Report from V. Molotov and M. Suslov

Copy

Secret Nº 4

[Stamp: 27/449

Secretariat of [[Kuz]]netsov

Secret

Incoming Nº 367vn

17 January 1955]

AVPRF F. 0102 Op. 11 P. 65 D. 45

[handwriting: Mao Zedong [[the remainder is illegible]]

to the CPSU CC

In accordance with instructions to submit proposals to give aid to the DPRK in reviving the economy and in nation-building we consider it necessary to report the following.

While speeding up the production cooperation of peasant farms and the industrialization of the country the Korean comrades are not taking sufficient measures in the process for the recovery of agriculture and are not paying proper attention to improving the economic conditions of the population. There are cases among the population of displays of discontent at the existing situation which cannot be ignored, especially in view of the fact that it is necessary to achieve progress in the economic and cultural development of the DPRK which is convincing to all the Korean people (including South Korea). The situation in the Korean People's Army is bad. Military discipline has declined as a result of a slackening of political work in the Army and there is a lessening of political vigilance. There are cases of treason, desertion, and other crimes both among enlisted men and officers.

The principles of collective leadership in the Worker's Party, Party democracy, criticism and self-criticism are being poorly implemented. Elections to the Supreme People's Assembly and local governing bodies have been delayed for a long time.

The Worker's Party CC still devotes little attention to work in South Korea, and does not have its own organizations or support in mass legal organizations there.

We think that it would be advisable to discuss issues with the Korean comrades which have come to a head about the situation in Korea and invite Cde. Kim Il Sung to Moscow in February 1955 together with a group of senior Worker's Party officials for this purpose.

We also think it advisable to inform the Chinese friends about this and ask whether they want to express their views about the issues of the economic and political situation in the DPRK and to also find out in what form they might take part in the consultations with the Korean comrades.

In this connection we are sending a memo about the situation in the DPRK from Cdes. Kuznetsov, Stepanov, Fedorenko, and Suzdalev. We consider the views described in the memo to be correct.

A draft CPSU CC resolution is attached.

V. Molotov M. Suslov

17 January 1955

Nº 83/M

Authenticated: [illegible signature]

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Secret Nº __

Draft

CPSU CC RESOLUTION

1. Consider it advisable to invite Cde. Kim Il Sung to Moscow in February 1955 with a group of senior Worker's Party CC officials instead of the previously planned time frame of April-May 1955, and hold a conversation with him in the CC Presidium.

2. Recognize it advisable to inform the Chinese friends about our views in connection with the situation in Korea and find out their opinion.

Approve the attached draft instructions to Cde. Yudin in Peking.

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Secret Nº __

PEKING

TO THE SOVIET AMBASSADOR

Visit Zhou Enlai and report the following to him.

Kim Il Sung has expressed a desire to go to Moscow to consult about issues associated with the preparation of the Labor Party program and also in connection with the DPRK five-year development plan which has been worked out, and concerning several other issues.

In Moscow they regard this offer favorably and consider it advisable to exchange opinions with the Korean comrades about the situation in Korea.

This said, it is intended to discuss the following.

Measures to revive and develop industry are being excessively speeded up in the DPRK and accordingly a considerable portion of budget appropriations are being directed at capital construction. High rates have also been adopted with respect to the production cooperation of agriculture. The Korean comrades are intent on putting all peasant farms into cooperatives in the next five or six years, which causes us serious concerns.

The fact stands out that in the plans outlined and in the practical implementation of a number of measures the Korean comrades are insufficiently considering the need to carry out urgent measures to improve the population's living conditions which, according to available information, remain difficult. The Korean friends insufficiently take into account that in conditions where the country remains divided, it is especially important to show the entire Korean people, also including the population of South Korea, that in fact great work is being done in North Korea to improve the lives of the broad popular masses and in improving economic and cultural development at the same time.

The CC of the Worker's Party devotes little attention to work in South Korea both legal and illegal, and does not have support there in existing legal organizations.

In connection with the above it would be desirable to know the views of the CPC CC about the above issues and also about in what form the Chinese comrades could take part in the aforementioned consultations in Moscow.

Reports results by telegraph.