CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
June 28, 1952.
Dear Doc:
Today is the big day when the Administration amendment comes up for consideration. Actually, however, things have leveled off since the 23rd, since SMR stays in office until a new president is chosen. If the Assembly hasn’t a quorum, or if it doesn’t pass the amendment, the President’s plan is to take the issue to the people by means of a nation-wide, popular referendum -- with UNCURK invited to supervise. There would be no question of the outcome in that case.
On the 25th, for the first time, I did not accompany the President to a public ceremony. The Assassination Attempt shocked everyone here. I wished I had been there. The president took it very calmly; he has absolutely no physical fear. That evening, Mr. Gaddis and I went back up to Kyung Mu Dai and saw a movie with him and Mme. -- ironically titled “I Want You.” Today during an exclusive interview with Schakne of INS the President promised that a full, open trial will be held and the whole plot to take his life revealed.
Incidentally, that has kept us busy here -- the interviews, I mean. By now, favorable stories by Bill Jordon of AP and Schakne of INS, etc., should have reached the states. These things take time and careful effort, of course, and then I sit in on the interview and try to get an inadvertant statement which might be damaging "off the record" or put into proper context. Then there is a whole flood of releases coming out every day. The issue of censorship has at last been constructively settled; Gaddis and I finally helped in having the more onerous aspects of it removed. Actually, SMR himself had not been fully aware of the extent and practices of it.
Also, by now you will have seen the pictures of the assassination attempt. Bingham of Telenews asked me to rush him the films, so I edited them, wrote the commentary, etc., yesterday and sent it off by plane to Tokyo for his use.
A very busy week in all, as you can see. I haven't had even an evening off now in three weeks. Wish I could have a rest. I haven't raised any question yet with Mme. and SMR on what my plans should be. I personally and confidentially prefer to return to the United States for 4 or 5 months and then return here with the family: (1) The situation militarily remains unsettled still for a family move in the immediate future (2) I could help do the job in the States for a while and at the same time catch my breath. What think you, honestly, on this score? I don't want to broach the subject even with them without your excellent guidance.
Enclosed in here is a $5.00 bill. Mrs. O had sent $15.00, and only ten of it was necessary to pay off Mrs, Lee Ki-bong.
Still full of zip,
