Information on the Attitude of the Korean Workers’ Party to Some Decisions of the 22nd CPSU [Communist Party of the Soviet Union] Congress

INFORMATION

on the attitude of the Korean Workers’ Party to some decisions of the 22^nd CPSU [Communist Party of the Soviet Union] Congress

From 27 November till 1 December 1961, Pyongyang hosted the Second Plenary session of the Central Committee of the Korean Workers’ Party where its Chairman Comrade Kim Il Sung presented the report “On the Work of the Delegation of the Korean Workers’ Party at the 22^nd Congress of CPSU”.^[1]

After reviewing the economic, scientific and technical accomplishments of the Soviet Union during the reported period, Comrade Kim Il Sung elaborated on the Program of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

“… The Communist Party of the Soviet Union is a universally recognized vanguard of the international communist movement, he stated. The place of the Soviet Union in the communist movement is an irrefutable historic fact…”

“… The existence of the Soviet Union as a socialist country and the continuous growth of its power have great revolutionary impact on oppressed people and oppressed classes all over the world. The great Soviet Union defeated fascist Germany and imperialism in Japan and liberated many people in Europe and Asia from fascist domination and colonial suppression. The Soviet Union and Soviet people fought for many years for revolution and construction and contributed significantly to the development of the international communist movement and progress of mankind, gained rich experience in socialist revolution and construction.” He underlined that communists all over the world respect and trust CPSU and the Soviet people, they value dearly their friendship and make efforts to enhance this friendship.

Talking about CPSU internal party life and the problematic relations with fraternal parties discussed at the Congress, Comrade Kim Il Sung reported that a lot was said about the cult to Stalin and the anti-party factionthat have emerged in CPSU internal life. “Stalin was CPSU leader for a long time and his activities strongly influenced the entire communist movement. Stalin’s name is familiar to communists and people around the world. CPSU members are obliged to know about Stalin more than others, and the assessment of his work and his role in the Soviet Union is an internal party issue of CPSU. Also, the question about the anti-party faction is entirely an internal party problem.”

With regard to relations between parties, Comrade Kim Il Sung stated that no party has the right to interfere with the life of another fraternal party.

“Therefore, both the issue about Stalin and the anti-party faction in CPSU have nothing to do with our party.”

Here is what the report says with regard to the Albanian problem:

“In recent years, there have been differences between CPSU and the Albanian Labor Party on various issues and the relations between them have become abnormal. A lot was said during the CPSU Congress. However, relations with the Party of Labor of Albania did not improve and this problem has not been solved. Relations between the two parties are becoming even more complicated. If this continues, it will seriously harm the unity of the socialist community, the unity of international communist movement and its development, and will benefit our enemies. The Korean Workers’ Party expressed its deep concern. Our party hopes that the Albanian question will be solved through patient efforts to remove any existing complications and differences in positions, to achieve mutual understanding in the spirit of international unity, on the principles of respecting interests of the entire socialist community and international communist movement.

After voicing his solidarity with the Soviet position on the German question, peaceful coexistence, and the struggle for peace, Comrade Kim Il Sung said: “Unity shall be based on the decisions from the Moscow meeting [of 81 Communist and Workers Parties, November-December 1960] … parties are equal and independent and they define their policy according to the specific conditions in their countries and Marxism principles… exchange of experience between parties is necessary, however each party shall decide what to implement in their work… Only then real unity is possible, voluntary and solidarity unity… this is a sacred international duty and a supreme principle.”

Both in China and in Korea, the Albanian national holiday was widely celebrated. At the reception in Pyongyang hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of Albania on the occasion of the 17^th anniversary of the liberation of Albania, the Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of National Defense of DPRK Comrade Kim Gwang-hyeop said:

“The comradeship between the Korean and Albanian people is consolidating and developing on the principles of Marxism-Leninism and proletarian internationalism in the great family of the great socialist community.

We highly value the friendship and unity between our two peoples and we are confident that comradeship and cooperation will further develop in the common struggle to protect peace in the name of socialism and communism.”

“… I suggest we raise a toast to the flourishing of the People’s Republic of Albania… to the health of Comrade Enver Hoxha and the other leaders of the Party of Labor of Albania…”

Head of CC BCP [Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party] “Foreign Policy and International Relations” Department, Dimo Dichev

^[1] The 22^nd CPSU Congress was held between 17-31 October 1961 in the presence of delegates from 83 foreign parties. It went further in the political line of 20^th Congress of “De-Stalinization” and deepened the split with the Chinese Communist party.