Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK V. I. Ivanov for 27-29 January 1956

[CPSU CC stamp:

07504

22 February 1956

subject to return

  to the CPSU CC

  General Department]

TOP SECRET Copy Nº only

22 February 1956

Nº 0286/dv

to the CPSU CC [International] DEPARTMENT

to Cde. I. S. SHCHERBAKOV

We are sending you the journal of Cde. V. I. Ivanov, Soviet Ambassador in the DPRK for the period from 20 through 30 January 1956.

Attachment: the aforementioned on nine pages (incoming Nº 0610s of 20 February, copy Nº 3)

DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE USSR MFA FAR EAST DEPARTMENT [signature]

(S. SUZDALEV)

1 - AS/yus

1 - address[ee]

Nº 426-dv

22 February 1956

[handwritten:

to the archives

informative material

I. Shcherbakov

29 March 1956

[signature]

31 March [illegible signature]

[handwritten: Top Secret

USSR MFA Far

East Department stamp:

incoming Nº 0610s of 2[[0]] February]

SOVIET EMBASSY IN THE DPRK

JOURNAL

of V. I. Ivanov, Soviet Ambassador in the DPRK for the period from 20 to 30 January 1956

Pyongyang

07504

[…]

27-29 January

We visited the headquarters of the People's Volunteer Army at the invitation of General Yang Yong, Commanding General of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in the DPRK; Li Zhimin, Political Commissar; and Wang Weilun [sic], Chief [SIC, presumably "of Staff"]. During the visit we were in military subunits and became acquainted with the life, training, and the relaxation of the Chinese soldiers. We laid a wreath on the common grave of soldiers who died in the 1950-1953 Korean War, where Mao Zedong's son is also buried, in the name of the Soviet Embassy. A concert was held on 27 January where the amateur talent and a performance of the army group of Chinese classical opera were demonstrated.

The military subunits distributed around the headquarters are located in permanent buildings. According to a statement of the command the accommodations of Chinese volunteers at the 38^th Parallel are worse for the time being, but they will engage in more construction and intend to build many permanent structures there in 1956.

Yang Yong spoke about the conditions of the war with the American invaders, noted the great shortage of weapons in the initial period, and stressed the sharp change in this regard at the present time. However, speaking about aircraft, he pointed to the shortage of equipment and airfields in the DPRK.

The soldiers' food could be considered satisfactory. The soldiers seem well.

Ten people were present from our side. Ambassador Pan Zili and Embassy officials [were present] from their side.

[…]

Soviet Ambassador in the DPRK [signature]

(V. Ivanov)

Four copies printed

drafted by Ivanov

typed by Fokina

Nº 42

1 - to Cde. Molotov

2 - to Cde. Fedorenko

3 - to Cde. Kurdyukov

4 - to file

2 February 1956