Truman's+Address+on+Korea+7-1950

Radio and Television Address on the Situation in Korea

Delivered from the White House at 10:30 p.m.
[excerpted]

My fellow citizens:
====At noon today I sent a message to the Congress about the situation in Korea. I want to talk to you tonight about that situation, and about what it means to the security of the United States and to our hopes for peace in the world. Korea is a small country, thousands of miles away, but what is happening there is important to every American. On Sunday, June 25th, Communist forces attacked the Republic of Korea. ====

====This attack has made it clear, beyond all doubt, that the international Communist movement is willing to use armed invasion to conquer independent nations. An act of aggression such as this creates a very real danger to the security of all free nations. The attack upon Korea was an outright breach of the peace and a violation of the Charter of the United Nations. By their actions in Korea, Communist leaders have demonstrated their contempt for the basic moral principles on which the United Nations is founded. This is a direct challenge to the efforts of the free nations to build the kind of world in which men can live in freedom and peace. This challenge has been presented squarely. We must meet it squarely. ====

====It is important for all of us to understand the essential facts as to how the situation in Korea came about. Before and during World War II, Korea was subject to Japanese rule. When the fighting stopped, it was agreed that troops of the Soviet Union would accept the surrender of the Japanese soldiers in the northern part of Korea, and that American forces would accept the surrender of the Japanese in the southern part. For this purpose, the 38th parallel was used as the dividing line. ====

====Later, the United Nations sought to establish Korea as a free and independent nation. A commission was sent out to supervise a free election in the whole of Korea. However, this election was held only in the southern part of the country, because the Soviet Union refused to permit an election for this purpose to be held in the northern part. Indeed, the Soviet authorities even refused to permit the United Nations Commission to visit northern Korea. ==== ====Nevertheless, the United Nations decided to go ahead where it could. In August 1948 the Republic of Korea was established as a free and independent nation in that part of Korea south of the 38th parallel. ====

====In December 1948, the Soviet Union stated that it had withdrawn its troops from northern Korea and that a local government had been established there. However, the Communist authorities never have permitted the United Nations observers to visit northern Korea to see what was going on behind that part of the Iron Curtain. ====

====It was from that area, where the Communist authorities have been unwilling to let the outside world see what was going on, that the attack was launched against the Republic of Korea on June 25th. That attack came without provocation and without warning. It was an act of raw aggression, without a shadow of justification. I repeat that it was an act of raw aggression. It had no justification whatever. ====

====The Communist invasion was launched in great force, with planes, tanks, and artillery. The size of the attack, and the speed with which it was followed up, make it perfectly plain that it had been plotted long in advance. As soon as word of the attack was received, Secretary of State Acheson called me at Independence, Mo., and informed me that, with my approval, he would ask for an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council met just 24 hours after the Communist invasion began. ====

====One of the main reasons the Security Council was set up was to act in such cases as this--to stop outbreaks of aggression in a hurry before they develop into general conflicts. In this case the Council passed a resolution which called for the invaders of Korea to stop fighting, and to withdraw. The Council called on all members of the United Nations to help carry out this resolution. The Communist invaders ignored the action of the Security Council and kept fight on with their attack. ====

====The Security Council then met again. It recommended that members of the United Nations help the Republic of Korea repel the attack and help restore peace and security in that area. Fifty-two of the 59 countries which are members of the United Nations have given their support to the action taken by the Security Council to restore peace in Korea. These actions by the United Nations and its members are of great importance. The free nations have now made it clear that lawless aggression will be met with force. The free nations have learned the fateful lesson of the 1930’s. That lesson is that aggression must be met firmly. Appeasement leads only to further aggression and ultimately to war. ====

====Only a few countries have failed to indorse the efforts of the United Nations to stop the fighting in Korea. The most important of these is the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union has boycotted the meetings of the United Nations Security Council. It has refused to support the actions of the United Nations with respect to Korea. ====

====The United States requested the Soviet Government, 2 days after the fighting started, to use its influence with the North Koreans to have them withdraw. The Soviet Government refused.The Soviet Government has said many times that it wants peace in the world, but its attitude toward this act of aggression against the Republic of Korea is in direct contradiction of its statements. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">For our part, we shall continue to support the United Nations action to restore peace in the world. ====

====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> We know that it will take a hard, tough fight to halt the invasion, and to drive the Communists back. The invaders have been provided with enough equipment and supplies for a long campaign. They overwhelmed the lightly armed defense forces of the Korean Republic in the first few days and drove southward. Now, however, the Korean defenders have reorganized and are making a brave fight for their liberty, and an increasing number of American troops have joined them. Our forces have fought a skillful, rearguard delaying action, pending the arrival of reinforcements. Some of these reinforcements are now arriving; others are on the way from the United States. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Furthermore, the fact that Communist forces have invaded Korea is a warning that there may be similar acts of aggression in other parts of the world. The free nations must be on their guard, more than ever before, against this kind of sneak attack. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It is obvious that we must increase our military strength and preparedness immediately. There are three things we need to do. ====

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">First, we need to send more men, equipment, and supplies to General MacArthur.
====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Second, in view of the world situation, we need to build up our own Army, Navy, and Air Force over and above what is needed in Korea. ====

====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> To help meet these needs, I have already authorized increases in the size of our Armed Forces. These increases will come in part from volunteers, in part from Selective Service, and in part from the National Guard and the Reserves. I have also ordered that military supplies and equipment be obtained at a faster rate. The necessary increases in the size of our Armed Forces, and the additional equipment they must have, will cost about $10 billion, and I am asking the Congress to appropriate the amount required. These funds will be used to train men and equip them with tanks, planes, guns, and ships, in order to build the strength we need to help assure peace in the world. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">When we have worked out with other free countries an increased program for our common defense, I shall recommend to the Congress that additional funds be provided for this purpose. This is of great importance. The free nations face a worldwide threat. It must be met with a worldwide defense. The United States and other free nations can multiply their strength by joining with one another in a common effort to provide this defense. This is our best hope for peace. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">We have the resources to meet our needs. Far more important, the American people are unified in their belief in democratic freedom. We are united in detesting Communist slavery. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">We know that the cost of freedom is high. But we are determined to preserve our freedom--no matter what the cost. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">I know that our people are willing to do their part to support our soldiers and sailors and airmen who are fighting in Korea. I know that our fighting men can count on each and every one of you. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Our country stands before the world as an example of how free men, under God, can build a community of neighbors, working together for the good of all. ====

====<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">That is the goal we seek not only for ourselves, but for all people. We believe that freedom and peace are essential if men are to live as our Creator intended us to live. It is this faith that has guided us in the past, and it is this faith that will fortify us in the stern days ahead. ====