result in
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a decision by the U.S. to increase or strengthen the ROK
forces. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have undertaken the
review of this problem and of CINCUNC's plans in light of
the post-Geneva situation and other developments.
(3) Withdrawal of ROK Forces from the UNC:
It is doubtful that President Rhee will actually with-
draw command of the ROK forces from the UNC unless he initiates
unilateral military action or is convinced that there is no
basis for continued U.S.-ROK cooperation. If he should with-
draw his forces from UNC control without initiating hostilities,
CINCUNC will take action to redeploy U.S. and other UN forces
to rear areas. In addition, CINCUNC may wish to inform the
ROK that he has authority to support and assist ROK forces only
so long as they are under his command.
3. Conclusions
a. That events at Geneva have not affected the validity of NSC 170/:
including paragraph 6, Annex A (of. NSC Action 1087-b);
b. That efforts be continued to eliminate the NNSC and that the
provisions of the Armistice Agreement restricting the introduction
of materiel be reviewed by the Working Group with a view to seeking
some means of relief from such restrictions, since Communist non-
observance of these provisions places the UNC at a disadvantage.
c. That there is no evidence of significant change in the intention
of either the ROK or the Communists to renew hostilities in Korey-.
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