Photo: A US CIA agent in N Korean security officer uniform
Most files have a large X and a date written on it - these are the agents we have lost contact (presumed lost) or reported uncovered by other agents. Some "X" files include photos of the dead men's corpse.
June 3, 1955 - My chief assigns me to a special top-secret debriefing session. When I walk into the room, I am shocked to see my former instructor at the Student Volunteers Army (1950)
Commander 'X' With the help of the "6006", he has organized and commanded a band of guerrillas near my home town, Hamhung - before the war started. His unit is about the only "permanent" guerrilla band in N Korea.
Photo: Commander 'X' with Hans Tofte and Col. Kramer at Yon-do
Both US and S Korean military have tried desperately to start up guerrilla warfare in N Korea - with absolutely no success - except "X"s unit of about 50 men and partisans base on off-shore islands. Anti-red natives in N Korea formed a number of partisan bands in 1950-1951. Most of these were based on islands near Haeju, Huanghae-do.
During 1951, the CIA tried the 'Dropshot' operation - it paired up a US special forces soldier with a S Korean agent (recruited from refugees and POW's) to work like the buddy system. They were dropped behind lines to assassinate communist cadres and generally disrupt things - more of saboteurs than of guerrillas.
As soon as they are dropped, the N Korean security forces would nab them. The Americans were killed and the natives were recycled. Starting in 1952, all operations in enemy territories were conducted by Koreans with US Aviary and Navy supports.
About six months ago, Commander 'X' left his base in the Hamhung area and, after walking for several weeks, he managed to sneak across the truce line. He was arrested by the S Korean army who turned him over to the police. The police did not believe his claim of a guerrilla commander and subjected him to the usual torture. Luckily, an informant tipped off the US spooks who came to his rescue. His men have not received any air drop or new instructions since the Armistice. He came to ask US either to evacuate his men or to resume the supply operation prompt - or else, he will disband his little army.
Commander 'X' is very angry at his US spy masters. He recounts all of his feats and the promises made by US to him over the years - the countless lives lost and the sacrifices made by him and his men in the name of anti-communism. He says that US has not lived up to its promises. But there is NO documentary proof for any of "X"'s claims. It is his word against his new spy-master's, who claims ignorance and couldn't care less about this dumb gook and his so-called guerrilla army.
Things are not going well. Both men are getting more and more hostile to each other. Their voices get louder and louder - and get nastier. I have to raise my voice accordingly. The interpreter has to translate the tone as well as the words - the former is much more difficult than the latter. The American spymaster has had enough and asks the Commander to leave; there is nothing further to discuss. The Commander is shocked: apparently he was under illusion that he was indispensable and did not expect to be discarded so readily by his masters. This man doesn't understand the spy business!
The Commander gets up, does a smart military salute and walks out the door. He stares at me and mutters - "I have been duped by these liars and thieves. I am going to get even with these bastards". This is the last time I saw the Commander. The spymaster demands to know what 'X' said. I make up a harmless translation and exit the room. My guess is that 'X' was returned to the S Korean police along with some fake proofs of communist connection. His guerrillas most likely have deserted soon after "X"'s departure to S Korea. This is strictly my guess.
The 6006 and CAT under CIA ranges beyond the borders of Korea. Agents are dropped in Siberia, Mongolia, Manchuria, and the Kurile. Some 120,000 Koreans live in Siberia and Korean agents can easily blend in the Soviet territory. The same goes for Manchuria where there are over one million Koreans. The 6006 have dozens of agents working in the Soviet naval base at Vladivostok. Their job is to spy on the Soviet warships. All radio communications are handled by specialists in a converted Shinto shrine.
The 6006 operates its own navy made of bona fide fishing boats (manned by genuine N Korean fishermen!), speed boats and war ships. It maintains a string of "naval" bases on islands - some north of the truce line. N Korean fishermen make ideal messengers. They are allowed to leave N Korea legally and often intercepted by US naval vessels on high seas. In addition, fishing boats have radios. Messages are radioed to a ship and the fishermen deliver them to a designated drop point - and vice versa. New agents are smuggled in and returning agents recovered disguised as fishermen. During the war, downed airmen rescue teams were based on the northern islands. Since the Truce, the islands are primarily used for covert operations.
Photo: CIA agents caught and executed near Pyongyang
The Japanese built a Shinto shrine at every public and business site - schools, government office, business enterprises. A shrine is the size of a phone booth. Its walls are made of cement and has a heavy bomb-proof concrete door. Inside a shrine were misc. divine documents - emperors' edicts and the names of local war dead and of national heroes.
The Americans have converted a shrine into a secret radio shack. The radio station (black box) sends and receives coded signals from agents in N Korea and the Headquarters in Tokyo. It also contains files on the master spies, the real mccoys, planted in the N Korean ruling body. I am not allowed in the room - only two or three Americans have the key to get inside.
Enemy signals are intercepted elsewhere by another intelligence unit. We have our own "radio" room where we monitor communist propaganda - not exactly a spy stuff. It is against law to listen to N Korean radio - at least I am one of the few privileged to hear communist propaganda.
One of the strangest operations of Hans Tofte was a one-man assassination squad to kill Kim Il Sung. He met and recruited an American Indian in Tokyo, supposedly an professional hitman willing to perform the task for a nominal fee. The Indian was highly recommended by a CIA boss and Tofte was obliged to acquire his service.
Tofte had a rendevou at a Tokoy street but the Indian failed to show up. Apparently, the chief got cold feet or a N Korean agent got to him first.
