SOUTH KOREAN FORCES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27435, 23 August 1954, Page 11

SOUTH KOREAN FORCES

U.S. TO STRENGTHEN DIVISIONS (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 21. The United States intends to strengthen South Korea’s 20 divisions and perhaps- meet the cost of creating four to six additional divisions as part compensation for the withdrawal of four of its six divisions from South Korea, says the Washington correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian.” He emphasises that the reason behind America’s decision was to get greater mobility for her forces in the Pacific. , A Tokyo message says that General John E; Hull, United Nations and Far East Supreme Commander, announced that one of the four United States divisions to be withdrawn within a few months from Korea would be sent back to the United States. He said one other division would, be assigned to Hawaii. A Seoul message says that citizens of Pusan closed all shops and restaurants, and halted traffic while 10,000 demonstrators paraded, protesting against the. United States plan to Withdraw the four divisions. ' “Serious Consequences” Mr Pyim-Yung Tai, Prime Minister of South Korea, said the withdrawal of part of the United Nations forces from Korea would result in “seribus consequences” for the free world. “We know from experience that if our defences are weakened the Communists will attack again,” Mr Pyun said. No matter how mobile the withdrawing United States troops were, they would be unable to return to Korea in time to meet a large-scale attack by the Communists, who were likely to hit rear supply areas first. Mr Pyun said: “The entire free world is dominated by defeatism.” He criticised Britain for being “reluctant to take any positive action against the Communists.” Commenting on the plan to withdraw part of the Commonwealth Division, he said: “We cannot stop those who. want to go home.”