South Korean Telegrams on Visit to China by North Korean Leader Kim Il Sung

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Regarding: WGE – 0455

1. An official from our ministry visited the Head of East Asian Affairs of the resident country on the 22nd and exchanged opinions on Kim Il Sung’s visit to Communist China.

2. According to the person in charge at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim’s visit to Communist China occurred as a result of an unexpected request. China was rather perplexed because his visit coincided with Belgium Prime Minister Tinderman’s visit to Communist China.

3. In his speech, Kim mentioned that North Korea will crush any attempt by the South to attack North Korea. He also stated that when a revolution occurs in the South, [the North] will provide support at an adequate point of time, thus suggesting a possible war. On the other hand, Deng Xiaoping made a speech which stated that Communist China will support the peaceful and independent unification of the Koreas. Therefore, the official mentioned, both sides [North Korea and China] exposed differences in their opinions.

4. Whether or not Kim will visit the Soviet Union, the official mentioned that Kim’s visit to China and perhaps the Soviet Union reminded him of Kim’s visit to these countries immediately before June 25, 1950. He expressed concerns that, first, whether we will recognize Kim’s [illegible] as an initiative of revolution in the South, and second, if [illegible] will willingly accept Kim’s defeat when Kim provokes a war, arguing Communist China has not approved of the war.

5. During the discussion, the official mentioned Portugal as an example. We inquired if the Western bloc would intervene if Portugal is communized, but the official downplayed the possibility of intervention. [Illegible]

Response to: WUS – 04365

I have exchanged opinions with Assistant Secretary of State Habib on Kim Il Sung’s recent visit to Beijing. Assistant Secretary Habib believes that the recent joint statement used the standard language of the Communists and, from Communist China’s perspective, it does not seem that China has encouraged North Korea’s provocations. In this recent visit, Communist China treated Kim Il Sung with lavish treatment. Kim has stated that he will not remain as a mere spectator when there is a revolution in the South. However, if we limit our focus to the joint statement only, he has expressed his support for the peaceful unification of Korea. Also, while he did argue for the withdrawal of the U.S. Army, the lack of a definite deadline clearly requires attention. The joint statement itself seems to be focused on diplomacy and as a response to the U.N. [Assembly] taking place this year, it aims to improve North Korea’s image outward, and we observe that it is likely to initiate a diplomatic offensive. Working level officials at the Department of State are currently analyzing [the circumstances] by accumulating the joint statement and other speeches as well as exchange of opinions of relevant organization. The outcome is likely to be released by the beginning of next week and I will report the outcome as soon as we obtain it.

Making the use of this opportunity, I have inquired about Kim Il Sung’s visit to the Soviet Union. Assistant Secretary Habib has referenced the person in charge at the Soviet Foreign Affairs, Asia Desk, who is likely to have sufficient information to answer the inquiry. He has confirmed that there is no such plan at the moment.

Regarding: Continuation of JAW – 04778 (Part 2)

Such superiority and unity is completely aligned with fundamental interests of both the Chinese and North Korean people. Both parties should form solid unity in the course of struggles against Imperialism and operations for socialist revolution and establishment. Both parties should fight against as one and contribute to the world people’s revolution.

3. Communist China recognized Korean unification as an event that should be realized on the basic principles and measures as provided by Prime Minister Kim Il Sung. Communist China condemned Park Chung Hee’s group for firmly pressing [Kataku Nani] to divide Koreans under the support and silence by American Imperialists, violating the South-North Joint Statement, oppressing fascism on the people of the South and the North, and aggravating tension on the Korean peninsula.

Communist China firmly supports social democratization for each level of the people in the South as well as the struggle for justice to realize autonomous and peaceful unification of our fatherland. Communist China criticized American Imperialists promoting the “Two Koreas” policy, solidifying the division of Joseon [Korea], and scheming to promote permanency of the division. Communist China firmly argued that the issues of Joseon should be settled by the people of Joseon, without any external disruption. So-called “Combined Armed Forces Command” must be dismissed. The U.S. Army must withdraw from South Korea (Joseon) completely.

4. Joseon [North Korea] highly applauded the Chinese Communist party, including Mao Zedong, for utilizing the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism in the actual details of revolutionizing China.   

It also praised highly the Chinese Communist party’s victory in its long-sustained struggle by instructing the Chinese people and fighting against its domestic and international opponents.

5. The Chinese public follow the basic line of the Party’s total socialist historical process which is set by their great leader Mao Zedong, continue revolution under the proletariat dictatorship, lead the proletariat Grand Revolution into victory by defeating two anti-revolution bourgeois level headquarters, led by Liu Shaoqi and Lin Biao, and continue the “Criticize Lin, Criticize Confucius” movement widely and in-depth.

Public movement to study theories of the proletariat dictatorship is being expanded widely in the nation. The Chinese public shall promote the revolution spirit of independency, autonomy, and self-regeneration under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, always fighting boldly, building more socialism, quickly and without waste. While accomplishing valuable results, the Chinese public are striving to establish Communist China as a strong modernized socialist nation within this century. The people of [North] Korea consider this achievement of our Chinese brothers, achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Mao Zedong, as an achievement of their own, fervently congratulating it, and whole-heartedly wishing even greater achievement in the future.  

(Schedule – North 1, North 2, Political 2)

75. 4. 28, 15:53