Seoul Returned To South Korean President By UNO

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 September 1950, Page 6

Seoul Returned To South Korean President By UNO

SEOUL, Sept. 29.—General MacArthur today handed back Seoul to the South Korean President (Dr Syngman Rhee). Squads of American bulldozers smashed their way through the wreckage of Seoul early today, clearing a way for the ceremonial return of the South Korean Government.

Special security forces were posted throughout the capital and checkpoints Were set up at the city’s main approaches to search people for weapons. South Korean police roamed the city’s streets during the night, arresting known and suspected Communists. Hundreds were made to kneel in the roadways, their hands clasped on their heads, until trucks came to collect them.

General MacArthur made the following statement, in returning Seoul to Dr Rhee: —

“Mr President: By the grace of merciful Providence, , our forces, fighting under the standard of that greatest hope and inspiration of mankind, the United Nations, have liberated this ancient capital city of Korea.

Communist Rule

“It has been freed from the despotism of Communist rule and its citizens once more have an opportunity to live under that immutable concept of life which holds invincibly to the primacy of individual liberty and personal dignity. “The ravages of war which had been visited upon your land by these forces of evil which seek to subvei t the spiritual qualities of modern civilisation, had been viewed with universal concern and distress. And 53 nations of the earth rose up in righteous wrath and indignation and pledged their full effort towards your relief. Such was the spiritual revulsion against the march of imperialistic Communism seeking the conquest, exploitation, and enslavement of others. “Invisible Union” “It reflects an invincible union of men and ideals against which no material weapons could long prevail, and while inevitably force must meet force, it offers hope for the ultimate peaceful triumph of that spiritual quality without which the human mind cannot produce sound and enduring ideas. It is through the spirit that' we must have the flesh. “On behalf of the United Nations command I am happy to restore to you, Mr President, the seat of your Government, that from it you may better fulfil your constitutional responsibilities. “It is my fervent hope that beneficent Providence will give you and all your public officials the wisdom and strength to meet your perplexing problems in a spirit ot benevolence and justice, that from the travail of the past there may emerge a new and hopeful dawn ioi the people of Korea.”