Though China is offering constant support for the DPRK government's position on the reunification issue, North Korea also seeks to improve relations with the Soviet Union.
February 28, 1978
TELEGRAM 066.532 from the Romanian Embassy in Pyongyang to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This document was made possible with support from ROK Ministry of Unification
TELEGRAM 066.532
To: the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From: the Romanian Embassy in Pyongyang
Date: January 28th, 1978
Classification: Secret
On the occasion of a fare-well visit to Mioara Nanu, Third Secretary [illegible], the Third Secretary of the PRC Embassy in Pyongyang, referring to Korean-Chinese relations, pointed out that during 1977, these [relations] unfolded normally, in a generally positive direction, without any unusual [events].
Mentioning certain assessments made in the ‘diplomatic world’ about the equidistant policy promoted by the DPRK vis-à-vis the PRC and the USSR, the Chinese diplomat said that, in principle, the DPRK is trying to promote such a policy, but concrete, historical, and geographic conditions, make the DPRK visibly tilt towards Korean-Chinese relations. The Chinese diplomat showed that, during 1977, six Chinese delegations were received by President Kim Il Sung.
On these occasions, the DPRK President underlined [how] good Korean-Chinese relations [are], [emphasizing] the solidarity of the Chinese people with the Korean people, noting that ‘in case of a war against the DPRK, China would, as it had done in the past, provide the backing of the Korean frontline.
[…]
Signed
Dumitru Popa
The Romanian Embassy in Pyongyang notes that despite North Korea's policy of equidistance toward the USSR and the PRC, the DPRK in fact has tilted closer to China.
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Archive of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AMAE), Folder 782/1978, Matter 220/F, Relations between North Korea and Socialist Countries (Czechoslovakia, China, Cuba, GDR, Yugoslavia, USSR), January-December 1978. Obtained and translated for NKIDP by Eliza Gheorghe.
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ROK Ministry of Unification and Leon Levy Foundation