Letter from Choi Duk Shin to Gunasena de Soyza

[Letterhead]

Korean Legation

Saigon

[Stamped] COPY

November 22, 1957

Excellency,

I wish to be honoured to write you at the moment for better understanding and friendship so cordially existing between our two countries. Frankly I was greatly impressed by tremendous hospitalities extended to me during my visit to Ceylon last April and I myself have been so confident or our firm and friendly relations, I have made several reports to my Government in this regard.

I was so certain through our talks during my brief but fruitful visit to your country that Ceylon will be in accord with other Free World nations in supporting our position at international arena and that as I was assured Ceylon will back the position or the Republic of Korea for her national unification and support the U.N. principles in Korea.

However, to my great surprise, I have recently learned that a delegate from your country has 1everely attacked my country at the debate of the United Nations, quite contrary to my hope and expectation. I wish to think that such violent statement by your delegate were momentarily made by his individual opinion, not by the official stands of the Government of Ceylon in views that I still do remember so vividly the most sympathetic attitudes toward Korea of Your Excellency.

It is most regrettable not only to me but to my people that one of your delegates to the U.N. is employing such unfriendly attitude toward the Republic of Korea.

I sincerely hope there must be no room or doubt or dimness in our relationship in the future.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration,

Choi Duk Shin

Minister to Vietnam

His Excellency

Gunasena de Soysa

Permanent Secretary of External

and Defence Ministry

Government of Ceylon

Colombo, CEYLON