The Evening Star (May 17, 1946)
‘Policeman’ role shunned by Pauley in North Korea
SEOUL (AP) – Edwin Pauley, American reparations commissioner, expects to enter Northern Korea within a few days to check reports that Russians there have removed Japanese assets – but “I’m not going in like a policeman,” he emphasized at a news conference today.
He will outline a proposed itinerary covering as much of the Soviet-occupied Northern zone as possible, and then “give it to the Russians in writing.” He also expects to visit Manchuria on the same mission, “after a temporary delay due to unsettled conditions.”
Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge, American commander in Southern Korea, promised newsmen he would make a fourth request to the Russians for permission for correspondents to accompany Mr. Pauley.
Mr. Pauley assured Koreans that it was not the purpose of the American government to remove Japanese-owned industrial equipment from Korea, and added that Korea might receive some equipment from Japan, although “that is a matter for negotiation. … I express the American viewpoint only.”