§ 16. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in the course of his visit to the Far East, the Minister of State will investigate the constitutional and political situation in South Korea; and if he will include in his report to Parliament on this visit a full account of the events leading up to the present situation.
§ The Minister of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)I did my best to investigate the constitutional and political situation in South Korea during my recent visit to Pusan. I shall certainly cover these matters in the statement which I hope to make to the House next Tuesday.
§ Mr. DribergWhile offering the right hon. and learned Gentleman congratulations—qualified congratulations, I am 2220 afraid—on his safe return—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—we had rather hoped that he would bring something better back with him than he has brought—may I ask if he will include in his statement just enough of the post-war background to show that Syngman Rhee, who is now behaving so unconstitutionally and embarrassingly, also assumed power, with American connivance, in a way which prejudiced the decision of the General Assembly of the United Nations?
§ Mr. LloydI think that the hon. Gentleman might have exercised a qualified reticence on this matter and awaited my statement next week.
§ 38. Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the unconstitutional methods by which the Presidency of Mr. Syngman Rhee has been prolonged, Her Majesty's Government now recognise him as acting-President of South Korea.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydIt is difficult to pronounce whether, under the constitution of Korea, the President's term expires on 25th July or 15th August. Whichever is the correct date, Mr. Rhee would appear at present to be the lawful President of the Republic of Korea. The hon. Member's Question therefore does not arise.
§ Mr. EdelmanIs it not the case that the Southern Korean Assembly debated precisely this point that, when the matter was raised, no quorum was present owing to the fact that so many members were either in hiding, or were in prison, or had abstained out of fear? In those circumstances is it not the case that Mr. Rhee has usurped power without constitutional authority from the South Korean Assembly, and is it not time that this farce was stopped?
§ Mr. LloydI am aware of the exceedingly unsatisfactory methods which have been employed in seeking to solve constitutional problems in South Korea, but I adhere to my answer that at present, certainly until 25th July and possibly until 15th August, Mr. Rhee is the lawful, constitutional President of South Korea. Therefore, the question of recognising him as acting-President does not seem to arise.
§ Mr. EdelmanWould not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that 2221 the methods which he admits have been employed by Mr. Rhee have done a great deal to discredit the cause of the United Nations, which is to uphold the rule of law?
§ Mr. LloydCertainly. The methods which have been employed have created profound disquiet in many countries, and the President of South Korea has been made aware of that fact.