What did the declassified documents reveal?

Resettlement of Chinese agents used in Korea, a top‑secret memorandum dated November thirtieth, nineteen fifty‑eight, from the United States Far East Command. This document is notable because it details the United States’ handling of Chinese operatives who had been employed during the Korean conflict and the diplomatic negotiations surrounding their repatriation. The memorandum was released to the public through The Black Vault. The Black Vault made the full text available as part of its online archive of declassified United States intelligence records. The document can be accessed at the archive URL https://archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI01043/CI01043djvu.txt. The document reads as follows. “TOP SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION – MEMORANDUM – November thirtieth, nineteen fifty‑eight. Subject: Resettlement of Chinese agents used in Korea. Reference: My memoranda of September twenty‑first and October twenty‑eighth on this subject and Pate two ninety‑nine, November two forty‑six. This morning Colonel Burke showed me a November twenty‑seventh message from General Ennis on this matter. After reviewing past exchanges with Washington on the subject, General Ennis went on to report the following in substance: Pursuant to Washington instructions, the agents were advised about October thirtieth that their repatriation was assured but could not begin until early nineteen fifty‑four, simultaneously with the repatriation of the other prisoners of war. The agents were initially satisfied; within three weeks of the ninety‑eight agents then active, they advised their supervisors that they would “take action into their own hands” if their repatriation did not begin before January first, nineteen fifty‑four. The remaining forty‑seven stated that they were willing to continue their missions only if repatriation was granted to those who desired it. Unless the United Nations Command takes action to satisfy the agents’ demands, the following may result: a. Disaffection of the forty‑seven remaining agents and loss of a significant source of military information. b. Compromise of cage and present use by UN Command of prisoners of war as agents, through escape of disaffected segments. c. Allegations of violation of the Geneva Conventions and the Armistice Agreement on the part of the United States and the UN Command. General Ennis also requested the concurrence of Washington to the sending of Colonel Barrett, former military attaché in Taipei, now retired and serving with the Far East Command, and an advisor from the unit handling the agents to Taipei to discuss the problem with Ambassador Rankin and General Chase. The objective would be to work out arrangements for entry to Formosa of those agents who desire immediate repatriation, with the full knowledge and collaboration of the Chinese side, without publicity. Colonel Burke reported that a chart had been sent to General Ennis on November twenty‑eighth, telling him that General Barrett could not now concur in the…

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.

Resettlement Of Chinese Agents Used In Korea, A Top‑secret Memorandum

◆ BLUF — The short version

Resettlement of Chinese agents used in Korea, a top‑secret memorandum dated November thirtieth, nineteen fifty‑eight, from the United States Far East Command. This document is notable because it details the United States’ handling of Chinese operatives who had been employed during the Korean conflict and the diplomatic negotiations surrounding their repatriation.

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

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What was Resettlement Of Chinese Agents Used In Korea, A Top‑secret Memorandum about?: Resettlement of Chinese agents used in Korea, a top‑secret memorandum dated November thirtieth, nineteen fifty‑eight, from the United States Far East Command. This document is notable because it details the United States’ handling of Chinese operatives who had been employed during the Korean conflict and the diplomatic negotiations surrounding their repatriation.
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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