24 January 2019

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) today released the last of six sets of declassified daily intelligence reports President Harry Truman received from CIA and its predecessor organization, the Central Intelligence Group. Known then as the Daily Summary, the product continues now as the President’s Daily Brief.

Today’s release totals 723 pages of Daily Summary reports from 1950-51—a time that saw war come to the divided Korean Peninsula after North Korean forces on 25 June 1950 crossed the 38th parallel southward to invade the Republic of Korea (ROK). Seoul, the capital of the ROK, fell several days later leaving the Truman Administration with the delicate task of supporting an ally against Communist aggression, while not igniting a wider war with China and the Soviet Union. The tide of war changed decisively in September 1950 with the successful landing at Inchon by the 1st US Marine and 7th Infantry Divisions. The daring amphibious landing 200 miles behind enemy lines, led by commander of UN forces General Douglas MacArthur, resulted in the liberation of Seoul two weeks later.

In addition, this release includes reports about the growing tensions in Indochina, particularly French activities in Vietnam, and the widening rift between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union.

For a brief history of the Daily Summary, refer to this story.

To read more of these declassified intelligence reports, check out the five previous installments.

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