U.N. Korean Activity Important

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31530, 18 November 1967, Page 14

U.N. Korean Activity Important

Korea could overnight become as vital and difficult an area as Vietnam was now, and

it was the work and presence there of the

United Nations that was helping to prevent this, Major I. Forsyth, former New Zealand representative on the United Nations Command Advisory Group, said in Christchurch yesterday.

Major Forsyth returned to Christchurch this week after spending a year tn Korea. New Zealand is one of 10 countries making up the advisory group formed of Korean War allies.

Major Forsyth was also the assistant secretary to the United Nations Command Miliary Armistice Commission, which meets the North Koreans at Panmunjom. All the ingredients were present in Korea for the situ-

atlon to deteriorate, and this was the thing the United Na tions was trying to prevent, Major Forsyth said. People tended to overlook Korea, and this was wrong. The United Nations responsibility in Korea was to pave the way for the peaceful unification of the country, he said. Economy Better Even in the time he was there he had noticed an Improvement in the Republic of Korea's economy and standard of living. Major Forsyth said, but relationships between the Republic and North Korea were no different from when the armistice was signed. He saw no evidence of any malnutrition, and there had been much development in housing, health and education The South Koreans had much faith in their ability to defend themselves, but they would need support for some time yet. New Zealand had a vital interest in Korea because today everyone was a near neighbour. Also, South Korea had a population of 30m, and

there must be scope for future trade with New Zealand, particularly with the rising standard of living in South Korea. In the last year, many agents had infiltrated from North Korea to South Korea trying to establish pockets of resistance and collaboration, but they had little success, and the attitude of the South Koreans was definitely anti Communist. About 280 Communist agents had been killed in the last year. There had been a record number of incidents in the 2000-metre wide demilitarised zone last June, when 105 such incidents were recorded It had seemed this was the result of some direction, and purposes could have included the maintenance of tension and to keep troops occupied in South Korea.

On the Republic of Korea and United States side of the zone there had been about 200 casualties, including 80 deaths, from these incidents during the year. North Korean casualties were thought to be slightly less. Officially, the procedure

after incidents was the formation of a joint observation team to investigate and report, and then the holding of a Military Armistice Commission meeting. In practice, the North Koreans would not agree to a joint team being formed, and merely came to the meetings to level fabricated accusations at the United Nations side. Negotiations were nevtt reached. However, Major Forsyth said, at least the two sides were talking in such cases, and the way was open for further negotiations if the North Koreans wished it. A sidelight was that the North Koreans would not accept the return of the bodies of their men killed in incidents in the demilitarised zone, for they apparently felt this would constitute an admission.

This part of his job had brought its frustrations. Major Forsyth said. “If yon are a practical man and like to see results at the end of the day on a task like this, it requires some mental adjustment."