In the aftermath of the failed inter-Korean dialogues, the North Koreans conclude that they must establish diplomatic relations with the United States. The telegram describes the rationale behind the move and the goal of limiting the interference of the United States on the Korean Peninsula. According to the author, North Korea believes that the rejection of the US to establish relations with the DPRK will expose Washington's opposition to the unification of Korea.
June 26, 1973
Telegram from Washington, DC, No.084.605, Urgent, SECRET
This document was made possible with support from Leon Levy Foundation
To: Comrade Nicolae Ghenea,
Deputy Foreign Minister
Regarding your telegram no. 01/07237 dated June 21, 1973, [I would like to inform you about the following matters]:
On June 25, I submitted the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly letter addressed to the Speaker of the US Senate and to the Speaker of the US House of Representatives to John Armitage, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs.
Armitage said he would send the documents to their destinations right away.
He added that he learned from various newspapers about the reaction of the South Korean government regarding the joint accession of the two Koreas to the United Nations.
He believes that the attitude of the DPRK is unrealistic. It is impossible to imagine, in the current circumstances, a sole representative of the two Koreas at the United Nations. Armitage, however, agreed that the general evolution of the situation in Korea is a positive one and [he thinks] it is good that dialogue continues between the interested parties.
Signed: Corneliu Bogdan
Romanian officials in Washington report that they submitted the letter from the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly, intended for the US congress, to the US State Department. The US official in contact with the Romanians described North Korea's attitudes towards the joint accession of the two Koreas to the UN as unrealistic.
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