Editorial Note
On September 25, the Secretaries of State and Defense submitted to the National Security Council a “Progress Report on the Implementation of United States Objectives, Policies and Courses of Action in Asia (NSC 48/5).” Excerpts from NSC 48/5, approved May 17, are printed on page 439. Part IV of the Progress Report dealt with Korea and consisted mainly of a review of developments over the preceding four month period, with particular emphasis on the course of the armistice negotiations. The report stated that both sides in Korea had taken advantage of the relative lull in hostilities to build up their forces and pointed to a considerable increment in Communist strength in troops, planes, and matériel, providing the capability for a large scale, sustained offensive at any time. The United Nations Command, hampered by a lack of additional troop contributions, nevertheless occupied “the strongest possible defensive zone across Korea near the 38th parallel.” (S/S Files: Lot 63D251, Box 4207)
For excerpts from the Progress Report, see page 2024. For the complete text, see volume VI, Part 1, page 80.