CURRENT SOUTH KOREAN DOMESTIC POLITICAL SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-43-4-15-3
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 9, 2012
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: January 19, 1974
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/30: LOC-HAK-43-4-15-3
January 19, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: Current South Korean Domestic Political Situation
It is requested that an assessment be made of the current South Korean
internal political situation, accompanied by a projection of the prospects
for the next two to three months. The following questions should be
addressed in particular:
-- What is the nature of President Park's opposition, and
what are its objectives and strategy? What risks is it prepared to
take to bring Park down? What change in the character and magnitude
of the opposition has there been since last October?
-- How does President Park perceive the opposition threat
to him? What is Park's strategy for dealing with the opposition?
Especially, how does Park view the constraints (including those of
the U. S.) on him? How does Park see his opposition problem in terms
of the North Korean challenge?
-- What is the extent of Park's support within his own
government, especially among the security services and the CIA?
-- What information do we have on North Korea's attitude
toward Park's opposition, and whether the North Koreans are playing
or attempting to play any role in the South's domestic turmoil?
It would be helpful if the above assessment could be forwarded by
January 31, 1974.
enry Kissinger
S ET
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/30: LOC-HAK-43-4-15-3
THE WHITE HOUSE
 No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/30: LOC-HAK-43-4-15-3
'MEMORANDUM
SECRET
0 W
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
ACTION
January 16, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT
SECRETARY KISSINGER
JOHN A. FROE BE, JR
167
Proposed Request for CIA Assessment
of Current South Korean Internal Political
Situation
At Tab A is a request for a CIA assessment of the current South Korean
internal political situation. I believe such an assessment is needed in
light of the intensified challenge to the Park Government from its domestic
opposition, and President Park's consequent effort to prohibit criticism
of the tighter political controls which he imposed a year ago. Embassy
Seoul and State's EA Bureau are disposed to try to put constraints on
Park's handling of the situation, an approach that we feel is at best
problematic.. A balanced intelligence assessment of the situation would
therefore be highly useful to us at this time in assessing how best to
respond to the Park Government in the light of our overall movement on
Korean security issues. The requested analysis should, like a similar
assessment we requested last October, be an internal CIA -- rather than
an intelligence community -- effort.
Recommendation:
That you sign the draft memorandum at Tab A.
Concurrence:
Mr. SmyserLuliv d;~
Mr. Solomon J
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2013/01/30: LOC-HAK-43-4-15-3