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January 21, 1954

Letter, General James A. Van Fleet to President Rhee

General Van Fleet first addresses the two sides of the Asian question. Should the US 1) try to “win back Asia” or 2) face the "reality" of the present conditions and should not recommence fighting in Korea? He advises Rhee to concentrate on expanding the ROK army and to leave reunification matters to the US and the United Nations.

March 4, 1954

Letter, President Syngman Rhee to General Van Fleet

President Rhee once again suggests that the US government should increase the ROK defense forces. It will not only be cheaper to fund Korean (over American) divisions, it also means that Americans do not need to fight in Korea. Rhee then negotiates that if the US government implements the necessary military buildup aid, he too will not take any “unilateral action” for or against the future Geneva Conference until after it has been in session. Finally, Rhee advocates his disapproval of US interest to build up Japan.

March 6, 1954

Letter, James A. Van Fleet to President Syngman Rhee

General Van Fleet addresses his concern for the Far East. While some Americans are calling for US withdrawal from South Korea, he insists that the US has a “morale and a material obligation” in the Peninsula.

May 8, 1954

Letter, President Syngman Rhee to General Van Fleet

The United States has appropriated the ROK a billion dollars’ worth of weapons and supplies. Rhee gives General Van Fleet full control of these funds and encourages him to help transform the ROK into a self-supporting nation. Instead of buying Japanese goods, Korea should set-up her own arms and ammunition producing machines.

April 25, 1951

Letter, General James A. Van Fleet to UN Ground Forces in Korea

General Van Fleet encourages the UN Ground Forces in Korea to continue their fight against “armed communism aggression.”

March 18, 1954

Letter, Syngman Rhee to General James A. Van Fleet

President Rhee discusses different tactics with General Van Fleet on how to convince President Eisenhower and the American public to build the ROK's armed forces.