Republic of Korea
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Seoul
Pusan, Korea
July 28, 1952
Dear Bob:
Many thanks for your concern over my health. I am sure I am pulling through, though it is always harder to tell which way. I have begun to take walks for exercise and found them good.
I am sending two copies of my picture, not so recent but not more than one year old, hoping that you will be so kind as to send one to Mr. Bragg. I am sorry they have been much darkened from reproduction.
The latest news here is the announcement by the National Election Committee of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates. President Rhee held out almost up to the deadline but he finally gave in, accepting the renomination, the popular demand that he should run for the national interests was so manifest and overwhelming. I give the names of the candidates, as you may feel interested to know them. Presidential candidates: Dr. Syngman Rhee; Mr. Jo Bong Am, (erstwhile Communist, bot now one of the two Vice-chairmen of the National Assembly), Ree Shi Yung,(former Vice President and now supported en bloc by the National Democrats; aged 82), Dr. Hugh Sinn. Vice-Presidential Candidates (nine in all): Mr. Ree Bum Suk (nominated by the Liberal Party Convention), Mr. Ree Yoon Yung (Minister without Portfolio up to candidacy), Mr. Ree Gap Sung (Assemblyman who ran agaisnt Mr. Kim Sung Soo for the Vice President), Mr. Ham Tai Yung (ex-pastor and head of the Auditing Office up to candidacy; aged 78), Mr. Jun Jin Han (ex-Social Welfare Minister, leader of a labour Union and Assemblyman), Miss Louisa Yim, Mr. Jo Byung Ok (twice ex-Minister of Home Affairs and supported by the National Democrats), Mr. Baik Sung Wook (Buddhist and ex-Minister of Home Affairs), Mr. Jung Gi Wun (Assemblyman).
There can be no question about Dr. Rhee being reelected. We expect a pretty hot fight, though, between Mr. Ree Bum Suk and Mr. Ree Yoon Yung. I am keenly awaiting August 5 to exercise my vote. I wish your ballot day were as imminent as ours. Isn’t it rather unnerving to have to wait so many months? Do you expect a close fight, no easy game for either party? Times are good. Foreign Affairs are, at best, an issue the general public is not so quite sure about anyway. And then the Republican condemnation can hardly be categorical because of Eisenhower connections with NATO. Arn’t the bulk of farm and labor groups backing the Democrats? Either side will have to work hard to win.
With best wishes for you all, Yours very truly,
