Record of Conversation between Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and North Korean Charge d’Affaires Kang Cheol-geon

“31” January 1968
N 129 / GS-NS

RECORD OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN A.A. GROMYKO AND CHARGE D'AFFAIRES OF THE DPRK IN THE USSR KANG CHEOL-GEON

Kang Cheol-geon, having repeated the statement of the DPRK Government dated 27 January 1968 in connection with the capture of the American spy ship Pueblo by the coastal guard of the DPRK, passed over the text of the statement and expressed his hope that the Soviet Government will support the position of the DPRK government in connection with the capture of the American ship.

A.A. Gromyko replied that the Soviet Union has already taken a series of measures in support of the Korean friends. When approached by the Americans, the Soviet Union firmly declared that any pressure on the DPRK on the part of the USA is unacceptable. The Soviet representative in the [UN] Security Council spoke out resolutely in support of the position of the DPRK Government. The Soviet ambassador in Pyongyang informed comrade Kim Il Sung about all measures that had been taken.

A.A. Gromyko asked comrade Kang Cheol-geon to explain how the Soviet side could use the copies of the admission by the captain of the Pueblo and the tape recording of his statement that was provided by the Korean comrades. Wide circulation of these materials would help expose the US position.

Kang Cheol-geon promised to clear up this question in Pyongyang and make a reply. He asked about the prospects of discussing the Pueblo question in the Security Council.

A.A. Gromyko replied that one should not expect the Security Council to make a mutually acceptable decision. Probably, the veto will be used. Some members of the Council, in particular, representatives of the Afro-Asian countries (Algeria, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Senegal) may take certain measures in the direction of settling the conflict between the USA and the DPRK. The Afro-Asians pay the greatest attention to the possibility of providing good will service or mediation in this or that form on either [UN General Secretary] U Thant's part or his special representative, or themselves, the Afro-Asian members of the Council. However, one could not say anything concrete about this at the moment.

Comrade Kang Cheol-geon asked that I continue informing him in the future about the work of the Security Council, and, in particular, about possible steps by the Afro-Asian members of the Council.

The meeting was attended by the deputy head of the FED [Far Eastern Department] A.I. Elizavetin, 2nd secretary of the FED Yu. D. Fadeev, 2nd secretary of the embassy of the DPRK comrade Son Gen Mo and interpreter comrade Kim Ham.

Correct: [Signature]
Sent to:
1. comrades Gromyko
2. Kuznetsov
3. DVO
4. OMO
5. file