Record of Conversation between Comrade Wu Xiuquan and Ambassador Ri Yeong-ho

Record of Conversation between Comrade Wu Xiuquan and Ambassador Ri Yeong-ho

Time: 7 February 1962

Location: New CCP International Liaison Department Building

In attendance: Korean [Workers’] Party: Tae Ho

Chinese [Communist] Party: Xi Daochong

Translation and Recording: Li Zhichang

Primary Content:

The ambassador says goodbye to Comrade [Wu] Xiuquan, saying that the Chinese [Communist] Party has taken the correct stance on modern revisionism and that both parties are in agreement in the pace of the struggle.  He emphasizes creating a concrete, independent national economy in China.  The ambassador expresses his thanks and his intent to offer assistance to the Chinese Party and government however possible.

Ri: I have lived in China as an ambassador for many years, and in this time the party and government have offered me assistance in all areas of my work, making my work successful as well as solidifying and growing the friendship and partnership between our two countries and parties.  This kind of partnership and friendship is founded not on the personal affections between individuals, but on the shared values of Marxism, Leninism, and proletarian internationalism.  This is the way it has always been and always will be.  The selfless and meticulous assistance given to us by the party has especially allowed us to make significant strides in our work in Southeast Asia and Africa. Now that the Central Committee has assigned me to return home and continue my work in-country, I have come to express my heartfelt gratitude to Deputy Minister Wu Xiuquan.  I will never forget the selfless help given to me by the party and Chinese government.

Wu: Ambassador Ri [Yeong-ho], representing both the North Korean government and the Korean Workers’ Party, you have made enormous contributions toward developing the relationship between our two parties and countries.  Indeed, as you mentioned, this relationship is built on the principles of Marxism, Leninism, and proletarian internationalism.  This is our mutual belief.  As for the question of aid, Chairman Mao [Zedong] has stated that the help North Korea provides to China is even greater than that which China provides North Korea.  Your position as a buffer against American imperialism at the 38th Parallel and your struggle against it is the greatest help to socialism and to China.  Last time I attended one of the representative meetings held by your Party, I had the opportunity to observe the infrastructure in place in your country, leaving me with a deep impression of the brilliant leadership shown by Comrade Kim Il Sung as the head of the North Korean Workers’ Party Central Committee.  Your domestic infrastructure is very well done, and we will be sure to do well with that which we are currently building.  Now that you are returning home, I wish you a speedy recovery so that you may return to continue the work of strengthening and developing the friendship between our two parties and countries.

Ri: My personal ability is of no great significance, but the relationship between our two parties has always been very close, and my duty is to work hard to improve it even further.  I believe that the relationship between our two countries is not one of happenstance; rather it is derived from our common beliefs and goals.  That is the true source of our friendship.  However, some people do not agree.  I believe that the stance China’s Party takes on modern revisionism is correct, and we are unanimous in this struggle.  I believe that Khrushchev is a modern revisionist.  His attitude toward Congo, his handling of Poland’s domestic construction and especially the agricultural cooperation movement, his behavior at the last World Peace Conference, and his attitude toward the liberation of colonized peoples are all evidence that he is indeed a modern revisionist.  After the 22nd Congress of the CPSU, Khrushchev has ended diplomatic relations with Albania.  Is Albania worse than Yugoslavia?  Albania is a socialist country which stands starkly against imperialism and revisionism and holds closely to Marxism and Leninism.  Why oppose such a party?  

Wu: Holding to Marxism, Leninism, and socialism while opposing imperialism and modern revisionism is the foundation.  Truth will always triumph.  Even though those who hold to the truth are currently small in number, victory will always belong to those on the side of truth.  

Ri: Yes, though on the surface those who support our position are small in number, internationally speaking, if the current population of 900 million socialists were to lose 700 million, would there still be a socialist movement?  We are currently working hard domestically to build a concrete, independent national economy so as to depend as little as possible on other people.

Wu: You are doing well.

Ri: It could not be any other way.  North Korea is similar to China in that we were poor in the past, constantly looked down upon by other people, so we must develop quickly and improve our livelihood.  Our requirements for the first step are not high, simply to ensure that everyone has food, clothing, and shelter so that they may live more comfortably.  According to the revisionists, the way to go about that is not to build up socialism but to revive capitalism.  Currently, Kennedy’s “Peace Plan” calls for, one, not allowing the people to revolt, and, two, making socialist countries return to capitalism.  And so our parties must fight against every appearance of revisionism.  I myself am as resolved as before to consistently follow the correct guidance of our parties to fight against the influence of foreign policies to the very end.  

Wu: In a little over a year, our resistance against revisionism has made significant progress.  In places where revolution has not been successful, over ninety-percent of people want to revolt, as a result those who support our position are ever increasing in number.  We will maintain faith in our eventual victory.

Ri: I have said all that is on my mind today.  I want to once again express my heartfelt thanks to Deputy Minister Wu Xiuquan, Minister Xi [Daochong], and all of the other comrades at the [International] Liaison Department.  It is because of the selfless and meticulous aid given us by these comrades that our work has achieved such success.  I expect the newly appointed [North Korean] ambassador to arrive soon.

Wu: Minister Wang also wished to speak with you but he is of poor health.

Ri: Please pass on my gratitude and wishes for a fast recovery to Minister Wang.  I am prepared to return home either on 15 February or a few days afterward.