Meeting with Director of KCIA Lee Hu-rak (1)

Meeting with Director of KCIA Lee Hu-rak (1)

Date and Time: April 19, 1972 13:43-14:30
Location: KCIA Director's Office, 19th Floor, Government Complex, Seoul

Participants:

South
LEE Hu-rak Director of Korean Central Intelligence Agency
LEE Cheol-hui Acting Deputy Director of Intelligence Service, Korean Central Intelligence Agency
JEONG Hong-jin Director of Conference Management, Conference Office, Korean Red Cross

North

KIM Deok-hyeon Chief Officer of the Political Bureau, Central Committee, Workers'Party of Korea

South: Welcome. It is unfortunate that it started to rain as you arrived.

North: How is President Park?

South: How are Premier Kim and Director Kim Yeong-ju?

North: I'd like to deliver Director Kim Yeong-ju's regards along with his letter of confidence and a personal letter.

South: (Confirmed the letter of confidence)

North: Comrade Director of Organization and Guidance mentioned he does not have a particular message since Mr. Jeong Hong-jin visited and spoke with him. He mentioned that he'd appreciate if you could provide us with many good remarks.

South: I've heard all about the things discussed through comrade Jeong Hong-jin. Director Kim's thoughts were completely in accord with my thoughts. I believe I have the feeling not because I heard about it. It is because we [both] belong to the white-robed race.

While there may be some repetition, I'd like to speak to you frankly about what I think. There are clearly some politicians in both the South and the North who hope for our reunification promoted through military force. It is also a fact that both the South and the North have been building war preparation for the past 20 years. There are some people in the South who wish for a northward reunification using military force. In such case, it may be possible that we triumph and reach reunification. Moreover, I believe there are some people who wish to use armed force in the North as well and it may be possible to achieve reunification through the invasion of the South. However, if we reunify through a war again, “Heecheon Factory” in the North and Wolsan Second Industrial Complex or the oil refinery in the South will be devastated and our people have to go back to the point before the Korean War.

I feel responsible for the circumstance as I am in charge of a section of the government. The North has a Communist system and the South has a Capitalist system. The systems are different to both extremes. Therefore, reunification requires a sufficient amount of time and effort. Nonetheless, we can't sit still and wait for reunification to happen. We must promote non-political exchanges. We have established the Red Cross meetings as a step towards these exchanges.

We should conduct the conversation between Director Kim Yeong-ju and me as the both of us are well acquainted with the highest-level officials' thoughts. I believe it is best that Director Kim and I take on such tasks on our own back. Instead of remaining indifferent until we achieve reunification, we should exchange [material matters] and interchange [non-material matters] if we can. I suggest that we need to get rid of any discomfort in our people's social lives even prior to our reunification. There are two ways in order to achieve this objective,

First is for Director Kim Yeong-ju and I to meet after drawing our opinions closer through working-level meetings. The other is for Mr. Kim Yeong-ju and I meet in person first to speak openly and then hold working-level meetings.

I will study the issue. However, I hope Director Kim Yeong-ju has a chance to examine the issue as well. To summarize,

1. We must initiate political meetings in order to achieve reunification as soon as possible,

2. We should exchange officials, communications on the economy even before we solve the issues with political reunification,

3. In order to promote this objective, Mr. Kim Yeong-ju and I should hold meetings.

North: You have mentioned that there are two methods. You have mentioned the first is to hold working-level meetings and the other is for the two [high-level] officials to meet first and discuss the issues openly. Comrade Director Kim Yeong-ju stated the latter is very much desired.

South: I endorse the idea that we meet first and then hold working-level meetings.
We shall proceed so.

North: I will accurately report Director Lee's statement [to Director Kim].

South: In the letter, you mentioned that you will entrust the date of visit to me. I will deliver the answer through comrade Jeong later.

North: The international circumstance is changing rapidly. We must meet as soon as possible. Please notify me the preferred date of your visit. The two high-level officials must meet to find a desired solution for the South and North misunderstandings and peaceful reunification of our motherland. If you are unable to visit during April, we would like to have another official who President Park trusts to visit us. Among them we would like to have Mr. Chang Ki-yeong visit. When Mr. Chang Ki-yeong visits, Second Vice-premier Pak Seongcheol will meet with Mr. Chang Ki-yeong. He [Director Kim Yeong-ju] stated the best would be Director Lee Hu-rak visiting us.

South: Even after Mr. Kim Deok-hyeon's departure, I will contact [you] through comrade Jeong in the near future.

North: Would you be able to answer us if you could visit us soon during April?

South: I would like to visit you soon. Of course, it is best that I visit. Anyways, I will try to remain within the range of what Mr. Kim Yeong-ju had planned. The details include the possibility of who will visit [whether I will visit or someone else will visit] and also when to visit.

Mr. Kim Yeong-ju is occupied in many tasks, isn't he?

North: He is occupied with a number of tasks. However, he is looking forward to discussing issues with Director Lee Hu-rak.

South: I was previously told that you are quite occupied during April…… You also have the “May Day” events……

North: We both had different reasons then.

South: Even within the government, there are some people who support the idea that we force one-sided suggestions [to the North]. I am arguing to avoid it from happening. We shall not force one-sided suggestions. Such things (one-sided suggestions) rather get in the way of achieving reunification. In order to coincide with the prevailing opinion in international community, [forcing] one-sided suggestions are to be avoided.

North: In order to solve such issues, the two high-level officials ought to meet as soon as possible.

South: Very well. It is the most urgent task among our nation's historic assignments.

North: It is true. We must resolve the misunderstanding and distrust between the South and the North. We should resolve what we can and we should pass over the things we can. This is what comrade Director of Organization thinks.

South: I am able to tell because I sympathize with him. Even without a long conversation, I've became aware of what you think. Although it may be somewhat uncomfortable, we must meet face to face to talk openly and it will lead to finding solutions to our issues.

North: Comrade Kim Yeong-ju wishes for an unconstrained procedure without diplomacy. He is also well acquainted with the Premier's intention. For instance regarding the defamation issue, we are able to solve it soon.

South: Although we were unable to reach an agreement on the agenda you previously proposed, the media has changed quite a lot for the past three days, don't you think?

North: I was very glad to listen to the [change in the] media.

South: It is a short distance [from the North] to Seoul, isn't it?

North: It is very close indeed. I am deeply touched.

South: Anyways, I believe Mr. Kim visited and accomplished the tasks for Mr. Kim [Yeong-ju]. Although it is short, I hope you take a good rest. I will speak with you again tomorrow if there is anything I forgot or anything I'd like to add. We, people of same motherland, were set apart because the 38th parallel divided us. Anyways, please take a good rest.

North: I consider I am at my own home.

South: You do not need to be concerned. Let's say this out loud. Mr. Kim is a Communist and I am a Capitalist. Will it work even if someone tries to brainwash us?

“Mr. Jeong, show them as it is.”

We should meet tomorrow at 18:00.

Since we have the Indonesian CIA Director visiting us today, Mr. Kim and I should have dinner together.