Cable No. 3754, Ambassador Nakae to the Foreign Minister, 'The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu - Korean Peninsula)'

Number:  [blacked out]

Primary:  Asian Affairs Bureau Director-General

Sent:  China, November 9, 1986 [blacked out]

Received:  MOFA, November 9, 1986 [blacked out]

To:  The Foreign Minister

From:  Ambassador Nakae

The Prime Minister’s Visit to China (Meeting with General Secretary Hu – Korean Peninsula)

No. 3754 Secret Top Urgent [blacked out]

(Limited Distribution)

Re:  Outgoing Telegram No. 3753

At the outset, after the exchange in the ref outgoing telegram, the following exchange took place on the strict condition that it not be disclosed to the outside.

Prime Minister:  On my recent visit to the Republic of Korea, I was asked by the leader of the Republic of Korea to convey to China’s government his hope to establish diplomatic relations with China and, even if it does not come to that, to expand non-governmental economic, cultural, and other exchanges. He said among them one thing he wishes to set up is something like an LT office or, still better, a trade office. He also said that he would like China’s cooperation in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

The Republic of Korea’s leader is hoping also for four-party talks among the South, the North, China, and the United States, that is, among the parties to the truce talks. It seems that its good point is its ability to exclude the Soviet Union. Please consider it.  For another thing, can’t we have regular flights between Japan and China fly over South and North Korea? If it were possible, it would shorten them by as much as 40 minutes and would save energy as well.

Hu:  The problem is that North Korea says that they do not want to do it.

Prime Minister: Simply having outbound flights go over North Korea and return flights go over South Korea would be fair, I think.

Hu: The problem lies in North Korea having no desire to do it. Even if North Korea does not become angry with Japan, it becomes angry with us.

Prime Minister: If something like an LT office is established between China and the Republic of Korea, then we can do something similar between Japan and North Korea. In so doing, we will be able to turn North Korea not in the direction of the Arctic Ocean but in our direction. I would like you to consider it.

Hu: We can disclose this to the North Korean side and feel them out.   

Prime Minister:  I would like you to let me know as soon as you find out.  

Hu: Thank you for conveying to us the Republic of Korea’s message. The Republic of Korea’s desire for improved relations with China is a good thing. We are considering it from the position of the overall situation. We have to think of something acceptable to the North and something of which the other socialist countries could approve.

Prime Minister: I think that Eastern Europe would approve. Understandably, the Soviet Union may oppose it. The Soviet Union and North Korea are strengthening their military ties, so our attempt is meaningful.   (End)