What did the declassified documents reveal?

This Declassified briefing covers a declassified Army record, a Top Secret memorandum from October twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-three, concerning the resettlement of Chinese agents used in Korea. This document offers a glimpse into the complexities of handling intelligence assets after military operations. You can find this document on The Black Vault at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act and is part of a collection of declassified United States intelligence files on China. Its declassification was authorized by the appropriate authorities, making it available as a historical record. The memorandum, titled "Subject: Resettlement of Chinese Agents Used in Korea," references an earlier memorandum from September twenty-first on the same subject. Colonel Burke contacted the author again on October twentieth, presenting an October seventeenth message from the field. This message reported that Chinese agents had refused further missions until they received more definite assurances regarding their repatriation. The message posed three specific questions: One, when will negotiations with the C-H-I-N-A-T-S on the return of regular P-O-W-s be completed? Two, how long after the regular P-O-W-s can the agents expect to be repatriated? Three, what interim information can be given to the P-O-W-s? The message recommended separate discussions with the C-H-I-N-A-T-S for an immediate solution to the repatriation problem. The author promised Colonel Burke an answer, noting confusion because the latest message suggested agents desired early repatriation, which contrasted with the understanding that the Army wished to retain P-O-W-s as long as U-S forces remained in Korea. Colonel Burke believed the agents had been handled badly in Korea and were now simply making increasing demands. After consulting Mr. Johnson and Mr. Drumright of F-E that morning, the author informed Colonel Burke: One. Since we are confident that the C-H-I-N-A-T-S are willing to accept the P-O-W-s, we do not contemplate that much in the way of negotiations will be required. In any case, we do not wish to consult the C-H-I-N-A-T-S until repatriation is imminent. The Department is specifically opposed to any approach to the C-H-I-N-A-T-S regarding the agents, whether made through the Military attache in Taipei or otherwise. It is our view that this is not only unnecessary but also risky, in view of the possible [four lines redacted under exemption B1] or through [two lines redacted under exemption B1]. Two. So far as the Department is concerned, the agents may be repatriated simultaneously with the regular P-O-W-s. For security reasons, however, it will probably be [three lines redacted under exemption B1] move them separately. Three. Under the terms of the Armistice Agreement, non-repatriate P-O-W-s are to be returned to civilian status towards the end of January nineteen-fifty-four. We would anticipate that movement to…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

This Declassified Briefing Covers A Declassified Army Record, A Top Secret

◆ BLUF — The short version

This Declassified briefing covers a declassified Army record, a Top Secret memorandum from October twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-three, concerning the resettlement of Chinese agents used in Korea. This document offers a glimpse into the complexities of handling intelligence assets after military operations.

Date: OCT 3 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was This Declassified Briefing Covers A Declassified Army Record, A Top Secret about?: This Declassified briefing covers a declassified Army record, a Top Secret memorandum from October twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-three, concerning the resettlement of Chinese agents used in Korea. This document offers a glimpse into the complexities of handling intelligence assets after military operations.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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This Declassified Briefing Covers A Declassified Army Record, A Top Secret

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