February 11, 1977
Letter to the US Secretary of State from Heo Dam
This document was made possible with support from Kyungnam University
Letter from the DPRK to the US Secretary of State
(Enclosure)
1977. 2. 11
“As you have been inaugurated as Secretary of State, I am writing from the need for a common search for practical ways to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
It has been twenty-three years since a truce has been established on the Korean peninsula; however, the political situation in this area has not significantly improved yet and tensions continue to persist.
President Jimmy Carter has stated the intention to remove U.S. troop and withdraw nuclear weapons from Korea. His remarks deserve welcome and are worthy of notice by people around the world. We, people of the DPRK, welcome it as well.
We have continuously argued that the question of Korean unification should be resolved in a peaceful manner and made clear frequently that we have no intention to invade South Korea.
We believe that both DPRK and the United States should have active talks immediately in order to ease tension and sustain peace on the Korean Peninsula.
If both DPRK and the United States had contacts and dialogues each other, and tension were reduced in Korea, it would contribute much to world peace including Asia. I am looking forward to hearing from your positive reply to this letter.”
Heo Dam
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK
A letter from Heo Dam, the minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea, stating North Korea's stance on the US government's withdrawal policy and suggesting direct talks between US and North Korea.
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