CWIHPBulletin6-7 p2 PDF

30 COLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT B ULLETIN NEW EVIDENCE ON
NEW RUSSIAN DOCUMENTS ON THE KOREAN WAR

Introduction and Translations significant first months of the conflict. (Un- Vasilevsky on February 23 (document #4)
fortunately, some key materials from this supports accounts given by former DPRK
by Kathryn Weathersby period, particularly the months immediately military officers that Stalin began taking
preceding the war, have not yet become steps to strengthen the North Korean mili-
In the previous issue of the Cold War available; for key documents from mid-Sep- tary forces even before Kim Il Sung’s secret
International History Project Bulletin (Issue tember to mid-October 1950, covering events trip to Moscow in April, by appointing Ma-
5, Spring 1995 pp. 1, 2-9), I described the from the Inchon landing to China’s decision jor-General Vasiliev, a Hero of the Soviet
collection of high-level documents on the to intervene in the war, see the article by Union and section chief for War Experience
Korean War that Russian President Boris Alexandre Y. Mansourov elsewhere in this Analysis in the Soviet General Staff, to re-
Yeltsin presented to President Kim Young issue of the CWIHP Bulletin.) It then offers place Shtykov as principal military adviser
Sam of South Korea in June 1994. I also a more selective sample of documents from to the Korean People’s Army (KPA).3
presented translations of six key documents spring 1951 through the end of the war, From Shtykov’s telegram to Foreign
from that collection that illuminate the deci- focusing primarily on Stalin’s approach to Minister Andrei Vyshinsky on February 7
sion-making behind the outbreak of full- the armistice negotiations. As the reader will (document #2), we see how closely Stalin
scale war in Korea in June 1950. Since the quickly discover, these documents of high- supervised events in North Korea, deciding
publication of the Spring 1995 Bulletin, the level decision-making within the Soviet gov- whether the DPRK could issue a bond, form
base of documentary evidence on the Ko- ernment and within the Moscow-Beijing- an additional three infantry divisions, con-
rean War has been enriched even more by Pyongyang alliance shed light on many ques- vene the Supreme People’s Assembly, or
the release of virtually the entire collection tions about the Korean War, the Sino-Soviet send textile workers to the Soviet Union for
of high-level documents on the war declas- alliance, Soviet relations with North Korea training. Documents #5-9 indicate the rea-
sified by the Presidential Archive in Mos- (the Democratic People’s Republic of Ko- son why the highly nationalistic Korean
cow, which numbers approximately 1,200 rea, or DPRK), Soviet attitudes toward the communists allowed such interference in
pages. Through a joint project of the Center United States, and the making of Soviet their country’s affairs. As I discussed in the
for Korean Research of Columbia Univer- foreign policy in general in the last years of previous Bulletin, prior to the Korean War,
sity and the Cold War International History Stalin’s life. In this brief commentary I will North Korea was dependent on the Soviet
Project, these documents are now available therefore not attempt to provide a close ex- Union for the substantial quantities of goods
to all interested researchers.1 amination of these documents, as I have in and the broad range of expertise needed to
The Presidential Archive (known offi- two previous Bulletin articles (and a related construct a new socialist state out of an
cially as the Archive of the President, Rus- article in The Journal of American-East Asian abruptly truncated portion of the former
sian Federation, or APRF) is the repository Relations).2 Instead, I will point out some of Japanese empire. From 1945-1950, the only
to which, during the Soviet era, the Kremlin the most important questions these new place to which the DPRK could turn for this
leadership sent its most sensitive records for sources address, provide additional back- support was the Soviet Union. Though many
safekeeping and ready access. Its holdings ground information drawn from my research North Korean communists had close ties to
are therefore more selective than those of in other Soviet archives, and offer some the Chinese communist party, the latter was
the archives of the Soviet Foreign Ministry, preliminary conclusions. not in a position to aid its Korean comrades.
the Central Committee of the Communist The documents presented below begin In early 1950, the new People’s Republic of
Party (CC CPSU), and the General Staff of where the records published in the previous China (PRC) government in Beijing led by
the Soviet Armed Forces, the other major Bulletin left off, with Stalin’s telegram to the Mao Zedong was itself forced to turn to
repositories used by historians of the Cold Soviet ambassador in Pyongyang on 30 Janu- Moscow for economic and military aid. As
War. The release of a large portion of the ary 1950 informing Kim Il Sung that he documents #11 and #13 indicate, in the spring
APRF’s documents on the Korean War con- would “assist” him in the matter of reunify- of 1950 Mao Zedong and Kim Il Sung were
sequently provides a critical addition to ing Korea by military means. Document #1 both interested in the possibility of develop-
available evidence on the high-level deci- reveals that Kim Il Sung and Soviet Ambas- ing wider trade and closer communications
sions and deliberations of the communist sador T.F. Shtykov interpreted Stalin’s mes- between the PRC and the DPRK. Close
side during this pivotal conflict. sage as approval to plan an offensive cam- economic and military ties between
This article presents translations of and paign against South Korea. The North Ko- Pyongyang and Beijing developed after the
commentary on a sizable portion of this rean leader received Stalin’s telegram with Chinese entered the Korean War; they were
recently-released APRF collection on the “great satisfaction” and informed Shtykov not in place prior to October 1950.4
Korean War. It begins with most of the that he would begin preparations for a meet- At Stalin’s insistence, after secretly re-
released documents covering February 1950 ing with Stalin at which the details of the ceiving the Soviet leader’s conditional green
through January 1951, providing a close campaign would be worked out. Shtykov’s light for an attack against South Korea dur-
look at the Soviet role in Korea during the telegram to Soviet Defense Minister A.M. ing a secret summit in Moscow in April (for
THE KOREAN WAR C OLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT BULLETIN 31
which records still, alas, remain unavail- prescribed in the General Staff’s plan, and Stalin’s rather rude message to Mao
able), Kim Il Sung traveled to Beijing in that Soviet advisers participated in recon- Zedong on July 8 (document #21) appears to
May 1950 in order to secure Mao Zedong’s naissance and in planning the operation at have been a further attempt to prod the
approval for the planned offensive. Docu- the divisional level. However, Soviet advis- Chinese to move toward entering the war.
ments #11 and #13 show that in his discus- ers were apparently withdrawn from the Stalin was also quite brusque in his message
sions with Kim Il Sung, Mao Zedong was front line before the attack began, with nega- to Mao on July 13, indicating that he had not
considerably less worried about the possi- tive consequences for the efficiency of the been informed whether the Chinese had de-
bility of military conflict with the United operation. This accords with Khrushchev’s cided to deploy troops on the Korean border
States than was the Soviet leadership, argu- recollection that Stalin pulled back Soviet and offering again to provide air cover. He
ing that “the Americans will not enter a third advisers from the front at the last minute, out also informed Beijing that he intended to
world war for such a small territory.” It also of fear that they might be taken prisoner and train Chinese pilots in two to three months
appears that in May 1950 Kim Il Sung, thus expose Soviet participation in the op- and to transfer the necessary equipment to
perhaps to counter the oppressive Soviet eration.6 them, presumably for use in Korea. On
influence in North Korea, took a tentative Consistent with his withdrawal of So- August 27, Stalin informed PRC Foreign
step toward the strategy he later used so viet advisers from the front, Stalin’s queries Minister Zhou Enlai (document #26) that he
extensively of playing China and the Soviet to Shtykov on July 1 (document #15) indi- would send 38 air force and air defense
Union against one another. He reported to cate that he was agitated and nervous about specialists to China. These advisers and the
Soviet Ambassador Shtykov that he had at the situation in Korea following the Ameri- large amounts of equipment that accompa-
first intended to ask Mao for ammunition for can entry into the war. Shtykov’s reply nied them were the first installment of what
the Korean troops that had recently been (document #16) cautiously raises the ques- became massive Soviet support in construct-
transferred from China to North Korea tion that was at the root of the Soviet leader’s ing an air force for the PRC, a process which
(whose weapons were of Japanese and anxiety, namely the possibility that a disas- continued throughout the Korean War.
American manufacture rather than Soviet) ter in Korea might draw Soviet troops into Stalin’s message to Kim Il Sung on 28
but he decided not to raise the issue after all, combat against American armed forces. August 1950 (document #27) is particularly
since he was informed that the KPA had Shtykov reports that Kim Il Sung and North revealing of the Soviet leader’s approach to
sufficient ammunition. Furthermore, he had Korean Foreign Minister Pak Hon Yong the difficult situation created by American
no other requests to make of Mao “since all “understand the difficulties for Korea elic- entry into the Korean War. While North
his requests were satisfied in Moscow and ited by the entrance of the Americans into Korea was suffering saturation bombing by
the necessary and sufficient assistance was the war” and “are taking the necessary mea- American planes, Stalin exhorted Kim Il
given him there.” sures to stabilize human and material re- Sung to take courage from the example of
Shtykov’s telegram to Vyshinsky on sources,” though some in the DPRK leader- the Red Army’s triumph against great odds
May 12 (document #13), reveals that before ship were inquiring about possible Soviet in the civil war of 1918-20 and the great war
departing Pyongyang the following day for entry into the war. against Germany of 1941-45. He offered to
Beijing, Kim Il Sung reported to Shtykov We see that as early as the first week of send additional aircraft for the small North
that he had ordered the chief of the general July, Stalin began the strategy toward the Korean air force, but did not suggest sending
staff to prepare his forces for the military war in Korea that he was to continue for the Soviet air force units or ground forces.
operation against the South and that he wished remainder of the conflict. In order to avoid Avoiding military confrontation with the
to begin the operation in June, though he did committing Soviet troops to fight the Ameri- United States remained the Soviet leader’s
not know if they would be ready by then. cans in Korea, he encouraged the Chinese foremost concern.
Unfortunately, the documents from the Presi- leadership to take steps toward entering the Stalin’s difficult and dramatic negotia-
dential Archive in Moscow are quite sparse war should the tide of battle turn against the tions with the Chinese leadership in October
for the crucial period of April-June 1950 and DPRK. Chen Jian revealed in his recent 1950 over the entry of Chinese armed forces
prospects for gaining access to those records book7 that the Chinese leadership decided into the war in Korea is the subject of a
in the near future are not encouraging.5 Many on July 7 and 10 to send troops to the Korean separate article in this issue by Alexandre
important questions about how the North border to prepare for possible intervention in Mansourov. I have therefore omitted those
Korean offensive was planned thus remain Korea; discussion about sending troops to documents from this selection, but will point
obscure. However, a British Broadcasting Korea thus began well before the UN ad- out that the terms of Chinese entry—that the
Corporation documentary team that con- vance into North Korea in early October. PRC would provide troops, the USSR mate-
ducted research on the Korean War in Russia Stalin’s telegram to the Soviet ambassador riel and advisers, and China would pay the
in 1994 has discovered a revealing report on in Beijing on July 5 (document #18) reveals Soviet Union for all military supplies—en-
the preparations for the attack and the first that in advance of those mid-July meetings, gendered considerable bitterness on the part
day of the operation. Written by Shtykov the Beijing leadership consulted with Stalin of the Chinese leadership. Stalin’s approach
and addressed to the head of the special about the proposed troop transfer. Stalin to the armistice negotiations, which will be
Soviet military mission sent to North Korea informed PRC Foreign Minister Zhou Enlai discussed below, and his insistence on timely
to oversee the operation, this report (docu- on July 5 that he approved of the plan and and high payments for military supplies to
ment #14) reveals that troop concentration also promised to try to provide air cover for China during the Korean War, thus consti-
was carried out from June 12 to June 23, as the Chinese troops. tuted an important cause of the eventual
32 COLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT B ULLETIN
collapse of the Sino-Soviet alliance. Mao, S.E. Zakharov, reported on 2 Novem- These documents corroborate the im-
Resuming the story in late October 1950, ber 1950 (document #35) on the results of the pression produced by recently-disclosed
document #31, the Politburo decision of 25 first day of combat between Soviet and Chinese sources that Mao Zedong and Peng
October 1950, suggests that the Soviet lead- American pilots. Zakharov’s report also Dehuai played the central role in operational
ership worried that the United States might reveals that Korean pilots were still flying in planning during the Korean War (e.g. docu-
use the war in Korea as a pretext for rearm- November 1950, from bases in Manchuria, 9 ments #50, 54-57). They kept Stalin in-
ing Japan. Stalin’s continued fear of a and that American planes were bombing air formed of the military situation and of pro-
resurgent Japan may seem surprising, but in bases in Manchuria as well as targets in posed operations and asked his advice when-
1947 the U.S. military had considered re- North Korea. ever a question of the “international situa-
arming Japan to buttress the forces available Soviet air force units in Korea proved to tion” was involved, such as in planning the
along the Soviet Pacific border, a move be highly effective against American bomb- “fourth operation”—a possible offensive—
vigorously opposed by the Soviet represen- ers and fighter planes.10 On 15 November in late January 1951 (document #56) or in
tative to the Far Eastern Commission. Fur- 1950 (document #38), Mao expressed his general strategic planning in early June 1951
thermore, two weeks after the North Korean appreciation to Stalin for the heroism of the (documents #66, 67). The documents also
attack on South Korea, U.S. Gen. Douglas Soviet pilots guarding the Yalu crossings, reveal that Stalin offered advice on military
MacArthur ordered the Japanese prime min- who had shot down 23 American planes in planning whenever he wished, such as on 5
ister to create a “National Police Reserve” the previous 12 days. Mao’s message also June 1951 (document #65), and that he inter-
of 75,000 men, some of whom were, in fact, reveals that Stalin reinforced Soviet air sup- vened more often and more directly with the
deployed to Korea. (At the same time, port by sending additional MiG-15’s to China command of North Korean troops than with
analogous moves toward constituting a West and creating a command apparatus for the air the Chinese (documents #19, 58, 59, 61).
German military contribution to the West- corps. Over the next few months Soviet air While the Chinese leadership had pri-
ern alliance were stepped up.) We have no force involvement in Korea grew to quite mary responsibility for managing the battle-
record of Japanese participation in the battles substantial proportions.11 Nonetheless, Stalin field, the Soviet leadership played the cen-
referred to in the Soviet statement cited continued to attempt to minimize the damage tral role in formulating diplomatic strategy
here, but forty-six minesweepers with 1,200 to Soviet interests that might ensue from the for the communist side during the war. We
Japanese military personnel were dispatched presence of Soviet pilots in Korea by order- see that in November and December 1950
to the eastern coast of North Korea between ing the Soviet Air Force to train Chinese the Soviet Foreign Ministry advised Zhou
2 October and 10 December 1950, to clear pilots as quickly as possible so that they Enlai regarding the best approach to take to
the way for an amphibious assault by UN could be sent to the front to replace Soviet air the question of Chinese participation in the
forces.8 Japanese participation never be- crews (documents #68, 74, 76). UN Security Council (document #37) and to
came a major issue during the Korean War, In addition to providing air cover against a response to American proposals declaring
either militarily or diplomatically, but it American planes along the Korean-Manchu- China an aggressor in Korea (document #46).
does appear that one of Stalin’s reasons for rian border, the Soviet Union also played the When UN representatives asked Chinese
taking the risks associated with a North critical role of providing military supplies representatives in New York in December
Korean offensive against South Korea was and advisers for the Chinese and North Ko- 1950 to inform them under what conditions
to eliminate the possibility that a resurgent rean war effort. In this selection of docu- China would accept a cease-fire in Korea,
Japan would be able to use southern Korea ments I have included the requests for sup- Zhou Enlai reported to Stalin his proposed
as a beachhead for an attack on the Soviet plies and advisers from November 1950 terms and asked for the opinion of the Soviet
Union. (This argument also animates through February 1951 (documents #36, 39, government before responding (document
Stalin’s arguments to Mao in early October 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 53, 62, 64), and then have #48).
1950 in favor of Chinese entry into the war limited the selection to only a few such Stalin’s reply to Zhou and the Politburo
to save the North Korean regime; see docu- requests for the remainder of the war (docu- directive the same day to UN Ambassador
ments accompanying Alexandre ments #72, 73, 91, 92, 106, 111). I should Vyshinsky suggest that the success of the
Mansourov’s article.) emphasize, however, that Chinese and North Chinese People’s Volunteers in turning back
Despite Stalin’s concern to avoid direct Korean requests for supplies and advisers the American advance in November 1950
military conflict with the United States, he constituted a large part of Stalin’s correspon- sharply altered Stalin’s approach to the war.
finally agreed to provide air cover for Chi- dence with Mao Zedong and Kim Il Sung On December 7 the Politburo informed
nese ground troops crossing into Korea. until his death in March 1953. It is interest- Vyshinsky (document #47) that his draft
Given the intensity of American bombing, ing to note that Stalin himself negotiated proposal for a cease-fire in Korea was “in-
Chinese troops could hardly have entered with Mao and Kim over the amounts of the correct in the present situation, when Ameri-
the war without such cover and they did not various supplies that would be delivered, the can troops are suffering defeat and when the
have the means to provide it for themselves. schedule of delivery, and the terms of pay- Americans are more and more often advanc-
On 1 November 1950, Soviet air force units ment. Stalin’s personal attention to the sup- ing a proposal about the cessation of military
first engaged American planes in air battles ply issue probably reflects the severity of the activity in Korea in order to win time and
over the Yalu River bridge that was the burden this role placed on Soviet production prevent the complete defeat of the American
route for Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV) capacity, which was still rebuilding from the troops.” With the unexpected and undoubt-
entering Korea. Stalin’s military envoy to devastation of World War II. edly welcome sight of the supposedly fear-
C OLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT BULLETIN 33
KOREA MAP
This page
some American armed forces retreating be- ment wanted peace and wanted a peaceful greater need to conclude an armistice, the
fore the troops of his junior ally, Stalin solution of the Korean question—at the ear- Chinese and North Koreans should “con-
ordered Vyshinsky to propose instead terms liest possible moment” and advised the United tinue to pursue a hard line, not showing haste
that the Americans would surely reject. In States “to get in touch with the North Kore- and not displaying interest in a rapid end to
the same vein, Stalin replied to Zhou (docu- ans and the Chinese Communists in this the negotiations” (document #95).
ment #49) that it was not yet time “for China matter.”13 A few days later Kim Il Sung and The evidence presented below suggests
to show all its cards, while Seoul is still not Gao Gang, a Chinese leader with close ties to that as the fighting dragged on through 1952,
liberated,” and advised him to adopt the the Soviet Union, went to Moscow to discuss the North Koreans became increasingly de-
more cunning strategy of requesting US and the situation with Stalin (documents #67, 69- sirous of ending the war (documents #102,
UN opinions on conditions for an armistice. 72). Mao Zedong considered it advisable to 106). The Chinese approach to the war,
When the UN group presented its proposal open negotiations with the UN command however, seems to have been contradictory.
on 11 January 1951, Zhou again turned to because for the next two months the Chinese On the one hand, Mao Zedong was clearly
Stalin for “advice and consultation” (docu- and North Koreans would have to occupy a anxious to avoid undermining the prestige of
ment #52), and in accordance with Stalin’s defensive position (documents #73, 74, 76). the PRC by accepting unfavorable armistice
recommendation the PRC rejected the UN If the Chinese and North Korean forces could terms (document #108). As Zhou Enlai
proposal. avoid facing an enemy offensive during this explained to Stalin in a conversation in
Stalin’s telegram to Mao Zedong on 5 period, by August they would be strong Moscow on 20 August 1952 (the transcript
June 1951 (document #65) reveals the new enough to launch their own new offensive. of which is published elsewhere in this issue
attitude toward the war that Stalin adopted Stalin agreed with Mao that armistice of the Bulletin), the Chinese leadership felt
after Chinese successes on the battlefield negotiations were desirable at that time (see that as a matter of principle it could not yield
removed the threat of an American advance document #69) and instructed Moscow’s to the Americans on the issue of repatriation
toward Chinese and Soviet borders. He ambassador to the United Nations to take the of POWs. Zhou also reported to Stalin that
informed Mao that he agreed that “the war appropriate initiative.14 This evidence sug- Mao believed that the war in Korea was
in Korea should not be speeded up, since a gests that the “hawks” within the Truman advantageous to China because it kept the
drawn out war, in the first place, gives the Administration who opposed opening nego- United States from preparing for a new world
possibility to the Chinese troops to study tiations in Korea on the grounds that the war. Specifically, by fighting the Ameri-
contemporary warfare on the field of battle enemy was only trying to buy time to build cans in Korea, China was helping to delay
and in the second place shakes up the Truman up its forces were, in fact, correct. From the next world war by 15-20 years. On the
regime in America and harms the military Mao’s assessment of the condition of the other hand, however, Zhou stated toward the
prestige of Anglo-American troops.” We Chinese and North Korean troops in the end of this conversation that if America
have no record of Mao’s reaction to Stalin’s summer of 1951, it appears that if the UN makes some sort of compromise on the POW
enthusiasm for this costly “learning experi- forces had pushed their advantage in June issue, the communist side should accept it.
ence” for China and one may imagine that and July 1951, before the Chinese had time to We need additional records from China
the Chinese leadership may have been less dig fortifications, they may well have ad- in order to determine more clearly the Chi-
enthusiastic about the massive casualties vanced the line of the front, and hence the nese leadership’s thinking regarding the war
suffered in Korea, which ran to many hun- eventual border between the two Koreas. in Korea during the long months of armistice
dreds of thousands by the end of the war. At After August 1951 the CPV and PLA were negotiations. However, from an internal
the same time, however, Mao’s correspon- sufficiently well dug in that the war remained report on the Korean War written by the
dence with Stalin indicates that the Chinese a stalemate. Soviet Foreign Ministry in 1966 (published
leader was in fact willing to continue the An examination of Chinese and North in Issue 3 [Fall 1993] of the Bulletin), it
war until he obtained from the United States Korean strategy during the armistice nego- appears that by the time of Stalin’s death in
terms he considered acceptable. Russian tiations, which lasted from July 1951 to July March 1953, Beijing was eager to bring the
records of Mao’s correspondence with Stalin 1953, is beyond the scope of this essay, war to an end. According to this report,
thus lend support to Chen Jian’s argument though the Presidential Archive documents during conversations held while Zhou Enlai
that Mao Zedong intervened in Korea pri- provide extensive evidence on this subject. I was in Moscow for Stalin’s funeral, the PRC
marily in order to reassert China’s place in will note only that it appears that while Mao foreign minister “urgently proposed that the
the international order and to revive revolu- Zedong opened negotiations in 1951 prima- Soviet side assist the speeding up of an
tionary momentum within China.12 rily in order to buy time to reinforce his armistice.” As the tortuously worded USSR
Despite Stalin’s interest in continuing position on the battlefield, his communica- Council of Ministers resolution of 19 March
the war in Korea, the serious losses suffered tions with Stalin in July and August 1951 1953 (document #112) reveals, ending the
by Chinese and North Korean troops in their (documents #84-88) suggest that if he had war in Korea was also a high priority for the
failed offensives of April and May 1951 been able to secure satisfactory terms in the post-Stalin leadership in Moscow; in the
forced the communist allies to consider open- negotiations, he may have been willing to midst of the great anxiety and confusion
ing negotiations with the UN command. On conclude an armistice. However, the docu- following Stalin’s death, the new leadership
June 5 Soviet Ambassador to the UN Jacob ments reveal that Stalin consistently took a drafted and approved this major foreign
Malik informed the American diplomat “hard line” toward the negotiations, advising policy decision in only two weeks. The
George F. Kennan that “the Soviet govern- Mao that since the Americans had an even evidence thus suggests that Stalin’s desire to
continue the war in Korea was a major factor sented below and the others from this collec- timing of the attack. The North Korean leadership
informed Beijing about the military operation only on
in the prolongation of the war; immediately tion published in this issue, the documents
June 27, after the KPA had already occupied Seoul. See
after his death the three communist allies declassified by the Presidential Archive Chen Jian, China’s Road to the Korean War: The
took decisive steps to reach an armistice greatly expand our knowledge of the Korean Making of the Sino-American Confrontation (New York:
agreement. War and of Soviet foreign policy in general Columbia University Press, 1994), 134.
5. Members of the Russian declassification committee
The timing of the Council of Ministers’ in the late Stalin years, particularly Soviet
for Korean War documents have reported that further
resolution also suggests that it was Stalin’s relations with the new communist govern- records regarding the preparations for the military of-
death rather than U.S. threats to use nuclear ment in China. It will be some time before fensive against South Korea in the spring of 1950 are
weapons that finally brought a breakthrough these new sources can be adequately ana- not in the Presidential Archive and have not been
located.
in the armistice negotiations. The lyzed and integrated with documentary and
6. Khrushchev recorded that when he asked Stalin
Eisenhower Administration later asserted memoir evidence from other countries. In about this “incomprehensible” order, the Soviet leader
that it finally broke the stalemate at the meantime, readers may wish to consult replied sharply: “It’s too dangerous to keep our advisers
Panmunjom by virtue of its “unmistakable the following recent publications using other there. They might be taken prisoner. We don’t want
there to be evidence for accusing us of taking part in this
warning” to Beijing that it would use nuclear new sources from China and Russia in order
business. It’s Kim Il Sung’s affair.” See Nikita
weapons against China if an armistice were to place this new evidence in a broader Khrushchev (Strobe Talbott, ed.), Khrushchev Remem-
not reached—a claim that had great influ- context: Chen Jian, China’s Road to the bers (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 1970), 370.
ence on American strategic thinking after Korean War: The Making of the Sino-Ameri- 7. Chen Jian, China’s Road to the Korean War, 135-
141.
1953.15 However, Eisenhower’s threats to can Confrontation (New York: Columbia
8. See Meirion and Susie Harries, Sheathing the Sword:
use nuclear weapons were made in May University Press, 1994); Thomas The Demilitarization of Japan (London: Hamish
1953, two months after the Soviet govern- Christensen, “Threats, Assurances, and the Hamilton; Heinemann, 1989), 228-42.
ment resolved to bring the war to an end. Last Chance for Peace: The Lessons of Mao’s 9. This contradicts the widespread conclusion that the
DPRK air force had been eliminated in the first weeks
The Russian documents thus provide impor- Korean War Telegrams,” International Se-
of the war. DPRK air units ceased to operate over North
tant new evidence for the debate over “nuclear curity 17:1 (Summer 1992), 122-54; Sergei Korea after the first few weeks of the war, but it appears
diplomacy.”16 N. Goncharov, John W. Lewis and Xue from this report that at least a portion of the air force was
The final two documents presented be- Litai, Uncertain Partners: Stalin, Mao and withdrawn to Manchuria. For a discussion of the role of
the North Korean air force, see, e.g., Max Hastings, The
low provide intriguing information about the Korean War (Stanford: Stanford Univer-
Korean War (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987),
Mao Zedong’s attitude toward the Korean sity Press, 1993); Michael Hunt, “Beijing 255.
War and the effect the war had on his rela- and the Korean Crisis, June 1950-June 1951,” 10. I am grateful to Mark O’Neill, who is writing a
tions with Moscow. In a discussion with Political Science Quarterly 107: 3 (Fall dissertation on the Soviet air force in the Korean War
based on records from the General Staff archive, for
Soviet officials in Beijing on 28 July 1953 1992), 453-78; William Stueck, The Korean
assistance in interpreting the documents on military
(document #114), Mao was remarkably bel- War, An International History (Princeton: operations.
licose, speaking of the war as though it had Princeton University Press, 1995); and Zhang 11. Gen. Georgii Lobov, who commanded the 64th
been a great victory for China. He even Shu Guang, Mao’s Military Romanticism: Fighter Aviation Corps in Korea, stated in an interview
in 1991 that approximately 70,000 Soviet pilots, tech-
commented that “from a purely military China and the Korean War, 1950-1953
nicians and gunners served in the corps over the course
point of view it would not be bad to continue (Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas Press, of the war. See “Blank Spots in History: In the Skies
to strike the Americans for approximately 1995). Over North Korea,” JPRS Report, JPRS-UAC-91-004,
another year.” Mao may have been mainly p. 3.
12. Chen Jian, China’s Road to the Korean War , 211-
posturing before the Russians, part of a larger 1. Photocopies of these documents have been deposited
223.
effort to redefine his relations with Moscow at the National Security Archive in Washington DC,
13. Kennan to Matthews, 5 June 1951, in U.S. Depart-
located in The Gelman Library (7th fl.), George Wash-
following the death of Stalin; the Soviet ment of State, Foreign Relations of the United States
ington University, 2130 H St. NW, Washington, DC
documents need to be combined with the (FRUS), 1951, vol. 7 (pt.1), pp. 507-511.
20037 (tel.: (202) 994-7000). The National Security
14. See Malik’s address over the UN radio network on
new Chinese sources before one can draw Archive, a non-governmental organization devoted to
23 June 1951, ibid., 546-547.
firm conclusions about Mao’s thinking. It is facilitating increased access to declassified records on
15. James Sheply, “How Dulles Averted War,” Life, 16
international relations, is open to all researchers. Cop-
clear, however, as the excerpt from a conver- January 1956, 70-72; and Dwight D. Eisenhower, The
ies of this collection will also be available at Columbia
sation with the Soviet ambassador in Beijing White House Years: Mandate for Change, 1953-1956
University.
(Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co., 1963), 179-
in April 1956 (document #115) suggests, 2. “New Findings on the Korean War,” CWIHP Bulle-
180.
that the Korean War profoundly affected tin 3 (Fall 1993), 1, 14-18; and “To Attack or Not to
16. For discussion of the debate over the utility of
Attack? Stalin, Kim Il Sung and the Prelude to War,”
relations between the PRC and the USSR. nuclear threats in the Korean War see Roger Dingman,
CWIHP Bulletin 5 (Spring 1995), 1,2-9; and “The
Stalin desperately wanted Mao Zedong to “Atomic Diplomacy During the Korean War,” Interna-
Soviet Role in the Early Phase of the Korean War: New
tional Security 13:3 (Winter 1988/89),50-91; and Rose-
pull his chestnuts out of the fire in Korea, but Documentary Evidence,” The Journal of American-
mary Foot, “Nuclear Coercion and the Ending of the
the PRC’s stunning success against the for- East Asian Relations 2:4 (Winter 1993), 425-458.
Korean Conflict,” International Security 13:3 (Winter
3. See Sergei N. Goncharov, John W. Lewis, and Xue
midable American foe, combined with 1988/89), 92-112.
Litai, Uncertain Partners: Stalin, Mao and the Korean
Moscow’s tightfistedness toward its ally, War (Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1993),
made the communist government in Beijing 149.
much less willing to tolerate subsequent 4. Although Kim Il Sung secured Mao’s approval
before launching the attack on South Korea, he did not
Soviet demands.
inform Mao of the specific plan for the invasion or the
As is apparent from the documents pre-
NOTE ON TRANSLATION: In translating himself for the meeting. to Comrade Stalin with a request to use in
these documents I have retained the style of Regarding the question of delivering 1950 the credit the Soviet government had
the Russian texts, which in most cases is the lead from Korea to the USSR, I read the allocated for 1951. With this credit they
cumbersome, indirect, bureaucratic prose second point of your order. Kim answered would like to buy in the Soviet Union arms
characteristic of official Soviet documents. that he will take all necessary measures to for the three infantry divisions they intend to
The telegrams from Mao Zedong to Stalin in secure the delivery to the USSR from Korea form. I answered that I will report this
1951 and 1952 are written in particularly of the quantity of lead indicated by you. He question to my government.
poor Russian; I have kept as much to the promised to work out all necessary measures 4. Kim Il Sung further communicated
original text as possible while still rendering regarding this question in the course of 10-15 that they intend to call a session of the Su-
the prose intelligible. The numbers of the days. preme People’s Assembly for February 25
ciphered telegrams are given when they are 31.I.50. [T.F.] SHTYKOV with the following agenda:
legible, but in many cases the “DECLASSI- 1. Regarding the budget for 1950. 2.
FIED” stamp obscured the number of the [Source: Archive of the President of the Regarding the criminal code. 3. Regarding
telegram. Personal names and place names Russian Federation (hereafter APRF), Listy the results of the fulfillment of the national
are given in the standard English spelling 123-124, Fond and Opis not given; and economic plan in 1949. They still do not
wherever possible; otherwise they are trans- Archive of the Foreign Policy of the Russian have a firm decision regarding whether to
literated from the Russian. An index of Federation (hereafter AVPRF), Fond 059a, raise the three questions.
abbreviations and identifications of the most Opis 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 92-93] Kim Il Sung reported that he had com-
important persons mentioned are provided missioned Pak Hon Yong to write a request
after the documents. Dates are given in the 2. 7 February 1950, ciphered telegram, to the Soviet government about sending a
Russian manner: day, month, year. Note on Shtykov to Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei group of textile workers to the Soviet Union
archival citations: Those documents that were Vyshinsky re meeting with Kim Il Sung in order to prepare them to work on the
provided by the Russian Government to Soviet equipment that is arriving. I answered
South Korea have a citation to the Russian Ciphered telegram Strictly secret that as soon as I receive his letter I will report
Foreign Ministry archives (AVPRF) as well Copies: Stalin, Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, it to my government.
as to the Russian Presidential Archive Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, Vyshinsky, I ask your orders about what to answer
(APRF); both archives are located in Mos- Copy. Kim Il Sung regarding the first three ques-
cow.—K.W. From Pyongyang, No. 4040. 10 hours 10 tions raised by him [as reported] in this
minutes. 8.II.1950 telegram.
1. 31 January 1950, ciphered telegram, Special File 7.II.50 SHTYKOV
USSR Ambassador to the Democratic To Vyshinsky In the margins Stalin wrote “it is possible”
People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) T.F. On 4 February I had a meeting with Kim beside points 1, 2 and 3, “we don’t object”
Shtykov to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin re Il Sung at his request. During the meeting beside point 4 and “let him write it” beside
meeting with North Korean leader Kim Il Kim Il Sung raised the following questions: the last paragraph. He wrote a note at the top
Sung 1. Can they adopt a central committee to Malenkov to “give an answer today.”
decision about issuing a loan, about which he
Ciphered telegram Strictly secret earlier asked my advice[?] They have al- [Source: APRF, Listy 125-126, Fond and
From Pyongyang ready calculated the loan at 2 billion won. Opis not given; and AVPRF, Fond 059a,
To Comrade Stalin, I.V. They have already prepared an example of a Opis 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 145-146]
On 30 January I had a meeting with bond. He asked agreement to send their
Comrade Kim Il Sung, in accordance with representatives to Moscow with draft bonds 3. 10 February 1950, ciphered telegram,
your order. After referring to the conversa- in order to formulate orders for these bonds. Shtykov to Vyshinsky re meeting with
tion that took place on January 17 during the I answered that I had communicated Kim Il Kim Il Sung
lunch at [North Korean Foreign Minister] Sung’s request to Moscow, but had still not
Pak Hon Yong’s, I relayed precisely the received an answer. Ciphered telegram Strictly secret
contents of the first point of your orders. 2. Kim Il Sung asked my advice about Copying prohibited
Kim Il Sung received my report with whether they can proceed toward forming From Pyongyang
great satisfaction. Your agreement to re- three additional infantry divisions, so that To Vyshinsky
ceive him and your readiness to assist him in the total number of the army will be brought Today, February 10, I visited Kim Il
this matter made an especially strong im- to ten divisions. I answered that this question Sung and in accordance with your order
pression. Kim Il Sung, apparently wishing is large and serious, that before adopting a verbally transmitted to him the answer to his
once more to reassure himself, asked me if decision you must think through whether questions of February 4 of this year. Kim Il
this means that it is possible to meet with you have the necessary material resources Sung received my communication enthusi-
Comrade Stalin on this question. I answered for this. I also need time to think through this astically and several times asked me to com-
that from this communication it follows that question before I give you advice on this municate to Comrade Stalin his gratitude for
Comrade Stalin is ready to receive you. Kim measure. his assistance.
Il Sung further stated that he will prepare 3. Kim Il Sung asked me if he can appeal I promised to present a letter to the
government of the USSR within three days Soviet Union this year: following:
concerning all the questions touched upon in 9 tons of gold — 53,662,900 rubles In connection with the agreement of the
your telegram. 40 tons of silver — 1,887,600 rubles Government of the USSR to allocate to Ko-
10/II-50. SHTYKOV 15,000 tons of monazite concentrate — rea in 1950 a portion of the credit for 1951 in
79,500,000 rubles the amount of 70,700,000 rubles, the Gov-
[Source: APRF, List 129, Fond and Opis not In all a sum of 133,050,500 rubles. ernment of the Korean People’s Democratic
given] Korea is interested in the soonest pos- Republic would like to acquire with this sum
sible receipt of the goods indicated in this arms, ammunition and military-technical
4. 23 February 1950, ciphered telegram, application. equipment for the Korean People’s Army in
Shtykov to Maj. Gen. A.M. Vasilevsky, I ask you to inform the Soviet govern- the amounts indicated in the attached [list].
Head of Soviet Military Advisory Group ment of our request. The Government of the Korean People’s
in DPRK Kim Il Sung Democratic Republic hopes that the Govern-
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of ment of the USSR, understanding well the
Ciphered telegram Strictly Secret the Korean People’s Democratic Republic.” needs of the young Korean Republic, will
Copying prohibited 9.III.50 SHTYKOV complete the delivery of all the special goods
From Pyongyang in the shortest period.
To Vasilevsky, Copy to Vyshinsky. [Source: APRF, Listy 131-132, Fond and Kim Il Sung
Lieutenant-General Vasiliev has arrived Opis not given; and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of
and has taken over the responsibility of main Opis 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 149-150] the Korean People’s Democratic Republic
military adviser of the Korean People’s A copy of the note was transmitted by
Army. He has familiarized himself with the 6. 12 March 1950, ciphered telegram, me to the trade representative of the USSR in
position in the staff and units of the army. Vyshinsky to Soviet Ambassador in Korea. I will send the original note by
In connection with this I understand Pyongyang (Shtykov) transmitting mes- diplomatic post. The arms and military equip-
that the functions of main military adviser sage to Kim Il Sung ment indicated in the attached [list] will go to
are removed from me. the formation of 3 divisions.
I ask you to confirm. [handwritten] 16.III.50 SHTYKOV
23.II.50 SHTYKOV MID USSR Top Secret attached is a seven page list, divided into
Copying is Prohibited sections for artillery armaments, ammuni-
[Source: APRF, List 130, Fond and Opis not Ciphered telegram tion, [illegible], engineering equipment, mili-
given; and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, To Pyongyang tary-medical equipment, and military avia-
Delo 4, Papka 11, List 148] To Soviet Ambassador tion supplies.
Communicate to Kim Il Sung, in answer
5. 9 March 1950, ciphered telegram, to his letter of 10 February, that the Soviet [Source: APRF, Listy 133-140, fond and
Shtykov to Vyshinsky transmitting note Government will satisfy the request of the opis not given]
from Kim Il Sung to Soviet Government government of the DPRK about using in 1950
a portion of the credit for 1951 that was 8. 18 March 1950, message, Stalin to Kim
Ciphered telegram Strictly Secret allocated by the Soviet Union to Korea in Il Sung (via Shtykov)
Copying is prohibited accordance with the Agreement of 17 March
From Pyongyang. 1949. PYONGYANG
To Vyshinsky. Telegraph the fulfillment. To SHTYKOV
I transmit the text of a note received from the A. Vyshinsky Transmit to Kim Il Sung the following
chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the answer from Comrade Stalin:
DPRK: [Source: APRF, page 141, fond and opis not “First. I received your communication
“The Cabinet of Ministers of the Ko- given] of March 4 about agreement to send the
rean People’s Democratic Republic reports indicated amount of lead to the Soviet Union.
to you about the following: 7. 16 March 1950, ciphered telegram, I thank you for the assistance. As concerns
In 1950 the Korean People’s Demo- Shtykov to Vyshinsky transmitting 14 the equipment and materials you request,
cratic Republic, in order to strengthen the March 1950 message from Kim Il Sung and also the specialists in lead industry, the
people’s army and to fully equip it with Soviet Government has resolved to fully
arms, ammunition and technical equipment, Ciphered telegram Strictly Secret satisfy your request.
asked the Soviet government to send to Copying is Prohibited Second. I have also received your pro-
Korea military-technical equipment in the From Pyongyang posal of 9 March about the delivery to you of
amount of 120-150 million rubles, in accor- To Vyshinsky. arms, ammunition and technical equipment
dance with an application made earlier to the I transmit the note we received on 14 for the people’s army of Korea. The Soviet
Government of the USSR. March 1950 from the chairman of the Cabinet government has decided also to satisfy fully
The Korean People’s Democratic Re- of Ministers of the DPRK, Kim Il Sung: this request of yours.
public correspondingly will deliver to the “I have the honor to inform you of the With respect I. STALIN”.
transporting Kim and Pak to Moscow. For such a plan for unification of Korea, then the
[Source: APRF, List 142, Fond and Opis not this purpose I request a corresponding order meeting with Kim Il Sung can be conducted
given] to apportion a plane. The designated plane officially.
should arrive in Pyongyang on March 29 of Li Zhou-yuan has not given a concrete
9. 21 March 1950, ciphered telegram, this year. In case it is not possible to send a answer to the question of the time and form
Shtykov to Vyshinsky re meeting with plane, the departure from Korea can be orga- of the meeting, referring to the fact that Kim
Kim Il Sung nized by naval transport from Seisin to Il Sung is presently undergoing medical treat-
Vladivostok. From Vladivostok to Moscow ment. [Ed. note: Kim was making a secret
Ciphered telegram Strictly Secret [Kim and Pak can travel] by train in a special visit to Moscow.] Further, Mao said in the
Copying Prohibited car. conversation with Li Zhou-yuan that if a
From Pyongyang Kim intends to take with him to Moscow third world war begins, Korea will not es-
To Vyshinsky. as an interpreter Mun Il, who was interpreter cape participation in it, therefore the Korean
In accordance with your order on March during the negotiations in Moscow, and the People’s Democratic Republic should pre-
20 I had a meeting with Kim Il Sung, at which personal adjutant of So Chen Diu, who was pare its armed forces.
[DPRK Foreign Minister] Pak Hon Yong also with him in Moscow in 1949. In the conversation with Li Zhou-yuan,
was present. During the meeting I transmit- I request an order regarding whether it is Mao Zedong expressed the wish to develop
ted to Kim the text of the telegram of Com- necessary for someone from the embassy to wider trade between the Chinese People’s
rade Stalin. accompany Kim to Moscow. Republic and the DPRK.
During this meeting Kim asked me to I ask for corresponding orders. 2. Kim Ch’aek has reported that Kim
transmit to Comrade Stalin his request that 24.III.50 Shtykov Dar Sen, the leader of the partisan detach-
he, together with Pak Hon Yong, would like ments in the south of Korea whom the south-
have a meeting with Comrade Stalin at the [Source: APRF, Listy 146-147, Fond and ern press and radio have repeatedly officially
beginning of April. Opis not given; and AVPRF, Fond 059a, reported as killed in battles with punitive
They want to make the trip to Moscow Opis 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 96-97] units of the South Korean army, arrived in
and the meeting with Comrade Stalin unoffi- Pyongyang from South Korea on April 3.
cially, in the manner as [it was done] in 1945. 11. 10 April 1950, ciphered telegram, So- Kim Dar Sen came to North Korea to report
Kim Il Sung said further that they are viet representative Aleksei Ignatieff in about the position of the partisan movement
completing the preparation of all materials Pyongyang Ignatiev to Vyshinsky in South Korea and to receive orders on this
for the trip and intend to raise the following question.
questions at the meeting with Comrade Stalin: Ciphered telegram Strictly Secret Kim Ch’aek asked me to transmit the
1. About the path and methods of unifi- Copying Prohibited above indicated questions to Kim Il Sung
cation of the south and the north of the From Pyongyang through Comrade Shtykov.
country. To Vyshinsky. 10.IV.50. [A.] IGNATIEV
2. About the prospects for the economic The deputy chairman of the Cabinet of
development of the country. Ministers of the DPRK has reported to me [Source: APRF, Listy 148-149, Fond and
3. Also possibly several party questions. about the following: Opis not given; and AVPRF, Fond 059a,
I ask your order. 1. A report to Kim Il Sung was received Opis 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 98-99]
21.III.50 SHTYKOV from the ambassador of the DPRK in the
Chinese People’s Republic Li Zhou-yuan in 12. 25 April 1950, ciphered telegram,
[Source: APRF, Listy 143-144, Fond and which he reports about a meeting between Ignatiev to Vyshinsky
Opis not given; and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Mao Zedong and Li Zhou-yuan that took
Opis 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 94-95] place in Beijing at the end of March 1950. Ciphered telegram Strictly Secret
In the conversation between Mao Zedong Copying Prohibited
10. 24 March 1950, ciphered telegram, and Li Zhou-yuan, at the initiative of the From Pyongyang
Shtykov to Vyshinsky re meeting with latter, the question of a meeting between To Vyshinsky.
Kim Il Sung Kim Il Sung and Mao Zedong was discussed. 25 April at 16:00 hours local time Kim
Mao Zedong responded positively to Il Sung and Pak Hon Yong arrived in Seisin
Ciphered telegram. Strictly secret. the question of a meeting with Kim Il Sung (North Korean) from Voroshilov by plane.
From Pyongyang. and selected the end of April or the beginning Both feel well.
To Vyshinsky. of May of this year as the approximate time 25.IV.50 IGNATIEV
On March 24 I visited Kim Il Sung and for this meeting.
communicated to him that Comrade Stalin Mao Zedong connected the proposed [Source: APRF, List 150, fond and opis not
has agreed to receive him and [Foreign Min- meeting with the question of the unification given]
ister] Pak Hon Yong. of Korea, indicating in this regard that if
Kim Il Sung plans to leave Korea for there is a concrete plan for the unification of 13. 12 May 1950, ciphered telegram,
Moscow on March 30 of this year. I consider Korea, then the meeting should be organized Shtykov to Vyshinsky re meeting with
it advisable to arrange a special plane for secretly [not openly], but if there is not yet Kim Il Sung
the Politburo).
Ciphered telegram Strictly secret Kim Il Sung reported to me that they [Source: APRF, Listy 151-154, Fond and
Copying prohibited intend to discuss roughly the following ques- Opis not given; and AVPRF, Fond 059a,
From Pyongyang tions with Mao Zedong: Opis 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 100-103]
To Vyshinsky 1. To inform about their intentions about
At the request of Kim Il Sung, on May unifying the country by military means and to [Ed. note: For the texts of an exchange of
12 I had a meeting with him and [Foreign report about the results of the discussions on messages between the Chinese leadership
Minister] Pak Hon Yong. During the con- this question in Moscow. and Stalin on 13-14 May 1950, during Kim Il
versation Kim Il Sung reported to me that 2. To exchange opinions on the question Sung’s secret visit to Beijing and concerning
upon his return from Moscow he received a of the conclusion of a trade agreement be- his plans to attack South Korea, see CWIHP
letter from Li Zhou-yuan (ambassador to tween Korea and China. He intends to pro- Bulletin 4 (Fall 1994), 60-61.]
China), in which he reported about a meet- pose that they sign a trade agreement in the
ing that took place with Mao Zedong and nearest future, but that they sign an agree- 14. 26 June 1950, top secret report on
[PRC Foreign Minister] Zhou Enlai. During ment about friendship after the unification of military situation by Shtykov to Comrade
this meeting the question of the necessity of the country. Zakharov
a meeting between Kim Il Sung and Mao 3. To inform Mao about several ques-
Zedong was discussed. Zhou Enlai pro- tions which were placed under discussion Top Secret
posed that the meeting have an official char- with Comrade Stalin in Moscow and about To Comrade Zakharov
acter. Mao, turning toward Li as if asking the establishment of closer communications ([transmit] in person only)
when you intend to begin the unification of between the Central Committee of the labor I report about the preparation and course
the country, without waiting for an answer party of Korea and the communist party of of the military operations of the Korean
stated that if you intend to begin military China. People’s Army.
operations against the south in the near fu- 4. To exchange opinions on several ques- The concentration of the People’s Army
ture, then they should not meet officially. In tions which interest both Korea and China, in the region near the 38th parallel began on
such a case the trip should be unofficial. such as the electrical station at Suiho, Kore- June 12 and was concluded on June 23, as
Mao Zedong added further that the uni- ans who live in China and so forth. was prescribed in the plan of the General
fication of Korea by peaceful means is not Kim further asked my advice, about what Staff. The redeployment of troops took place
possible, solely military means are required kind of questions he should raise before Mao in an orderly fashion, without incident.
to unify Korea. As regards the Americans, Zedong from the point of view of assistance The intelligence service of the enemy
there is no need to be afraid of them. The in the intended operation. I declined to an- probably detected the troop redeployment,
Americans will not enter a third world war swer, stating that it is clearer to him, what he but we managed to keep the plan and the time
for such a small territory. has insufficiencies in and what the Chinese of the beginning of troop operations secret.
Kim Il Sung reported further that since can help him with. Then Kim Il Sung an- The planning of the operation at the
Li Zhou-yuan did not have a commission swered that he intended to ask for ammuni- divisional level and the reconnaissance of
from the Central Committee to meet with tion for the Japanese and American arms the area was carried out with the participa-
Mao Zedong and to discuss questions about which the divisions that arrived from China tion of Soviet advisers.
his meeting, i.e. Kim Il Sung’s, with Mao have and for some number of horses. How- All preparatory measures for the opera-
Zedong, they decided to summon Li Zhou- ever, after a conversation with the chief of tion were completed by June 24th. On June
yuan and give him corresponding rebukes staff of the army, who reported that they have 24th divisional commanders were given or-
and instructions. more than 3 b.k. [boekomplekt, standard load ders about “D”[day] and “H”[hour].
Li Zhou-yuan came to Pyongyang and of ammunition] of ammunition, he decided The political order of the Minister of
on May 10 left for Beijing with correspond- not to raise these questions. He stated that he Defense was read to the troops, which ex-
ing commissions. doesn’t have more requests for Mao about plained that the South Korean army had
Today, May 12, Li Zhou-yuan reported assistance, since all his requests were satis- provoked a military attack by violating the
that he met with Mao Zedong, who agreed to fied in Moscow and the necessary and suffi- 38th parallel and that the government of the
the arrival of Kim Il Sung at the time indi- cient assistance was given him there. DPRK had given an order to the Korean
cated by him. Kim Il Sung reported that they Kim Il Sung reported to me that with People’s Army to go over to the counterat-
intend to leave for Beijing in the morning of regard to the question of the preparation of tack.
May 13 and asked me if the plane coming for the operation he had given all necessary or- The order to counter-attack was met
him will be ready by this time. I answered ders to the chief of the general staff, who with great enthusiasm by the soldiers and
that the plane is ready. already has begun to implement them, that officers of the Korean People’s Army.
Kim Il Sung further reported that they his wish is to begin the operation in June, but The troops went to their starting posi-
decided to go to China with Pak Hon Yong, he is still not convinced that they will manage tions by 24:00 hours on June 24th. Military
that they have not discussed the question of it in this period. operations began at 4 hours 40 minutes local
a meeting with Mao Zedong in the Central 13 May at 5:20 local time Kim Il Sung time. Artillery preparation was accompa-
Committee, that he has only spoken about and Pak Hon Yong flew to Beijing. nied in the course of 20-40 minutes by direct
this question with Kim Ch’aek (member of 12.V.50 SHTYKOV fire and a ten-minute artillery barrage. The
infantry rose up and went on the attack in try Division, moving in the direction of Kosen, The first two days of military operations
good spirits. In the first three hours indi- or with the 3rd Infantry Division and the have shown the following:
vidual units and formations advanced from 3 mechanized brigade attacking through 1. The enemy is putting up resistance
to 5 kilometers. Sinyuri in the direction toward Geisif. and while fighting is retreating deep into the
The attack of the troops of the People’s Conclusions regarding the North. territory of South Korea, mass taking of
Army took the enemy completely by sur- It is necessary to note the following prisoners from the South Korean army has
prise. substantial insufficiencies in the operations not been noted.
The enemy put up strong resistance only of the People’s Army: 2. The South Korean puppet authorities
in the direction of Ongjin, Kaizin and Seoul. 1. With the beginning of military actions have begun to throw in troops from deep in
The enemy began to put up a more organized and the forward advance of units and forma- the rear and are trying to halt the advance of
resistance after 12:00 on the first day. tions, staff communication was lost from top the People’s Army.
On the first day of battle the following to bottom. The general staff of the People’s 3. In the first day the attack of the People’s
towns were taken: Osin (Ongjin direction), Army already on the first day did not direct Army caused confusion in the South. The
Kaesong, Sinyuri—(map 1:1,000.000 pub- the battle, since it did not have firm commu- South Korean authorities and the ambassa-
lished by the General Staff in 1943). nication with a single division. dor of the USA personally in their radio
In the Sunsen direction units of the P.A. The commanders of units and forma- speeches called on the people of South Korea
[People’s Army] advanced 12 kilometers. tions are not trying to establish communica- to stay calm. The staff of the South Korean
On the eastern coast [they advanced] 8 tions with the senior staff, command posts army is broadcasting false reports about the
kilometers. from combat level and higher change the successes of the South Korean army.
On the very first day the DPRK navy senior staff without permission, the General SHTYKOV
made two landings on the coast of the Sea of Staff still has not established communica- No. 358/sh
Japan. The first landing party was in the tions with the brigade operating along the 26.6.50.
Korio area and consisted of two battalions of eastern coast or with the 12th Infantry Divi-
naval infantry and around a thousand parti- sion. [Source: collection of Soviet military docu-
sans. The second landing group was in the 2. The command staff of the KPA does ments obtained in 1994 by the British Broad-
region of Urutsyn and consisted of 600 par- not have battle experience, after the with- casting Corporation for a BBC TimeWatch
tisans. drawal of Soviet military advisers they orga- documentary titled “Korea, Russia’s Secret
The landings took place at 5 hours 25 nized the battle command poorly, they use War,” to be broadcast in the UK and the USA
minutes and were carried out successfully. artillery and tanks in battle badly and lose in 1996]
The group of partisans took the city of communications.
Urutsyn and a number of districts adjoining 3. However, our military advisers note 15. 1 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Fyn-Si
it. great enthusiasm in the units of the Korean (Stalin) to Soviet ambassador in
The landings were carried out with a People’s army and a general aspiration to Pyongyang (Shtykov)
battle between warships of the People’s Army fulfill their allotted tasks.
and ships of the South Korean army. As a 4. The political mood among the people 8th Department of the General Staff of the
result of the battle one Southern trawler was of North Korea in relation to the beginning of Armed Forces of the USSR
sunk and one was damaged. The DPRK fleet military operations is characterized by a gen- Ciphered Telegram No. 34691/sh.
had no losses. eral enthusiasm, by faith in the government Pyongyang. Soviet Ambassador.
On June 26 troops of the People’s Army of the DPRK and belief in the victory of the 1. You do not report anything about
continued the attack and, with fighting, ad- Korean People’s Army. what kind of plans the Korean command has.
vanced deep into the territory of South Ko- On 26 June KIM IL SUNG made an Does it intend to push on? Or has it decided
rea. appeal to the Korean people in the name of to stop the advance. In our opinion the attack
During June 26 (left to right) the Ongjin the government of the DPRK, in which he absolutely must continue and the sooner South
peninsula and Kaisin peninsula were com- described the situation that has been created Korea is liberated the less chance there is for
pletely cleared and units of the 6th division in the country and laid out the tasks for the intervention.
made a forced crossing of the bay and took defeat of the enemy and the unification of 2. Communicate also how the Korean
the populated point in the direction of Kimpo Korea. leaders regard the attacks on North Korean
airport. 5. The Command of the Korean People’s territory by American planes. Are they not
In the Seoul direction, the 1st and 4th Army is taking measures to put right the frightened or do they continue to hold firm[?]
divisions took the cities of Bunsan and troop communications and the organization Does the Korean government intend to
Tongducheb and the 2nd division took the of the battle command. To this end the Army make an open statement of protest against the
provincial center Siunsen. Command Post has been moved to the attacks and the military intervention? In our
On the coast of the Sea of Japan the Tepuges area. The War Minister, the chief of opinion, this should be done.
advance has continued. The port of Tubuiri the General Staff and the main military ad- 4. [sic] We have decided to fulfill fully
has been taken. viser, along with a group of officers, will go by July 10 the Koreans’ requests for delivery
During the course of the day there has out to the Command Post. of ammunition and other military equip-
been no communication with the 12th Infan- Conclusions regarding the South. ment. Report about this to KIM IL SUNG.
CHINA’S ROAD TO conflict, therefore, was seen as an essential normalization of Sino-American relations,
THE KOREAN WAR part of a life-and-death confrontation be- and the declassification of new archival docu-
tween the Communists on the one hand and mentation. Building on Whiting’s thesis,
by Chen Jian the “free world” on the other.1 scholars paid more attention to Chinese Com-
The North Korean invasion of the South, munist Party (CCP) leaders’ concerns for
In October 1950, one year after the as viewed by President Harry Truman—and China’s national security as the decisive
establishment of the People’s Republic of many later students of the Korean War— factor underlying their decision to enter the
China (PRC), Mao Zedong and the Beijing represented the first step in a general Com- Korean War. They generally argued that
leadership sent “Chinese People’s Volun- munist plot to “pass from subversion” to Beijing did not welcome the Korean War
teers” (CPV) to Korea to fight against United “armed invasion and war” in their scheme of because China faced difficult tasks of eco-
Nations forces moving rapidly toward the world conquest.2 Correspondingly, Beijing’s nomic reconstruction and political consoli-
Chinese-Korean border. Although China’s entrance into the Korean War was regarded dation at home and gave priority to liberat-
intervention saved Kim Il Sung’s North as an action subordinate to Moscow’s overall ing Nationalist-controlled Taiwan. Many of
Korean Communist regime from imminent Cold War strategy. Scholars in the West these scholars stressed that Beijing’s deci-
collapse, it was unable to fulfill the Beijing widely believed that Beijing’s policy was sion to enter the Korean War was simply a
leadership’s hopes of overwhelming the UN aggressive, violent, and irrational. reluctant reaction to the imminent threats to
forces. Therefore, when the Korean War In 1960, Allen S. Whiting published his the physical security of Chinese territory.
ended in July 1953, Korea’s political map landmark study, China Crosses the Yalu,3 And while most scholars believed that the
remained virtually unchanged, while which has strongly influenced a whole gen- American decision to cross the 38th parallel
America’s military intervention in Korea eration of scholars. Using Western intelli- triggered China’s intervention, some specu-
and China’s rushing into a conflict with the gence sources and Chinese journal and news- lated that if UN forces had stopped at the
United States finally buried any hope for a paper information, Whiting argued that un- parallel China would not have intervened.4
Sino-American accommodation, and the like the Soviet Union, Communist China had A large majority of Chinese scholars seem to
Cold War in Asia entered a new stage char- not directly participated in the planning for share these assumptions, as can be seen in
acterized by a total confrontation between the North Korean invasion of the South. Chinese publications on the “War to Resist
the PRC and the United States that would After the outbreak of the Korean War, Whit- America and Assist Korea” that appeared in
last nearly twenty years. ing believed, Beijing tried to terminate the the 1980s.5
The newly established Chinese Com- conflict through political settlement, and only As a lecturer at Shanghai’s East China
munist regime faced enormous problems after the attempts for a political solution Normal University in the early 1980s and
during its first year, including achieving failed in late August 1950 did Beijing begin then during my pursuit of doctoral studies in
political consolidation, rebuilding a war- necessary military preparations in early Sep- the United States, I became increasingly
shattered economy, and finishing reunifica- tember. Whiting emphasized that after the interested in the emergence of Sino-Ameri-
tion of the country. Why then did Mao Inchon landing in mid-September, Beijing can confrontation in the late 1940s and early
decide to assist North Korea in fighting a tried through both public and private chan- 1950s. In my study I too believed in the
coalition composed of nearly all the West- nels to prevent UN forces from crossing the standard interpretation of China’s reasons
ern industrial powers? How was the deci- 38th parallel. Beijing entered the war only for entering the Korean War. Not until
sion made? What were the immediate and after all warnings had been ignored by Wash- 1988-1990, when the work on my disserta-
long-range causes leading to Beijing’s deci- ington and General Douglas MacArthur and tion led me to fresh Chinese sources, did I
sion to enter the Korean War? Finally, was therefore, in the Beijing leadership’s view, begin to feel doubts. For example, to my
there any opportunity that might have pre- the safety of the Chinese-Korean border was surprise, I found that early in August 1950,
vented the direct confrontation between the severely menaced. Whiting thus concluded more than one month before the Inchon
PRC and the United States? More than forty that Beijing’s management of the Korean landing, Mao Zedong and the Beijing lead-
years after the end of the Korean War, crisis was based primarily on the Chinese ership had been inclined to send troops to
scholarly answers to these questions are still Communist perception of America’s threat Korea, and China’s military and political
limited and remarkably inadequate. to China’s national security. Lacking access preparations had begun even a month ear-
In the 1950s, Western scholars, strongly to Chinese archival materials, though, lier. I also found that the concerns behind
influenced by the intensifying Cold War, Whiting’s study had to focus more on the the decision to enter the Korean War went
generally viewed China’s entrance into the analysis of the environment in which the far beyond the defense of the safety of the
Korean War as a reflection of a well-coordi- Beijing leadership made their decision to go Chinese-Korean border. Mao and his asso-
nated Communist plot of worldwide expan- to war than on a close examination of the ciates aimed to win a glorious victory by
sion, believing that the entire international decision-making process. driving the Americans off the Korean penin-
Communist movement was under the con- In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a more sula. It was no longer possible to accept the
trol of Moscow, and that neither Beijing nor critical perspective on the Sino-American well-established view of Chinese and Ameri-
Pyongyang had the freedom to make their confrontation in Korea emerged in the wake can historians.
own foreign policy decisions. The Korean of the American debacle in Vietnam, the
continued on page 85
FYN-SI [Stalin]. The leadership of the DPRK and the

No. 362/sh People’s Army (Kim Il Sung, Pak Hon-Yong, CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 405840/sh.
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov Pak Il U, Kim Bek, Tsoi En Gen, Kan Gen) From Pyongyang Sent 4.7.50 0:05
1.7.50 correctly evaluate the complicated military- Received 4.7.50 3:55
political situation in Korea, believe in full Sent to 8th Department of the General Staff
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 346, victory and are directing all efforts toward a of the Armed Forces 4.7.50 4:10
List 104 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, subsequent broad attack on the south of Ko- To Comrade FYN-SI [Stalin].
Delo 3, Papka 11, l. 107] rea. Today July 3 I met with KIM IL SUNG
KIM IL SUNG and PAK HON-YONG and PAK HON-YONG.
16. 1 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Shtykov understand the difficulties for Korea elicited At the beginning of the conversation
to Fyn-Si (Stalin) re political mood on by the entrance of the Americans into the war KIM IL SUNG described the situation at the
North Korea against the DPRK and in connection with front. In his opinion the troops are moving
this they are taking the necessary measures to very slowly, especially in the Central direc-
Ciphered telegram No. 405809 stabilize human and material resources for tion. The troop crossing was disorganized,
From Pyongyang. Sent 2.7.50 04.00. the war. although there was a minister in place there.
Received 2.7.50 05.47. KIM IL SUNG asked my opinion about He expressed dissatisfaction with his [the
Sent to the 8th Administration of the General forming additional infantry, tank, and naval minister’s] work.
Staff of the Armed Forces. 2.7.50 05.55 units and formations. They intend to intro- Further, noting the seriousness of the
By wire. duce universal military service in the DPRK. situation at the front and in the liberated
Extremely Urgent. However, some portion of the leading territories and the danger of landings by
To Comrade FYN SI [Stalin] figures, including KIM TU-BONG, KHON American troops in the rear or at North
To No. 362. MEN KHI are speaking about the difficulties Korean ports or airborne landings of troops,
I report about the political mood of the of conducting a war against the Americans he asked me to report to you his request for
northerners in connection with the interven- with the forces of Korea and in a cautious quick delivery of arms in the following
tion of the Americans. way have tried to ascertain from KIM IL amounts: 50,000 rifles; 5,000 PPSh sub-
With the beginning of the successful SUNG the position of the Soviet Union on machine guns, 5,000 PPS [sub-machine
military operations of the People’s Army, this question. (The secretary of KIM IL SUNG guns]; 1,500 light machine guns; 350 heavy
and especially after the liberation of the city reported to me these facts, about a conversa- machine guns; 200 82mm mortars; 78 120mm
of Seoul, the mood of the population was tion of KIM TU-BONG and KHON MEN mortars, 80 76mm ZIS-3 artillery pieces; 24
characterized by great general political en- KHI with KIM IL SUNG.) 122mm howitzers; 60 37mm antiaircraft
thusiasm. The rightist and centrist figures that are guns; 120 machine guns; 500 trucks.
The population of the liberated regions entering the government of the DPRK are All these arms are needed for the forma-
in the main greeted the People’s Army warmly supporting all measures of the government, tion of two divisions, 12 battalions of ma-
and in every way cooperated with the mea- but so far are not displaying the necessary rines and for the formation of security de-
sures it took. Organs of power are being direction of activity in the mobilization of tachments.
created everywhere—people’s committees, their parties in the south of the country. Because of American air attacks on the
social-political organizations, they have re- I communicated to KIM IL SUNG that railroad stations in the region of Kanko,
stored production and trade. At this time the government of the USSR has satisfied his Seisin, he asked that the arms be sent on an
even the reactionary elements did not take request for arms and ammunition. accelerated schedule through Manchuria
action against the measures of the govern- The general situation in the KNP [Ko- [along the route of] Andong-Singisiu-
ment of the DPRK and the People’s Army. rean People’s Republic, apparently a mis- Pyongyang.
The successful attack of the People’s spelling of DPRK] continues to remain fa- He also communicated that they have
Army activated the partisans, at present the vorable and makes it possible to continue the begun fitting out reserve regiments and 2
partisan movement is developing widely in active offensive of the People’s Army. tank brigades and that these need arms and
the rear of the South Korean army. No. 423/Sh. SHTYKOV. tanks.
However, in connection with the wide- I.7.50. Further in the conversation he asked
spread American propaganda over the radio, Copies to Stalin (2), Molotov, Beria, advice about how better to organize troop
which is directed against the DPRK, and the Malenkov, Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, command in the complicated situation. Since
frequent attacks by American planes on popu- File of 8th Department. the People’s Army is fighting against Ameri-
lation points, industrial and military sites in can troops, he considers it necessary to
North and South Korea, the political mood of [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 346, strengthen the leadership of the army.
the population is somewhat worsening. Listy 105-107 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis Further he asked advice about how bet-
Individual attitudes of lack of belief in 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 107-110] ter to organize troop command and what kind
the final victory have appeared, and in the of organizational command structure to
liberated regions a certain (small) portion of 17. 4 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Shtykov choose so that the General Staff is brought
the population is taking a wait and see posi- to Fyn-Si (Stalin) re meeting with Kim Il closer to the troops.
tion. Sung and Pak Hon-Yong After consulting with General
VASILIEV we proposed the following struc- this measure will yield positive results. 19. 6 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Fyn-Si
ture: The staff of the front will move to Seoul (Stalin) to Shtykov
1. To create two army groups headed by in the near future.
Military Councils composed of: a com- I ask your permission: 8th Department of the General Staff of the
mander, a member of the Military Council 1. To have two advisers in every army Armed Forces of the USSR
and a chief of staff. group (adviser for the group commander and CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 35678
To place 4-6 units under the command adviser for the artillery commander). Pyongyang. To Comrade Shtykov.
of each army group. 2. I ask your permission for the main To No. 439/sh
2. To create a front headquarters headed military adviser Comrade VASILIEV to go 1. The arms will be sent through Man-
by a commander of the front, a chief of staff to Seoul with a group of officers, together churia, Andong, Singisiu.
and a member of the Military Council of the with the staff of the front, and to be perma- 2. Concerning the location of the chief
front. nently located there with the staff. military adviser VASILIEV, we consider it
The front headquarters should be cre- 3. I ask you to hasten the resolution of the more useful for him to be in Pyongyang.
ated from [the facilities and personnel of] questions touched on. 3. We will give fully the arms, tanks and
the General Staff. SHTYKOV other military equipment for 2 divisions, 2
3. To preserve the Ministry of National No. 439/sh. tank brigades and 12 battalions, but we con-
Defense, since it already exists only in a 4.7.50. sider that the main thing is not this but to fill
reduced form. Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Beria, Malenkov, out the existing divisions and to increase
The Ministry’s task should be the sup- Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin. their strength approximately to 12,000. It is
ply of combat troops with everything needed necessary to have attached to the divisions an
(foodstuffs, fuel, transport, ammunition) as [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 346, apparatus for the formation of troops, which
well as the training of reserves, new troop Listy 105-107 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis would receive the reinforcements, check and
formation and the organization of anti-air- 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 111-114] train them and after this, transfer them to
craft defense for the northern part of the reinforce the divisions. This is the main
republic. 18. 5 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Filippov thing.
4. To appoint Kim Il Sung as Supreme (Stalin) to Chinese Foreign Minister Zhou FYN-SI [Stalin]
Commander of troops. He agreed with our Enlai (via Soviet ambassador to the No. 374/sh
proposals. People’s Republic of China [PRC] N.V. 6.7.50
The restructuring will proceed without Roshchin) copies: Stalin (2), Bulganin
harm to the military operations on the front.
He then asked our opinion about how Ciphered telegram No. 3172 [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 346,
best to arrange the disposition of command- Beijing. Soviet Ambassador. List 140 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a,
ing cadres. To your No. 1112-1126. Delo 3, Papka 11, List 116]
From my part I proposed to appoint the Transmit to Zhou Enlai:
following group commanders: Deputy Min- 1. We agree with the opinion of the 20. 8 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Shtykov
ister in charge of artillery Mu Den for the left Chinese comrades regarding the mediation to Fyn-Si (Stalin), transmitting letter from
flank group, and for the commander of the of India on the question of the entry of people’s Kim Il Sung to Stalin
right flank group Kim Koo, Deputy Chief of China into the membership of the UN.
the General Staff (presently commanding an 2. We consider it correct to concentrate CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 405976/sh
operational group). To appoint as com- immediately 9 Chinese divisions on the Chi- From Pyongyang. Sent 8.7.50. 9:26
mander of the front the Deputy Chairman of nese-Korean border for volunteer actions in Received 8.7.50 11:15
the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of North Korea in case the enemy crosses the Sent to 8th Department of the General Staff
Industry, Kim Cha’ek (he knows military 38th parallel. We will try to provide air cover of the Armed Forces 8.7.50 11:35.
affairs, was a partisan and served in the for these units. By telegraph.
Chinese brigade in Khabarovsk, is a very 3. Your report about flights of Soviet To Comrade FYN-SI [Stalin].
strong-willed, thoughtful and brave man). planes over Manchurian territory is not con- I received the following letter from KIM
To appoint as Chief of Staff of the front firmed. An order was given not to allow such IL SUNG addressed to us.
Kan Gen, who is now Chief of the General flights. “To the Chairman of the Council of
Staff. FILIPPOV [Stalin] Ministers of the USSR, Generalissimo Com-
The Minister of National Defense will No. 373/sh rade Stalin, I.V.
remain in his post. He will manage the 5.7.50 I ask that you accept the expression of
formation of new units and the organization Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov deepest respect and gratitude for the invalu-
of anti-landing defense, and also supplying able assistance which you, Comrade Stalin,
troops with everything needed. [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 331, continually render to our people in their
They want this measure to be passed List 79 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, struggle for independence.
through the military committee on July 4 or Delo 3, Papka 11, List 115] Being confident of your desire to help
5. I judge that in this complicated situation the Korean people rid themselves of the
American imperialists, I am obliged to ap- “1. The English have officially appealed Si (Stalin) to Shtykov
peal to you with a request to allow the use of to us through their ambassador in Moscow
25-35 Soviet military advisers in the staff of and declared that they, being bound by the 8th Department of the General Staff of the
the front of the Korean Army and the staffs of decision of the Security Council, cannot now Armed Forces of the USSR
the 2nd Army Group, since the national mili- make proposals regarding a peaceful settle- CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 37219/sh
tary cadres have not yet sufficiently mas- ment of the Korean question, but if the Ko- Pyongyang, Soviet Ambassador.
tered the art of commanding modern troops. rean People’s Democratic Republic with- Advise the Koreans immediately to re-
Faithfully, KIM IL SUNG, Chair- draws its troops to the 38th parallel, then this ply to [UN Secretary General] Trygve Lie
man of the Cabinet of Ministers DPRK. could hasten a peaceful resolution of the that the Korean army is strictly adhering to
Pyongyang. 8 July 1950. Korean question. the Geneva convention with regard to pris-
The English ask the Soviet government oners, and [that they should] let the Koreans
SHTYKOV to express its opinion. make a statement in the press exposing the
No. 481/sh We consider such a demand by the En- slander of the American press regarding poor
8.7.50 glish to be impertinent and unacceptable. treatment of prisoners by the Koreans. It
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Beria, Malenkov, We intend to reply that the Korean ques- would be good for someone among the pris-
Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin tion has become too complicated after the oners to make a statement on the radio that
armed foreign intervention and that such a the treatment of prisoners by the Koreans is
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 346, complex question can be resolved only by very good.
Listy 143-144 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis the Security Council with the participation of FYN-SI [Stalin]
5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, List 151] the USSR and China and with the summon- No. 4.4781
ing of representatives of Korea in order to Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov.
21. 8 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Filippov hear their opinion. 13.7.50
(Stalin) to Soviet Ambassador Roshchin Communicate your views.
in PRC transmitting message to Mao As regards the statement of the Indian [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 346,
Zedong ambassador, we have decided not to answer List 148]
him, since they made it clear that his state-
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3231 ment is his personal opinion, in which the 24. 14 July 1950, handwritten letter, Kim
BEIJING. Soviet Ambassador. Indian government is not involved. Il Sung to Soviet Government (via Shtykov)
Only by telegraph 2. It is not known to us whether you have
Sent 18:40 8.7.50 decided to deploy nine Chinese divisions on To the Extraordinary and Plenipoten-
Delivered 8.7.50 the border with Korea. If you have made tiary Ambassador of the USSR to the DPRK,
Communicate to MAO ZEDONG that such a decision, then we are ready to send Comrade Shtykov, T.F.
the Koreans are complaining that there is no you a division of jet fighter planes—124 I ask you to transmit to the Government
representative of CHINA in KOREA. A pieces for covering these troops. of the USSR the following:
representative should be sent soon, so that it We intend to train Chinese pilots in two In connection with the appeal of the
will be possible to have communications and to three months with the help of our pilots English to the Government of the USSR with
resolve questions more quickly, if, of course, and then to transfer all equipment to your a demand about the withdrawal of troops of
MAO ZEDONG considers it necessary to pilots. We intend to do the same thing with the Korean People’s Army to the 38th paral-
have communications with KOREA. the aviation divisions in Shanghai. lel, the Government of the DPRK considers,
FILIPPOV [Stalin]. Communicate your opinion.” as does the Soviet Government, that such a
No. 379/sh. Telegraph fulfillment. demand of the English is impertinent and
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov FILIPPOV [Stalin] unacceptable.
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov We are in full agreement with the opin-
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 331, ion of the Soviet Government that the Ko-
List 82 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 331, rean question [should be] discussed in the
Delo 3, Papka 11, List 117] List 85 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, Security Council with the participation of the
Delo 3, Papka 11, List 118]. A copy of the USSR and China and with the summoning of
22. 13 July 1950, ciphered telegram, telegram was sent to Shtykov in Pyongyang representatives of Korea.
Filippov (Stalin) to Zhou Enlai or Mao the same day (APRF, Fond 45, Delo 346, The Government of the DPRK [will
Zedong (via Roshchin) Listy 149-150) The same note was sent to take measures] quickly to clear the entire
Kim Il Sung on July 13, but without the territory of Korea of American intervention-
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3305 section about the Indian ambassador. ists.
BEIJING Only by ciphered telegraph [AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, Delo 4, Papka Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of
SOVIET AMBASSADOR Sent 03:15 11, ll. 153-154] the DPRK
13.7.50 Kim Il Sung.
Transmit to ZHOU ENLAI or MAO 14.7.50.
ZEDONG the following: 23. 13 July 1950, ciphered telegram, Fyn-
[Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 826, tional and intelligence departments of the Korean comrades at the present time.
Listy 108-109] PVO district; Adviser to the Chief of Staff of 3. Advise Comrade Kim Il Sung not to
the VVS can advise the work also of the Chief scatter the air force, but to concentrate it on
25. 25 July 1950, ciphered telegram, of the Operational Department of the Staff of the front. It is necessary that each attack by
Vyshinsky to Roshchin transmitting mes- the VVS district. the People’s Army on any portion of the front
sage from Filippov (Stalin) to Zhou Enlai The 38 advisers will leave for China begin with a number of decisive blows by
soon. attack planes on the troops of the enemy, that
MID USSR FILIPPOV [Stalin] the fighter planes defend the troops of the
Tenth Department Received 4 hours 30 Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov Peoples Army from the blows of the enemy
minutes 25/VII.1950 planes as much as possible. If it is necessary,
Dispatched 5 hours 55 minutes 25/ [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 334, we can throw in additional assault aircraft
VII.1950 List 94] and fighter aircraft for the Korean air force.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM FYN-SI [Stalin]
To Beijing To Soviet Ambassador 27. 28 August 1950, ciphered telegram, 28 August 1950
Roshchin Fyn-Si (Stalin) to Kim Il Sung (via Shtykov) No. 483/sh
SPECIAL Copy No. 1 To Stalin
TOP PRIORITY 8th Department of the General Staff of the
To Your No. 1503. Armed Forces of the USSR [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347,
On the authorization of Filippov, trans- CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 75021 Listy 5-6, 10-11 (original copy); and AVPRF,
mit to Mao Zedong or Zhou Enlai that we Pyongyang Soviet Ambassador. Fond 059a, Opis 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy
agree with the proposed procedure and time Verbally transmit the following to Kim Il 155-156]
period for training Chinese pilots on jet Sung. If he demands it in written form—give
planes. it to him in written form, but without my 28. 31 August 1950, ciphered telegram,
Telegraph the fulfillment. signature. Shtykov to Fyn-Si (Stalin) re meeting with
VYSHINSKY 1. The CC VKP(b) [Central Committee, Kim Il Sung
25.VII.50 All-Union Communist Party (bolshevik)] sa-
Copies: Stalin, Molotov, Malenkov, lutes Comrade Kim Il Sung and his friends for CIPHERED TELEGRAM
Vyshinsky, 10th Department, Copy. the great liberational struggle of the Korean From Pyongyang. Sent 31.8.50 11:32
people which comrade Kim Il Sung is leading Received 31.8 17:27
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 334, with brilliant success. CC VKP(b) has no Sent to the 8th Department of the General
List 90] doubt that in the soonest time the interven- Staff of the Armed Forces 31.8 17:35
tionists will be driven out of Korea with By telegraph
26. 27 August 1950, ciphered telegram, ignominy. FYN-SI [Stalin]
Filippov (Stalin) to Zhou Enlai 2. Comrade Kim Il Sung should not be To No. 483/sh.
embarrassed by the fact that he does not have In accordance with your order of 29.8.50
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3962 solid successes in the war against the inter- I visited KIM IL SUNG and communicated
Beijing ventionists, that the successes are sometimes to him the contents of the telegram. KIM IL
To Comrade Kotov interrupted by delays in the advance or even SUNG listened to my communication and
To No. 1726. by some local set-backs. In such a war asked permission to write down its contents,
Visit Zhou Enlai and transmit to him the continuous successes do not occur. The Rus- which I dictated to him.
reply to his telegram about military advisers. sians also did not have continuous successes KIM IL SUNG received your letter very
“To Comrade Zhou Enlai. during the civil war and even more during the well, thanking you several times, underscor-
The Soviet Government has satisfied war with Germany. The greatest success of ing that it is a very good letter.
your request about sending Soviet military the Korean people is that Korea has now Afterwards he asked my agreement to
advisers—specialists in PVO [Anti-Aircraft become the most popular country in the world summon [Foreign Minister] Pak Hon-Yong
Defense] and VVS [Air Force] to the East- and has turned into the banner of the move- and read him your telegram.
ern and Northeastern military districts. 38 ment in Asia for liberation from the imperial- After exchanging opinions with Pak
advisers will be sent to China, of which 10 ist yoke. The armies of all enslaved peoples Hon-Yong he asked my opinion about
will be specialists in PVO and 28 specialists will now learn from the Korean People’s whether he can bring it to the notice of the
in VVS. Army the art of bringing decisive blows to the members of the PolitSoviet [Political Coun-
As regards the remaining 26 advisers, Americans and to any imperialists. More- cil] of the CC, in connection with which he
we consider that there is no special need to over, Comrade Kim Il Sung should not forget underscored that this is a very important
send them, since the work of these advisers that Korea is not alone now, that it has allies, letter and he needs to communicate its con-
can be fulfilled by the 38 advisers being sent who are rendering and will render it aid. The tents since some members of the PolitSoviet
to China, specifically: Adviser to the Chief position of the Russians during the Anglo- are in a poor state of mind. It will be useful
of Staff PVO, apart from his main work can French-American intervention in 1919 was to them to know the contents of this letter.
advise the work of the Chiefs of the opera- several times worse than the position of the I replied that if he considers this neces-
sary then he can do it. KIM IL SUNG replied [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347, Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin,
that he would convene the PolitSoviet to- Listy 14-15 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis Khrushchev, Vyshinsky, File of 8th Depart-
morrow and read them the contents of this 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, List 162] ment.
letter.
SHTYKOV 30. 13 September 1950, ciphered telegram, [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347,
No. 1001 Shtykov to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Listy 18-19 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
30.8.50 Moscow 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 163-164]
Copies: Stalin (2), Malenkov, Beria,
Bulganin, Mikoyan, Khrushchev, File of 8th CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 600155/III. [documents from 21 September 1950 through
Department. From Pyongyang Sent 13.9.50 R e c e i v e d 14 October 1950 appear following the ar-
13.9. 13:15 ticle in this issue by Alexandre Mansourov]
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347, Sent to the 8th Department of the General
Listy 12-13 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis Staff of the Armed Forces 13.9 13:22. 31. 25 October 1950, VKP(b) CC [All-
5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 159-160] By telegraph. Union Communist Party (bolshevik)] Cen-
Extremely urgent. tral Committee Politburo decision with
29. 31 August 1950, ciphered telegram, Moscow—Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved directives to Foreign Minister
Shtykov to Fyn-Si (Stalin) transmitting of the USSR. Vyshinsky (at the United Nations in New
letter from Kim Il Sung to Stalin In connection with the forthcoming ses- York) and to Soviet Ambassador in Wash-
sion of the [UN] General Assembly, we ington
CIPHERED TELEGRAM consider it advisable to recommend to the
FYN-SI [Stalin]. government of the Korean People’s Demo- All-Union Communist Party (bolshevik),
I transmit the letter I received. cratic Republic to send a statement to the CENTRAL COMMITTEE
According to the report of KIM IL General Assembly and the Security Council, No. P78/332 To Comrades Bulganin,
SUNG’s secretary, MUN IL, this text of the in which, on the basis of documents found in Molotov, Gromyko.
letter was confirmed by the PolitSoviet of the the archives of the Rhee Syngmann [South Excerpt from protocol No. 78 of the meeting
CC of the Labor Party. Korean] government, to show how the clique of the Politburo CC VKPR(b).
SHTYKOV of RHEE SYNGMANN prepared an attack Decision of 25 October 1950
No. 1011/sh on the north, to set forth once again the 332. - About the use by the United States of
31.8.1950 position of the government of the Korean Japanese in the war against Korea.
Copies to Stalin (2), Malenkov, Beria, People’s Democratic Republic on the ques- To confirm the draft order of MID USSR
Bulganin, Mikoyan, Khrushchev, File of the tion of the illegality of the American inter- to Comrade Vyshinsky (attachment 1) and to
8th Department. vention in Korea, to illuminate the barbaric the Soviet representative in the Far Eastern
acts of the American armed forces in Korea Commission (attachment 2).
“DEAR comrade STALIN, I.V. and to demand the adoption of measures for SECRETARY CC
We are deeply touched by your atten- the immediate cessation of the American
tion. intervention and the withdrawal from Korea To p.332(op) pr.PB No. 78
We bring to you, our dear teacher, grati- of the troops of the foreign interventionists. Attachment 1
tude for the warm sympathy and advice. In In addition to this statement [we advise] NEW YORK
the decisive period of the struggle of the to send to the General Assembly and the TO VYSHINSKY
Korean people we have received great moral Security Council photocopies of the docu- 353. Your proposal about the inadvis-
support from you.We have firmly resolved ments to which reference will be made in the ability of supporting in the General Assem-
to win the final victory in the struggle against statement of the government of the Korean bly the accusation made by the government
the American interventionists, who are try- People’s Democratic Republic. of the DPRK against the USA, which is using
ing anew to enslave Korea. In such case as you agree to this pro- Japanese in the aggressive war against the
In the noble struggle for independence posal, we ask you to communicate when it Korean people, we consider incorrect. A
and freedom we constantly feel your fatherly would be convenient to send such a state- statement by the Soviet delegation in the
care and assistance. ment. General Assembly with a declaration of sup-
We wish you many years of life and We would consider it advisable also to port for the accusation made by the govern-
health. inform the government of the Korean People’s ment of the DPRK against the USA, cannot
Yours faithfully, Democratic Republic about the position weaken our position with regard to this ques-
KIM IL SUNG which the Soviet delegation in the General tion in the Far Eastern Commission. There-
(upon commission of the PolitSoviet of Assembly will take on the Korean question. fore it is necessary for you to support the
the CC [Central Committee] of the Labor We ask your orders. protest of the government of the DPRK
Party of Korea) SHTYKOV against the use by the Americans of Japanese
city of PYONGYANG No. 1154/sh. servicemen in the war in Korea. Use the facts
31.8.1950.” 13 September of this year brought forth in the statement of Pak Hon-
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, Yong, in one of your next speeches in the
General Assembly at an appropriate mo- USA of Japanese servicemen in the war Note:
ment, according to your discretion. against the Korean people. The Soviet del- Comrade Zakharov has familiarized
We are simultaneously giving an order egation considers that the Far Eastern Com- himself with this telegram and considers that
to the Soviet representative in the DVK [Far mission must not disregard the aforemen- the trip of the naval commander with adviser
Eastern Commission] to make a correspond- tioned facts, which testify to the direct viola- Kuz’min is necessary.
ing statement on this question and to support tion of the agreed-upon decision on the de- ROSHCHIN
the protest of the government of the DPRK militarization of Japan.” No. 2623
against the use by the United States of Japa- Give the statement to the press. 28.10
nese in military operations in Korea. A. GROMYKO
By order of Instantsiia [i.e., Stalin]. [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 334,
A. GROMYKO [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 827, Listy 62-63]
Listy 141-143 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
To p.332(op) pr.PB No. 78 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 155-157] 33. 29 October 1950, ciphered telegram,
TOP SECRET Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
Attachment 2 32. 28 October 1950, ciphered telegram,
WASHINGTON Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin), via CIPHERED TELEGRAM
SOVIET AMBASSADOR Roshchin BEIJING - to Comrade Zakharov
It is necessary for you the make the For MAO ZEDONG
following statement at the next meeting of SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF To Comrade MAO ZEDONG
the Far Eastern Commission: THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET I received your telegram about naval
“As is known, the Minister of Foreign ARMY matters. I agree to the trip to MOSCOW of
Affairs of the Korean People’s Democratic CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 26239 XIAO, JINGUANG and the other comrades.
Republic, Pak Hon-Yong, has sent to the Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, FILIPPOV [Stalin]
chairman of the General Assembly and to Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin 29.10.50.
the chairman of the Security Council a pro- From BeijingReceived 19 hours 50 minutes Copies: Stalin, Bulganin
test against the use of Japanese servicemen 28.10.1950
in military actions in Korea. In this protest TOP PRIORITY T [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 334,
it is shown that in the fundamental facts TO FILIPPOV [Stalin] List 64]
found in the decree of the government of the 27 October I received the following tele-
Korean People’s Democratic Republic, it is gram from Mao Zedong addressed to you: 34. 1 November 1950, ciphered telegram,
established that Japanese servicemen par- “Comrade Filippov! Fyn-Si (Stalin) to Shtykov
ticipated in battles in the area of Seoul to- In connection with the military situation
gether with American troops, that one Japa- that has developed in China at the present CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 5222
nese company participated in battles in the time, we urgently need to acquire from the TO SHTYKOV
area of Chkholvon and that a significant Soviet Union the following armaments for
number of Japanese are found in the 7th and the navy: high-speed torpedo boats, floating You request that our officers and advi-
8th divisions of the Rhee Syngmann troops. mines, armored ships, small patrol boats, sers remain in the disposition of the [North]
The use by the United States of Japa- minesweeping equipment, coastal fortress Koreans for the formation of Korean divi-
nese servicemen in military operations in artillery and torpedo bomber planes. sions. Such a point of view of yours is well
Korea is a gross violation of the Potsdam I therefore intend to send immediately to known to us. But we do not know the points
declaration, and also of section III of the Moscow by plane the commander of the navy of view of the [North] Korean government,
resolution of the Far Eastern Commission Xiao Jinguang together with adviser Com- we do not know whether it wishes to have
“Basic Policy in Relation to Japan after rade Kuz’min in order to conduct negotia- Soviet officers and advisers in the future or
Capitulation” of June 19, 1947, and the tions with the responsible comrades of the prefers to invite Chinese. You still have not
resolution adopted on the basis of this docu- Soviet Navy on the question of the request for communicated the point of view of the Ko-
ment “Prohibition of Military Activity in the above mentioned arms and on the ques- rean government on this subject. We cannot
Japan and Use of Japanese Military Equip- tion of the construction of the Chinese navy in impose our advisers and officers on the Ko-
ment” of February 12, 1948. The Potsdam the future. rean government. Let KIM IL SUNG com-
declaration and aforementioned resolution Along with Comrade Xiao Jinguang, municate his point of view regarding this.
of the Far Eastern Commission provide for two other comrades from the navy adminis-
the full disarmament and demilitarization of tration of China, Lue Shuchu and deputy FYN SI [STALIN]
Japan, forbid the reestablishment or posses- chief of the rear administration of the navy
sion of any kind of Japanese military forma- Comrade Tsin I-tin, must also go [to Mos- 1 November 1950
tions. cow]. Copies: Stalin (2), 8th Department of the
The Soviet delegation supports the pro- I ask you to review the aforementioned General Staff to Shtykov
test of the government of the Korean People’s and give me a corresponding reply.
Democratic Republic against the use by the MAO ZEDONG 27 October 1950.” [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347,
List 84, and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, a) 6 PO-2 planes, which are fully com- part in military operations in KOREA, have
Delo 3, Papka 11, List 161] bat ready and are carrying out night mis- only (six) battle sets of rifle-machine gun
sions. There are 14 pilots, and from the 15 cartridges. In the future, in connection with
35. 2 November 1950, ciphered telegram, PO-2 available, 5 planes crashed during land- the development of military operations, we
S.E. Zakharov, Soviet military represen- ings and takeoffs at the airfield itself and 4 will have a very great need to supply the
tative in Beijing, to Fyn Si (Stalin) planes were lost while on missions. army with ammunition. If there is no change
b) 25 pilots for IL-10 planes, but up to in military production, then the rearmament
Second Main Administration of the General now there are no planes for them can be begun in the second half of 1951.
Staff of the Soviet Army 6. The command of the mixed air divi- For overcoming the difficulties of the
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 26416 sion of Koreans in ANDONG has been present time I ask you to review the question
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, formed. It is headed by General LI FART. of the possibility of the delivery of small
Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, 7. Comrade PETRACHEV asks about arms for 36 (thirty-six) divisions in the course
Vasilevsky, Shtemenko, Lomov the possibility of receiving 25 Il-10 planes of January and February 1951, according to
From Beijing15 hours 30 minutes and 10 PO-2 planes. the following list (name, quantity in pieces):
2.11.1950 [S.E.] ZAKHAROV 1. Soviet rifles 140,000.
TOP PRIORITY E No. 2702 2. Rifle cartridges 58,000,000.
FYN SI [Stalin] 2.11.50 3. Soviet sub-machine guns 26,000.
To No. 5228 of 2.11.50 Report: No. 5228 of 2.11.50 asked Comrade 4. Cartridges for sub-machine guns
I report: Through Colonel Petrachev, ad- Zakharov about the fact that there are dis- 80,000,000.
viser to the Korean air force, I have obtained crepancies between his report and Belov’s 5. Soviet light machine guns 7,000.
the following specific information: report about the air battle in the region of 6. Cartridges for light machine guns
1. By the first of November a regiment Andong. He was ordered to elucidate this 37,000,000.
was formed using 26 Korean pilots that have discrepancy and report about the participa- 7. Soviet heavy machine guns 2,000.
been trained and 24 Yak-9 planes that are tion of Korean planes in battles and about the 8. Cartridges for heavy machine guns
located in An’dun. fact that two of them did not return. 20,000,000.
2. On November 1 of this year, 8 planes 9. Pilots’ handguns 1,000.
of this regiment went into battle for the first [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 335, 10. Cartridges for pilots’ handguns
time, in the region of ANSIU. As a result of Listy 71-72 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 100,000.
this flight 2 B-29 planes and a Mustang were 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 187-188] 11. TNT 1,000 tons.
downed. Two Yak-9’s did not return from I ask you to communicate to me the
the battle. 36. 8 November 1950, ciphered telegram, results of your review of my request.
The first report from comrade Belov to Mao Zedong to Filippov )Stalin) I wish you health.
me about the loss of the two Yak-9 planes in MAO ZEDONG
a battle in the region of ANDONG-SINGISIU SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF No. 2784
was thus imprecise. THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET 7.11.50
The losses relate to a battle in the region ARMY
of ANSIU. CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 26637 [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 335,
3. In a battle on November 1 of this year, Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, Listy 80-81]
in the region of ANDONG-SINGISIU, two Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin,
F-82 planes were downed by our pilots in Khrushchev, Vasilevsky, Shtemenko 37. 9 November 1950, VKB(b) CC Polit-
MIG-15’s and two planes were downed by From Beijing Received 02 hours 00 min- buro decision with approved message from
anti-aircraft artillery. In all 4 planes [were utes 8.11.1950 Gromyko to Roshchin with message for
downed]. TOP PRIORITY T Zhou Enlai
We had no losses in the air battle. To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin]
4. MIG-15’s of Comrade Belov flew In view of the fact that the infantry arms ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY
from airbases at MUKDEN and AN’SHAN’. of the People’s Liberation Army are mainly (bolsheviks), CENTRAL COMMITTEE
In all, 8 sorties were made from each airport. trophies captured from the enemy, there is a No. P78/448 To Bulganin,
5. At present there are 16 battle [as great variety in the calibers of the rifles. Molotov, Gromyko.
opposed to training] Yak-9’s at the airbase at Such a situation creates great difficulty 9 November 1950
ANDONG. In an attack on the Andong for the manufacture of ammunition, and in Excerpt from protocol No. 78 of the meeting
airport on 1 November 1950 one Yak-9 was particular for the production of rifle and of the Politburo CC VKP(b) [Central Com-
burned and 3 were put out of action, but it is machine gun cartridges, especially as our mittee, All-Union Communist Party
possible to restore them. In addition, 2 factories can produce only very small quan- (bolshevik)]
planes were lost while patrolling. tities of these cartridges. Decision of 9 November 1950
In all 22 planes and 2 planes did not At present the troops of the volunteer 448.- Question of MID USSR.
return from the region of ANSIU. army, in the amount of 36 (thirty-six) divi- To confirm the attached draft of a tele-
In addition to the Yak-9’s there are: sions of the twelve armies, which are taking gram to Comrade Roshchin on the question
of the participation of China in the Security Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria,
Council. 38. 15 November 1950, ciphered telegram, Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin,
SECRETARY CC Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) via Khrushchev
To p.448(op) pr.PB No.78 Zakharov From BeijingReceived 20 hours 15 minutes
BEIJING 16.11.1950
SOVIET AMBASSADOR SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF EXTREMELY URGENT T
For transmission to Zhou Enlai. THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin]
I have received your telegram with the ARMY At present the number of our troops
request for a consultation on the question of CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 26901. operating in Korea has increased from 18
the participation of China in the [UN] Secu- Copies: Stalin, Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, (eighteen) divisions of 6 (six) armies to 30
rity Council. Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, (thirty) divisions of 9 (nine) armies. More-
In our opinion two variants are pos- Khrushchev. over we have another 9 divisions of 3 armies
sible. From BeijingReceived 06 hours 10 minutes in reserve. In connection with this, transport
The first variant [is] to refuse to accept 16.11.1950 is faced with very large tasks. With regard to
the invitation in the manner in which it was TOP PRIORITY T automobiles, we have already received agree-
formulated in the Security Council. Mo- To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] ment from the Government of the Soviet
tives: the invitation deprives the Chinese Comrade FILIPPOV: Union about delivery of 3,000 automobiles
people’s republic of the right to discuss in I fully agree with your proposal to rein- before December 15.
the Security Council the most urgent ques- force Belov’s aviation force by an additional It is necessary that we urgently resolve
tions of China, in particular the question of delivery of MIG-15 planes to China in two the question of gasoline and lubricant. I ask
the military intervention in Korea and the lots, numbering 120 (one hundred twenty) you to confirm the delivery of gasoline and
question of the seizure of Taiwan by the pieces and to create a command apparatus for lubricant in the quantity indicated below:
United States of America, its right being the air corps. 1. New request: 10 thousand tons of
limited only to the review of the report of As concerns questions regarding the air- gasoline, 2720 barrels (capacity of 53 gal-
MacArthur. ports in MANCHURIA and the strengthen- lons, the same as below) of lubricating oil for
The second variant [is] to accept the ing of all PVO [Anti-Aircraft Defense] mea- diesel engines, transmission oil 220 barrels,
invitation and to commission the Chinese sures, we will resolve them together with brake oil 110 barrels, yellow oil (Grease) 144
delegation to make a statement in the Secu- comrade [S.E.] ZAKHAROV. barrels.
rity Council on all the abovementioned ques- I express gratitude to the Soviet pilots for 2. I ask you to ship the following oils on
tions, turning the discussion of the question the heroism and effort they have displayed in the oil quota agreed upon in the request made
into an indictment of the USA. If they do not battle, and for the fact that over the last 12 by the Ministry of Trade of the Chinese
allow the Chinese delegation fully to lay out days they downed 23 invading American People’s Republic to the Ministry of Foreign
its position, the Chinese delegation will walk planes. I think that this is worth reporting to Trade of the USSR: gasoline 7000 tons,
out of the meeting and refuse to discuss even you. diesel lubricant 2380 barrels, transmission
one report of MacArthur. I congratulate you on the successes! oil 190 barrels, brake oil 95 barrels, yellow
It seems to us that the first variant is MAO ZEDONG. oil (Grease) 126 barrels.
more advisable. Nov 15, 1950. 3. The total quantity of various oils (1
You should not connect yourself to the NEW PARAGRAPH. and 2), which we must acquire from the
conduct of the Soviet delegate in the Secu- To Comrade FILIPPOV. Soviet Union: gasoline 17,000 tons, diesel
rity Council, where he voted for the resolu- I report. lubricant 5100 barrels, transmission oil 410
tion of the English delegate [Gladwyn] Jebb, Your telegram was communicated at 20 barrels, brake oil 205 barrels, yellow oil
especially since, speaking between us, So- hours 30 minutes local time 15.11. (Grease) 270 barrels.
viet delegate [Jacob] Malik did not have an ZAKHAROV I ask you to deliver the first half (50%)
instruction to vote for the English resolu- No. 2910 of the aforementioned gasoline and oil by the
tion, but had a direct directive to put in a veto 16.11 end of December, and the second half (50%)
if the Soviet resolution was rejected. Malik by 20 January 1951.
apparently was carried away by the fact that [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 335, Will this be subject to regulations?
he had nevertheless forced the Americans to Listy 116 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, We await your answer.
vote in favor of inviting China, but he did not Delo 4, Papka 11, List 189] With bolshevik greetings.
take into account that the form of the invita- ZHOU ENLAI
tion adopted by the Security Council would 39. 16 November 1950, ciphered telegram, No. 2917
place China in a disadvantageous position. Zhou Enlai to Filippov (Stalin) 14/16.11.50
Telegraph the fulfillment.
A. GROMYKO SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 335,
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET Listy 117-118]
[Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 371, ARMY
Listy 4-5] CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 26935 40. 17 November 1950, ciphered telegram,
Zhou Enlai to Filippov (Stalin) tion.

41. 17 November 1950, ciphered telegram, 2) The preparation of pilots for two
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF Filippov (Stalin) to Zhou Enlai via regiments of jet planes and one regiment of
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET Zakharov bombers from among the 119 pilots of the
ARMY Korean People’s Army who are being trained
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 26998 CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 5708 on the territory of the Soviet Union.
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, BEIJING 3) The dispatch to the Soviet Union of
Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, To Comrade Zakharov 120 men for the preparation of aviation tech-
Khrushchev For Comrade Zhou Enlai nicians and 30 crew members for attack
From BeijingReceived 20 hours 45 minutes I received the telegram with the request planes which we ourselves are not in a posi-
17.11.1950 for urgent delivery of 500 automobiles. Your tion to prepare.
EXTREMELY URGENT T request will be satisfied by us. In order to 4) By January 1 to send an additional
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] speed up the transfer of the automobiles to 170 Korean pilots to the Soviet Union for
According to a report from Peng Dehuai you, having in mind to give you new automo- flight training, who will have completed theo-
and Gao Gang, we have an insufficient num- biles, orders have been given to our military retical preparation by that time.
ber of automobiles engaged in transport to command not to give you old automobiles I hope that you, comrade STALIN, will
the rear, enemy planes are inflicting losses from Port Arthur, but to send new automo- assist us in the resolution of these questions.
on autotransport, and also it is not possible to biles to the Manchuria [railway] station and With respect KIM IL SUNG
ensure the supply of local human and mate- to transfer 140 automobiles to Chinese repre- 16.11.50”
rial resources, food supply and winter cloth- sentatives on 20 November and 355 automo- No. 15 T. SHTYKOV
ing cannot be secured in time and the troops biles on 25-26 November. 17.11.50
are experiencing hunger and cold. We will speed up the shipment of the Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria,
A new operation will begin soon. Rail- remaining automobiles and another 1,000 Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin,
road bridges across the Yalu are subjected to automobiles will arrive at the Manchurian Khrushchev, Sokolovsky, Shtemenko,
bombardment by enemy planes every day. station before 5 December. Gromyko, file of 8th Dept. of General Staff
The river is beginning to freeze, and it is FILIPPOV [Stalin] of Armed Forces
not possible to build submerged bridges and 17 November 1950
pontoons. Therefore until such time as the [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347,
river is frozen, so that automobiles can cross [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 335, Listy 88-89 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
the ice, we must in the next 8-9 days transport List 124] 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 180-181]
at an extraordinary speed food stuffs, winter
gear and ammunition. If we do not, it will 42. 17 November 1950, ciphered telegram, 43. 20 November 1950, ciphered telegram,
have an influence on the next stage of the Shtykov to Gromyko transmitting 16 No- Fyn Si (Stalin) to Kim Il Sung (via Shtykov)
fulfillment of the operation. vember 1950 message from Kim Il Sung to
In view of this, besides the mobilization Stalin 8th Department of the General Staff of the
of all automobiles in Manchuria that could Armed Forces USSR
be mobilized on the front, we can mobilize a CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 600742/III CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 75835
maximum of 200 automobiles from North- From CORRESPONDENT 13 Sent 17.11.50 To Comrade SHTYKOV
ern China and immediately send them to the Received 18.11 4:03-19:35 for Comrade KIM IL SUNG
front to relieve the difficult situation. Sent to 8th Department of the General Staff I have received your telegram about the
I earnestly ask you to give a command to of the Armed Forces USSR 18.11 4:20-19:50 preparation of pilot cadres after a delay which
the commander of the Soviet Army on the By telegraph was the fault of the Soviet apparatus.
Liaodong peninsula about the transfer of 500 extremely urgent In the opinion of our military this ques-
automobiles for our army. These 500 auto- To Comrade GROMYKO tion is more expediently resolved in the fol-
mobiles will be reimbursed on the account of I transmit a note I received from the lowing manner:
the portion which you promised to send from Korean government with the following con- 1. To organize the preparation of 200-
25.11 to 25.12, numbering 3,000 automo- tents: 300 pilots from Korean students, in the flight
biles. “TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE school already existing in YANTSZY on the
Can you satisfy my request? I await COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE USSR territory of MANCHURIA. An additional
your swift reply. Comrade STALIN I.V. contingent of Soviet instructors will be given
With bolshevik greetings. For preparation of pilot cadres needed for this.
ZHOU ENLAI for the forthcoming offensive operations 2. The preparation of pilots for two jet
No. 2933 against the American troops I ask you, Com- fighter regiments can be organized at one of
17.11 10:00 rade STALIN, to allow: our jet divisions of MIG-15’s located in
1) The preparation of 200-300 pilots on MANCHURIA. After the preparation of the
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 335, the territory of the Soviet Union from among pilots, the appropriate number of MIG-15
Listy 122-123] Korean students sent to the USSR for educa- planes will be delivered.
With regard to the preparation of pilots [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347, 802.
for one bomber regiment, it is more conve- List 94 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, To confirm the draft orders to Comrade
nient to prepare them in the Korean school Delo 3, Papka 11, List 182] Vyshinsky (attachment 1) and to Comrade
we have in the Far East Maritime Region. Roshchin (attachment 2).
The materiel, TU-2 planes for the bomber 45. 1 December 1950, ciphered telegram, TOP SECRET
regiment, will also be given. Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong Attachment 1
3. We agree to accept an additional 120 to p.167(op) pr. PB No. 79
men in the Korean pilot school that we have CIPHERED TELEGRAM New York
in the Far East Maritime Region, to train BEIJING - SOVIET AMBASSADOR To Vyshinsky
them as technicians and crew for attack To transmit to Comrade MAO ZEDONG 802. We are answering point by point.
planes. Comrade MAO ZEDONG! Regarding point one. We agree with
4. It is better that the Korean pilots I received your telegram No. 3153. your proposal. However, you should not
receive flight training in the place where I thank you for the information about the make the stipulations you proposed, that the
they will study, i.e. in MANCHURIA or in state of affairs in China, in connection with Assembly has the right to review a question
our Maritime Region. the successful offensive of the Chinese of aggression if the Security Council turns
If you agree with these proposals, cor- People’s Liberation Army in Korea. out not to be in a condition to fulfill its
responding orders will be given to our mili- Your successes gladden not only me and obligation regarding supporting peace. Such
tary command. my comrades in the leadership, but also all a stipulation would mean that we recognize
FYN SI [Stalin]. Soviet people. Allow me to greet from the as having legal force the resolution of No-
No. 4/7556 soul you and your friends in the leadership, vember 3, which the Soviet delegation de-
20 November 1950 the People’s Liberation Army of China and clared unlawful, as a contradiction of the UN
Copies: Bulganin, Shtemenko, Stalin. the entire Chinese people in connection with Charter.
these enormous successes in their struggle Regarding point two. We agree with
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 347, against the American troops. your proposal. As for the invitation to a
Listy 90-91 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis I have no doubt that in the war against the representative of the Chinese People’s Re-
5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 165-166] up-to-date and well-armed American army public to participate in the discussion of this
the Chinese army will receive great experi- question in the General Assembly, do not
44. 22 November 1950, ciphered telegram, ence in contemporary warfare and will turn introduce a proposal about the invitation
Kim Il Sung to Fyn Si (Stalin) via Shtykov itself into a fully up-to-date, well-armed, before you receive from us an additional
formidable army, just as the Soviet Army in order, which we will give after the govern-
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 600782/sh the struggle with the first-class-armed Ger- ment of the PRC makes it clear whether it
From CORRESPONDENT No. 18 Sent man army received experience in contempo- considers it advisable for its representative to
22.11.50 6:30 Received 22.11 9:55 rary warfare and turned into an up-to-date participate in the discussion of this question
Sent to 8th Department of General Staff of well-equipped army. in the General Assembly.
Armed Forces 22.11 10:02 I wish you further successes. Regarding point three. We agree with
By telegram FILIPPOV [Stalin] your proposal.
Extremely urgent 1 December 1950 By order of Instantsiia [i.e., Stalin].
To Comrade FYN SI [Stalin]. A. GROMYKO
I transmit the letter I received from KIM [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336,
IL SUNG addressed to you with the follow- List 5] TOP SECRET
ing contents: Attachment 2
“To Comrade FYN SI 46. 5 December 1950, VKP(b) CC Polit- to p.167(op) pr.PB No. 79
I received your telegram of 20.11.50 buro decision with approved orders to Peking
about the preparation of pilot cadres. We Vyshinsky in New York and Roshchin in Soviet Ambassador
fully agree with your opinions. Beijing (with message for Zhou Enlai) Urgently visit Zhou Enlai and commu-
Accept, Comrade FYN SI, our deepest nicate to him the following.
gratitude for your tireless assistance to the ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY According to the report of Comrade
Korean people in its struggle for its indepen- (bolsheviks), CENTRAL COMMITTEE Vyshinsky, the Americans will introduce
dence. No. P79/167 To Malenkov, into discussion at the [UN General] Assem-
Yours truly - KIM IL SUNG 21.11.50" Molotov, Gromyko bly a question under the heading “The Inter-
SHTYKOV December 1950 vention in Korea of the Central People’s
No. 35 Excerpt from protocol No. 79 of the Government of the Chinese People’s Repub-
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, meeting of Politburo CC lic.”
Beria, Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, VKP(b) [Central Committee, All-Union Com- The Soviet delegation will express op-
Khrushchev, Vasilevsky, Shtemenko, File munist Party (bolshevik)] position to the inclusion of this question on
of 8th Department Decision of 5 December 1950 the agenda. If it nonetheless is included, the
167.- Telegram of Comrade Vyshinsky No. Soviet Government needs to know the opin-
ion of the government of the Chinese People’s Lie: of the Politburo CC VKP(b) [Central Com-
Republic—whether it considers it advisable “Military operations in Korea will be mittee, All-Union Communist Party
for its representative to participate in the ended under the following conditions: (bol’shevik)]
discussion of the question raised by the 1. The withdrawal of all foreign troops Decision of 7 December 1950.
Americans in the General Assembly. If from Korea. 189. Telegram of Comrade Vyshinsky No.
Zhou Enlai asks what the point of view of the 2. The withdrawal of American troops 825.
Soviet Government is on this question, you from the Taiwan strait and from the territory To confirm the proposed draft order to
should answer that in this case, as well as in of Taiwan. Comrade Vyshinsky.
the case of the discussion of MacArthur’s 3. The Korean question must be re- SECRETARY CC
report in the Security Council, the Soviet solved by the Korean people themselves. to p.189(op) pr.PB No. 79
Government considers it more advisable that 4. The participation of a representative New York
the Chinese government not take part in the of the Chinese people’s republic in the UN To Vyshinsky
discussion of this question in the General and the exclusion from the UN of a represen- No. 825. Your proposal about the cessa-
Assembly. tative of Jiang Jieshi [Chiang Kai-shek]. tion of military activity in Korea we consider
Telegraph the results. 5. Convening a conference of the minis- incorrect in the present situation, when Ameri-
A. Gromyko ters of foreign affairs of the four great powers can troops are suffering defeat and when the
for the preparation of a peace treaty with Americans more and more often are advanc-
[Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 828, Japan. ing a proposal about a cessation of military
Listy 19-21 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 6. If the five aforementioned conditions operations in Korea, in order to win time and
5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 4-6] for the cessation of military operations are prevent the complete defeat of the American
accepted, the five great powers can send their troops.
47. 7 December 1950, ciphered telegram representatives to convene a conference for The draft of the Soviet delegation should
from Roshchin conveying message from signing the conditions of an armistice.” include the following:
Zhou Enlai to Soviet Government Zhou Enlai transmitted the enumerated 1. The immediate withdrawal of all for-
conditions in written form. eign troops from Korea.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM Further, Zhou stated that before sending 2. The resolution of the Korean question
Copying Prohibited the present conditions for cessation of mili- must be left to the Korean people them-
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, tary operations in Korea, the Chinese gov- selves.
Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, ernment wishes that Wu Xiu-quan consult The text of your preamble does not elicit
Khrushchev, Vyshinsky, Gromyko, Copy. with the government of the USSR and asks objections.
From BeijingNo. 35379 6 hours 55 minutes the Soviet government to express its opinion By order of Instantsiia [i.e., Stalin].
7/XII 1950 on this question. A. Gromyko
Special Nos. 2522, 2523 Zhou Enlai earnestly asked [me] to trans-
TOP PRIORITY mit to the Soviet government that the Chi- [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 828,
SPECIAL nese government wishes to receive an an- Listy 23-24 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
On December 7 at 3:00 Beijing time swer today. 5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 7-8]
Zhou Enlai invited me to his [office] and I stated to Zhou Enlai that what was
transmitted the following in the name of the communicated by him: the report, the condi- 49. 7 December 1950, ciphered telegram,
Chinese government: tions for ceasefire in Korea and the request Gromyko to Roshchin transmitting mes-
At Lake Success representatives from for an answer will be immediately brought sage from Filippov (Stalin) to Zhou Enlai
India, England, Sweden and the general sec- before the government of the USSR.
retary of the UN Trygve Lie have recently 7.XII.50 ROSHCHIN MID USSR No. 23343
appealed several times to the representative Tenth department Received 19 hours 10 min-
of the Chinese people’s republic [General] [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336, utes 7/XII.1950
Wu Xiu-quan asking under what conditions Listy 17-19 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis Dispatched 20 hours 40 minutes
it is possible to end the military operations in 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 193-195] 7/XII.1950
Korea. Special No. 1691,1692
Their aspirations are to hold the position 48. 7 December 1950, VKP(b) CC Polit- CIPHERED TELEGRAM
in Korea at the 38th parallel. buro decision with approved message to To BEIJING To SOVIET AMBASSA-
Not wishing to put ourselves in a disad- Vyshinsky in New York DOR
vantageous position and having the goal of SPECIAL FILE
holding the initiative in our hands and also ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY TOP PRIORITY
showing assertiveness on this question, the (bolsheviks), CENTRAL COMMITTEE 2522. Immediately visit Zhou Enlai and
government of the Chinese people’s republic No. P79/189 Copies to Malenkov, transmit to him the following:
intends to give the following instruction to Molotov, Gromyko. “We completely agree with your condi-
Wu Xiu-quan for answering the representa- 7 December 1950. tions for a ceasefire in Korea. We consider
tives of India, England, Sweden and Trygve Excerpt from protocol No. 79 of the meeting that without the satisfaction of these condi-
tions military activity cannot be ceased. In SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF Kimpo airport and control the port of
addition, we consider that you should not be THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET Chemul’po, but this will create more advan-
too open and show all your cards too early ARMY tageous conditions for the preparation of our
before the representatives of the three states, CIPHERED TELEGRAM troops for a spring offensive.
who, frankly speaking, are spies of the USA. Copies: Stalin (2) In order to achieve the aforementioned
We think that the time has not arrived for From BEIJING Received 02 hours, 40 min- goals the following plan has been worked
China to show all its cards, while Seoul is utes 8.1.1951 out:
still not liberated. Moreover, the USA could EXTREMELY URGENT T. a) To leave 1 division of 1st corps of the
use China’s five conditions to box us on the TO FILIPPOV [Stalin]. People’s Army for garrison duty in the city of
ear by [making] a UN resolution. It is not I send you a copy of the telegram to Seoul.
necessary to give this advantage to the USA. Comrade Kim Il Sung from Comrades Peng The main forces of the corps will be
We therefore think that it is possible at Dehuai, Kim Son and Pak Il U, sent 24:00 4.1 deployed in the area of Toto, Tok-heiri,
the present time to limit oneself to the fol- [January 4]. Dzinsori, Mokudo.
lowing: I ask you to familiarize yourself with it: After rest and regrouping, in three days
1. The Chinese Central People’s Gov- “To Premier Comrade Kim Il Sung. We they must prepare to make a forced crossing
ernment along with you, gentlemen del- are simultaneously sending a copy to the of the Kanko river and at the appropriate
egates of England, Sweden, India would commanders of the corps and army Com- moment occupy the Kimpo airport,
welcome the soonest possible conclusion of rades Hun Xianchu, Wu Ruilin, Chzhou Biao, Chemul’po port and consolidate themselves
the military actions in Korea. China is Pan Khe-som and to the commander of the 1st there.
applying all its strength in order to conclude Corps NRVS and to the staff of the Northeast. b) Troops of the left column as before
quickly the military activity forced on Korea 1. Today (4 January) the 116th infantry are under the unified command of Khan’
and China. division and a unit of troops from the 117th Sian’-chu.
2. Therefore, we would like to know the infantry division occupied the city of Seoul. The 50th army will continue to advance
opinion of the UN and the USA with regard Enemy troops defending Seoul withdrew to in the direction of Kosainairi, Kando, Kiriudo
to conditions for an armistice. As far as we the south bank of the Kanko river. The city of and the area to the northwest of these points.
know, you have not been commissioned by Siumsen was also taken on 3 January by units It will send out immediately a strong detach-
the UN or the USA to discuss with anyone of our 66th army. ment to control the bridge across the Kanko
the conditions for an armistice. Moreover, The enemy withdrew to the area of Kosen river (by a counterattack attempt to occupy
the delegation from England together with and to areas further south. the fortification before the bridge on the
the delegation from the USA, France, Nor- It is supposed that the next attempt by south bank of the Kanko river). This detach-
way, Ecuador and Cuba already introduced enemy troops will be the defense of the river, ment will find out what the situation is, make
into the First Committee [of the General which is beginning in the area of Chemul’po active preparations for a forced crossing of
Assembly] of the UN a resolution condemn- [Inchon], Kimpo, Iokhei, and is going on the Kanko river, attack the enemy on the
ing China, thereby hindering the matter of a along the south bank of the Kanko river, south bank and continue to carry out the
settlement of the Korean question. through Gensiu, Seikheisio to Korio. battle in cooperation with the main forces.
3. In view of this we will eagerly await It is possible that the enemy, regrouping If the enemy continues to withdraw to
the opinion of the UN and USA about the behind the natural barriers, like the Kanko the south, then it is necessary, while pursuing
conditions for a cessation of military actions river and the mountainous areas, will gather him, to occupy Suigen and to wait for further
in Korea. the remnants of its forces, gain time and make orders.
FILIPPOV [Stalin].” preparations for new military operations. The line of delimitation between the
Telegraph the fulfillment. Another possibility is that, in case of 50th army and the 1st corps of the People’s
GROMYKO. further more powerful strikes by our troops, Army runs through Kokusekiri, Riuzan,
7/XII-50 the enemy will withdraw to the south. Kasaivairi. The line itself and the areas to the
Copies: Stalin, Molotov, Malenkov, 2. If we give the enemy the possibility to west of it belong to the 50th army, the areas
Bulganin, Vyshinsky, 10th Department, continue to occupy defensive positions along to the east of this line belong to the 1st corps.
Copy the south bank of the river Kanko, to control The 38th, 39th and 40th armies will put
the airport at Kimpo and to use the port at themselves in order, rest for three days (until
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336, Chemul’po for supply, then although Seoul 7.1 inclusive) and prepare for a forced cross-
Listy 20-21 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis will be in our hands, it will be under constant ing of the Khokukan-ko river above and
5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 196-197] threat from enemy air force and artillery, below Seisen. They will first strike the
which will be extremely disadvantageous for enemy in the area of Iuokhei, after which
50. 8 January 1951, ciphered telegram, preparing our troops for a spring offensive. they will develop an offensive along a line
Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) trans- If, in the presence of success, our troops from the southeast to the northwest on the
mitting 4 January 1951 message from make one more effort and destroy another enemy positions in the area of Risen, Kosiu,
Peng Dehuai, Kim Son, and Pak Il U to unit of enemy troops and force the enemy to Suien, Eitokho.
Kim Il Sung retreat from the south bank of the Kanko A detailed plan is being worked out by
river, then we not only will be able to take the Comrade Hun Xianchu.
c) The 42nd and 66th armies under the Zakharov to Filippov (Stalin) CIPHERED TELEGRAM
unified command of Wu Ruilin and Chzhou Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria,
Biao, and also the 2nd and 5th corps of the SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin,
People’s Army under the unified command THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET Khrushchev, Vyshinsky, Copy.
of Pan Kho-Son, in accordance with the joint ARMY From BEIJING No. 1309 20 hours 05
forces plan established earlier, must destroy CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 15451 minutes, 13.1.1951
the enemy troops in the region of Kosen, Copies: Stalin (2) Special No. 62
Odzio, and afterwards await further orders. From BEIJING Received 00 hours 50 min- SPECIAL
All the aforementioned troops must send utes 13.1.51 TOP PRIORITY
spies and outposts toward the enemy troops EXTREMELY URGENT Your order No. 48 has been fulfilled.
located in front of the frontline. To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] Zhou Enlai asked to give great thanks to
When the troops of the right column I report - your ciphered telegram of 11.1 comrade Filippov for the advice and consul-
begin a new offensive these units must be of this year to MAO ZEDONG was handed tation. Further he stated that the Korean
ready to render assistance. Peng Dehuai, to ZHOU ENLAI at 23 hours local time 12.1. comrades will be informed. In addition, Mao
Kim Son, Pak Il U. 24:00 4.1.” of this year. Zedong sent a telegram to Kim Il Sung and
With bolshevik greetings. ZAKHAROV Peng Dehuai with a request to come to Beijing
MAO ZEDONG. No. 207 for a short time to discuss a number of
No. 103 questions. During their time in Beijing Mao
7.1.51. [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336, Zedong will also talk over with Kim Il Sung
List 121] the questions touched on in the memoran-
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336, dum.
Listy 88-90] 52. 13 January 1951, ciphered telegram, 13.1.51 ROSHCHIN
Roshchin to USSR Foreign Ministry Spravka: no. 48 (from no. 837) of Jan
51. 13 January 1951, ciphered telegram, 13, 1950. Vyshinsky proposed to visit Zhou
ASSESSING THE POLITICS OF growing number of violations of the 38th

THE KOREAN WAR, 1949-51 parallel by South Korean police and armed 2. Kim insists on war, Stalin disagrees
forces. On 3 February 1949 Soviet Ambas-
by Evgueni Bajanov sador to North Korea Shtykov bitterly com- While Stalin tried to prevent a war in
plained that the North Koreans did not have Korea in 1949, the North Korean leadership
This article is based on the recently enough trained personnel, adequate weap- increasingly put pressure on the Kremlin,
declassified Soviet archives and examines ons and sufficient numbers of bullets to demanding permission to liberate the South.
the political line of Moscow as well as of its rebuff intensifying incursions from the South. On 7 March 1949, while talking to Stalin in
allies, Pyongyang and Beijing, on the Ko- Receiving Kim Il Sung in the Kremlin on 5 Moscow Kim Il Sung said: “We believe that
rean Peninsula in 1949-1951, up to the armi- March 1949, Stalin showed an open concern the situation makes it necessary and possible
stice negotiations, which began in the sum- about growing pressure from the opponent to liberate the whole country through mili-
mer of 1951. in the vicinity of the 38th parallel and em- tary means.” The Soviet leader disagreed,
The paper is divided into eleven sec- phatically told Kim: “The 38th parallel must citing the military weakness of the North,
tions in order to show more clearly the be peaceful. It is very important.”2 the USSR-USA agreement on the 38th par-
evolution of the policies of the three com- After Kim’s return to Korea, the situa- allel, and the possibility of American inter-
munist governments in Korea. tion did not improve. On 17 April 1949, vention.
Stalin warned his ambassador of an immi- Stalin added that only if the adversary
1. Stalin fears an attack from the South nent attack from the South. The Soviet attacked Pyongyang could they try military
ambassador confirmed that a large-scale war reunification by launching a counterattack.
Until the end of 1949 Stalin did not plan was begin prepared by Seoul with the help of “Then,” the Kremlin chief explained, “your
any aggression against South Korea. In- Americans and raised alarm about the in- move will be understood and supported by
stead he was worried about an attack from ability of North Korean troops to withstand everyone.”5
the South, and did everything to avoid pro- the aggression.3 In May-August 1949 the In August and again in September 1949,
voking Washington and Seoul. In 1947- Kremlin and Pyongyang continued to ex- North Korean leaders resumed pressure on
1948 Soviet leaders still believed in the change data about a possible attack from the Moscow, hoping to convince it that: a) peace-
possibility of a unification of Korea, and South. The USSR was clearly afraid of such ful reunification was totally impossible; b)
refused to sign a separate friendship and an attack, and was nervous not knowing how the Korean people wanted liberation and
cooperation treaty with North Korean leader to prevent the war. Stalin repeatedly casti- would not understand if the chance for reuni-
Kim Il Sung.1 gated Ambassador Shtykov for failing to do fication was missed; c) Northern armed forces
In the beginning of 1949 the Soviet everything in his power to maintain peace on were superior to the Southern army; d) after
embassy began to alert the Kremlin to the the 38th parallel.4 continued on page 87
Enlai and transmit to him Filippov’s tele- goods ordered in the requests have been sent I send you a copy of my telegram of 14
gram regarding the memorandum of the only in part? Will this difference be covered January 1951 to Comrade Peng Dehuai for
Chinese government. in 1951? I ask you to communicate about transmission to Comrade Kim Il Sung.
this. I ask you to familiarize yourself with it:
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336, 4. That you have established the amounts “To Comrade Peng Dehuai. I ask that the
List 122 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, of military credit for 1951 is very good. As contents of this telegram be transmitted to
Delo 5, Papka 11, List 13] soon as we sort out the first two requests we Comrade Kim Il Sung.
will make an application for military goods The approximately 100,000 Korean re-
53. 16 January 1951, ciphered telegram, for 1951, with a careful calculation of the cost cruits being trained in Northeast China must
Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) of this military hardware, so that the total sum be incorporated into various corps of the
will not exceed the amount of 400,000,000 People’s Army in the next 2-3 months, in the
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF rubles established by you, so that the Soviet period of rest and reformation, so that the
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET government will not be burdened by the ful- companies in all divisions of the People’s
ARMY fillment of our military applications. Army will be fully manned. There must be
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 15607 5. I thank you for your decision about the more than 100 men in each company and
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Vasilevsky, delivery of railway equipment as a part of the 10,000 - 15,000 men in each division.
Men’shikov military credit in accordance with the agree- In the Korean army there are too many
From BEIJING Received 14 hours 30 min- ment on military credit, with a reduction of units of the division and brigade type. It is
utes 16.1.1951 25% of the cost of this equipment. necessary that all personnel be consolidated
EXTREMELY URGENT T 6. We agree that 5,000 automobiles de- into fifteen divisions (approximately) and
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] livered to us in 1950 and 12,000 automobiles Soviet arms be apportioned to them so that
1. I received your telegram of 4.1.51. I which will be delivered in 1951 should be these Korean divisions, cooperating with the
fully agree with all the arrangements con- paid through trade exchange. I hope that you Chinese volunteers, provide major support
tained in your telegram. I thank you and the will review my request and communicate an to them during the spring offensive (April -
Soviet Government for the assistance you answer about the delivery ahead of time of the May), with the goal of finally resolving the
are rendering to us. remaining 12,000 automobiles for satisfying South Korean question.
2. We have studied the draft agreement the needs of the front. In the next two to three months the
on military credit. 7. I ask you to communicate to us whether Chinese volunteers and the Korean troops
We fully agree with the draft of this gasoline and aviation fuel, for military pur- must carry out serious and major work, in
agreement, with the exception of the 1st and poses, included in the application for military particular to replenish the troops with newly
2nd points of the third article, to which were equipment sent after 19.10.1950, will be in- trained soldiers, to make sure that the newly
introduced changes on the basis of your cluded in the military equipment stipulated trained soldiers imitate the experience of the
telegram of 4.1 of this year, about which we by the agreement on military credit. Is the old soldiers, to strengthen the troop arma-
requested Comrade Zakharov to inform you. agreement on military equipment applicable ments, to rebuild the railways, to lay in store
With regard to the signing of this agree- to the aforementioned gasoline? food and ammunition, to improve the work
ment, Comrade Zhou Enlai will resolve this With bolshevik greetings! of transport and the rear service. Carrying
question together with Comrade Zakharov. MAO ZEDONG out this work can secure the final victory.
3. You communicated in your telegram No. 262 It is possible that the enemy command
that in the first nine and a half months of 14.1.51 will have two variants for conducting subse-
1950 the USSR has agreed, in accordance quent military operations:
with the agreement on credit of 14.2.1950, to [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, delo 337, 1. Under pressure from Chinese and
deliver to China military goods in the amount Listy 4-5] North Korean troops the enemy will make
of 140 million rubles. insignificant resistance and then withdraw
Not long ago Comrade Wang Jia-xiang 54. 16 January 1951, ciphered telegram, from Korea. If this happens, it will be the
brought the requests of February and May Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) transmit- result of our carrying out thorough prepara-
for military goods that he received from the ting 14 January 1951 message from Mao to tions, because the enemy, having received
military-engineering administration of MVT Peng Dehuai with message for Kim Il Sung information about the preparation work be-
to the general sum of 237,548,103.64 rubles, ing carried out, will be convinced that our
of which the request for February is SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF military forces have grown even greater, and
114,415,274.67 rubles and for May THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET therefore, fearing difficulty, he will with-
123,132,828.97 rubles. ARMY draw from Korea.
Thus, the total value of the military CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 15603 2. The enemy will make stubborn resis-
goods delivered, contained in our telegram, Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov tance in the area of Pusan-Taiko until he
is 97,500,000 rubles less than the value of From BEIJING Received 14 hours 45 min- becomes convinced of the uselessness of
the military goods in the February and May utes 16.1.1951 resistance, and then he will withdraw from
requests. EXTREMELY URGENT T South Korea.
Should it be considered that the military To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin]. If this happens, it is necessary for us to
carry out good preparation so that it will be comrades think that it is not possible to this). In the main I agreed with the aforemen-
possible to continue to fight. In the opposite pursue the retreating American and puppet tioned plan for the defense of the sea coast.
case, we can repeat the mistakes allowed by [South Korea] troops with the forces of the I ask you to review.
the Korean troops in the period from June to Korean People’s Army alone. This would 3. The question of restaffing five corps.
September 1950. also take on an adventuristic character. It was decided that each corps must be
But it is also possible that objective They stated that the Politburo regards as composed of three divisions. At present, all
causes will force us to make a single opera- correct the proposal made from my side five corps, with the exception of 1st corps,
tion in February, after which again to con- about the necessity of conducting rest and have 4-5 divisions. However, these divi-
tinue the respite and reformation for the reformation for two months in order to make sions are not fully manned, there are 3,000-
purpose of completing the necessary prepa- a forward advance cautiously, without hur- 4,000-5,000 men. It is proposed that each
ration for the next operation. This also must rying. Although Comrade PAK HON-YONG corps fill out three divisions using the fourth
be taken into account. However, if this does had his own opinion, after the second eluci- division of the corps. In this way each
not happen, then conducting the last decisive dation I made on 17 January, about the posi- division can be brought to an average of
operation after finishing the necessary prepa- tive and negative sides of a risky forward 7,000 men. I introduced a proposal to appor-
ration in two-three months, which was dis- advance without carrying out preparation tion 20,000 men per five armies from among
cussed above, will be necessary and practi- and a cautious forward advance with ad- the South Korean prisoners, but they did not
cable. vance preparation, he was satisfied. agree with me.
Chinese and Korean comrades must be The Soviet adviser also agreed that the With regard to my proposal to fill out the
patient and carry out the necessary prepara- next operation is decisive, therefore with the existing corps with the newly organized three
tion. approval of the Politburo of the Korean Work- corps, they did not agree with this. Although
I ask you to communicate your opinion. ers’ party, it will be conducted better. such a proposal was advanced by me, I con-
MAO ZEDONG.” 2. The question of the defense of the sea sidered it awkward to defend it further. They
With Bolshevik greetings. coast. are planning the participation in the next
MAO ZEDONG Premier KIM IL SUNG and Comrade operations of three of their corps.
No. 260 RAZUVAEV put forth the following opin- 4. A sufficient number of cadres were
15.1.51 ions: 26 brigade will be based in not prepared for carrying out work in the
TSINNAMPO, 23 brigade in KAISIU, 24 newly liberated regions.
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 337, brigade in GENZAN, 63 brigade in SEOUL earlier had a population of
Listy 1-3] BUGTKHENG, 69 brigade in KORIO. These 1,500,000 persons, at the present time it
brigades will occupy by battalion, portions probably still has around 1,000,000 persons.
55. 27 January 1951, ciphered telegram, of the defense along the western and eastern There are great difficulties with food and
Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) convey- sea coast, where they will serve as sentries. fuel. No assistance is being given to refugees
ing 19 January 1951 telegram from Peng Each brigade to have an average of 3,000 and the unemployed. There is only just
Dehuai to Mao re meetings with Kim Il men, and moreover their combat capability enough food for the Korean People’s Army
Sung is not high. and the Chinese Volunteer troops. In the
In addition to this, three newly orga- regions to the west of KAIDZIO and to the
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF nized corps (6th, 7th and 8th) will control the south of SIARIN there are large gangs, which
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET following regions: 6th corps - ANSIU, 7th have even seized some locations. We agreed
ARMY corps - KOKUZAN, 8th corps - KANKO. to send one regiment and four battalions
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No decision was made about which units to from the People’s Army to destroy these
Copies: Stalin (2) leave in SEOUL and CHEMUL’PO. They gangs. In addition it was decided to send one
From BEIJING Received 19 hours 35 min- also ask to leave one army of Chinese Volun- division from the 39th corps to the region to
utes 27.1.1951 teers, as a skeleton. We gave agreement to the west of the RINSINKO river to assist.
EXTREMELY URGENT T leave one army, which will be located in Thus, with the destruction of these gangs we
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] TET-SUGEN. will be able to receive several dozen tons of
I send you a copy of the telegram from 1000 sea mines and 200,000 anti-tank food.
Comrade Peng Dehuai to me of 19 January and other mines have been received from the Agreement in principle was obtained
1951. USSR. So far a decision was made to use from our side in the discussion of such ques-
I ask you to familiarize yourself with it. 100,000 mines for defense of the sea coast tions as: fortifying the areas under control;
“To Comrade MAO ZEDONG. and to place the sea mines in the most impor- demoralization of the enemy—for example
Copy: To Comrade GAO GANG. tant ports. The task of defending the sea preparation for the spring planting in North-
I arrived at Premier Comrade KIM IL coast to the south of the SUIGEN- ern KOREA; assistance to refugees; partial
SUNG’s in the evening on 16 January 1951 SANSIOKU line was assigned to the for- restoration of production in several facto-
and returned on the evening of 18 January ward units. Defense of the port RIUGANPO, ries; developing a political offensive in the
1951. which is located in the area of SINGISIU, areas temporarily occupied by the American
I report about the results of our meeting: they asked to assign to troops VO of north- and puppet [South Korean] troops; creation
1. Comrade KIM IL SUNG and his east CHINA (one regiment is sufficient for of armed detachments which will include
party and administrative workers and leaders 2. Our troops must immediately conduct 7. After the Chinese and Korean troops
of mass organizations which will penetrate preparations for the fourth operation, with occupy the region to the north of the Taiden-
the enemy’s rear, where under the cover of the goal of the destruction of 20,000 to 30,000 Anto boundary, they must again make a two
armed units of the detachment they will carry American and puppet [South Korean] troops to three months long preparation, after which
out organizational work in the locality; the and the occupation of the area to the north of to accomplish the last, fifth, operation of
combination of legal and illegal forms of the Taiden-Anto boundary. decisive significance. This is advantageous
struggle; striking a blow at the most reaction- 3. In the course of the preparation for in all respects.
ary elements; assistance to the progressive this operation it is necessary to hold 8. The ninth army group must in the near
elements; attracting to their side the interme- Chemul’po, the fortification before the bridge future be redeployed to the region of
diate elements; and also all methods of carry- on the south bank of the Kanko river and the Pyongyang, Seoul, Chemul’po, Suigen for
ing out these measures. However, in the city of Seoul, and also to draw out the main rest and reformation. At the same time they
future it will be clearer how to begin the enemy forces to the Suigen-Risen region. must fulfill the task of defending the given
organization of the implementation of these After the beginning of the operation the main region so as not to give the possibility to
measures resolutely and with the correct forces of the North Korean and Chinese enemy troops to land in Chemul’po an
placement of cadres. troops must break through the enemy’s line Tsinnampo. At the time of the fifth operation
PENG DEHUAI 12:00 19.1.51.” of defense in the region of Gensiu and make the given army group must participate in
With bolshevik greetings! attacks in the direction toward Eisiu and military operations on the western portions
MAO ZEDONG Anto. of the front.
No. 449 4. The withdrawal of Chinese and North 9. At the time of implementing the fourth
26.1.51 Korean troops for 15-30 km to the north and operation I ask you to think over the question
the publication of a communication about of whether it will be better for the main forces
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 337, support for the proposal about a temporary of the Chinese and North Korean troops to
Listy 37-40] ceasefire is disadvantageous for us, since the divide into two echelons. Troops of each
enemy precisely wishes to cease military echelon must have a five day dry ration.
56. 29 January 1951, ciphered telegram, operations only at the time when our troops Troops of the first echelon must make the
Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) convey- withdraw some distance to the north and in breakthrough and carry out the pursuit of the
ing 28 January 1951 telegram from Mao order that he (the enemy) can blockade the enemy to a determined border, and the troops
Zedong to Peng Dehuai Kanko river. of the second echelon must continue the
5. After the conclusion of the fourth pursuit of the enemy, so that the operation
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF operation, it is possible that the enemy will will continue for 10-12 days and that in this
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET conduct peace negotiations with us regard- time it will be possible to destroy as many
ARMY ing a resolution of the Korean question. Con- enemy troops as possible.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 16052 ducting negotiations will then be advanta- I ask you to communicate your opinion.
Copies: Stalin (2) geous for China and Korea. However, the MAO ZEDONG, 28.1.51
From BEIJING Received 18 hours 40 min- enemy at present is calculating to return the 19:00.”
utes 29.1.1951 fortification before the bridge on the south No. 478.
EXTREMELY URGENT T bank of the Kanko river, to the south of the 28.1.51. MAO ZEDONG
To FILIPPOV [Stalin] line Seoul-Chemul’po and to blockade the
At the present time the American troops Kanko river, so that Seoul would be under [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 337,
are trying to attack the regions of the south- threat of shelling from enemy artillery, so as Listy 41-43]
ern bank of the Kanko river adjacent to Seoul thereby to force us to cease military opera-
and Chemul’po [Inchon]. Such a situation tions and begin peace negotiations. In this 57. 30 January 1951, ciphered telegram,
has developed that our troops are deprived of way the enemy wants to place China and Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
the possibility of continuing rest and refor- Korea in a disadvantageous position, which
mation and are forced immediately to begin we can in no case allow. CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 633
preparation for the fourth operation. I send 6. Our troops have not been able to BEIJING TO ZAKHAROV
you my telegram of 28.1.51, addressed to receive reinforcements. Transporting troops FOR COMRADE MAO ZEDONG
Comrade PENG DEHUAI. is also inadequate. We have a very great Comrade MAO ZEDONG!
I ask you to familiarize yourself with it difficulty in this regard. However, we are in I received your telegram to PENG
and communicate your opinion about whether a position to concentrate the main forces and DEHUAI of 28 January. I agree with you.
this is advisable from the point of view of the with a strike in the direction of Gensiu-Eisiu From the international point of view it is
international situation: destroy a unit of American troops and four to undoubtedly advisable that CHEMUL’PO
“Comrade PENG DEHUAI! five divisions of South Korean troops. and SEOUL not be seized by the enemy, so
1. I received your telegram of 27.1.51, I ask you explain this to a meeting of the that the Chinese-Korean troops can make a
24:00, and your order about preparation for high command. This meeting must be com- serious rebuff to attacking enemy troops.
conducting military operations sent to all pletely directed to the preparation of the FILIPPOV [Stalin]
armies. fourth operation. No. 60/sh
30 January 1951. leading the corps, but there are already army 60. 3 February 1951, ciphered telegram,
apparatuses. It would be better to organize Fyn-Si (Stalin) to Kim Il Sung via Razuvaev
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336, the 5 army administrations with 4 divisions
List 44] in each army, so that the army apparatus 8th Administration of the General Staff of
itself directly commands its divisions. In this the Armed Forces of the USSR
58. 30 January 1951, ciphered telegram, case the Korean armed forces would have in CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 100320
Fyn Si (Stalin) to Soviet Ambassador to its composition 5 armies (in all 20 divisions), To RAZUVAEV for KIM IL SUNG
the DPRK A.M. Razuvaev with message and 3 divisions could be in the reserve of the To Comrade KIM IL SUNG.
for Kim Il Sung main command for assisting the most needy We have insufficient lead not only for
armies according to the course of the opera- satisfying the needs of China and Korea, but
8th Administration of the General Staff of tion. With time, when the commanders ma- also for our own needs. In view of this we
the Armed Forces of the USSR ture, when there will be enough of them and have decided to send to Korea a group of
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 100269 when they learn to command joint divisions, Soviet specialists to assist the Korean orga-
To Comrade RAZUVAEV. then it will be possible to transfer to a corps nizations in working out measures for the
Discuss the following telegram with system. restoration of mines, concentrating mills and
Comrade Kim Il Sung and his closest friends Of course, this reform should not be lead factories for the purpose of increasing
and communicate their opinion. carried out now, but during a time of rest after the production of lead. We would like also to
1. It is possible to consider it incontest- conducting the operation. organize the export of lead ore to the USSR,
able that the present [North] Korean divi- Discuss these proposals and communi- since it is not being processed now in Korea
sions are less battle capable than the old cate your opinion. for [industrial] processing.
divisions in the summer of last year. This is 30 Jan 1951 We hope that you will not be opposed to
explained by the fact that the Koreans had 10 FYN SI [Stalin] this.
divisions, well fitted out with officer corps No. 4/854 We await your answer.
and more or less satisfactorily trained. And Copies: Stalin, Vasilevsky, Shtemenko FYN-SI [Stalin].
now the Koreans have 28 divisions, of which No. 83/sh.
19 divisions are at the front and 9 are in [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348, 3 February 1951.
Manchuria. It is clear that the Koreans are Listy 12-13 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
not in a position to supply such a large 5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 15-16] [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348,
number of divisions with officer corps. Ac- List 20]
cording to our norms, each division, having, 59. 3 February 1951, ciphered telegram,
let’s say, 8,000 men must have at least 800 Fyn Si (Stalin) to Razuvaev 61. 4 February 1951, ciphered telegram,
officers, not counting sergeants. I have in Razuvaev to Fyn-Si (Stalin) reporting
mind the genuine officers, capable of ce- 8th Administration of the General Staff of message from Kim Il Sung
menting a division, and not hastily commis- the Armed Forces of the USSR
sioned officers. It is clear that the Koreans CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 100319 CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 500361/sh
still don’t have such a number of officers. To Comrade RAZUVAEV. From Correspondent 20 Sent 4.2.51 14:35
Therefore the present Korean officers are You did not understand my telegram of Received 4.2. 15:10
understrength, unstable and little capable of January 30 about the Korean divisions. This Sent to the 8th Administration of the General
battle. The Koreans increased the number of telegram is not a directive, but my proposal Staff of the Soviet Army 4.2 15:25
divisions and forgot about quality, but qual- for discussion together with Korean com- To Comrade FYN-SI [Stalin].
ity plays the decisive role here. rades. I asked you to communicate to me the To No. 4/854 and No. 81/sh.
2. It would be advisable in the given opinion of the Korean comrades and your I report:
situation to have not more than 23 divisions own opinion. You answer me that my order KIM IL SUNG and the Korean com-
in the Korean army, so that the officer corps will be fulfilled by you. You did not under- rades discussed your telegram about the com-
of the reduced 5 divisions can be used to fill stand my telegram. Once again I ask you to position of forces of the Korean People’s
out the officer corps of the remaining weak familiarize KIM IL SUNG and his friends Army and arrived at the following conclu-
divisions, and the rank and file to use as with my telegram and after my proposal is sion:
reinforcement. This will strengthen the divi- discussed, communicate to me the opinion of 1. To raise the battle readiness of the
sions, lessen the expenses and make for a the Koreans. troops and to improve their quality, it is
gain in arms. The same needs to be said FYN SI [Stalin] necessary to lower the number of army ad-
regarding the four Korean infantry brigades 3 February 1951. ministrations and the number of divisions.
which are in poorly combat readiness and No. 81/sh 2. To produce the decrease in army
which also can be used to fill out the divi- administrations and divisions by increasing
sions with officers and rank and file. [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348, the three army administrations from Man-
3. At this stage the organization of corps List 20 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, churia.
administration is inadvisable, since there are Delo 3, Papka 11, List 198] To reduce: two army administrations;
no, or almost no, commanders capable of — four pd [infantry divisions]: 2nd army
- 27th and 31st pd, 5th army - 43rd pd, one BEIJING No. 4/2761 FILIPPOV [Stalin]
pd by increasing 8th army To ZAKHAROV for MAO 29.V.51
3. To temporarily keep naval brigades ZEDONG Copies: Stalin (2)
for the defense of bases and coastline. or ZHOU ENLAI
To strengthen the naval brigades to sig- As is obvious, in the nearest future there [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348,
nificantly reduce VMU [“battle friction” will be major military operations in Korea by List 29 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a,
that results from being understrength]; the the Chinese and Korean liberation troops. It Delo 5, Papka 11, List 28]
sailor school and apparatus of naval com- is apparent that you will need a large number
mand. of aviation both at the front and in the rear. In 65. 5 June 1951, ciphered telegram,
4. To carry out further reductions after a previous telegram we accepted your pro- Filippov to Mao Zedong
the next operation, which will begin Febru- posal about shifting the base of Belov’s air
ary 7-13, 1951. force to Korea, in the rear of your troops, but CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3410
5. To have the total number of army with the condition that two Chinese fighter BEIJING
units and divisions be within the numerical divisions be placed in the Andong region to TO KRASOVSKY
limits that you recommended. cover this area. However, we see now that in FOR Comrade MAO ZEDONG
RAZUVAEV. view of the forthcoming major operations, I received your telegram of June 4, and
No. 375/sh you will need the largest possible aviation also the two directives of Comrade Peng
4.2.51 force at the front. We have therefore decided Dehuai.
Copies: Stalin (2), Vasilevsky, Shtemenko, to send to Andong from the USSR an addi- I also think, as do you, that the war in
File of 8th Administration tional large fighter division so that the two Korea should not be speeded up, since a
Chinese fighter divisions which were desig- drawn out war, in the first place, gives the
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348, nated for covering Andong would be sent to possibility to the Chinese troops to study
Listy 25-26 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis the front for use in operations at the front. contemporary warfare on the field of battle
5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, Listy 199-200] We hope that you will not object. and in the second place shakes up the Truman
FILIPPOV [Stalin] regime in America and harms the military
62. 16 February 1951, ciphered telegram, No. 139/sh prestige of the Anglo-American troops.
Filippov (Stalin) to Zhou Enlai via 15 March 1951 In my telegram I wrote mainly about the
Zakharov fact that it is risky to conduct maneuvers if
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 337, there are no strong defensive fortifications in
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 1078 List 118 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, the rear, to which the main forces could be
Sent 22:03 16.2.51 Delo 3, Papka 11, List 202] quickly withdrawn. Comrade Peng Dehuai
Transmitted 22:55 16.2.51 writes that he is creating three defensive lines
BEIJING - To Comrade ZAKHAROV 64. 29 May 1951, ciphered telegram, in the rear. If this is done and the defensive
for Comrade ZHOU ENLAI Filippov (Stalin) to Razuvaev with mes- lines are truly serious, then the affair will
Your request about advisers for the Chi- sage for Kim Il Sung proceed in a better way and the troops will
nese Air Army will be satisfied. I consider not fall into encirclement.
it more advisable to give you advisers who 8th Administration of the General Staff of the You complain that you have little artil-
know China and are familiar with the air war Armed Forces of the USSR lery, antitank guns and other arms. I commu-
in Korea. As adviser to the command of the CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 101255 nicated to you two months ago that the Poles
Air Army we suggest Major General PYONGYANG have retracted their orders and we therefore
GOLUNOV, who is attached to General of To Comrade RAZUVAEV. could make for you additional deliveries of
the Army ZAKHAROV. The list of remain- Visit KIM IL SUNG and communicate arms in this year, thus increasing the volume
ing advisers will be communicated sepa- to him that we have received their application of military credit for 1951. Comrade Zhou
rately. for additional delivery of rifle-mortar arms Enlai welcomed this report of mine and told
FILIPPOV [Stalin] that was sent through you. Communicate to us that you will soon send new applications.
No. 635037 Comrade KIM IL SUNG that we unfortu- However, there are no new applications from
16 February 1951. nately cannot now fully satisfy this applica- you. Why is this? How is this explained?
tion, since he sent it almost in the middle of Again I communicate to you that we could
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 336, 1951, while arms were already allocated for make new deliveries of artillery for you if
List 60 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, the Peoples Democracies in February. you want this.
Delo 5, Papka 11, List 26] At this time we can send to KOREA Comrade Peng Dehuai is right that it is
during the month of June: 25,000 carbines, necessary to strengthen the operations of
63. 15 March 1951, ciphered telegram, 5,000 sub-machine guns, 1,200 light ma- partisan detachments in the enemy’s rear.
Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong or Zhou chine guns, 550 medium machine guns, 275 This is absolutely necessary.
Enlai (via Zakharov) TShK machine guns, 500 antitank rifles, 700 Comrade Peng Dehaui writes about the
82 mm mortars, and 125 120 mm mortars. presence of a relatively high fighting spirit
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 1749 Telegraph the fulfillment. among the Anglo-American troops, and about
the fact that “serious rightist moods” have matter of the resolution of these important to six months, then why is it impossible to
appeared among the Chinese troops. In my questions. complete the training of Chinese pilots in
opinion this is explained by the fact that your At the present time Comrade KIM IL seven to eight months? Isn’t it time to throw
local maneuvers with some forward advance SUNG is in BEIJING. He wishes to go with away this harmful overcautiousness? The
but then a falling back, repeated several Comrade GAO GANG for discussion of Chinese troops will not fight without air
times, create among your troops the impres- these questions with you. cover. Therefore it is necessary to create
sion of weakness of Chinese and Koreans, I ask you to communicate your opinion more quickly a group of eight Chinese air
but create among the Anglo- American troops about the possibility of this trip. fighter divisions and send them to the front.
the impression of their might. I fear that this MAO ZEDONG This is now your main task.
situation can undermine the spirit of the No. 2787 Belov can send one division closer to the
Chinese-Korean troops. I think that it will 5.6.51 Chinese border in Manchuria, and two divi-
not be possible to crush these unhealthy sions can be held in the rear in North Korea,
moods unless you prepare and carry out a [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, thus freeing up two airports for the Chinese
serious blow to the enemy with the defeat of List 23] fighter divisions closer to the front. This is
three to four enemy divisions. This would absolutely necessary. It is necessary to ar-
lead to a serious turnaround in the moods of 67. 7 June 1951, ciphered telegram, range matters so that the Chinese rely only on
the Chinese-Koreans as well as among the Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong their own aviation at the front.
Anglo-American troops. This, of course, Report the fulfillment.
will not be broad and far from being an CIPHERED TELEGRAM FILIPPOV [Stalin]
offensive, will be only a serious short blow BEIJING—TO KRASOVSKY No. 303/sh
against the enemy, but this will be the kind of for Comrade MAO ZEDONG.
blow that will sober up the enemy and raise To Comrade MAO ZEDONG. [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339,
the fighting spirit of the Chinese-Korean We received your telegram about the List 47 and AVP RF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a,
troops. Moreover this would give you the trip to us of Comrades GAO GANG and Delo 5, Papka 11, List 33]
possibility of undertaking then wider and KIM IL SUNG. We are ready to receive
more successful local maneuvers needed to Comrades GAO GANG and KIM IL SUNG 69. 13 June 1951, ciphered telegram,
exhaust the enemy. and to discuss with them the questions indi- Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong re meet-
FILIPPOV [Stalin] cated in your telegram. ing in Moscow with Gao Gang and Kim Il
No. 297/sh On 8 June in the morning we will send a Sung
5 June 1951 plane from Moscow to Peking to transport
Comrades GAO GANG and KIM IL SUNG CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3557
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, to Moscow. The plane will arrive in Beijing BEIJING, TO ROSHCHIN
Listy 17-18] on 9 June. Deliver immediately to the addressee.
We ask you to give an order to your “To Comrade MAO ZEDONG.
66. 5 June 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao authorities about the unimpeded flight of the Today there was a conversation with
Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) plane and its reception at the airport in Beijing. your representatives from Manchuria and
FILIPPOV [Stalin] Korea [Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung]. Three
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF questions were raised:
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, First—about an armistice. We recog-
ARMY List 26 and AVP RF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, nized that an armistice is now advantageous.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 20448 Delo 5, Papka 11, List 30] Second—about military advisers. If they
Copies: Stalin (2) are very necessary to you, then we are ready
From BeijingReceived 18:30 5 June 1951 68. 13 June 1951, ciphered telegram, to satisfy you.
SERIES G T. Filippov (Stalin) to Soviet military advi- Third—about the delivery of arms for
TO FILIPPOV [Stalin] sor in Beijing Krasovsky sixteen divisions. There will not be objec-
Comrade FILIPPOV! tions from our side.
In the course of conducting the war in CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3559 I won’t write about the details, since
KOREA we have run into such serious ques- BEIJING your representatives will report to you about
tions as the financial question, the question TO KRASOVSKY them.
of the conduct of military operations directly According to our information, our pilots We consider it absolutely necessary now
at the front, the question of the danger of a are training the Koreans very slowly and in a to start moving at least eight fighter aviation
possible enemy landing on the sea coast in slipshod manner. You and General Belov divisions from the sixteen Chinese divisions.
our rear. apparently intend to make professors rather We think that besides two or three aviation
We intend to send Comrade GAO GANG than battle pilots out of the Chinese pilots. divisions of MIG-15s, you could take to the
to MOSCOW by plane in a few days to We consider this to be overcautiousness on front from central and southern China five or
inform you regarding the aforementioned the side of our aviation specialists. If Rus- six divisions of MIG-9’s, which operate very
questions and to ask your directions in the sian pilots were trained during the war in five effectively against bombers. Eight fighter
divisions on your front could fully satisfy of an armistice to Comrade GAO GANG in the Korean army and Chinese volunteer troops
the needs of the front. According to our order for him to relay it to you and receive must occupy a defensive position for the next
information your pilots are already ready to instructions from you. I won’t write about it two months.
fly. It is necessary to put them into battle in detail here. It is better to act in this way:
more quickly, so that they will be not paper Comrade PENG DEHUAI very much 1. To wait for the enemy to make an
pilots, but battle pilots. We trained our pilots needs Soviet advisers on strategy and tactics. appeal.
for action at the front in five months. Seven It would be desirable if you could send them 2. It is hoped that, on the basis of the
to eight months of training is fully sufficient as soon as possible. statement of [State Department official on-
for the Chinese pilots. We consider this to be With regard to the participation of eight leave George F.] Kennan, the Soviet govern-
the main question now for your front. fighter divisions in battles, in accordance ment would make an inquiry to the American
After the end of the conversation we with your advice, I gave an order to the government about an armistice.
received information that the Anglo-Ameri- General Staff to draw up a plan. In addition, It is possible to bring this about in two
cans intend to appeal soon to you and to the I gave an order to Comrade PENG DEHUAI ways simultaneously, which are that from
Koreans in the name of the sixteen nations that our troops firmly hold the line of defense one side the Soviet government makes an
fighting against Korea with a proposal about at the second and third defensive lines and inquiry, and from the other—if the enemy
an armistice. But before making this pro- create a new defensive line. puts forth the question of an armistice, then
posal they want to strike a blow against our The position at the front in June will be Korea and China will express their agree-
troops. It is possible that these are merely such that our forces will be comparatively ment to this. We ask you to share opinions
rumors, but it is fully possible and probable weaker than those of the enemy. In July we about which is more advisable and decide
that these are not merely rumors, but corre- will be stronger than in June and in August we with Comrade Filippov.
sponds to reality. We therefore advise you to will be even stronger. We will be ready in 3. Conditions for the armistice: restora-
hold tight the line of defense and not allow August to make a stronger blow to the enemy. tion of the border at the 38th parallel; to
the enemy to advance. MAO ZEDONG apportion from both North Korea and South
FILIPPOV [Stalin].” 13.6.51" Korea an insignificant strip [to serve] as a
For Roshchin. ROSHCHIN neutral zone. A proposal that the neutral
We ask you to familiarize Krasovsky No. 2974 zone come only from the territory of North
with this telegram. We are sending him a 13.6.51 Korea will by no means be accepted. North
special directive. and South Korea [should not] interfere with
FILIPPOV [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, one another.
No. 302/sh Listy 55-56; and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis As concerns the question of the entrance
5a, Papka 11, List 34] of China into the UN, we consider that it is
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, possible not to raise this question as a condi-
Listy 31-32 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 71. 14 June 1951, handwritten letter from tion, since China can refer to the fact that the
5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 31-32] Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung to Stalin, with UN has in fact become an instrument of
13 June 1951 handwritten letter from Mao aggression, and therefore China does not at
70. 13 June 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung the present time attach a special significance
Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) via Roshchin to the question of entrance into the UN.
To Comrade Stalin, I.V. You must think about whether it is worth
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF We have received a reply telegram from raising the question of Taiwan as a condition.
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET Comrade Mao Zedong. We ask you to re- In order to bargain with them, we consider
ARMY ceive it and if time allows also to receive us that this question should be raised.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 20772 today. We very much ask you to show us such If America firmly insists that the ques-
Copies: Stalin (2) a high honor. Then we will have the possibil- tion of Taiwan be resolved separately, then
From BEIJING Received 19:55 ity to depart tomorrow to resolve all the we will make a corresponding concession.
13.June.1951 questions in accordance with your instruc- In the interests of the cause of peace we
Series “G” T tions. will resolve first of all the question of Korea.
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] With communist greetings! I ask you to appeal to Comrade Filippov and
To my [telegram] No. 2967 (vkh. No. Gao Gang to receive orders from him.
20757). Kim Il Sung 4. We have ordered Deng Hua and the
13.6.51 at 22:00 Beijing time I received 14 June 1951 commander of the armies of the 13th army
the following telegram addressed to you [attached handwritten letter]. group immediately to return to the front and
from MAO ZEDONG. “To Comrades Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung: to hold firmly the present line of the front. In
“To Comrade FILIPPOV. I received your telegram of 13 June. June and July preparations will be carried out
I received your telegram of 13 June. Concerning how to raise the question of intensively. In August we will carry out a
Today I received a telegram from Com- negotiations about an armistice, we consider larger operation. If the enemy does not make
rades GAO GANG and KIM IL SUNG. I it inadvisable for Korea and China them- a large-scale amphibious landing in our rear,
communicated our opinion on the question selves to advance this question today, since then our goal can be achieved. If the enemy
does not send new reinforcements to Korea negotiations fully in accordance with your Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
and does not make an amphibious landing, opinion.
then in August we will be significantly stron- 3. According a telegram received from CIPHERED TELEGRAM
ger than now. Comrade Siu Sian-tsian after his preliminary BEIJING - Comrade KRASOVSKY
5. Right now we are planning the trans- negotiations with representatives of the So- For Comrade MAO ZEDONG
fer of our aviation units to the front. viet General Staff, of the total quantity of We received your telegram of June 21.
Mao Zedong arms for sixty divisions according to the 1. You must already know from [Soviet
13.6.51" calculation of the Soviet General Staff, arms ambassador to the UN Jacob] Malik’s speech
for only sixteen divisions will be delivered that our promise about raising the question of
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, this year (including for three Korean [divi- an armistice has already been fulfilled by us.
Listy 57-60 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis sions]), and arms for the remaining forty- It is possible that the matter of an armistice
5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 35-37] four divisions will be delivered in 1952- will move forward.
1953. This is in contradiction to the needs 2. As concerns arms for 60 divisions
72. 21 June 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao and time frame of the Korean theater of then I must say to you directly that to fulfill
Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) military operations. this application in the course of a single year
4. For the goal of satisfying the urgent is physically impossible and altogether un-
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF needs of the Korean theater of military op- thinkable. Our production and military spe-
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET erations, I ask you to study the applications cialists consider it completely impossible to
ARMY transmitted by Comrade Gao Gang to Com- give arms for more than 10 divisions in the
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21039 rade Siu Sian-tsian, and explore the possibil- course of 1951. The fulfillment of the appli-
Copies: Stalin (2) ity of fulfilling all deliveries of rifles, artil- cation for 60 divisions is possible, and at that
From BEIJING Received 21:15 lery, tanks, airplanes, automobiles, spare parts with great difficulty, only in the course of
21.6.1951 for automobiles and GSM, medicines and 1951, ’52, ’53 and the first half of ’54, i.e. in
SERIES “G” T other military equipment, at 1/6 [of the total] the course of three years. Such is the final
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] monthly, from July to the end of the year, so opinion of our production and military spe-
Comrade FILIPPOV! that the various military units in the Korean cialists. I have tried in every way to shorten
1. Comrade Gao Gang has returned and theater of military operations receive replen- these periods even if by a half year, but
transmitted your opinion on various ques- ishment according to the presently existing unfortunately upon examination it has turned
tions. organizational structure, what is advanta- out that this is impossible.
I consider that they are all correct and we geous for the conduct of military operations. I will communicate about all this in
must do precisely thus. 5. With the availability this year of de- more detail in a separate telegram and also
As regards the question of planting rub- liveries of arms according to our applica- about the staff-organizational structure of
ber trees, we intend immediately to start the tions, the missing quantity of arms needed the present Chinese divisions.
planning. for units in accordance with the new organi- FILIPPOV [Stalin]
I hope that the Soviet government will zational structure proposed by the Soviet 24 June 1951
send its representatives to assist us in formu- General Staff can be delivered in the next No. 635177
lating plans. year. Simultaneously with this, in accor-
2. Our troops’ eight months of experi- dance with the delivery of arms, we will [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339,
ence in conducting war in Korea has clearly reorganize the selections for this division List 78 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a,
shown the great difference in the equipment and in that way gradually convert the sixteen Delo 5, Papka 11, List 38]
of our troops and the troops of the enemy and divisions to the new organization.
the extreme necessity of improving the equip- 6. We have delayed our applications for 74. 26 June 1951, ciphered telegram,
ment of our troops. This is why we commis- three months and have thus brought great Filippov (Stalin) to Krasovsky in Beijing
sioned Comrade Gao Gang to appeal to you harm to ourselves. Today we suddenly have relaying telegram from Mao Zedong
with a request about delivery to us of arms for appealed to you with such large numbers and
sixteen divisions, to which you agreed. This want all this to be delivered in six months. CIPHERED TELEGRAM
is the minimal requirement of our troops in This places before you great difficulties, BEIJING - TO KRASOVSKY
Korea for the present year. especially in the area of transport. I do not We have received the following tele-
Upon his return Gao Gang said that you know if this can be done. I ask you to do as gram from Mao Zedong:
consider our requirements in arms for each much as is possible. “The government of the Chinese
division insufficient and proposed to MAO ZEDONG People’s Republic intends to send fighter
strengthen each division with tanks and artil- No. 3107 21.6.51 divisions armed with MIG-15s to Korea for
lery. participation in the military actions, which
I consider this completely correct. This [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, will be much better than sending divisions
is necessary in war against imperialists. Listy 64-65] armed with MIG-9 planes. It is therefore
I already sent a telegram to Comrade Siu necessary in the course of one and a half to
Sian-tsian [with instructions] to conduct the 73. 24 June 1951, ciphered telegram, two months to retrain the 6th, 12th and 14th
fighter divisions, which are armed with MIG- Gromyko notes that the text of the letter was 28.6.51
9s, on MIG-15s, with a calculation of send- transmitted by Soviet ambassador Razuvaev
ing them to the front in September 1951. by telegraph, using the telegraph line of the [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339,
The government of the Chinese People’s Ministry of War USSR. Listy 85-86 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
Republic asks you to give an order to the 5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 40-41]
Soviet comrades in China to retrain the 6th, [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348,
12th and 14th fighter divisions on MIG-15s Listy 34-36] 77. 30 June 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao
in the indicated periods.” As is obvious, Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) transmitting
Mao Zedong does not want to take MIG-9s 76. 28 June 1951, ciphered telegram, 29 June 1951 telegram from Kim Il Sung
from the Chinese airports for transfer to the Krasovsky to Filippov (Stalin) transmit- to Mao
front, but prefers to leave them in place, and ting 29 June 1951 telegram from Kim Il
to use at the front only MIG-15 divisions. Sung to Mao SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF
Speak with Mao Zedong, and if our suppo- THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET
sition is confirmed, tell him that your people SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF ARMY
will begin the retraining of Chinese pilots THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21336
now flying MIG-9s for flights on MIG-15s. ARMY Copies: Stalin (2)
It seems to us that this does not require two CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21266 From BEIJING Received 11:30 30.6.1951
months, but if the Chinese insist, then train Copies: Stalin (2) SERIES “G” T
them in the course of two months. Report From BEIJING Received 11:12 28.6.1951 To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin]
the fulfillment. SERIES “G” A telegram from Comrade Kim Il Sung.
FILIPPOV [Stalin] To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] “Comrade Mao Zedong!
26 June 1951 I report: Malik’s speech on the radio on June 23
A meeting took place 27.6.51 at 19 hours of this year aroused interest among the Ameri-
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, 30 minutes Beijing time. cans in the question of the cessation of mili-
List 81 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, In the conversation Comrade Mao tary actions in Korea. In the United Press
Delo 5, Papka 11, List 39] Zedong expressed the opinion that the 6th, report from Washington on June 28 it says:
12th and 14th fighter aviation divisions, which “Among American generals and senior of-
75. 26 June 1951, letter, Kim Il Sung to have been trained on MIG-9s, must retrain on ficers the hope for a cessation of military
Stalin MIG-15s before being sent to the front. The actions in Korea grows with every day. [U.S.
period of retraining was established as one Commander Matthew] Ridgway constantly
Moscow, Kremlin and a half to two months, so that these divi- maintains contact with the chief of the Ameri-
TO COMRADE STALIN, I.V. sions could take part in the forthcoming op- can General Staff on the question of the
I am happy to inform you that despite erations in Korea. possibility of a cessation of military actions.
the complicated military situation, our Ko- To the question I raised about the con- From the reports being circulated it is
rean organizations were able to secure the struction of three additional airbases for the known that as soon as Ridgway receives an
fulfillment of the plan for sending to the deployment of Chinese divisions, Comrade order from the Ministry of National Defense
Soviet Union lead, lead ore and lead concen- Mao Zedong answered that Nie Rongzhen in of the USA, he will enter negotiations with
trate. the name of the Prime Minister sent a tele- the commander of the North Korean troops.
As of 24 June of this year, in connection gram to Comrade Kim Il Sung with a request A report about this will be made by the staff
with the plan for delivery of 7,000 tons, to select a place to the south of Pyongyang of UN troops.
8,379 tons were delivered, of which 7,239 and as soon as possible build three airbases How should we relate to this? How
tons were transferred to Chinese territory. there for jet planes. should we answer, if Ridgway wants to con-
By the same date we delivered 10,714 The commander of the VVS [Air Force] duct negotiations.
tons of lead concentrate and 10,714 tons of of the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] of I ask you urgently to communicate your
enriched lead ore, of which 9,749 tons were China Liu Yalou, who was present at the concrete opinion on this question.
transferred to Chinese territory. conversation, stated that they have in mind Kim Il Sung 29.6.51”
The government of the Korean People’s using the MIG-9s in the future in schools and Mao Zedong
Democratic Republic will also in the future in the PVO [Anti- Aircraft Defense] system No. 3261
devote maximum attention to the matter of of the country. 30.6
securing and increasing the delivery to the An order was given by me to the com-
Soviet Union of materials of lead content. mands of the 17th, 144th and 328th fighter [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339,
KIM IL SUNG aviation divisions immediately to begin re- List 92 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a,
26 June 1951. training the 6th, 12th and 14th Chinese fighter Delo 4, Papka 11, List 11]
Pyongyang. aviation divisions on MIG-15 planes, accord-
This copy was received July 30, 1951 by ing to the confirmed program. 78. 30 June 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao
diplomatic post from Pyongyang and sent to KRASOVSKY Zedong to Filippov (Stalin)
A.N. Poskrebyshev by A. Gromyko. No. 3235
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF send corresponding representatives to con- 3. For the goal of securing for our repre-
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET duct negotiations. sentatives time for full preparation for the
ARMY As regards how to answer Ridgway, meeting it seems to me advantageous to
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21334 after receiving a demand from Ridgway, the name July 15 as the opening day of the
Copies: Stalin (2) contents should be discussed and an answer meeting.
From BEIJING Received 11:20 formulated. What is your opinion on this 4. In light of the compressed period of
30.6.1951 question? time and the great importance of the given
SERIES “G” T If negotiations begin, it is extremely meeting I ask you to immediately communi-
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] necessary that you personally lead them, so cate with comrade Kim Il Sung, personally to
1. I have received your two telegrams that we do not find ourselves in a disadvan- lead this meeting and simultaneously to in-
(of 24.6.51 and 28.6.51). I fully agree with tageous position. form me.
your opinion. I send you for familiarization the tele- Mao Zedong.
a) As regards the time periods for the gram of Comrade Kim Il Sung.
delivery of armaments for sixteen divisions, MAO ZEDONG [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339,
we should act only on the basis of the produc- No. 3260 Listy 93-94 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
tive and transport possibilities of the Soviet 30.6 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 12-13]
Union, that is [we should] complete the de-
liveries of arms for sixteen divisions in the [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, 80. 30 June 1951, ciphered telegram,
course of three years, and in 1951 complete Listy 90-91] Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
the deliveries for ten divisions.
b) The staff-organizational structure you 79. 30 June 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3917
have proposed for the present Chinese infan- Zedong to Filippov (Stalin); note: no pho- BEIJING—TO KRASOVSKY
try divisions is very good. We are imple- tocopy available—text copied by hand and for Comrade MAO ZEDONG
menting it. With sixteen divisions armed in therefore exact heading not presented Your telegrams about an armistice have
accordance with this staff-organizational been received.
structure, the Chinese army will be far stron- The commander of the troops of the In our opinion it is necessary immedi-
ger than at present. enemy, Ridgway, today made a statement ately to answer Ridgway over the radio with
2. Malik’s statement secured us the ini- with a proposal that representatives of both agreement to meet with his representatives
tiative in the matter of conducting peace warring sides meet on a Danish ship in the for negotiations about an armistice. This
negotiations. On 28.6.51 I received through port of Genzan for a meeting about the ces- communication must be signed by the Com-
Comrade Roshchin the main positions of the sation of military activities. Simultaneously mand of the Korean People’s Army and the
contents of the conversation of Comrade with this he stated that a corresponding guar- command of the Chinese volunteer units,
Gromyko with the American ambassador to antee is required, and only in this case can consequently by Comrade KIM IL SUNG
the Soviet Union, [Alan] Kirk. At the end of military actions be ceased. and Comrade PENG DEHUAI. If there is no
the text is stated: “Only two representatives I report to you my opinion on the given signature of the commander of the Chinese
must participate from each side. Moreover question. volunteer units, then the Americans will not
these representatives must be from the com- I ask you to study [it] and give an an- attach any significance to only one Korean
mand of the corresponding military units, swer, and I also ask you to communicate it signature. It is necessary decisively to refuse
and not representatives of the governments. immediately to Comrade Kim Il Sung. the Danish hospital ship in the area of Genzan
Thus, from the Chinese side a represen- 1. Comrade Kim Il Sung presumably as a place of meeting. It is necessary to
tative of the volunteer troops must partici- must give an answer to Ridgway on the 2nd demand that the meeting take place at the
pate and not a representative of China, as a or 3rd of July. In this answer he must express 38th parallel in the region of Kaesong. Keep
warring state.” I consider this completely his agreement to representatives of both sides in mind that at the present time you are the
correct. conducting negotiations about a cessation of bosses of the affair of an armistice and the
I have received a telegram from Com- military operations, and to propose a time, Americans will be forced to make conces-
rade Kim Il Sung in which he asks how he place and number of participants for the sions on the question of a place for the
should answer if Ridgway calls for negotia- meeting. meeting.
tions to begin. 2. As concerns the place for holding the Send to Ridgway today an answer
I have already communicated to Com- negotiations, Ridgway suggests the port of roughly like this:
rade Kim Il Sung and Peng Dehuai that on the Genzan. “To the commander of UN troops Gen-
one hand we must carefully watch the mili- Considering that Genzan is a fortified eral RIDGWAY. Your statement of 28 June
tary situation so as not to give the enemy the sea base of North Korea and the enemy regarding an armistice has been received.
possibility of using this moment to his ad- intends to make a landing there, it seems to We are authorized to declare to you that we
vantage, and on the other hand Comrade Kim me disadvantageous to agree to hold negotia- agree to a meeting with your representatives
Il Sung and Peng Dehuai must discuss this tions in Genzan. Is it impossible to propose for negotiations about a cessation of military
question and be prepared, in case of a de- for the conduct of negotiations the town of actions and the establishment of an armi-
mand by the enemy to begin negotiations, to Kaidzio, a point on the 38th parallel? stice. We propose as a meeting place the 38th
parallel in the area of the city of Kaesong. If the following points: Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 30
you agree, our representatives will be pre- a) Time of ceasefire and cessation of June 1951 message from Kim Il Sung to
pared to meet with your representatives July military operations; Mao
10-15. b) Withdrawal of troops from the 38th
Commander in Chief of the Korean parallel to the north and south for 5-10 km; SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF
People’s Army c) Crossing the 38th parallel by land or THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET
KIM IL SUNG air is prohibited from the moment of the ARMY
Commander in Chief of the Chinese ceasefire; CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21404
Volunteer Units d) Withdrawal of naval forces from the Copies: Stalin (2)
PENG DEHUAI territorial waters of KOREA and removal of From BEIJING Received 12:10 3.7.1951
Date.” the blockade; SERIES “G” T
In your telegram you propose that we e) Withdrawal of all foreign troops from To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin]
direct the negotiations about an armistice KOREA within a two month period; Telegram of Comrade KIM IL SUNG.
from Moscow. This, of course, is inconceiv- f) Carrying out an exchange of prisoners “Comrade MAO ZEDONG!
able and not necessary. It’s up to you to lead, of war and return of civilian population. I propose to create our delegation with a
Comrade MAO ZEDONG. The most we Comrade KIM IL SUNG awaits corre- composition of three persons: chief of gen-
can give is advice on various questions. We sponding advice of Comrade FILIPPOV eral staff of the People’s Army of Korea
also cannot maintain direct communication [Stalin]. NAM IL (head of the delegation), deputy
with KIM IL SUNG. You must maintain I ask your orders. minister of foreign affairs PAK DON CHO
communication [with him]. RAZUVAEV and one representative from the volunteer
FILIPPOV [Stalin] No. 1751 troops.
30 June 1951 1 July 1951 During the meeting of representatives
No. 335/III Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, of both sides we propose to advance the
Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, following points:
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, Khrushchev, Vyshinsky, Sokolovsky, 1. Beginning from a certain day and
Listy 95-96 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis Shtemenko, File of 8th Department hour (according to Pyongyang time) both
5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 14-15] sides must cease fire and all other military
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 340, operations.
81. 1 July 1951, ciphered telegram, Listy 3-4] 2. Beginning from a certain day the
Razuvaev to S.M. Shtemenko reporting troops of both sides must within three days
message from Kim Il Sung to Filippov 82. 1 July 1951, ciphered telegram, Filippov withdraw from the 38th parallel for a dis-
(Stalin) (Stalin) to Razuvaev with message for Kim tance of 10 km and create a buffer zone in that
Il Sung region.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM 3. Both sides must cease the transfer of
From Correspondent 20 Sent 1.7.51 5:30 8TH ADMINISTRATION OF THE GEN- land, naval and air forces across the 38th
Received 1.7.51 7:16 ERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES parallel.
Dispatched to 8th Administration of the OF THE USSR 4. Withdraw all foreign ships from the
General Staff of the Soviet Army 1.7.51 CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 101529 territorial waters of North Korea and liqui-
7:25 To Comrade RAZUVAEV. date the blockage of the sea coast north of the
By telegram We received your telegram of July 1, No. 38th parallel.
Extremely urgent 1751. 5. In the course of two months from the
To Comrade SHTEMENKO S.M. Transmit to KIM IL SUNG that the Ko- day of the ceasefire all foreign land, naval
I report: rean government must come to an agreement and air forces will withdraw from Korea.
1. The text of an answer of KIM IL on the questions raised in the telegram with 6. In the course of two months from the
SUNG to a meeting on negotiations was the Chinese government and together work day of the ceasefire an exchange of prisoners
given by me according to the line of MID. It out the proposals. will be conducted.
is proposed to give an answer 2- 3.7.51. From the telegram received it is not 7. The civilian population forcefully
Agreement of MOSCOW is urgently apparent that the proposals of KIM IL SUNG taken by the American and Rhee Syngmann
needed. have been agreed to by MAO ZEDONG. troops from regions north of the 38th parallel
2. The composition of the delegation FILIPPOV [Stalin]. must be returned.
from the Korean People’s Democratic Re- No. 4/3208 I ask you urgently to give an answer
public is proposed to be three persons—the 2 July 1951 after familiarizing yourself with the tele-
chief of staff of the Korean People’s Army gram.
NAM IL, the deputy Minister of Foreign [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 340, KIM IL SUNG 30.6.1951.”
Affairs PAK DENCHO and [one] from the List 5] MAO ZEDONG
Chinese volunteers. No. 3304
3. It is proposed that NAM IL declare 83. 3 July 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao 3.7.51
neutral states which would supervise the Comrade KIM IL SUNG insists on ad-
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, fulfillment of points 1, 2 and 3. In this vancing this point. However, to bring this
Listy 6-7] committee there must be an equal number of about is very difficult. It is apparent that with
representatives of neutral states that have not regard to this question many differences of
84. 3 July 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao taken part in the Korean war and that have opinion and many arguments will arise be-
Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) been selected by both sides.” tween the representatives of North and South
We think that the enemy also will ad- Korea, which can have an influence on the
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF vance an analogous proposal, therefore we resolution of other important questions.
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET intend to show initiative in this. However, Or is it possible to advance this pro-
ARMY there will be numerous difficulties in the posal?
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21405 fulfillment of this point. If it leads to arguments and is not re-
Copies: Stalin (2) “Members” of the control committee solved, then transfer it for discussion at an
From BEIJING Received 13:55 proposed by the enemy will monitor our international conference of a political char-
3.7.1951 military transport on the Chinese-Korean acter.
SERIES “G” T border and at important communications I ask you to communicate your opinion
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] points in Korea. Or should we not take the on the points indicated above. Furthermore,
Comrade FILIPPOV! initiative ourselves, but wait for the enemy to yesterday we sent Deputy Minister of For-
During the meeting of military repre- advance his proposal, after which we will eign Affairs Comrade Li Kenong and his
sentatives of both sides we intend to advance accept it? assistant to Korea. He will arrive approxi-
the following 5 main points: I ask you to communicate your opinion mately on 5.7.1951 and will discuss with
1. “Both sides must simultaneously is- about how to proceed expediently. To com- Comrade KIM IL SUNG and other comrades
sue an order for a ceasefire. Land, sea and air pletely refuse to create a control committee various questions concerning the peace ne-
forces of both sides, after the issuing of the seems also inadvisable. gotiations.
order on a ceasefire, must within all the 5. “Both sides must carry out repatria- After this he will go to the area of
borders of Korea cease fire and halt all other tion of prisoners of war. In the course of four Kaesong, whence he will secretly lead the
hostile actions.” months after the cessation of military opera- negotiations.
This point will possibly be accepted by tions to conduct a full mutual exchange of I am also sending you the telegram which
the enemy without qualifications. them, in separate batches.” lays out the opinion of Comrade KIM IL
2. “Land, sea and air forces of both sides The enemy will possibly propose to SUNG on this question.
must withdraw from the 38th parallel for a conduct a one for one exchange. We must MAO ZEDONG
distance of 10 English miles and create a demand repatriation of all prisoners of war. No. 3305
buffer zone in the region 10 English miles to However, the enemy has taken prisoner a 3.7.51
the south and to the north of the 38th parallel. relatively larger number of North Koreans,
The civil administration of the buffer zone who have already been included in the ranks [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339,
must be as it was before 25.6.1950, in other of the South Korean troops, and therefore Listy 8-10]
words to the north of the 38th parallel under this situation will possibly elicit an argu-
the jurisdiction of the Korean People’s gov- ment. 85. 3 July 1951, ciphered telegram, Filippov
ernment and to the south of the 38th parallel In our opinion the 5 basic points indi- (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
under the jurisdiction of the South-Korean cated above must be accepted at the meeting
government.” of military representatives of both sides. CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 3950
It is possible that there will be some In addition there are some other points: BEIJING, TO KRASOVSKY.
divergences [from this proposal] among the 1. “All foreign troops including Chinese For Comrade MAO ZEDONG.
enemy but we consider that our proposal is volunteer troops must completely leave North “To Comrade MAO ZEDONG.
extremely just and it will be difficult for the and South Korea within a specified period of We received your telegram of 3 July.
enemy to refute it. time (for example within three-four months), With regard to the first two points of your
3. “Both sides must cease the transport in separate batches. proposal, we have no objections. It is pos-
of arms, troops and reinforcements (includ- This is also a very important point. How- sible to delete the second part of the third
ing land, sea and air transport) into Korea ever, the representatives of the enemy possi- point, but if the Americans advance such a
from outside the country and also the afore- bly will think that this question belongs among proposal, it can be accepted. The fourth
mentioned transports to the front line on the political questions and should not be re- point should not be advanced. But if the
territory of Korea.” solved at this meeting. Americans advance a proposal about a con-
We think that the enemy for his part will I ask you to study and communicate trol commission from the UN, then this pro-
also advance a proposal on this question, and whether our side should advance this point. posal should be rejected, with reference to
we therefore intend to take the initiative in 2. “Within a specified period of time the fact that the UN occupies the position of
this. But perhaps it is better to leave off the (for example in several months) refugees of a warring side, but you should then advance
last part of our proposal? North and South Korea must be returned to your proposal about a commission of repre-
4. “To create a control committee of the areas where they lived previously.” sentatives of neutral states named with the
agreement of the sides. The fifth point either before or during the negotiations, which military situation.
should be proposed and you should insist on the enemy may undertake in order to force us We consider that the goal of this is to
it. to sign a disadvantageous agreement. avoid defeat in the area of propaganda but
As concerns your remaining two points If the enemy begins a large-scale attack, also secretly to show that he can alter his
(about the withdrawal of all foreign troops our troops must go over to the counterattack proposal. Taking this into account, in our
and about refugees), both of these proposals and defeat the enemy. statement in today’s meeting we pursued the
should be advanced and should be insisted 3. It is necessary to issue an order to goal of striking a blow against his unfounded
on. second corps Yang Chengan and to the 50th theory of refusal to discuss the question of
FILIPPOV [Stalin]. corps to depart quickly for the indicated re- the 38th parallel, and also tried to ascertain if
No. 340/III gions so that the enemy cannot make use of he intended to abandon his unfounded pro-
3 July.” the opportunity to make a landing in Genzan. posal.
Our 38th, 39th and 42nd corps must be At today’s meeting the enemy displayed
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, ready to repulse possible landings by the some interest in the portion of our statement
List 11] enemy on the western coast. where we tried to ascertain his intention.
4. I ask you to think about what could However, in his statement in the second half
86. 3 July 1951, ciphered telegram, Mao occur after the signing of an agreement on of the day the representative of the enemy
Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 2 cessation of military operations and be pre- expressed a strong [sense of] injustice and
July 1951 telegram from Mao to Peng pared for everything that needs to be done. tried to lay on us the responsibility for the
Dehuai, Gao Gang, and Kim Il Sung MAO ZEDONG 2.7.51.” impasse that has been created in the negotia-
MAO ZEDONG tions.
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF No. 3308 Our statement for tomorrow will be con-
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET 3.7.51 structed on the basis of your instructions.
ARMY The goal of the statement will be to smash
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21412 [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 339, this [claim of] injustice of the enemy, to
Copies: Stalin (2) Listy 14-15] unmask his capacity for deception and si-
From BEIJING Received 13:50 multaneously to advance such questions as
3.7.1951 87. 13 August 1951, ciphered telegram, to force the enemy more clearly to express
SERIES “G” T Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) convey- his position.
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] ing 12 August 1951 telegram from Li The main goal of the statement is once
Comrade Filippov! Kenong to Mao re armistice talks again to underscore that if the enemy does
I send you the text of my telegram to not renounce his unfounded proposal, there
Comrades PENG DEHUAI, GAO GANG SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF will be no progress in the work of the confer-
and KIM IL SUNG. THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET ence. We consider that we can also express
“Comrades PENG DEHUAI, GAO ARMY our wish to change the proposal about the
GANG and KIM IL SUNG! CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 22834 buffer zone in the area of the 38th parallel as
The period of preparations for and con- Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, the military demarcation line only in such
duct of negotiations with representatives of Bulganin case as the enemy clearly gives us to under-
the enemy will occupy approximately 10-14 From BEIJING Received 17:20 stand that he abandons his earlier proposal.
days. I ask you with all seriousness to fulfill 13.8.1951 3. After the resumption of the work of
the following points: SERIES “G” T the conference, the mistaken views of the
1. In the course of the 10 days that we TO FILIPPOV [Stalin] enemy have become even more intensified
have, to make every effort to increase the Comrade FILIPPOV! and the enemy has become even more con-
personnel of the front line units and espe- I send you for familiarization the tele- vinced that we yearn for peace, and therefore
cially to replenish them with arms and am- gram received from Comrade Li Kenong on it is possible to get concessions from us. All
munition. 12 August 4:00. this was possible to foresee.
I ask Comrade GAO GANG to transfer “To Comrade Mao Zedong. However, from the entire course of the
from the rear to North Korea in no more than 1. I received your telegram of 11 August conference and the general situation outside
10 days the personnel, arms and ammunition 7:00. the conference it is apparent that it is not
marked for transfer. It is necessary to be 2. At the evening meeting the mistaken possible to force the enemy to accept the
prepared for the fact that after the signing of views of the enemy became even more inten- proposal about the 38th parallel. In the
an agreement on cessation of military opera- sified. The enemy considers that it is possible course of several days the enemy on the one
tions it will be impossible to transfer the through pressure to force us to abandon dis- hand will put pressure on us and try to force
aforementioned personnel and armaments. cussion of the question of the 38th parallel. us to be the first to make a concession, and on
2. To heighten vigilance up to the limit. He has already four times expressed his wish the other hand will prepare for a possible
Units of the first line must be prepared to to discuss a proposal about a military demar- breakdown in the conference.
repulse a possible large scale attack by the cation line and a buffer zone on the basis of Therefore we consider it necessary to
enemy and intensive bombing of our rear the present line of the front and the present work out a definite resolution with regard to
the 38th parallel. 13.8.51 region of the building where the negotiations
If our final goal consists of conducting a are being conducted on his own initiative,
struggle for the principle of the determina- [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 341, without agreement from the Americans.
tion of the 38th parallel as the military de- Listy 56-58] Therefore, the provocational acts of the en-
marcation line and if in this regard we can emy have caused us to make a decisive
admit only certain alterations, then we should 88. 27 August 1951, ciphered telegram, counterstroke.
have in mind a breakdown in the negotiations Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) We have declared a temporary cessation
and we must prepare for this. of the negotiations until the enemy accepts
In the opposite case we should have SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF responsibility for what has happened. The
some kind of compromise position deter- THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET negotiations will not be resumed until we
mined. Our past proposal, it is true, could not ARMY receive a satisfactory answer—we’ll let them
foresee the possible development of the CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 23256 cool their heels. However, we do not want to
present situation, but it is also not possible to Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, take the initiative in declaring a breakdown
win much time through action in accordance Bulganin in the negotiations.
with your orders contained in the telegram of From BEIJING 01:30 27.8.1951 We suppose that the enemy will not
17.7.51 about a concession to the enemy for SERIES “G” openly acknowledge his provocational acts.
the purpose of gaining time, To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] The dragging out of the negotiations can
4. We (Li Kenong, Deng Hua, Xie Fang Comrade Filippov! end in two ways.
and Qiao Guan-hua) suggest that the final In view of the fact that the enemy was First, the delay may bring the negotia-
goal of the enemy is to cease military opera- not in a position to withdraw from the im- tions to a breakdown.
tions at the present front line. In relation to passe created in the course of the negotia- We are forcefully preparing ourselves
this the enemy may allow small alterations. tions on the question of a military demarca- to resist a possible attack by enemy troops
It is thus necessary for us to decide: to tion line, he has undertaken a whole series of directly at the front. We are simultaneously
struggle for the 38th parallel and prepare for provocational actions. strictly defending the ports on the western
an end to the negotiations or, avoiding a On August 19 enemy troops, dressed in and eastern coast of North Korea from land-
breakdown in the negotiations, to carry on civilian clothes, made a raid on our security ings by the enemy. For the last several days
the struggle for the cessation of military forces in the neutral zone in Kaesong, as a enemy planes have passed through the area
operations and to study the question of the result of which one man was killed and one of the following cities on the China coast:
cessation of military operations at the present was wounded. After an investigation by Tsingtao, Shanghai, Hangchow. This was
front line. representatives of both sides, the enemy in also done for provocational purposes.
Having studied, on the basis of the lim- justifying himself stated that this was [com- Simultaneously with this, the enemy
ited materials we have, the general world mitted by] partisans from the South Korean wanted to reconnoiter the air defense of our
situation, the needs of our state and the fact partisan detachment active in our region, and coastal regions. With regard to this, we want
that at present Korea cannot continue the therefore he does not take any responsibility to strengthen our command in Korea and the
war, we think that it is better to think over the for this. air defense of the cities located in the coastal
question of cessation of military operations After this, on the night of August 22, one region. In a subsequent telegram I will com-
at the present front line than to carry on the enemy plane dropped nine bombs on the municate to you a draft [plan] for sending
struggle for the 38th parallel and bring the territory of the neutral zone in Kaesong and Soviet military advisers to work with the
conference to a breakdown. fired on the house where our delegation is Chinese volunteer troops in Korea.
In connection with this it is necessary to quartered. Although American officers came Simultaneously with this I will ask you
take into consideration that it is possible to to investigate that same night, the enemy about an additional delivery of artillery ar-
gain some concessions from the enemy in the impudently refused to acknowledge their maments.
discussion of the proposal about cessation of actions and contended that the fragments and Second, it is possible that as a result of
military operations at the present front line. craters found there are not from air force the delay in the negotiations the enemy will
Thus it will be possible to secure 3-5 bombs. After this, the enemy, contradicting find the means to extricate [himself] from the
years time for preparation of forces. the former, said that the raid was made by an impasse and an agreement will be reached on
Of course, if the enemy does not in any unidentified plane. the question of a military demarcation line.
way abandon his unfounded proposal, which The enemy dared to make these impu- At the present time we want to use the
he is at present insisting on, then we also dent provocations because he considered that period of the break in negotiations for con-
intend to choose only the path of a schism. our side would not make a breakdown in the ducting a cold war in order to expose the
Having limited materials at our disposal, negotiations over this. He therefore wanted impudent provocational acts of the enemy.
the situation has been studied superficially. to use this measure to put pressure on us. However, we suppose that the enemy will
We urgently ask your instructions for future Of course, it is possible [that it was] a not openly acknowledge his provocations.
actions. South Korean secret service plan to break up If after some period of time the situation
LI KENONG12.8.51 4:00.” the negotiations, but the possibility is ex- will develop so that the enemy wishes to
MAO ZEDONG cluded that Syngmann Rhee could send a renew the negotiations, then we think that at
No. 4061 plane to make an attack on Kaesong in the our own initiative we can propose a way
which would lead to a turn in the negotia- Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong We agree with your evaluation of the
tions and to force the enemy to agree with present condition of the negotiations in
this. All-Union Communist Party (bolsheviks), Kaesong and with your line on the necessity
Comrade Kim Il Sung suggests for the CENTRAL COMMITTEE of getting a satisfactory answer on the ques-
purpose of securing the neutral zone at No. P83/280 tion of the incident provoked by the Ameri-
Kaesong to ask representatives of neutral 28 August 1951 Copies: Malenkov, cans to pressure the Chinese-Korean side.
states to participate at the conference as Molotov, Vyshinsky, Vasilevsky As before, with regard to this we will proceed
monitors and witnesses for the period of Excerpt from protocol No. 83 of meeting of from the fact that the Americans have greater
negotiations, as a necessary condition for the Politburo CC VKP(b) [Central Commit- need to continue the negotiations.
the resumption of the negotiations. More- tee, All-Union Communist Party (bol’shevik)] We do not see the use in inviting, ac-
over, these representatives can be used in the Decision of 28 August 1951 cording to your initiative, representatives of
future as a control organ for the implemen- 280. Telegram of Comrade Mao Zedong neutral states to participate in the negotia-
tation of the ceasefire. of 27 August (No. 4279) tions as monitors and witnesses during the
How do you view this? Do you con- To adopt the attached draft answer of present period of negotiations. The negative
sider this necessary or do you have a better Comrade Filippov to Comrade Mao Zedong. side of this proposal is that the Americans
way? I ask your orders on the above. SECRETARY CC will view it as [an indication] that the Chi-
With greetings. Mao Zedong. To p.280(op) pr.PB No. 83 nese-Korean side has more need quickly to
TOP SECRET reach an agreement about an armistice than
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 340, BEIJING do the Americans. If you are of such an
Listy 86-88 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis TO KRASOVSKY opinion on this question, then you must com-
5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 51-53] For transmission to MAO ZEDONG municate this to Comrade Kim Il Sung.
“Comrade Mao Zedong! FILIPPOV [Stalin].”
89. 28 August 1951, VKP(b) CC Politburo We received your telegram of August
decision with approved message from 27. [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 829,
THE SHTYKOV DIARIES: Soviet Union who participated in the found- full member of the Central Committee of the
NEW EVIDENCE ON SOVIET ing of the North Korean regime have pub- CPSU (1956-61); and four times Represen-
POLICY IN KOREA lished accounts, among them Gen. Kirill tative to the Supreme Soviet.4 He also
Meretskov, the Commander of the Maritime received numerous decorations, including
by Hyun-su Jeon Military District (1971); Gen. Ivan the Lenin medal (three times) and the first-
with Gyoo Kahng Chistiakov, Commander of the Soviet 25th degree Kutuzov medal (three times).5
Army in North Korea until April 1947 (1975); Shtykov started writing his memoirs in
From the time of his appointment as Lebedev (1976); I. Kravtsov, Special Aide to his last years but a fatal heart attack in 1964
Member of the Military Council of the Shtykov (1951); and V. Petukhov, a Soviet halted the writing.6 He was not only a
USSR’s Maritime [Far Eastern] Military Foreign Ministry official (1987). Although vigorous political activist but an ardent re-
District in the summer of 1945, until early these accounts are important sources for un- corder, almost an archivist. He kept numer-
1951, when he was summoned to Moscow, derstanding the period, they all try more or ous diaries from 1938, when he became the
Gen. Terentii Fomich Shtykov played the less to reproduce the “myth” that the Soviet Second Secretary of the Leningrad party
key role in planning and executing Soviet Army “liberated” North Korea. What makes committee, until his death; 60 volumes sur-
foreign policy in Korea. According to Gen. Shtykov’s diaries so significant is that they, vive, each containing roughly 100-200 pages.
Nikolai Georgievich Lebedev, the Director unlike the writings of the others who worked Such record keeping was quite unusual in
of the Soviet Civil Administration in North with him, provide candid and vivid pictures the Soviet Union, as many people were re-
Korea from the autumn of 1947, “there was of the Soviet occupation period. luctant to keep private records for fear of
not an event in which Shtykov was not Shtykov started his political career in frequent political purges.7 Shtykov also
involved.”1 Recently, it has emerged that 1938 as the Second Secretary of the Leningrad kept other official documents and pictures:
Shtykov kept personal diaries and that these Communist party committee. He was as a photo collector, he kept thousands of
were in the possession of his son, Viktor Zhdanov’s faithful protege.2 After 1938, he pictures; he also saved letters, reports, and
Terentevich Shtykov, who lives in St. Pe- served as Member of the Military Council of telegrams which he wrote or were sent to
tersburg. Although, unfortunately, the dia- the 7th Army during the Winter War in him; he even kept some newspaper scraps.
ries for some years are missing, they consti- Finland (1939-40); Member of the Military Thus his diaries open for us a new horizon in
tute an important new primary source for Council of the Maritime Military District studying Soviet policy in Korea after 1945.
scholars of Soviet-Korean relations in the (1945-47); Deputy Commander of Political Unfortunately, however, only a portion
period from the end of World War II to the Affairs of the Maritime Military District of his diaries covering the period when he
onset of the Korean War, and of other issues (1947-48); the first Soviet Plenipotentiary was in charge of Korean affairs exists. For
with which Shtykov was involved. Ambassador to North Korea (1948-51)3; the entire period 1945-1951 only four vol-
Since 1960, many individuals from the Soviet Ambassador to Hungary (1959-61); continued on page 92
Listy 4-5 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, 1. Advisers for the staff of the volunteer If you agree with this decision of ours,
Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 54-55] The telegram troops: in all nine persons, including: Main then General of the Army Zakharov can
was sent to Beijing on August 29 [APRF, adviser - 1, adviser of the chief of staff - 1, depart soon for Beijing for further movement
Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 340, List 89] adviser on operational questions - 1, adviser to the location of the staff of the Volunteer
on intelligence - 1, adviser on communica- troops in Korea.
90. 30 August 1951, ciphered telegram, tions - 1, adviser on the rear - 1, adviser on FILIPPOV [Stalin].”
Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) VOSO [voennye soobshcheniie, military 3-ae.
communications] -1, adviser on artillery - 1, 10.IX.51
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF adviser on tanks and self-propelled guns
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET [samokhodnym ustanovkam] -1, adviser on [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 340,
ARMY engineering matters - 1. List 109]
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 23397 2. Advisers for the five armies: in all 10
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, persons. Two advisers to each army, specifi- 93. 14 November 1951, ciphered telegram,
Bulganin cally: adviser of the command of the army Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin)
From BEIJING Received 19:00 30.8.1951 and jointly adviser of the chief of staff of the
SERIES “G” T army -1, adviser on operational questions -1. SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] 3. Advisers for twenty one corps: in all THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET
Comrade FILIPPOV. 83 persons. Three persons in each corps, ARMY
I received your telegram of 29.8.1951. I specifically: adviser of the command of the CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 25902
agree that it is not advisable to take the corps and jointly adviser of the chief of staff Copies: Stalin (2)
initiative in inviting representatives of neu- - 1, adviser on artillery -1, adviser on tanks From BEIJING Received 13:40
tral states as monitors and witnesses at the and self-propelled guns -1. It is hoped that 14.11.1951
present stage of the negotiations. the aforementioned advisers be sent to Korea SERIES “G” T.
I have already communicated about this through Beijing in September and October To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin]
to Comrade KIM IL SUNG. 1951. Comrade FILIPPOV!
MAO ZEDONG I ask you to study this question and After the resumption of negotiations for
No. 4358 communicate your decision. cessation of military operations in Korea, in
30.8.51 With greetings. view of the large losses at the front over the
MAO ZEDONG last two months and the increase in demands
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 340, No. 4492 within America and outside its borders for
List 97 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, 8.9.51 cessation of military operations, the possibil-
Delo 5, Papka 11, List 56] ity of the American side accepting the condi-
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 341, tions for an armistice has increased. How-
Listy 98-99] ever, at the same time, taking into account
91. 8 September 1951, ciphered telegram, internal and external politics, the American
Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) 92. 10 September 1951, ciphered telegram, government is still trying to keep the interna-
Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong tional situation tense, and therefore the Ameri-
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF cans, while actively engaged in spying and
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET BEIJING carrying out a policy of an advance in the
ARMY To Comrade KRASOVSKY course of the negotiations, are trying to drag
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 23703 for Comrade Mao Zedong out the negotiations.
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, “Comrade Mao Zedong! The main question in the negotiations is
Bulganin We have received your telegram of 8 the determination of the demarcation line. In
From BEIJING Received 16:20 September. place of the demand for designation of the
8.9.1951 We agree to send a main military adviser demarcation line deep in the rear of our
SERIES “G” T and a group of military specialists as military troops, the enemy has proposed to designate
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] advisers attached to the staff of the Volunteer it on the basis of the present line of the front,
Comrade FILIPPOV! troops in Korea. with some alterations and with the inclusion
In my telegram to you of 27.8 of this We consider it advisable to resolve the of the region of Kaesong in the buffer zone.
year I communicated to you that we intend to question of sending military advisers to the At present the enemy is already de-
ask the Soviet Government to send its mili- armies and corps after the main military manding the designation of the line in fact
tary advisers for work among the troops of adviser familiarizes himself with the situa- contiguous with the line of the troops at the
the Chinese volunteers in Korea. tion on location and presents his consider- time of the signing of an agreement on cessa-
After studying this question and con- ations on this question. tion of military operations as the demarca-
sulting with the Main Military Adviser Com- As main military adviser for the staff of tion line without the inclusion of the region
rade Krasovsky, we consider that it is neces- the Volunteer troops in Korea we could send of Kaesong in the buffer zone. We are
sary to invite 83 advisers: General of the Army Zakharov. insisting on the cessation of military opera-
tions at the present front line and the desig- tions to propose to transfer the monitoring ther strengthening of the campaign to aid
nation of the present line contiguous to the functions to neutral states, in other words to Korea and struggle against American impe-
troops of both sides as the demarcation line states that are not participating in the war. We rialism, for the purpose of ensuring the fur-
with the introduction of alterations in the want to invite three states to fulfill these ther conduct of the war in Korea, securing
line contiguous to troops of both sides in tasks: the Soviet Union, Poland and India. also by financial means the stabilization of
case of alterations of it in the period of the It is possible that the Americans will the scene within the country, and also
achievement of an agreement on all points of oppose this at the beginning. Then we will strengthening state construction and mainly
the agenda. At the present time the enemy is propose to introduce [as monitors] represen- construction of defense.
fighting with us precisely on this question, tatives from Sweden and one state of Latin In the present year, in light of rendering
but we assume that this fight will not con- America. aid to Korea and the struggle against Ameri-
tinue for long. As regards the exchange of prisoners of can imperialism, the budget of the Chinese
Our proposal about cessation of mili- war, we will oppose exchange according to state in comparison with 1950 has increased
tary operations at the present front line and the principle of 1 for 1 and will propose by 60%. 32% of the total budget is directly
our agreement to set aside the question of the exchange according to the principle of return being used in the Korean theater of military
38th parallel as the demarcation line, and the of all prisoners of war by both sides. operations. (Military credit extended to us
question of the withdrawal of all foreign I think it will not be difficult to reach by the Soviet Government is not included in
troops from Korea before the convening of a agreement on this question. this calculation.)
political conference, was made not only be- On the question of the governments of Thus, if a regime of economizing is not
cause the present negotiations are negotia- the interested states convening a conference introduced now, in the next year the budget
tions about cessation of military operations of high level officials, three variants are pos- will increase even more, which inevitably
and [because] the enemy will not in any case sible: will have an influence on finances and lead to
want to exchange eastern mountainous re- 1. Convening a conference of political a great rise in the prices of goods, which in
gions to the north of the 38th parallel for representatives of both sides which are pres- turn will create difficulties at the front, and
low-lying regions to the south of the 38th ently conducting negotiations. (It is possible also in the area of construction in the rear. It
parallel, but also because in case the enemy that America will propose this variant.) is true that achieving peace as a result of the
refuses to leave the eastern mountainous 2. Convening a conference with the par- negotiations is advantageous for us, but we
regions we also have mountainous regions ticipation of four states: the Soviet Union, also are not afraid of dragging out the nego-
there [that are] advantageous for defense; as China, America, England and representa- tiations. Acting thus, we will surely be able
regards the western coastal plain to the south tives of North and South Korea. to achieve victory. At the same time we will
of the 38th parallel, it is advantageous for us 3. Convening a conference with partici- be able successfully to carry out various
because it has a much greater population pation of seven states: the Soviet Union, measures within the country and secure sta-
than the eastern regions, and furthermore it China, America, England, France, India, bilization and further development in the
is rich in agricultural products, plus the re- Egypt and representatives of North and South area of politics and the economy.
gion of Kaesong is an advanced post for Korea. I ask your instructions on the above.
taking Seoul. I ask you, proceeding from the interna- MAO ZEDONG
Comrade Kim Il Sung during the dis- tional situation, to give instructions regard- No. 5631
cussion of armistice conditions in Beijing in ing which of the three variants is best or 14.11.51
June of this year had the same opinion on this propose a new variant.
question. This time it also was done with his At the present time, on the basis of the [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 342,
agreement. aforementioned we will achieve cessation of Listy 16-19]
As regards the discussion of the ques- military operations this year. At the same
tion of monitoring at the negotiations, we time, we will carry out the necessary prepara- 94. 19 November 1951, ciphered telegram
earlier suggested to propose to create an tion in case of a dragging out of the negotia- from Roshchin conveying message from
organ for cessation of military operations, in tions by the enemy and their breakdown. Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin)
which would be included representatives of Expecting that the negotiations will be drawn
both sides, and to assign to it the task of out for another half year or year, we have Ciphered Telegram
monitoring the fulfillment of the conditions moved toward economizing on our human Copies: Stalin (2), Copy
of the cessation of military operations and and material forces in the Korean theater of From BEIJING 17:10 19/XI.1951
monitoring in the buffer zone. military operations and we are pursuing the Special No. 1821
However, the enemy is sure to demand tactics of a long, active defense, with the goal TOP PRIORITY
the establishment of monitoring in the rear of holding the position we presently occupy SPECIAL
of both sides, in order to limit the transport and inflicting great manpower losses on the 19 November at 18 hours Beijing time I
by both sides of reinforcements and military enemy, in order to gain victory in the war. was invited to visit Zhou Enlai, who asked
goods. Within the country we are preparing for me to transmit to Comrade Filippov the re-
We intend to agree to the establishment the reorganization of the army, reduction of quest of Mao Zedong to give an answer to the
of monitoring at 1 or 2 border points of both the bureaucracy, introduction of a regime of telegram of Mao Zedong to Comrade Filippov
sides and in accordance with your instruc- economizing, increasing production and fur- [Stalin] on the question of negotiations in
Korea, which was transmitted to the Center not showing haste and not displaying interest tive the question arose about an appeal by the
on 14 November through Krasovsky. in a rapid end to the negotiations. government of the DPRK to the General
Zhou Enlai acquainted me with the tele- We consider your position on the defini- Assembly and the Security Council with a
gram and added that while awaiting the reply tion of the line of demarcation and the estab- demand concerning a speeding up of the
of Comrade Filippov the Chinese side had lishment of monitoring in one or two border resolution of the Korean question. It is also
already twice declined to meet with Ameri- points to be correct. We also agree with you not clear how the Chinese friends regard this,
can representatives in Korea. about the composition of the commission for since you do not communicate anything about
19.XI.51ROSHCHIN the fulfillment of monitoring functions. this in your telegram.
Your position on the question of an An appeal by the government of the
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 342, exchange of prisoners of war is completely DPRK to the General Assembly and to the
List 22 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, correct and it will be difficult for the oppo- Security Council as it is set forth in your
Delo 5, Papka 11, List 62] nent to dispute it. telegram: about the immediate cessation of
As regards the possible variants of con- military operations in Korea, about the with-
95. 19 November 1951, VKP(b) CC Polit- vening a conference for the further resolu- drawal of troops along the front line and the
buro decision with approved message tion of the Korean question after the conclu- creation of a two kilometer demilitarization
Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong sion of an armistice, it seems to us that it zone and about making answerable those
would be more expedient to convene a con- guilty of prolonging the war in Korea, could
ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY (Bol- ference of political representatives of both be evaluated in the present situation, in con-
sheviks). CENTRAL COMMITTEE sides which are presently conducting the ditions of blackmail by the Americans, as a
No. P84/421 negotiations, with the obligatory participa- sign of weakness on the Chinese-Korean
19 November 1951 Copies: Malenkov, tion of representatives of North and South side, which is politically disadvantageous.
Molotov, Gromyko, Vasilevsky Korea. Therefore, not having the text of the
Excerpt from protocol No. 84 of the meeting FILIPPOV [Stalin] appeal, not knowing the opinion of the Chi-
of the Politburo CC VKP(b) [Central Com- 19 November 1951 nese comrades and not knowing the motives
mittee, All-Union Communist Party which are guiding the Korean friends, we
(bol’shevik)] [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 828 consider it necessary that you advise the
Decision of 19 November 1951 [9], Listy 42-43 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Korean friends to set aside resolution of the
421. Telegram of Mao Zedong on ques- Opis 5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, List 64] A copy question of an appeal until the elucidation of
tions of the negotiations about an armistice in of the telegram sent to Beijing in found in the aforementioned questions.
Korea. [APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 342, List 23] We await a more detailed report from
To adopt the attached draft answer of you.
Comrade Filippov to the telegram of Com- 96. 19 November 1951, VKP(b) CC Polit- Confirm receipt.
rade Mao Zedong on questions of the nego- buro decision with approved message from A. GROMYKO
tiations about an armistice in Korea. Gromyko to Razuvaev 19/XI/51
SECRETARY CC
ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 829,
To p.421(op) pr.PB No.84 (bolsheviks), CENTRAL COMMITTEE Listy 44-45 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
Top Secret No. P84/422 Copies: Comrades Malenkov, 5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 65-66]
BEIJING Molotov, Gromyko
TO KRASOVSKY 19 November 1951 97. 20 November 1951, Gromyko to G.M.
For transmission to Comrade MAO Excerpt from protocol No. 84 of the meeting Malenkov, attaching draft telegram to
ZEDONG. of the Politburo CC VKP(b) [Central Com- Razuvaev
“Comrade Mao Zedong! mittee, All-Union Communist Party
We received your telegram on the ques- (bol’shevik)] To Comrade MALENKOV G.M.
tions of the negotiations about an armistice in Decision of 19 November 1951 I am sending a draft telegram to Com-
Korea. 422. Telegram of Comrade Razuvaev rade Razuvaev. I ask you to review it.
We agree with your evaluation of the No. 1352. A. Gromyko
present condition of the negotiations. To adopt the attached draft instruction 20 November 1951
The entire course of the negotiations for to Comrade Razuvaev. No. 334/ag
some time past shows that although the SECRETARY CC Copies: Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Khrushchev
Americans are dragging out the negotiations, To p.422(op) pr.PB No. 84 TOP PRIORITY
they nonetheless are more in need of rapidly Top Secret NORTH KOREA
concluding them. This is based on the Top Priority SOVIET AMBASSADOR
overall international situation. NORTH KOREA We draw your attention to the inadmis-
We consider it correct that the Chinese/ To RAZUVAEV sibility of your actions in connection with the
Korean side, using flexible tactics in the 1352. From your telegram it is not clear appeal of the Korean friends to the UN on the
negotiations, continues to pursue a hard line, in connection with what and on whose initia- question of speeding up a peace settlement in
Korea. ceived a direct order to do so and after the

You communicated only on 18 Novem- Koreans had already made their statement. 99. 25 December 1951, memorandum,
ber (your No. [number is illegible]) about Learn this in the future. Gromyko to Razuvaev
the intention of the Korean friends to put
forth an appeal to the General Assembly and [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 829, To Comrade STALIN I.V.
the Security Council with demands: about Listy 46-48 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, According to the report of Comrade
the immediate cessation of military opera- Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 27-29] Vyshinsky, reports have been published lately
tions in Korea, about the withdrawal of troops in French and American newspapers in Paris
from the front line and creation of a 2- 98. 21 November 1951, ciphered telegram, which underscore the inevitability of a break-
kilometer demilitarization zone and about Gromyko to Razuvaev down in the peace negotiations in Korea and
making answerable those guilty of prolong- the possibility of broadening the Korean
ing the war in Korea—asking if such an MID USSR conflict and which lay the responsibility for
appeal would contradict the statement of Tenth Department Received 18:35 this on the Korean-Chinese side (telegram
Comrade Vyshinsky. 21.XI.1951 No. 812).
Since we knew nothing about the pro- Sent 20:50 21.XI.1951 In connection with this, Comrade
posed appeal of the Korean friends with a CIPHERED TELEGRAM Vyshinsky is introducing a proposal that by
statement of the indicated demands, or at To NORTH KOREA the time the period for agreement about a
whose initiative arose the question of put- To RAZUVAEV TOP PRIORITY demarcation line [expires], i.e. by 27 De-
ting these demands before the UN, we asked SPECIAL cember, the Korean-Chinese command pub-
you to elucidate (our No. 1059). On 20 November the following directive lish a communiqué about the course of the
Without waiting for an answer to your from Comrade Filippov [Stalin] was sent to negotiations with an exposure of the position
telegram, in which were laid out the de- Roshchin: of the Americans, which is aimed at drawing
mands of the Korean friends mentioned “Explain to Mao Zedong and also to Kim out and breaking down the negotiations for
above, you informed us (Your No. 1353 of Il Sung through Razuvaev, that there is in- an armistice in Korea. In the opinion of
19 November), that on that same day, i.e. 19 deed a difference between Vyshinsky’s de- Vyshinsky, MID [Ministry of Foreign Af-
November, the text of the statement by Pak mand about the immediate withdrawal of fairs] DPRK should send such a communiqué
Hon-Yong will be transmitted over the ra- USA troops across the 38th parallel and the to the chairman of the General Assembly of
dio. Moreover, after receipt of our inquiry present position of the Chinese-Korean com- the UN with a request to publish it as a
(our No. 1059), on the question of the indi- rades about the delineation of the demarca- document of the UN and to send it to all the
cated demands of the Korean friends you tion line at the present front line. Vyshinsky delegations in the Assembly session.
limited yourself only to a report that you had could not speak otherwise in order to demon- MID USSR considers the above indi-
raised the question at your own initiative and strate the injustice of the USA position of cated reports of the French and American
to a repetition of the question of whether refusing to withdraw their troops beyond the newspapers as blackmail, done for the pur-
there is a discrepancy between the proposals 38th parallel. Vyshinsky’s position is advan- pose of putting pressure on the Korean-Chi-
of Comrade Vyshinsky about withdrawal of tageous to the Chinese-Korean comrades, nese side.
troops from the 38th parallel and agreement since it demonstrates from one side the greedi- As regards the communiqué proposed
in Kaesong to the point of the agenda about ness of the Americans and from the other side by Vyshinsky, in the opinion of MID, it is
the establishment of a demarcation line. Con- the tractability and peaceableness of the Chi- scarcely necessary to give advice to the Ko-
cerning the appeal, you also only reported nese-Korean comrades, who are making seri- reans and Chinese on this account, since they
that it would be announced 19 November. ous concessions for the sake of achieving systematically publish reports which dis-
Thus, both in telegram No. 1353 of 19 peace.” close the line taken by the Americans in the
November and in telegram No. 1355 of 19 In view of the fact that Comrade Roshchin negotiations about an armistice in Korea.
November, you informed us that the Korean does not have communications with you and From the other side, the distribution of a
friends will announce their appeal, even therefore cannot fulfill through you the order Korean-Chinese communiqué as a document
though at that time you did not have instruc- about transmitting to Kim Il Sung the eluci- of the UN will not give any practical results,
tions from us and could not yet have re- dation given in the directive of Comrade and a request from the Koreans and Chinese
ceived an answer to your inquiry. As a result Filippov, MID [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] about this can be evaluated as a sign of their
the Korean friends made the appeal without is sending the directive to you. weakness.
agreement with us. Confirm receipt. In view of this, MID considers that to
In that way you acted inadmissably Immediately telegraph the fulfillment. give any kind of advice to the Korean and
thoughtlessly. Your guilt is aggravated also 21.XI.51 GROMYKO Chinese governments regarding the
by the fact that you did not even take the 21.XI.51 communiqué is inadvisable.
trouble to find out from the Korean friends Copies: Stalin, Copy A draft resolution is attached.
whether they had reached agreement with I ask you to review.
the Chinese friends about the appeal to the [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348, A. Gromyko
UN with the aforementioned demands, and Listy 44-45 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, opis 5a, 25 December 1951
you elucidated this only when you had re- Delo 5, papka 11, Listy 67-68] No. 396
Copies: Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, Mikoyan, trying to bring an end to the war in Korea, monitoring organ in the name of its represen-
Kaganovich, Bulganin, Khrushchev. therefore in recent days the enemy was forced tative. All representatives can take with
to set aside the discussion of the question of them assistants-advisers from among the citi-
[Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 829, limiting restoration and construction of air- zens of their country. All invited neutral
Listy 94-97 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis ports in Korea and moved to discussion of states will provide the necessary number of
5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 76-77] small questions concerning the agreement. administrative workers for the creation of a
According to the concrete conditions of secretariat responsible for keeping proto-
100. 31 January 1952, ciphered telegram, the text of the agreement on an armistice cols, transmitting documents and transla-
Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) proposed by the enemy, it is obvious that, as tions.
before, this text is not final, in other words 3. The functions of the monitoring organ
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF that, as before, the enemy has included con- of neutral states are:
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET ditions about limiting the restoration and a) Practical control and monitoring of
ARMY construction of airports and about liberation the observation of the agreement by both
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 16008 of prisoners of war on a voluntary basis, after sides—not to transport to Korea from abroad,
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, having declared that these conditions can be through mutually agreed upon points, ship-
Bulganin omitted and it is possible not to discuss them. ments to the rear as reinforcements, military
From BEIJING Received 23:00 31.1.1951 From this it is obvious that the possibility of personnel, combat aircraft, armored vehicles,
Series “G” T reaching a final agreement is increasing. Of tanks, arms and ammunition after the armi-
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] course, we never have and are not now count- stice agreement is signed and goes into force,
For the past period of time, in view of the ing only on these possibilities. and also to carry out an exchange of military
deliberate prolongation of the negotiations We simultaneously will vigilantly fol- personnel of both sides on the scale stipu-
by the enemy in the course of the negotia- low the tricks of the ruling circles of the USA lated by the agreement and in identical num-
tions for an armistice in Korea, up to the who in view of the growth of internal and bers;
present time a final agreement has not been external opposition will carry out as before a b) Report about places where an inci-
achieved. policy of prolonging and even of breaking dent occurs, about the guilt of anyone from
However, on the basic questions of the down the negotiations in order to strain the the [two] sides outside the demilitarization
cessation of military operations, for example: international situation even more. However zone who violates the agreement on armi-
on the question “Establishment of a military we are prepared in military and in political stice, and also the carrying out of practical
demarcation line between the two sides for relations to inflict decisive blows on the observation.
the purpose of establishment of a demilita- enemy in order to shatter its plans. At the At the request of both sides or one side
rized zone” an agreement has already been present time both sides in the negotiations of the commission on military armistice, the
reached on three points. have already moved over to detailed discus- monitoring organ must immediately send a
On the question “working out practical sion of the questions. neutral group for inspection and observation
measures for the implementation of a For the purposes of achieving a final and also for bringing the results of the inves-
ceasefire and armistice in Korea, including agreement on an armistice it is necessary to tigation to the commission on military armi-
the personnel, powers and functions of the receive your concrete instructions on the stice.
apparatus for monitoring the implementa- following questions: 4. Simultaneously with the establish-
tion of the conditions of the ceasefire and 1. About the monitoring organ comment of the functions indicated in column
armistice” an agreement has already been posed of representatives of neutral states. “A” point 3, the American side also proposes
reached on six points (the texts are attached). The American side proposes that both that both sides after cessation of military
However, on the questions “Measures sides each invite three states whose armed operations must present information about
about prisoners of war” the enemy in prin- forces are not participating in the military precise places of deployment of the land, sea
ciple cannot oppose the liberation of all pris- operations in Korea, and also that each in- and air units which are participating in the
oners of war. As a consequence of this, the vited state name one senior officer as a rep- military operations in Korea, and also must
negotiations cannot be dragged out for a long resentative (in all 6 persons from the neutral not change the deployment or carry out a
time. Nevertheless, the enemy is trying to states of both sides) for the creation of a concentration of their troops. We intend not
drag out the negotiations under the pretext of monitoring organ of neutral states. to agree with this, since it was not stipulated
a rash demand about limiting the rebuilding We intend to agree with this arrange- in the points on which agreement was reached.
and construction of airports after the cessa- ment and ask the Soviet Union, Poland and 5. As concerns the points of disembar-
tion of military operations and also a demand Czechoslovakia to send representatives so kation in the rear where observation must be
about liberation of prisoners on a voluntary that they could discuss the matter on an equal established, the American side proposes to
basis. However, in view of the fact that our basis with representatives of the three states establish in South Korea Seoul, Chemulpo
side decisively opposes these proposals and invited by the USA and also have the right to [Inchon], Dzioio, Gensiu, Tsiusiu, Taiden,
also in view of the fact that it is very difficult veto. Anto, Dzensiu, Gunzan, Taiko, Dzenten,
for the enemy to mobilize public opinion for 2. Each of the abovementioned neutral Pusan—in all 12 points. In North Korea to
continuation of the war in Korea, the satel- states must name one deputy representative establish Singisiu, Manpkhodin, Kangge,
lites of the enemy and the USA itself are who could participate in the meetings of the Khesandun, Khekido, Sengdzii, Kaisiu—in
all 15 points. dinate to it must be provided by both warring No. 72/III

At each point a region of operation for sides. Both sides must provide the monitor-
the neutral state must be established within ing organ with transport for trips of its mem- [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 342,
a radius of 30 miles from the center of the bers to points and to places where a violation List 78 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a,
point. of the agreement on armistice occurs. Delo 5, Papka 11, List 80]
We consider that the enemy has pro- All the 8 points set forth above concern
posed too many points, the area of operation questions of monitoring by neutral states in 102. 8 February 1952, ciphered telegram,
is too broad, and the number of open points the rear regions of both sides outside the Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) convey-
is not equal. We intend to agree that both demilitarized zone. ing 22 January 1952 telegram from Peng
sides open 3-5 points each in North Korea: I ask you to review whether our point of Dehuai to Mao and 4 February 1962 reply
Singisiu, Seisin, Khanko, Manpkhodin and view is correct and whether anything needs to from Mao to Peng Dehuai
one airport. In South Korea: Pusan, be added.
Chemulpo, Suigei, Reisui, Khokodo. We If you agree with our opinions, then do SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF
also intend to propose that the radius of you consider it necessary to communicate THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET
operations of the neutral group be estab- about this in advance to the comrade leaders ARMY
lished as 5 kilometers from the center of the of the parties of Poland and Czechoslova- CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 16293
point. kia[?] Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria,
6. Neutral groups of observers will be I ask you to give your answer. Bulganin
attached to the monitoring organ of neutral Note: The texts of the agreement reached From BEIJING Received 21:45
states. The group must be organized as a on two agendas was sent to you by separate 8.2.1952
minimum from four mid-level officers (lieu- telegram. SERIES “G” T
tenant-major), two officers each from the With greetings. TO FILIPPOV [Stalin]
representatives of neutral states invited by MAO ZEDONG I send you for familiarization the abbre-
each side. In case of necessity subgroups No. 326 viated text of the telegram to me from Peng
can be created attached to the monitor groups, 31.1.52 Dehuai of 22.1 of this year and my answer of
composed of two representatives, one per- 4.2 of this year.
son from each side. [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 342, The telegram of Comrade Peng Dehuai
The American side proposes to create Listy 73-77] of 22.1 of this year.
40 neutral groups of observers. We consider “1. 16.1 of this year the Minister of
that this is too many. If an agreement is 101. 3 February 1952, ciphered telegram, Foreign Affairs of [North] Korea Pak Hon-
reached that both sides will each open 5 of Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong Yong was at my place. In a conversation he
their rear points, then it will be sufficient for said that the Korean people throughout the
fulfilling the obligations of the monitoring CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 709 country demand peace and do not want to
organ to have 16 neutral groups of observ- TOP PRIORITY continue the war.
ers, of which 10 groups will be permanently SPECIAL If the Soviet Union and China consider
located at mutually agreed upon points of BEIJING it advantageous to continue the war, then the
disembarkation and 6 groups can be used as TO KRASOVSKY Central Committee of the Labor Party will be
reserves to send to the site of incidents. Transmit the following answer to MAO able to overcome any difficulties and hold to
7. The monitoring organ of neutral ZEDONG. their position.
groups and the commission on the military “Comrade MAO ZEDONG. I answered that a peaceful settlement on
armistice must be located in one place. The We received your telegrams of January the basis of justice and rationality is advanta-
neutral groups of observation during the 31 concerning the negotiations on questions geous for us. I also explained to him about
fulfillment of the tasks of inspection and of an armistice. the favorable conditions of our side in the
observation do not have the right to study the We agree with the plan outlined by you present military situation and about the in-
“construction and characteristics” of all types and the evaluation of the course of the nego- crease in the difficulties of America. There-
of arms and ammunition. tiations which you give. The firm position fore an agreement on an armistice can be
As concerns the reports about results of taken by you has already given positive re- reached. However in military relations we
the work of the neutral groups of observa- sults and must force the enemy to make will carry out active preparation of our forces
tion, we consider that official reports must further concessions. for further conduct of military operations.
be adopted by the majority of the members We consider that you must make an While departing, Minister Pak Hon Yong
of the given group, but reports not adopted agreement with the leading comrades of Po- agreed with my point of view about the
by the majority of members or reports from land and Czechoslovakia about including their general situation and said that his visit had
individual persons cannot be official docu- representatives in the commission of observ- the goal of a simple meeting and his opinion
ments. They can be used as reference mate- ers, and they, of course, will agree with this. is not the opinion of the Central Committee
rials. With greetings. FILIPPOV [Stalin].” of the Labor party and the Korean govern-
8. Material supply of the monitoring Confirm receipt. ment, but purely his personal opinion.
organ of neutral states and the groups subor- Telegraph the fulfillment. 2. In 1951 the Korean government col-
lected agricultural taxes in kind in grain in application will be carried out from Febru- 5 March 1952
the amount of 650,000 tons, which consti- ary to May. In each month 5,000 tons of rice [As indicated in the file in AVPRF, the
tuted too large a percentage of the entire and 5,000 tons of chumiza [a cereal grain in Politburo decision was taken on March 7 to
yield. At the present time 10 percent of the Northeast Asia] (in all 40,000 tons of rice and reject Razuvaev’s proposal, l. 82. Draft
population is suffering from hunger. The chumiza will be delivered), in each month resolution to this effect is on l. 83]
majority of the peasant population will be 200 tons of bean oil.
able to subsist only until April-May. In addition, in February 3,300,000 meters [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 830,
If there is no assistance soon, then this of cotton fabric will be delivered. List 3 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5, Delo
will influence not only the carrying out of Negotiations will be concluded soon. 5, Papka 11, Listy 81-83]
spring sowing but also the gathering of the According to your practical observation, if
harvest. military operations in Korea cease, what is 104. 14 April 1952, VKP(b) CC Politburo
They say that our government has al- necessary to restore in Korea as first priority? decision with approved message from
ready resolved to deliver to the Korean gov- The army of the Chinese volunteers can Stalin to Kim Il Sung
ernment 30,000 tons of grain. I do not know, render assistance as a work force to restore
is this true? If it is not true, I consider that it the highways and agricultural economy. ALL-UNION COMMUNIST PARTY
is necessary to prepare for timely delivery of What other kind of aid is needed from us? (bolsheviks), CENTRAL COMMITTEE
30,000 tons of grain in March for the purpose I ask you to study these questions and No. P87/104
of providing assistance so that the peasants communicate your opinion.” Copies: Malenkov, Mikoyan,
can engage in spring planting. MAO ZEDONG Vyshinsky, Shtemenko
3. I consider that although our budget is No. 431 14 April 1952
also very strained, in 1952 we nevertheless 8.2.52 Excerpt from protocol No. 87 of the meeting
need to plan to apportion 1,600,000 million of the Politburo CC VKP(b) [Central Com-
yuan (which constitutes approximately 237 [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 342, mittee, All-Union Communist Party
million rubles) according to the plan of 1951 Listy 81-83] (bol’shevik)]
budget year for rendering aid to Korea. This Decision of 14 April 1952
amount can hardly be reduced. I ask that all 103. 5 March 1952, memorandum, 104. Question of Korea.
this possibly be planned earlier in the general Gromyko to Stalin To confirm the attached text of
budget.” a telegram.
My answer of 4.2 of this year. To Comrade STALIN I.V. SECRETARY CC
“I received your telegram of 22.1 of this The Ambassador of the USSR in Korea To p.104(op) pr.PB No. 87
year. As concerns rendering aid to Korea, in Comrade Razuvaev proposes to advise Kim BY CIPHER
our budget for 1952 we have already in- Il Sung to publish an interview with a TASS PYONGYANG
cluded expenditures of 1,500,000 million correspondent concerning the negotiations To Soviet Ambassador RAZUVAEV
yuan (approximately equal to 222 million for an armistice in Panmunjom. (telegram Hand Over Immediately
rubles), which somewhat exceeds the sum of No. 188). For Comrade KIM IL SUNG
the trade credit extended by China to Korea In the draft presented by Razuvaev the It has become known to me that the
in 1951, the sum granted by China for urgent interview touches on three questions: the Korean people are in need of bread. We have
restoration of Korean railroads and also the dragging out of the negotiations by the Ameri- in Siberia 50,000 tons of prepared wheat
sum granted by China for maintenance of can side; inviting representatives of the So- flour. We can send this flour as a gift to the
Korean citizens located in Manchuria. viet Union to a neutral organ for monitoring Korean people. Telegraph your agreement.
If military operations in Korea are ended, the fulfillment of the conditions of the armi- We can send the flour immediately accord-
then it is assumed that expenditures for aid stice; the position of the Korean side in case ing to your instruction.
to Korea will be increased. of a breakdown in the negotiations by the With greetings. I. STALIN
At the end of January of this year the American side. 14 April 1952
Minister of Trade of Korea Comrade Chan Si In the opinion of MID USSR, the pro-
U came to Beijing for negotiations about posal of Comrade Razuvaev is unacceptable. [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 778,
deliveries of goods in 1952. As a result of The publication of such an interview could Listy 22-23]
these negotiations the total value we estab- be interpreted as a manifestation of haste and
lished for goods delivered by us comes to nervousness on the Korean-Chinese side. 105. 16 April 1952, ciphered telegram,
700,000 million yuan (approximately 103 Moreover, the elements of threat, contained Babkin to Shtemenko conveying letter
million rubles). in the answer to the third question, could be from Kim Il Sung to Stalin
Korea will not deliver anything to us in used for accusing the Korean-Chinese side
exchange, and therefore the aforementioned of trying to complicate the course of the CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 501587
amount was established as the sum of trade negotiations for an armistice. From CORRESPONDENT 20 Sent 16.4.52
credit. Draft resolution is attached. 13:00 Received 16.4. 14:44
As concerns foodstuffs stipulated in the I ask you to review. Dispatched to the 8th Administration of the
application, the delivery according to this A. GROMYKO General Staff of the Soviet Army 16.4 14:50
Extremely urgent. cluded that the negotiations for an armistice part in active military operations and bring
To Comrade SHTEMENKO can be drawn out for an indefinite period of influence to bear on important enemy sites.
S.M. time. 3. To carry out a number of ground
I transmit the reply letter of KIM IL Over the past year of negotiations we operations, appreciable to the enemy, so as to
SUNG to Comrade I.V. STALIN. have virtually curtailed military operations divert the operations of the enemy VVS from
No. 1448 BABKIN and moved to a passive defense. our rear and to influence the course of the
16.4.52 Such a position has led to the fact that the negotiations in Kaesong.
Copies: Stalin (2), Malenkov, File of 8th enemy almost without suffering any kind of Aside from all of this, to raise the battle
Administration (2) losses constantly inflicts on us huge losses in capability of the KPA it is extremely neces-
Dear Joseph Vissarionovich! manpower and material values. sary for us to receive from you in the nearest
The government of the DPRK is moved Thus, for example, just recently the en- future technical goods and materials accord-
by your fatherly concern about the urgent emy put out of operation all the electrical ing to our note of January 10, 1952 and July
needs of the Korean people. stations of Korea and because of the active 9, 1952 and application for 1952 in the note
Your proposal to send us 50,000 tons of operations of VVS [air force] does not allow of October 6, 1951, within the limits of your
bread, which we accept with endless grati- the possibility to restore them, which has possibilities.
tude, is one more expression of the selfless caused and continues to cause huge losses to 4. In Kaesong we need simultaneously
fraternal assistance of the great Soviet people the entire national economy of the DPRK. to move decisively toward the soonest con-
to Korea, which has suffered from American In only one 24 hour period of barbaric clusion of an armistice, a ceasefire and trans-
aggression but is prepared to defend to the bombing, of only one city of Pyongyang (on fer of all prisoners of war on the basis of the
end its freedom and independence. July 11 and the night of July 12) more than Geneva convention. These demands are
A grateful Korean people wishes you, 6,000 peaceful inhabitants were killed and supported by all peaceloving peoples and
dear leader and teacher, many years of life wounded. will lead us out of a passive position in
and health for the happiness of mankind. The enemy, making use of this situation, Kaesong.
KIM IL SUNG makes demands in the negotiations that are The change in the character of military
16 April 1952 unacceptable to us. operations on the ground and in the air will
Naturally, the Chinese friends refuse to have a corresponding, desirable influence on
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348, accept these conditions. We share the opin- the enemy.
Listy 60-61] ion of Comrade MAO ZEDONG on this A telegram of analogous content was
question. sent to comrade MAO ZEDONG.
106. 16 July 1952, ciphered telegram, Kim However, in order to spare the DPRK The Korean people are boundlessly
Il Sung to Stalin via Razuvaev and its people suffering and unjustified, need- grateful to you for the enormous selfless
less losses, it is necessary for us hopefully to assistance being rendered to the Korean
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 502597/sh provide cover for the most important sites People’s Democratic Republic.
From Correspondent 20 Sent 17.7.52 and to go over to active operations. We await your orders and advice on the
18:45 Received 17.7 20:50 For this it would be desirable: aforementioned questions.
Sent to 8th Administration of the General 1. To strengthen antiaircraft defense. By We wish you good health and long years
Staff of the Soviet Army 17.7 21:10 our accounting, for this it is necessary to of life for the well-being and happiness of
Extremely Urgent receive additional arms for ten antiaircraft progressive humanity.
To Comrade A. Vasilevsky regiments (including three middle caliber With deep respect and esteem
To Comrade A.Ia. Vyshinsky regiments and seven small caliber regiments). Your Kim Il Sung
I report the letter from KIM IL SUNG to It is desirable in connection with this that Pyongyang 16.7.52.”
Comrade STALIN I.V. of 16.7.52. the Chinese comrades put out half and that the
RAZUVAEV KPA receive arms for five antiartillery regi- [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348,
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, ments directly from you. Listy 65-68 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
Beria, Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, 2. To activate the night operations of the 5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 40-43]
Khrushchev, Vyshinsky, Sokolovsky. VVS [Air Force] of the KPA [Korean People’s
No. 2250 Army] and CPV [Chinese People’s Volun- 107. 17 July 1952, ciphered telegram,
17.7.52 teers]. It is necessary to cover North Korea in Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
“Respected comrade ambassador, I ask the daytime with fighter aviation, if only up to
you to bring to the attention of Comrade the line of Pyongyang. CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 4018
STALIN I.V. the contents of the following VVS of the KPA is prepared at any time BEIJING -
telegram: to begin active military operations. Along TO KRASOVSKY
“Dear Comrade STALIN I.V. with this, in the near future 40 crews of KPA Transmit to Comrade MAO ZEDONG
I consider it necessary to report to you, TU-2 pilots will finish their training in the the following answer:
Josef Visarrionovich, about the following: Soviet Union. We would like for these pilots “Comrade MAO ZEDONG.
proceeding from a general analysis of the to come to the DPRK together with TU-2 We consider your position in the nego-
situation in Korea the possibility is not ex- airplanes so that they could immediately take tiations on an armistice to be completely
correct. rean people a strengthening of the position at enemy in the present situation will inevitably
Today we received a report from the 38th parallel has been won, North Korea make the enemy even more ambitious and
Pyongyang that Comrade KIM IL SUNG and Northeast China have been defended. undermine our prestige.
also agrees with your position. The people of Korea and China, espe- If we display resolution not to accept the
FILIPPOV [Stalin] cially their armed forces, have received the enemy’s proposal and to prepare ourselves
16 July 1952” possibility of being tempered and acquiring for a breakdown in the negotiations from the
Telegraph the fulfillment. experience in the struggle against American side of the enemy, the enemy surely will not
imperialism. cause a breakdown in the negotiations.
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 348, In addition, in the course of the struggle In the process of a further delay of the
List 69 and AVP RF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, of the Korean and Chinese peoples, their negotiations, upon decisive insistence by our
Delo 5, Papka 11, List 89] might has been strengthened, which is inside on our point of view, it is possible that
spiring the peaceloving peoples of the whole the enemy will make a new concession.
108. 18 July 1952, ciphered telegram, Mao world in the struggle against aggressive war If the enemy will not concede or breaks
Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 15 and is facilitating the development of the off the negotiations, then we must continue
July 1952 telegram from Mao to Kim Il movement for defense of peace throughout military operations so as to find in the course
Sung and 16 July 1952 reply from Kim to the world. This also limits the mobility of the of the war, which the enemy cannot resolve,
Mao main forces of American imperialism and a means for changing the present situation.
makes it suffer constant losses in the east. As We will report to Comrade FILIPPOV
SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION OF the stronghold of peace throughout the about this proposal and the course taken by
THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET world—the Soviet Union can strengthen its us and we will ascertain his opinion.
ARMY reconstruction and can exercise its influence We will report to you the results upon
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 21646 on the development of the revolutionary receiving an answer from him.
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov, Beria, movement of peoples of all countries. This With greetings! MAO ZEDONG,
Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, will mean the delay of a new world war. 3:00, 15.7.52”
Khrushchev, Vyshinsky, Sokolovsky The presence of these great movements ——————————————
From BEIJING Received 12:15 18.7.1952 testifies to the fact that the Korean people are “To Comrade MAO ZEDONG!
Series “G” T no longer alone. Your telegram of 3:00 15 July of this
To Comrade FILIPPOV [Stalin] In the first place, the Chinese people year was received.
I send to you for familiarization the text want to apply all their strength to overcome As a result of careful study and discus-
of my telegram of 3:00 15 July of this year to the difficulties of the Korean people. There- sion of it, we have arrived at a unanimous
KIM IL SUNG and the text of the reply fore at the present time we ask you not to be conclusion. We consider that your analysis
telegram to me from Comrade KIM IL SUNG ashamed to appeal to us with questions which concerning the present situation is correct.
of 21:00 16 July of this year: demand an urgent resolution of the situation At the same time, considering our present
“To Comrade KIM IL SUNG. in Korea. position, you have communicated to us to
Copy to Comrade LI KENONG. If we are not able to resolve your ques- that we henceforth not be ashamed to raise
After we wrote a telegram to comrade LI tions, then we will together with you appeal questions about the assistance we need, for
KENONG we received your telegram of to FILIPPOV with a request to render assis- which we are sincerely grateful to you.
18:00 14 July of this year. tance for the resolution of these questions. We consider it necessary to activate
After a two-day study by us of the given As concerns the acceptance of the pro- military operations in the long struggle against
questions our comrades unanimously con- posal of the enemy, that will bring great the enemy. If we do not show aggressiveness
sider that at present, when the enemy is harm. in military operations and continue a passive
subjecting us to furious bombardment, ac- In the first place, accepting a provoca- defense, the enemy will not take into consid-
cepting a provocative and fraudulent pro- tive and fraudulent proposal from the enemy eration our forces, and will continue furious
posal from the enemy, which does not sig- under the influence of its bombardment will bombardment for the purpose of putting mili-
nify in fact any kind of concession, is highly place us in a disadvantageous position in tary pressure on us.
disadvantageous for us. political and military relations. We therefore propose to implement the
We will look at the positive and negative The enemy will surely use this weak- following urgent measures:
sides of this question: ness of ours for further pressure on us, which 1. It is necessary to strengthen anti-
Rejecting the proposal of the enemy will will lead to new provocations from the side aircraft artillery, by at least 10 regiments. It
bring only one harmful consequence—fur- of the enemy. Then, being in a disadvanta- is necessary to strengthen PVO [Anti-air-
ther losses for the Korean people and Chi- geous position, upon putting pressure on the craft Defense] of the city of Pyongyang and
nese people’s volunteers. However, once enemy we possibly will suffer even greater all important industrial sites, for example:
the war began, China began to help Korea, failures and the aforementioned positive sides Shuifens-kaya, Chandzinganskaya, and
the Korean people already honestly stood on will lose their significance. This will signify Puchenganskaya electrical stations.
the front line of defense of the camp of peace an unsuccessful course, because of which the 2. It is necessary to make the air battles
of the whole world. whole game will be lost. of our VVS [Air Force] more active:
At the cost of the sacrifices of the Ko- Therefore to accept the proposals of the a) To improve the command of the VVS
so that it correctly directs the air battles on forthcoming session of the General Assem- 110. 17 September 1952, hand-delivered
Korean territory. bly of the UN. Regarding the question of letter, Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
b) The diameter of operations of avia- prisoners of war Mexico has advanced a
tion units must not be limited only to the proposal consisting of 3 points, which are: FOR Comrade MAO ZEDONG
present line along the Yalu river. At the first, both sides immediately conduct an ex- We agree with you that the proposal of
least, it is necessary to extend it to the border change of prisoners who have expressed the the Mexicans is unacceptable, since it re-
of Pyongyang and to strengthen by all mea- wish to return to their homeland; second, the flects the position of the USA in the negotia-
sures the PVO of the capital and important remaining POWs will be transferred to the tions in Korea. As is obvious, the USA, not
industrial sites. temporary protection of UN member states having achieved successes in negotiations in
c) It is necessary to send already trained and be subject to repatriation according to an Korea, intends now to receive approval of
air force bomber units on night actions deep agreement which will be concluded; third, their position in the UN and to make those
in enemy [territory], to boldly carry out air after a normal situation is established in Ko- same demands in the name of the UN. The
battles, subjecting to bombardment a num- rea, to guarantee that these POWs can return Mexicans are the agents of the USA.
ber of airports, warehouses, barracks and to their homeland and to provide them with If the Mexicans advance their proposal
other military installations of the enemy. the possibility for this. Until the restoration in the UN, the delegation of the USSR will
3. In infantry operations it is necessary of a normal situation in Korea, if the POWs reject this proposal as not corresponding to
to make local attacks on several parts of the ask to return to their homeland, then the the interests of cessation of the war in Korea,
front in order to put military pressure on the corresponding government also must take and will try to attain the following :
enemy. measures and present to them all possibilities “1. Immediate cessation of military op-
I ask you to review the opinions indi- for repatriation. erations of the [warring] sides on land, sea
cated above and to make a decision about Apparently, the proposal to discuss the and air.
rendering us assistance. Korean question in the General Assembly of 2. Return of all POWs to their homeland
With highest respect toward you. KIM the UN was advanced at the initiative of according to international norms.
IL SUNG. 21:00 16 July 1952.” England. The proposal of Mexico arose at the 3. Withdrawal from Korea of foreign
MAO ZEDONG initiative of the USA. The latter have already troops, including also the Chinese volunteer
No. 2084 expressed the wish to discuss this question in units, in the course of 2-3 months and a
18.7.52" the UN General Assembly. peaceful settlement of the Korean question
We intend to express opposition to such in the spirit of the unification of Korea,
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 343, a variant. carried out by the Koreans themselves under
Listy 72-75 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis I ask you to consult with comrade the observation of a commission with the
5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 90-93] FILIPPOV about what our position should be participation of the sides directly interested
on this question. as well as other states, including states which
[Ed. note: The next two documents coincide 2. India and Burma have made indica- have not taken part in the war in Korea.”
with a visit to Moscow by Chinese Foreign tions that they would like to sign a non- As concerns the proposal about tempo-
Minister Zhou Enlai in August-September aggression pact with us, and also hope that rarily withholding 20% of POWs from both
1952; the transcripts of three of Zhou’s con- you will visit these countries. The essence is sides and returning all remaining POWs, the
versations with Stalin during this visit are that [Indian leader Jawaharlal] Nehru would proposal of the Soviet delegation will not
printed elsewhere in this issue of the Bulle- like to visit China, with a view, however, that touch on this and it will be left with you in
tin.] you will go to India on a return visit. We reserve.
received this information from our ambassa- On the question of the conclusion of a
109. 16 September 1952, hand-delivered dor in Burma Iao Chzhun-min. non-aggression pact with India and Burma
note, Zhou Enlai to Stalin conveying tele- I suggest that it is highly possible that we completely share your point of view.
gram from Mao to Zhou India and Burma will advance these ques- FILIPPOV [Stalin]
tions for an exchange of opinion. If India and 17 September 1952
To Comrade STALIN, I.V. Burma make these proposals officially, then Stalin’s handwritten draft is attached.
I send you a Russian translation of a it would be inconvenient for us to refuse.
telegram I received from comrade Mao I ask also that you consult with Comrade [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 343,
Zedong. FILIPPOV about whether it is advisable for Listy 97-103 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
I ask you to familiarize yourself with it China to conclude such pacts with India and 5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, List 99]
and indicate a time of meeting convenient Burma.
for you for receipt of your personal orders. Mao Zedong. 111. 27 December 1952, Semenov (Stalin)
With communist greetings. 15 September 1952 to Mao Zedong
Zhou Enlai.
16 September 1952. [Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 343, BEIJING
Comrade ZHOU ENLAI. Listy 94-96 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, To the Main Military Adviser
1. According to our information, the Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 96-98] for Comrade MAO ZEDONG
Korean question will be discussed at the Comrade Mao Zedong!
We have received your telegram of 17 Listy 115-116] of the war in Korea. In the eyes of honest
December. people of the whole world, the actions of the
Your observations regarding the prob- 112. 19 March 1953, resolution, USSR aggressive Anglo-American bloc in Korea
ability of an attack by the Americans in the Council of Ministers with draft letters more and more expose that bloc, and espe-
spring of 1953 reflect the plans of the present from Soviet Government to Mao Zedong cially the aggressive forces of the USA, as an
American command in Korea, who are oper- and Kim Il Sung and directive to Soviet international factor that is pursuing a policy
ating under the leadership of the Truman delegation at United Nations of preparing a new war and is ready to shift
government. It is fully possible that these to a policy of broadening the war solely in
plans will be changed by the Eisenhower COUNCIL OF MINISTERS USSR order to dictate to people their aggressive
government in the direction of less tension RESOLUTION imperialistic will, which expresses an aspira-
on the front in Korea. Nevertheless, you are Of 19 March 1953 No. 858-372cc. tion for world domination, for the subjuga-
acting correctly when you count on the worst Moscow, Kremlin tion of peoples to their imperialistic aims.
and proceed from the probability of an attack The Soviet Government considers that
by the Americans. Question of MID we should regard all these important circum-
We have reviewed your application for stances of the international order in the same
military goods for 1953 and the application The Council of Ministers of the USSR way that we have regarded them until now.
for urgently needed military goods. RESOLVES: This does not mean, however, that in present
The quantity of arms, ammunition and 1. To confirm the attached draft letters conditions we must simply mechanically con-
other military goods which you requested of the Government of the USSR to Comrades tinue the line followed until now in the ques-
oversteps the limits of our possibilities in Mao Zedong and Kim Il Sung (Attachment tion of the war in Korea and not attempt to
1953. Our calculations are based on the fact No. 1). display initiative or to use an initiative of the
that we must deliver to you in 1953 arms, To transmit the present letter to Com- opposing side and to secure the withdrawal
ammunition and other goods for 20 infantry rade Mao Zedong through Comrade Zhou of Korea and China from the war in accor-
divisions, this means that we must deliver for Enlai and Comrade Kuznetsov V.V., and dance with the fundamental interests of the
each of 20 divisions around 800,000 [units [the letter] to Comrade Kim Il Sung through Chinese and Korean peoples and also in
of] ammunition, 1320 artillery pieces of vari- Comrade Malik, who will immediately be accordance with the interests of all other
ous types and other goods. sent to Pyongyang. peaceloving peoples.
Taking into account the situation you 2. To confirm the directive to the Soviet In connection with all the abovestated
speak of in your telegram, with great diffi- delegation in the General Assembly (Attach- and taking into account the concrete facts of
culty we can deliver to you in 1953, besides ment No. 2). late regarding the war in Korea, we consider
the arms and ammunition for 20 divisions Representative of the Council of Minis- it urgently necessary to carry out a number of
[already] earmarked, with equal shipments ters of the USSR G. Malenkov measures, in particular:
until the end of the year, approximately one- 1. It is necessary that Kim Il Sung and
fourth of the quantity you stated in your Business Manager of the Council of Peng Dehuai give a positive answer to the
telegram of 17 December, specifically: Ministers of the USSR M. Pomaznev appeal of General [Mark W.] Clark on Feb-
600,000 pieces of ammunition, 332 pieces of ruary 22 on the question of an exchange of
artillery of various types, tractor artillery, Attachment No. 1 sick and wounded prisoners of war.
detonating fuses and other goods; the amounts 2. Immediately after the publication of
of the deliveries of each will be determined The Soviet Government has thoroughly the answer of Kim Il Sung and Peng Dehuai,
by our War Ministry. reviewed the question of the war in Korea an authoritative representative of the gov-
Thus, with a calculation of the arms and under present conditions and with regard to ernment of the PRC (best of all would be
ammunition being delivered for 20 infantry the entire course of events of the preceding Zhou Enlai) should make a statement in
divisions in 1953, there will be shipped to period. As a result of this, the Soviet Govern- Beijing in which is underscored a positive
you: 1400 pieces of ammunition, as opposed ment has reached the conclusion that it would attitude toward the proposal on an exchange
to the 1,125,000 delivered in 1952, 1652 be incorrect to continue the line on this of sick and wounded prisoners of war, and
pieces of artillery of various types, as op- question which has been followed until now, also to indicate that the time has arrived to
posed to 1056 guns delivered in 1952. without making those alterations in that line resolve the entire question of prisoners and,
As regards the applications for materi- which correspond to the present political consequently, to secure the cessation of the
als for military production mentioned in your situation and which ensue from the deepest war in Korea and the conclusion of an armi-
telegram, transmitted to us by Minister of interests of our peoples, the peoples of the stice.
Foreign Trade Comrade E Tszi USSR, China and Korea, who are interested 3. Simultaneously with the aforemen-
Chzhuanom—this application is now being in a firm peace throughout the world and tioned statement in Beijing, the head of the
studied by our Ministry of Foreign Trade. have always sought an acceptable path to- government of the DPRK, Kim Il Sung,
SEMENOV [Stalin]. ward the soonest possible conclusion of the should make a statement in Pyongyang which
27 December 1952. war in Korea. declares full support for and the justice of the
It is not necessary to dwell in detail on aforementioned statement of the government
[Source: APRF, Fond 45, Opis 1, Delo 343, all that the aggressor has done in the course of the PRC.
4. We consider it also advisable that of securing a positive resolution of the indi- effect twelve (12) hours after the agreement
immediately after the aforementioned state- cated question, but also in securing a positive on armistice is signed, and guarantee the
ments in Beijing and Pyongyang, the Minis- resolution of the entire question of prisoners fulfillment of this order.”
ter of Foreign Affairs of the USSR make a of war, and consequently, to remove the There was also agreement on the fol-
statement in Moscow with corresponding obstacles to the achievement of an agreement lowing important conditions for the armi-
full support for the Beijing and Pyongyang on the cessation of military action and the stice:
statements. conclusion of an armistice. Article 109 of the 1) About the determination of a military
5. In accordance with the four measures Geneva Convention should be used for this, demarcation line, which must run along the
enumerated above, the Soviet delegation to especially the second paragraph of this ar- line contiguous to [the position of] the troops
the General Assembly of the UN in New ticle, which stipulates the conclusion of “an of the warring sides on the day the armistice
York should do everything possible to sup- agreement on repatriation or internment in a goes into effect, in other words along the line
port and move forward the new political line neutral country of healthy prisoners of war of the front, from which “troops of both sides
which is laid out above. who have spent a long time in captivity.” will withdraw for two kilometers in order to
We consider it necessary to give the In the negotiations propose that all pris- form a demilitarized zone...” (point 1 of the
following elucidation of the abovestated: oners of war who insist on repatriation be draft agreement on armistice).
First. About the answer to General Clark. repatriated immediately, but the remaining 2) About the establishment of a Military
We consider that the response letter of Kim prisoners be handed over to a neutral country Commission on the armistice composed of
Il Sung and Peng Dehuai to General Clark in order to secure a fair resolution of the 10 senior officers, from whom five will be
should express full agreement with Clark’s question of their repatriation. named by the Commander in Chief of the
proposal to conduct an exchange of sick and With regard to these prisoners add that a armed forces of the UN and five by the
wounded prisoners of war, with an indica- classification according to nationality and Command of the Korean People’s Army and
tion that they have in mind a positive resolu- place of residence be made, as was proposed the Command of the Chinese volunteers
tion of this question in accordance with in the letter from Kim Il Sung and Peng (point 19). The Commission must monitor
article 109 of the Geneva Convention. Dehuai to General Clark on October 16, 1952 the observance of the armistice agreement,
In the answer to Clark indicate that the (this is also in accordance with the Indian including monitoring the work of the Com-
question of the exchange of sick and wounded draft on Korea). mittee on repatriation of prisoners of war and
prisoners has the greatest significance for a After the classification, prisoners of war regulate through negotiations possible viola-
successful resolution of the entire question immediately receive the right to return to tions of the armistice agreement (pp. 24 and
of prisoners of war, and consequently, for a their homeland, which will be facilitated by 25).
successful resolution of the question of the the assistance of all interested sides. 3) About the creation of a Commission
cessation of the war and the conclusion of an Second. About the statement in Beijing. of neutral states to supervise the armistice,
armistice. In view of this, propose to resume In this statement it would be advisable to say composed of representatives from Sweden
the negotiations in Panmunjom between the that the government of the PRC has discussed and Switzerland named by the Commander
main representatives of both sides to nego- the question raised by General Clark with the in Chief of the UN Military Forces and
tiations for an armistice. government of the DPRK and both the gov- representatives of Poland and Czechoslova-
Propose that the date of the negotiations ernment of the PRC and the government of kia named by the Supreme Commander of
be established by the officers connected the DPRK have reached the same conclusion the Korean People’s Army and the Com-
with both sides. about the necessity to give their representa- mander of the Chinese Volunteers. (pp. 36
In the course of the negotiations on the tives in Panmunjom an order to enter into and 37)
exchange of sick and wounded prisoners, in negotiations with General Clark on the ques- The Commission may create inspection
accordance with article 109 of the Geneva tion of the exchange of sick and wounded groups composed of representatives of those
Convention, which stipulates that “not a prisoners of war, having in mind the achieve- states. (p. 40).
single wounded and sick prisoner of war can ment of a positive resolution of this question The Commission of neutral states must
be repatriated against his wishes during mili- in accordance with article 109 of the Geneva supervise the implementation of the agree-
tary action,” add the receipt of a guarantee Convention of 1949, and also a positive reso- ment on the armistice and fulfill the func-
from the American side that in relation to lution of the question of prisoners of war as a tions of control (p. 41).
prisoners of war, under no circumstances whole. In the statement indicate that in the Inspection groups of neutral states will
will forcible measures be applied to prevent course of the negotiations between both sides disembark at the ports of Synyidzhu,
their return to their homeland. in Kaesong and Panmunjom, agreement was Chongchin, Khungnam, Manpo and
Propose also to establish a commission reached on all questions except the question Sinandzhu (North Korea), Inchon, Taegu,
of representatives of Poland, Czechoslova- of prisoners of war. Pusan, Kanchung and Kunsan (South Ko-
kia, Sweden and Switzerland to render assis- Thus, agreement was reached that com- rea).
tance in returning sick and wounded prison- manders of military forces of both sides “give Moreover, the sides reached agreement
ers to their homeland. an order for the full cessation of any type of that the commanders of both sides must
In the negotiations on the exchange of military action in Korea by all troops under “recommend to the governments of inter-
sick and wounded prisoners of war, proceed their command, including all units and per- ested countries of both sides that a political
from that fact that the task consists not only sonnel of land, sea and air forces, going into conference of all sides at the highest level be
convened within three months of the signing Pyongyang. We see the point of the Moscow negotiations between the warring sides were
and implementation of the armistice...for the statement to be underscoring before the whole begun in Kaesong in June 1951 for a ceasefire
resolution by means of negotiations of ques- world the full solidarity and concordance of and armistice in Korea. These negotiations
tions regarding the withdrawal from Korea action between the USSR, PRC and DPRK led to agreement on all questions except the
of all foreign troops, the peaceful resolution on the question of the war in Korea. question of repatriation of prisoners of war.
of the Korean question etc.” (point 60). Fifth. On the Soviet delegation in the The Soviet Union continues to consider the
A significant portion of the articles of General Assembly of the UN in New York. position taken in this question by the Chinese
the draft agreement concerning prisoners of The Soviet delegation in the General Assem- People’s Republic and the Korean People’s
war was also agreed to, with the exception of bly must act in accordance with the entire Democratic Republic to be just and fully in
the question of repatriation of prisoners. The abovedescribed political plan with regard to accordance with the principles of interna-
government of the PRC (Government of the the war in Korea. In this connection it is tional law and international practice, and
DPRK), following its policy of preserving necessary that as soon as the Polish draft also the positions of the Geneva Convention
and strengthening peace, striving for a peace- resolution “On Averting the Threat of a New of 1949. The Soviet Union fully supports
ful resolution of the Korean question and World War” comes up for discussion, the this position.
applying all its efforts to the immediate ces- Soviet delegation would secure the introduc- The question of the exchange of prison-
sation of the war, proposes to resolve also the tion of the corresponding alterations to this ers of war is the single unresolved question in
question of prisoners of war as a whole. The draft in the part concerning Korea and also the negotiations between the warring sides in
government of the PRC (Government of the the necessary statements by the Soviet del- Korea. The governments of the PRC and
DPRK) on its side is prepared to adopt mea- egation and the delegations of Poland and DPRK have declared their readiness to adopt
sures to eliminate the disagreements on this Czechoslovakia. measures from their sides toward the settle-
question, which is at present the only ob- Sixth. Additional notes. It goes without ment of this question, in order to remove the
stacle to the conclusion of an agreement on saying that at the present time we cannot last obstacle to a ceasefire in Korea and the
ceasefire and armistice. Toward this goal, foresee all steps and measures which the conclusion of an armistice.
the Government of the PRC (DPRK) pro- governments of the USSR, PRC and DPRK The Soviet Union welcomes the noble
poses that all prisoners of war who insist on will need to make. However, if there is full initiative of the Chinese People’s Republic
repatriation be immediately repatriated and agreement between our governments in the and the Korean People’s Democratic Repub-
the remaining prisoners be handed over to a conduct of a general line on this question, for lic on this question. The Soviet Union fer-
neutral country to secure a just resolution of which we fully hope, then the remaining vently supports the proposal on resumption
the question of their repatriation. points can be agreed upon in the course of the of negotiations in Korea with the goal of
The Beijing statement must also say the affair. achieving an agreement on exchange of sick
following: and wounded prisoners of war, and also on
Our new step, which is directed at the DIRECTIVES FOR THE settlement of the entire question of prisoners
conclusion of the war in Korea, should also SOVIET DELEGATION IN THE of war, and consequently, also the question
serve as an example for a positive resolution GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UN. of cessation of the war in Korea and conclu-
of a number of other important and urgent sion of an armistice.
international questions, first of all the resto- 1. To commission the delegation of the Commission the Soviet delegation in
ration of the rights of China and Korea in the USSR in the General Assembly (Comrade the General Assembly to reach an agreement
UN. Vyshinsky), upon the presentation for dis- with the Polish delegation about introducing
Third. On the statement in Pyongyang. cussion of the resolution of the Polish del- into the draft Polish resolution on the ques-
We suggest that in this statement Comrade egation, the part concerning Korea, to make tion of averting the threat of a new world war
Kim Il Sung should indicate that the afore- a statement with firm support for the last the following alterations in the part concern-
mentioned statement of the representative of proposals and statements of the PRC and ing the Korean question: in place of the old
the PRC was worked out jointly by the gov- DPRK. text of p. “b)” (about returning all prisoners
ernments of the PRC and DPRK and that the Having set forth the position of the So- of war to their homeland) to include the
Government of the DPRK fully shares both viet Union in the question of exchange of following text: “b) immediate resumption of
the evaluation of the political situation con- prisoners of war as a position which fully negotiations on an armistice between the
tained in the Beijing statement and the con- corresponds to generally acknowledged prin- sides, having in mind that at the same time
crete conclusions and proposals contained in ciples of international law and the positions the sides will apply all efforts to achieve an
it. In connection with this, underscore not of the Geneva Convention of 1949, which agreement on the question of exchange of
only the full support for, but also the justice demands repatriation of all prisoners of war, sick and wounded prisoners of war as well as
of, the statement of the representative of the the representative of the USSR must point on the entire question of prisoners of war and
PRC. out the following. The Soviet Union has will thus apply all efforts to remove the
Fourth. About the statement in Mos- repeatedly proposed and is proposing to rec- obstacles that are hindering the conclusion of
cow. We consider expedient a statement by ommend to the warring sides in Korea that the war in Korea.”
the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Moscow, they immediately and fully cease military
which should be made immediately after the operations on land, sea and in the air. [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 830,
aforementioned statements in Beijing and At the initiative of the Soviet Union, Listy 60-71 and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
5a, Delo 4, Papka 11, Listy 54-65] 29.III.53 Kuznetsov, Fedorenko American monopolists amassed colossal
SPRAVKA [Report]: No. 359 (bkh. #8265) profits in military orders and deliveries, but
113. 29 March 1953, ciphered telegram 29.III.53 with the end of the negotiations for an armi-
from Kuznetsov and Fedorenko in Comrades Kuznetsov, Razuvaev and stice, and also as a result of the strengthening
Pyongyang [from notes taken at AVPRF; Fedorenko have reported that on March 29 of the movement to end the war in Korea,
photocopy not available] they were received by Kim Il Sung in the their profits began to fall sharply.
presence of General Nam Il, that Kim Il Sung Having returned to the military side of
CIPHERED TELEGRAM was given the document which arrived from the matter, Mao noted that from a purely
From PYONGYANG Moscow and that they agreed to meet again military point of view it would not be bad to
Top Priority after Kim Il Sung has familiarized himself in continue to strike the Americans for approxi-
Special File detail with the document. mately another year in order to occupy more
In response to your communication No. No. 242 (iskh. No. 6277) 24.III.53 favorable borders along the Changan river.
359. Molotov gave an order to transmit to Kim Il Further movement to the south would risk
During the second meeting on March Sung that Moscow advises that the decision stretching out the flanks in the west and east
29, Kim Il Sung again declared that he fully of the question of naming Nam Il as Minister shore of Korea. In this case the danger of
agrees with the proposal of the Soviet gov- of Foreign Affairs be postponed until Malik’s landings in the rear of the Chinese-Korean
ernment on the Korean question and consid- arrival and that it would be good at the present troops would grow significantly.
ers that this proposal must be implemented moment to be limited to the naming of a Touching on further steps after the sign-
as soon as possible. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, who ing of an armistice, Mao Zedong said that the
Kim Il Sung further underscored that would meanwhile serve as minister.” government of the PRC has a number of
the time has come to show initiative from questions about which it would like to con-
our side on the question of the conclusion of [Source: AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, Delo sult with the government of the USSR. By
the war in Korea and achievement of peace. 5, Papka 11, Listy 120-122] approximately 10 August, we will prepare a
It is necessary, Kim said, either actively to proposed plan of measures about which it is
carry out military operations or to end the 114. 29 July 1953, ciphered telegram, necessary to consult with the Soviet govern-
war; a further dragging out of the existing Kuznetsov to Soviet Foreign Ministry re ment.
situation is not in the interests of the DPRK meeting with Mao Zedong Zhou Enlai was present at the meeting.
and PRC, or of the entire democratic camp. KUZNETSOV
In connection with this, Kim pointed out that CIPHERED TELEGRAM
the losses on the Korean side at the front and From BEIJING From Kuznetsov [Source: APRF, Fond 3, Opis 65, Delo 830,
in the rear (daily nearly 300-400 persons) To MID USSR URGENT Listy 187-189; and AVPRF, Fond 059a, Opis
are very significant and it is hardly advisable Copies: Malenkov, Molotov, Voroshilov, 5a, Delo 5, Papka 11, Listy 156-158]
to conduct further discussion with the Ameri- Khrushchev, Bulganin, Kaganovich,
cans regarding repatriation of a disputed Mikoyan, Saburov, Pervukhin, Vyshinsky, 115. 20 April 1956, ciphered telegram,
number of prisoners of war. In the present Gromyko, Zorin, Podtserob excerpt from cable from Soviet Ambassa-
conditions, Kim said, the proposal of the [reporting a meeting of July 28] dor to the PRC P. Yudin re meeting with
Soviet government is the most advisable and After listening to the greetings of the CC Mao Zedong
correct. CPSU, Mao asked me extend deep gratitude
Kim Il Sung is taking measures to pre- to the CC CPSU in the name of the CC CCP. CIPHERED TELEGRAM
pare for the anticipated negotiations: the Mao noted that the enemy was forced to reach Strictly Secret
number of sick and wounded prisoners in the an armistice not only by force of military From BEIJING
DPRK is being determined, materials for the reasons but also by force of political and 31 March I visited Comrade Mao
negotiations in Panmunjom are being pre- economic reasons. In military matters the Zedong.
pared, a statement from Pyongyang is being last year has shown that the enemy is not only ...The important moments that apparently
prepared, etc. not in a condition to advance on land but is somewhat strengthened Stalin’s trust in the
Following your instructions (Your Com- also not able firmly to hold and defend the CCP were your (my) information about the
munication #242) we agreed with Kim Il line of the front. The Chinese troops had trip to China and the Korean war—the per-
Sung that the representative at the negotia- begun not only to conduct a positional war formance of the Chinese People’s Volun-
tions (if they resume) will be Nam Il, as but also to break through the front. teers, although in this question, said Mao
before. In connection with this, the publica- Among the political causes that forced Zedong, we were not sufficiently consulted.
tion of a decree of the Presidium of the the enemy to conclude an armistice, Mao On the Korean question, when I (Mao
Supreme People’s Assembly about naming noted the military contradictions in the camp Zedong) was in Moscow [in December 1949-
Nam Il Minister of Foreign Affairs will be of the imperialists and the significant activa- January 1950] we came to an understanding
delayed. The post of Minister of Foreign tion of world social opinion, which is speak- about everything, the issue was not about the
Affairs of the DPRK is temporarily being ing out against the war in Korea. seizure of South Korea, but about the signifi-
held by Li Don Gen. Kim Il Sung will Concerning economic causes, Mao stated cant strengthening of North Korea. But
inform the Chinese friends about this. that in the first two years of the war the subsequently Kim Il Sung was in Moscow,
where some kind of agreement was reached, Gao Gang, Head of the Northeast Bureau of in Seoul, 1940-46, became deputy to Politi-
about which no one considered it necessary the Chinese Communist Party cal Adviser in North Korea
to consult with us beforehand. It should be Gromyko, A.A., First Deputy Minister of Shtemenko, S.M., Chief of the General Staff
noted, said Mao Zedong, that there was a Foreign Affairs, USSR of the Soviet Armed Forces
serious miscalculation in the Korean war Jiang Jieshi, (Chiang Kai-shek in Wade- Shtykov, T.F., Soviet Ambassador to the
about the supposed impossibility of inter- Giles spelling) leader of Chinese Nationalist DPRK until December 1950
vention of international forces on the side of Party who established a rival government in Tsarapkin, S.K., Member of Soviet delega-
South Korea... Taiwan in after being driven out of mainland tion to United Nations, had served as Minis-
P. YUDIN China by the PLA in 1949 ter Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ko-
Kaganovich, L.M., Deputy Premier of USSR rea 1946-48
[Source: APRF, List 157, Fond, Opis and Kim Ch’aek, Deputy Commander of Korean Vasiliev, Major General, Head of Soviet
Delo not given] People’s Army Military Advisory Group in DPRK
Kim Tu-bong, Chairman of the Central Com- Vasilevsky, A.M., Minister of War, USSR
INDEX OF ABBREVIATIONS mittee of the Korean Workers’ Party Vyshinsky, A.Ia., Minister of Foreign Af-
Li Kenong, Director of Military Intelligence fairs, USSR
APRF Archive of the President, Russian and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Af- Wu, General Xiu-quan, Head of special del-
Federation fairs, PRC, head of Chinese delegation at egation to the United Nations from the
AVPRF Archive of Foreign Policy, Russian armistice negotiations People’s Republic of China in December
Federation Liu Yalou, Commander of the Air Force, 1950
CC Central Committee (of a communist PRC Xiao, Jinguang, Commander of the Navy of
party) Malenkov, G.M., Deputy Chairman of the the People’s Republic of China
CCP Chinese Communist Party Council of Ministers, USSR Xie, Fang, Chief of Staff, Chinese People’s
CPV Chinese People’s Volunteers (the Malik, Ia., Soviet Ambassador to the United Volunteers
designation given PLA units sent to fight in Nations Zakharov, General Matvei Vasilievich,
Korea) Mao Zedong, (Mao Tse-tung in Wade-Giles Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the
DPRK Democratic People’s Republic of spelling), supreme leader of Chinese Com- Soviet Armed Forces, Head of Special Mili-
Korea (North Korea) munist Party tary Mission to North Korea (pseud. Matveev)
KPA Korean People’s Army (the army Matveev, pseudonym used by M.V. Zakharov Zakharov, Semen Egorovich, Corps Com-
of North Korea) Mikoyan, A.I., Minister of Foreign Trade, missar sent to Beijing during Korean War as
MID Ministerstvo Inostrannykh Del USSR Stalin’s personal military envoy
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Molotov, V.M., replaced as Minister of For- Zhou Enlai, Foreign Minister of People’s
PLA People’s Liberation Army (Army eign Affairs 1949, remained deputy chair- Republic of China
of the PRC) man of Council of Ministers, USSR, until
PRC People’s Republic of China restored to Foreign Minister’s post follow-
VKP(b) All-Union Communist Party ing Stalin’s death in March 1953
(bolshevik) Nie Rongzhen, Acting Chief of General Staff
VVS Voennye Vozdushnye Sily Air of People’s Liberation Army Kathryn Weathersby, Assistant Profes-
Force Pak Hon-Yong, Foreign Minister of Korean sor of History, Florida State University
People’s Democratic Republic (Tallahassee), is working on a book on
INDEX OF NAMES Pak Il U, Minister of Internal Affairs, DPRK, the Soviet Union and the Korean War.
named by Mao Zedong as deputy com- She contributed articles on new Russian
Beria, L.A., Minister of State Security, USSR mander and deputy political commissar of
archival evidence on the Korean War to
Belov, General M. Chief of Staff for Soviet Chinese People’s Volunteers
Peng Dehuai, Commander of Chinese CWIHP Bulletins 3 (Fall 1993) and 5
First Air Army, Commander of 64th Fighter
People’s Volunteers in Korea (Spring 1995) and authored CWIHP
Air Corps
Bulganin, N.A., Deputy Chairman of Coun- Qiao Guanhua, Director of the Press Bureau, Working Paper No. 8 on “Soviet Aims in
cil of Ministers, USSR PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, member of Korea and the Origins of the Korean
Deng Hua, Commander of the 13th Army Chinese delegation at armistice negotiations War, 1945-1950: New Evidence from
Corps of the People’s Liberation Army, in Razuvaev, V.N., USSR Ambassador to Russian Archives.”
June 1951 became Acting CPV Commander DPRK following Shtykov’s dismissal in De-
and Political Commissar cember 1950
Fedorenko, N.T., diplomat and interpreter at Ridgway, Gen. Matthew, April 1951 ap-
the Soviet embassy in Beijing pointed Commander of U.S. Eighth Army in
Filippov, pseudonym used by Stalin for ci- Korea
phered telegrams Roshchin, N.V., Soviet Ambassador to the
Fyn Si, pseudonym used by Stalin for ci- People’s Republic of China
phered telegrams Shabshin, A.I., former Soviet Vice-Consul
CHINA’S ROAD the party’s foreign behavior, and the lever- While it is apparent that these sources have
continued from page 41 age of historical-cultural factors (such as the created new opportunities for fresh studies,
Chinese emphasis of the moral aspect of it is also clear that they were released on a
The reexamination of the Korean case China’s external relations, Chinese ethno- selective basis and, sometimes, for purposes
led me into a broader question concerning centrism, and Chinese universalism) upon other than a desire to have the truth known.
the proper understanding not only of Com- Mao and the CCP leadership. Only with a Indeed, unless scholars, both Chinese and
munist China’s foreign policy but also, prob- better understanding of the logic and dy- non-Chinese, are offered free and equal ac-
ably, that of any sovereign country: is it namics of the CCP’s outlook is it possible to cess to the original historical documenta-
appropriate to comprehend the foreign policy reconstruct the interactions that led China tion, there is always the possibility that a
behavior of a country, especially one that and the United States into a major confron- study might be misled by its incomplete
had historically viewed itself as the “Middle tation in Korea.6 databases. Fully aware of this danger, I have
Kingdom,” as totally reactive and without My three-part study begins with an made every effort to doublecheck my cita-
its own consistent inner logic? The assump- analysis of Communist China as an emerg- tions as much as possible (such as checking
tions underlying most of the existing schol- ing revolutionary power. Focusing on the documents with information from interviews,
arship on China’s entrance into the Korean pre-1949 period, I first discuss the domestic and vice versa, and comparing Chinese ma-
War, though seemingly critical of sources of the CCP’s foreign policy, the terials with non-Chinese ones). Wherever
Washington’s management of the Korean party leadership’s perception of the outside necessary, I pointed out what I consider to be
crisis, emerge ironically as American-cen- world and China’s position in it, and Mao’s dubious sources in the notes.
tered in a methodological sense. Lacking a central role in the CCP’s policy-making My study was also based on my four
real understanding of the logic, dynamics, structure. The second part explains how the research trips to China respectively in 1987,
goals, and means of Communist China’s conflict between the CCP and the United 1991, 1992, and 1993. During these trips I
foreign policy, they treat Beijing’s manage- States escalated and the strategic coopera- established and updated my research data-
ment of the Korean crisis simply as a passive tion between Beijing and Moscow devel- bases, and interviewed those who were in-
reaction to the policy of the United States. oped in 1949 and the first half of 1950: On volved in Beijing’s policy-making during
They thus imply that American policy is the the eve of the Korean War, Beijing and the late 1940s and early 1950s, and those
source of all virtues as well as evils in the Washington had perceived each other as a who have access to classified CCP docu-
world—if something went wrong some- dangerous enemy, and the stage for Sino- ments (because of the political sensitivity
where, it must have been the result of a American confrontation had been set. The involved in the issues under discussion, un-
mistake committed by the United States. It third part examines Beijing’s management less authorized by the interviewees, I do not
was time to rethink Beijing’s entrance into of the Korean crisis from late June to mid- identify their names, but I restrict myself to
the Korean War. October 1950, focusing on how the decision using unidentified interviews only when
My study, China’s Road to the Korean to enter the war was made and how it with- absolutely necessary). I have not been able
War: The Making of the Sino-American Con- stood both internal and external tests. Em- to get close to Beijing’s CCP Central Ar-
frontation (New York: Columbia Univer- phasizing that Beijing’s decision to enter the chives (which, by the way, is located in the
sity Press, 1994), retraces China’s path to war was based on the belief that the outcome city’s remote western suburb). But by a
involvement in the Korean War with insight of the Korean crisis was closely related to combination of effort and good luck, I gained
gained from recently released Chinese ma- the new China’s vital domestic and interna- access to some important classified docu-
terials. It argues that China’s entry into the tional interests, I argue that there was little ments (including correspondences and tele-
Korean War was determined by concerns possibility that China’s entrance into the grams of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and
much more complicated than safeguarding Korean War could have been averted. other CCP leaders, and a few minutes of
the Chinese-Korean border. To compre- A note on the Chinese sources used in CCP leaders’ decision-making conferences)
hend China’s decision to enter the war, one this study is appropriate here. Since the mid- for the 1948-1950 period. To balance the
must first examine the CCP leaders’ percep- 1980s, thanks to China’s reform and open- need to protect my sources with the general
tion of China’s security interests and their ing policies, many fresh and meaningful practice of Western scholarship, I cite them
judgment of to what extent and in which materials concerning China’s entry into the in my book by pointing out their forms
ways such interests had been challenged Korean War have been released, which offer (telegram, correspondence, or minute), dates,
during the Korean crisis. This examination the basis for this study. These new sources and where their originals are maintained (the
requires an extended analysis of a variety of include personal memoirs by those who were Chinese Central Archives or Chinese Mili-
basic factors shaping the CCP leadership’s involved in Beijing’s intervention in Ko- tary Archives). I believe that this is the best
understanding of China’s external relations. rea,7 scholarly articles and monographs by one can do in the current circumstances. It is
Among these factors, the most important Chinese researchers with archival accesses, 8 my hope that China, my motherland, will
ones include CCP leaders’ perception of the official academic publications using classi- follow the internationally accepted practice
outside world and China’s position in it, the fied documents,9 openly or internally pub- of declassifying historical documents on a
nature and goals of the Chinese Communist lished collections of CCP Central legal basis, so that all researchers, including
revolution and their impact on the CCP’s Committee’s and regional bureaus’ docu- myself, will soon be able to get free access to
security strategy and foreign policy, the in- ments,10 and the internally and openly pub- them.
fluence of the CCP’s domestic policies on lished collections of Mao Zedong’s papers.11
1. Except for a few books written by journalists, such 6. In a series of recent studies, scholars in the U.S. have series.
as Isidor F. Stone’s The Hidden History of the Korean begun to use the new Chinese sources. Russell Spurr’s 10. The most useful ones include Zhonggong dangshi
War (New York: Monthly Review Press, 1952), this Enter the Dragon: China’s Undeclared War against the jiaoxue cankao ziliao (Reference Materials for Teach-
approach dominated the study of the origins of the U.S. in Korea (New York: Newmarket, 1988) was the ing CCP History, Beijing: National Defense University
Korean War in the 1950s and part of the 1960s. See, first one in this regard. Allegedly supported by “infor- Press, 1986), vols. 18-19 (1945-1953); Zhonggong
e.g., Robert T. Oliver, Why War Came in Korea (New mation from extensive interviews,” this book appears zhongyang wenjian xuanji (Selected Documents of the
York: Fordham University Press, 1950); Philip E. largely based on hearsay and fiction-style imagination. CCP Central Committee, first edition, Beijing: CCP
Mosley, “Soviet Policy and the War,” Journal of Inter- Harrison Salisbury devotes a whole chapter to China’s Central Academy Press, 1983-1987), 14 vols. Both
national Affairs 6 (Spring 1952), 107-114; Alexander decision to enter the Korean War in his new book, The collections were published for “internal circulation”
L. George, “American Policy Making and the North New Emperors: China in the Era of Mao and Deng only. An open and generally enlarged version of the
Korean Aggression,” World Politics 7:2 (January 1955), (Boston: Little, Brown, 1992), which is based on a few second collection has been published in 1989-1992, but
209-232; and Tang Tsou, America’s Failure in China, interviews and a haphazard reading of secondary Chi- a few important documents are not included.
1941-1950 (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, nese sources. Lacking corroborating documentary 11. Mao Zedong junshi wenxuan (Selected Military
1963), 555-556. In his classic study of the Korean War, sources, this book contains many errors. The studies by Works of Mao Zedong, Beijing: Soldiers’ Press, 1981);
Korea: The Limited War (New York: St. Martin’s Michael Hunt and Thomas Christensen represent the and Jianguo yilai Mao Zedong wengao (Mao Zedong’s
Press, 1964), 18-20, David Rees continued to draw a best efforts to reinterpret China’s entrance into the Manuscripts Since the Founding of the People’s Re-
picture reflecting a well-coordinated Communist plot Korean War with the support of new Chinese sources. public, Beijing: The Central Press of Historical Docu-
to start the war. For summaries of various scholarly Hunt, in “Beijing and the Korean Crisis, June 1950-June ments, 1987, 1989), vol. 1, September 1949-December
interpretations of the origins of the Korean War based 1951,” Political Science Quarterly 107:3 (Fall 1992), 1950, and vol. 2, January 1951-December 1951. Both
on the assumption that the North Korean invasion 453-478, offers enlightening analyses of Beijing’s man- collections are “for internal circulation” only. Also
obeyed Moscow’s grand strategic design, see Denna F. agement of the Korean Crisis and Mao’s direction of the useful are the openly published Mao Zedong junshi
Fleming, The Cold War and Its Origins, 1917-1960, 2 CPV’s first-year operations in Korea. Christensen, in wenji (A Collection of Mao Zedong’s Military Papers,
vols. (Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1961), 2:605; and “Threats, Assurances, and the Last Chance for Peace: 6 vols., Beijing: Military Science Press and the Central
Kim Hak-joon, “Approaches and Perspectives to the The Lessons of Mao’s Korean War Telegrams,” Inter- Press of Historical Documents, 1993), and Pang Xianzhi
Origins of War,” in War Memorial Service-Korea, national Security 17:1 (Summer 1992), 122-154, uses et al., Mao Zedong nianpu, 1893-1949 (A Chronology
comp., The Historical Reillumination of the Korean Beijing’s response to the Korean crisis to challenge the of Mao Zedong, 1893-1949, 3 vols., Beijing: People’s
War (Seoul: Korean War Research Conference Com- traditional view based on deterrence theory. Also of Press and the Central Press of Historical Documents,
mittee, 1990), 1-9. For general historiographical dis- note is Sergei N. Goncharov, John W. Lewis, and Xue 1993).
cussions of the origins of the Korean War, see John Litai, Uncertain Partners: Stalin, Mao, and the Korean
Merrill, Korea: The Peninsula Origins of the War War (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1993), which
(Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1989), chap. offers interesting, though sometimes highly specula- Chen Jian is Associate Professor of History at
1; Philip West, “Interpreting the Korean War,” Ameri- tive, interpretations of the Sino-Soviet alliance and its
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. This
can Historical Review 94:1 (February 1989), 80-96; relation to the origins of the Korean War.
Rosemary Foot, “Make the Unknown War Known: 7. The most important ones include Chai Chengwen and article is adapted from the introduction to his
Policy Analysis of the Korean Conflict in the Last Zhao Yongjun, Banmendian tanpan (The Panmunjom China’s Road to the Korean War; The Making of
Decade,” Diplomatic History 15:3 (Summer 1991), Negotiations, Beijing: People’s Liberation Army Press, the Sino-American Confrontation (New York:
411-431. 1989; second edition, 1992); Du Ping, Zai zhiyuanjun Columbia University Press, 1994).
2. Truman’s statement, 27 June 1950, Foreign Rela- zongbu: Du Ping huiyilu (My Days at the Headquarters
tions of the United States 1950, vol. 7 (Washington, of the Chinese People’s Volunteers: Du Ping’s Mem-
DC: Government Printing Office), pp. 202-203. oirs, Beijing: People’s Liberation Army Press, 1988); WILSON CENTER ASIA PROGRAM
3. Allen S. Whiting, China Crosses the Yalu: The Hong Xuezhi, Kangmei yuanchao zhanzheng huiyi (Rec- BOOK ON CCP FOREIGN RELATIONS
Decision to Enter the Korean War (New York: ollections of the War to Resist America and Assist
Macmillan, 1960). Korea, Beijing: People’s Liberation Army Literature
The Asia Program of the Woodrow Wilson
4. These interpretations are evident in Robert R. Press, 1990); Nie Rongzhen, Nie Rongzhen huiyilu (Nie International Center for Scholars has published a
Simmons, The Strained Alliance: Peking, Pyongyang, Rongzhen’s Memoirs, Beijing: People’s Liberation compilation of articles on CCP foreign relations,
Moscow and the Politics of the Korean Civil War (New Army Press, 1986); and Shi Zhe, Zai lishi jüren shenbian: revised versions of papers originally prepared for
York: The Free Press, 1975); Melvin Gurtov and Shi Zhe huiyilu (Together with Historical Giants: Shi a 7-9 July 1992 international academic confer-
Byong-Moo Hwang, China Under Threat: The Poli- Zhe’s Memoirs, Beijing: The Central Press of Historical ence at the Wilson Center. Toward a History of
tics of Strategy and Diplomacy (Baltimore: Johns Documents, 1991). Chinese Communist Foreign Relations, 1920s-
Hopkins University Press, 1980), 25-62; Peter Lowe, 8. For example, Qi Dexue, Chaoxian zhanzheng juece 1960s: Personalities and Interpretive Approaches,
The Origins of the Korean War (London and New neimu (The Inside Story of the Decision-making during
York: Longman, 1986), ix, 189-201; Ronald Keith, the Korean War, Liaoning: Liaoning University Press,
edited by Michael H. Hunt and Niu Jun, contains:
The Diplomacy of Zhou Enlai (New York: St. Martin’s, 1991); Xu Yan, Diyici jiaoliang: kangmei yuanchao Niu Jun, “The Origins of Mao Zedong’s Think-
1989), 45-47; Richard Whelan, Drawing the Line: The zhanzheng de lishi huigu yu fansi (The First Test of ing on International Affairs (1916-1949); He Di,
Korean War, 1950-1953 (Boston: Little, Brown, 1990), Strength: A Historical Review and Evaluation of the “The Most Respected Enemy: Mao Zedon’g Per-
236-238. War to Resist America and Assist Korea, Beijing: Chi- ception of the United States”; Zhang Baija, “Zhou
5. This approach can be found in a wide range of nese Broadcasting and Television Press, 1990); Yao Xu, Enlai—The Shaper and Founder of China’s Di-
Chinese publications, such as Shen Zonghong and Cong yalujiang dao banmendian (From the Yalu River plomacy”; Chen Xiaolu, “Chen Yi and China’s
Meng Zhaohui et al., Zhongguo renmin zhiyuanjun to Panmunjom, Beijing: People’s Press, 1985); and
Diplomacy”; Odd Arne Westad, “The Foreign
kangmei yuanchao zhanshi (History of the War to Zhang Xi, “Before and After Peng Dehuai’s Appoint-
Resist America and Assist Korea by the Chinese ment to Command Troops in Korea,” Zhonggong dangshi
Policies of Revolutionary Parties: The CCP in a
People’s Volunteers, Beijing: Military Science Press, ziliao (Materials of the CCP History) 31 (1989), 111- Comparative Perspective”; Jurgen Osterhammel,
1988), chap. 1; Han Nianlong et al., Dangdai zhongguo 159. “CCP Foreign Policy as International History:
waijiao (Contemporary Chinese Diplomacy, Chinese 9. Good examples in this category include Tan Jingqiao Mapping the Field”; Michael H. Hunt, “CCP
Social Sciences Press, 1987), 37-38; Hao Yufan and et al., Kangmei yuanchao zhanzheng (The War to Resist Foreign Policy: ‘Normalizing’ the Field” .
Zhai Zhihai, in “China’s Decision to Enter the Korean America and Assist Korea, Beijing: Chinese Social For information on obtaining copies, contact
War: History Revisited,” The China Quarterly 121 Sciences Press, 1990); and Han Huaizhi and Tan Jingqiao the Asia Program, Wilson Center, 1000 Jefferson
(March 1990) 94-115, attempt to offer an alternative to et al., Dangdai zhongguo jundui de junshi gongzuo (The
Dr. SW, Washgton, DC 20560 USA; tel.: (202)
Whiting’s thesis but generally follow Whiting’s stress Military Affairs of Contemporary Chinese Army,
357-1937; fax: (202) 357-4439; e-mail:
on Beijing’s concerns for the safety of the Chinese- Beijing: Chinese Social Sciences Press, 1989), 2 vols.
Korean Border. Both volumes are part of the “Contemporary China” lizhai@sivm.si.edu
BAJANOV So, Stalin finally took the decision to South

continued from page 54 initiate preparations for the war. At exactly
the withdrawal of American troops from the same time that the above mentioned China was involved in the process of
Korea, the 38th parallel lost its meaning; e) exchange of cables between Moscow and working out communist strategy in Korea in
a counterattack was no longer possible since Pyongyang took place, Mao Zedong was the late 1940s. Basically Mao supported
Seoul postponed its plans for an overall present in the Soviet capital. Stalin dis- Kim’s desire “to liberate” the South and
offensive against the North.6 cussed with Mao the Korean situation, but even promised to help with troops if neces-
Finally Stalin ordered a new appraisal according to all available data the Soviet sary. Mao, however, recommended not to
of the situation in Korea, sending, on 11 dictator never mentioned to the Chinese hurry things up, to wait until the Chinese
September 1949, instructions to the Soviet guest his decision to launch an attack on the completed their revolutionary war.
embassy in Pyongyang to study the military, South as well as his invitation to Kim Il Sung In the beginning of May 1949, North
political, and international aspects of a pos- to come to Moscow. Korean Politburo member Kim Il had meet-
sible attack on the South. The embassy gave Kim Il Sung and his delegation spent ings with Chinese leaders. Mao Zedong
a negative view on the matter (14 September almost the whole of April 1950 in the Soviet expressed the opinion that a war in Korea
1949), and on 24 September 1949, the CPSU Union. The first issue on the agenda was: could start at any moment. If the war dragged
CC Politburo rejected the appeal of the North ways and methods of unification of Korea on, the Japanese could interfere, but this was
Koreans to start the war, concluding that the through military means.10 Stalin gave his not a reason for worry. Mao pointed out: “If
North Korean army was not prepared for approval to an invasion of the South and necessary, we can throw in for you Chinese
such an attack militarily, that “little has been outlined his view on how the war had to be soldiers, all of us are black, Americans will
done to raise the South Korean masses to an prepared. Unfortunately, memorandums of not see the difference.” Mao at the same
active struggle,” and that an unprovoked conversations between Stalin and Kim in time warned Kim not to advance to the South
attack by the North “would give the Ameri- April 1950 have not been found as yet in the in the near future. He cited the unfavorable
cans a pretext for all kinds of interference Russian archives. However, from some situation in the world and the preoccupation
into Korean affairs.”7 secondary sources (testimonies of people of Chinese communists with the civil war.
As can be seen from this Politburo docu- involved in the negotiations, reports of the Mao Zedong recommended to postpone the
ment, Moscow no longer flatly rejected the Foreign Ministry of the USSR) and from war until China was united under the leader-
idea of military reunification of Korea. In- earlier and later statements and positions of ship of the Communist party.11
stead it called upon Pyongyang to get better Moscow and Pyongyang, the following con- In the end of March 1950, Mao Zedong,
prepared for the operation. Evidently clusions can be drawn: talking to the North Korean ambassador,
couraged by this shift in the Kremlin’s mood, 1. Stalin changed his mind on the Ko- stressed that peaceful unification in Korea
the North Korean leadership increased pres- rean war because of: a) the victory of the was impossible, it was necessary to employ
sure to win Soviet support for the war. On 17 communists in China; b) the Soviet acquisi- military means. Mao said one should not be
January 1950, Kim Il Sung complained to tion of the atom bomb (first tested by Mos- afraid of Americans because “they would
Soviet ambassador Shtykov: “I can’t sleep cow in August 1949); c) the establishment of not start a third world war over such a small
at night because I am thinking of the unifica- NATO and general aggravation of Soviet territory.”12
tion of the whole country. If the cause... is relations with the West; and d) a perceived After completion of Kim Il Sung’s April
postponed, then I may lose the confidence of weakening of Washington’s positions and 1950 visit to the USSR, of which Mao seemed
the Korean people.” Kim Il Sung requested of its will to get involved militarily in Asia. to know nothing, Stalin authorized the So-
permission to make a new visit to the USSR Stalin was now more confident of the viet ambassador in China to tell the Chinese
to receive “orders and permission” from Communist bloc’s strength, less respectful leadership the following: “Korean com-
Stalin for the offensive.8 of American capabilities and less interested rades visited us recently. I’ll inform you
in the reaction of Western public opinion to shortly about the results of our conversa-
3. Stalin blesses the invasion communist moves. tions.”13 Simultaneously Kim Il Sung re-
2. Stalin did not consult Mao in advance quested a visit to Beijing to execute Stalin’s
After ambassador Shtykov informed because he wanted to work out the plans for instructions: to continue with the war plans
Moscow of this wave of demands by the Korean war himself without Chinese only if Chinese supported the idea. On the
Pyongyang, Stalin (on 30 January 1950) interference and objections and then present eve of the visit Kim II Sung said to the Soviet
replied (through diplomatic channels): “I Beijing with a fait accompli when Mao would ambassador that he did not intend to ask
understand the unhappiness of comrade Kim have no choice but to agree with the invasion anything from the Chinese since “all his
Il Sung, but he must understand that such a and assist it. While in Moscow Mao insisted requests had been met in Moscow.”14
large matter regarding South Korea... re- on the liberation of Taiwan. Stalin was nega- Upon hearing from Kim Il Sung about
quires thorough preparation. It has to be tive to the idea. It would be hard for Stalin the decision to attack South Korea, Mao
organized in such a way that there will not be to convince Mao in Moscow to help the requested additional information from Stalin.
a large risk. If he wants to talk to me on this Koreans before the Chinese had completed On 14 May 1950 Stalin sent the following
issue, then I’ll always be ready to receive the reunification of their own country. cable to Mao Zedong: “In the conversations
him and talk to him.... I am prepared to help with Korean comrades Filippov [Stalin’s
him in this matter.”9 4. China’s position on “liberating” the alias] and his friends expressed the opinion
that due to the changed international situa- mation about the imminent attack could leak liant success,” that Kim Il Sung “should not
tion they agreed with the proposals by the to the South; and that in July rain would slow feel embarrassed ... because of delays in
Koreans to set upon unification. The final the advancement of troops. advancement and because of some local
decision of the issue must be made jointly by While making final preparations for the defeats... The biggest success of Korea is
Chinese and Korean comrades. If the Chi- war, the North continued a propaganda cam- that it has become the most popular country
nese comrades disagree, the decision must paign, proposing initiatives on the peaceful in the world and has turned into the banner of
be postponed till a new discussion.”15 unification of Korea. Initially the commu- the liberation movement in Asia against the
In talks with North Korean leaders Mao nists wanted to strike at the Ongjin penin- imperialist yoke.”22 Kim Il Sung expressed
approved their analysis of the situation and sula, but at the last moment the strategy was deep gratitude to Stalin for this letter, and for
stressed that he supported a speedy military changed. It was believed that Seoul had “fatherly care and assistance.”23
solution of the Korean problem. He was sure learned about the attack and beefed up its But the outlook for the North Koreans
of its success. Mao did not exclude the defenses in the Ongjin direction. The North soured following the successful U.S./UN
possibility of American interference. In Koreans now asked Moscow for permission landing at Inchon in mid-September. On
such an event, China would help.16 to attack along the whole front. September 27, the Soviet Politburo, frus-
Unfortunately the final period (May- trated by problems at the front, approved a
5. Preparations for the war June 1950) before the attack is not well letter to Ambassador Shtykov which con-
documented, and additional research in the tained devastating criticism of the North
Even before Kim Il Sung received, in archives is required to get a clearer and more Korean military leadership and Soviet mili-
January 1950, the first hints from the Krem- detailed picture of the final preparations by tary advisers. The letter explained in detail
lin that Stalin had become more favorably the communist side for the war. what to do and how to do it in the course of
disposed to a war in Korea, Pyongyang had the fighting. With the situation getting more
embarked upon a concerted effort to up- 6. The initial stage of the war and more complicated for the North Kore-
grade its military potential. Stalin responded ans, Stalin, after persistent requests from
positively. After Kim’s talks in Moscow in Throughout the initial stage of the Ko- both Kim Il Sung and Moscow’s representa-
April 1950 the war was energetically pre- rean War Stalin was clearly in charge: his tives in Korea, consented to station air force
pared by the two sides jointly. word was final on the date of the invasion, he units in the North. Meanwhile, the situation
On June 1949 a special protocol was told the Koreans how to fight and he kept for the communists was becoming desper-
signed between the USSR and the People’s instructing the Sino-Korean command on its ate.24
Democratic Republic of Korea (North Ko- every move. As for the mood of both Stalin The North Korean leadership forwarded
rea) on military-technical assistance. Mos- and Kim Il Sung, it was quickly changing for on September 30 a letter to Stalin literally
cow agreed to supply its ally with large the worse as the adversary hit back harder begging for direct military assistance by the
numbers of air force planes, tanks, cannons, and harder. Soviet Union or “volunteer units of China
landing ships, machine-guns, engineering Already on 1 July 1950, Stalin seemed and other countries of people’s democ-
equipment, etc.17 to be worried about a halt in the advance- racy.”25 Realizing that the situation was
At the end of 1949 Kim ll Sung again ment of North Korean troops and the impact desperate, Moscow responded in the follow-
addressed himself to Moscow a reguest for of American air raids on North Korean terri- ing ways: 1 ) giving constant advice to North
large quantities of armaments and ammuni- tory.20 Soviet Ambassador Shtykov admit- Koreans on tactical matters; 2) withdrawing
tions necessary for the creation of new 5 ted that American air raids had worsened the Soviet representatives from Korea; 3) pre-
round units and enlargement of the fleet.18 political mood in the North. Doubts regard- paring plans for the evacuation of the
In March 1950, Kim Il Sung asked to use the ing final victory surfaced and some officials Pyongyang regime and its troops out of the
Soviet credit allocated for 1951 in 1950 and began to hint that it was difficult for country; 4) training troops for a comeback to
to acquire additional quantities of military Pyongyang to rely purely on its own forces Korea in the future; 5) pressuring the Chi-
hardware; these requests were met. in the war with America.21 Meeting with the nese to enter the conflict.
In April 1950, leaders of the guerilla Soviet ambassador on July 3, Kim Il Sung
movement in the South arrived in Pyongyang confirmed the seriousness of the situation on 7. China’s role in the war’s initial stage
to work out a program of action for before the front due to American bombing. He
and after the invasion. On 12 May 1950, wanted Soviet advice on how to reorganize As was mentioned earlier in this paper,
Kim Il Sung informed the Soviet ambassa- the command of the military actions, and China supported an attack on the South.
dor that his General Staff had already started also hoped for new supplies of weapons. However, quite soon Beijing became dis-
to plan the operation. Pyongyang wanted to On July 8, Kim Il Sung requested Soviet tressed and offended by the fact that the
attack in June but was not sure that prepara- military advisers in order to strengthen his North Koreans did not consult with them
tions could be completed by that time.19 By army. Stalin agreed to provide some of these and did not pay heed to their advice. Mos-
the end of May, the armaments which had advisers, but his main preoccupation was to cow attempted to calm the emotions of the
been promised by Stalin arrived and the plan give moral support to Pyongyang. In an Chinese.
of the invasion was ready. Kim Il Sung August 28 cable to Kim, he emphasized the On 2 July 1950, Zhou Enlai in a conver-
insisted on an attack in June, not in July as fact that “the great liberation struggle of the sation with Soviet Ambassador Roshchin
Soviet advisers preferred, arguing that infor- Korean people ... was conducted with bril- complained that the North Koreans had un-
derestimated the probability of American against perfectly equipped foreign troops, it take place now rather than a few years
military intervention, ignoring Mao not simply South Koreans. later, when Japanese militarism will be re-
Zedong’s warnings back in May 1949 and In general, Moscow and Beijing held stored as an American ally, and when the
1950. Zhou passed on Mao’s advice to the similar views at that time on the strategy and United States and Japan will possess a mili-
North Koreans to create a strong defense tactics of the war, though with the landing of tary spring-board on the continent in the
line in the area of Inchon, because American Americans at Inchon, the mood in China form of Rhee’s Korea.”32 Stalin informed
troops could land there. The Chinese lead- started to change. In a conversation with Kim Il Sung about his attempts to persuade
ership feared landing operations by Ameri- Roshchin on September 21, Zhou Enlai ad- the Chinese and called upon the North Kore-
cans in other parts of the Korean peninsula mitted that there were persons in China who ans “to hold firm to every piece of their
as well. In this conversation Zhou Enlai complained that the Korean war would drag land.” However, on 12 October 1950, the
confirmed that if the Americans crossed the on and would require sacrifices on the part of Soviet leader told Kim that the Chinese had
38th parallel, Chinese troops, disguised as Chinese. It is also significant that China’s refused again and that Korea had to be evacu-
Korean, would engage the opponent. Three authorities leaked to the Soviets intelligence ated. On the next day, however, Stalin had
Chinese armies, 120,000 men in total, had information, showing the Kremlin’s policy better news: the Chinese, after long delib-
already been concentrated in the area of in Korea in a bad light. Thus, at one point erations and discussions, had agreed to ex-
Mukden. Zhou inquired if it would be Moscow was informed by Beijing that the tend military aid to North Korea. Moscow in
possible to cover these troops with the So- British consul in the Chinese capital had exchange agreed to arm the Chinese troops
viet air force.26 reached the conclusion that the USSR and and to provide them with air cover.33
By July 8, Stalin was already showing the USA had colluded in Korea, trying, with According to available sources, it was
a certain irritation with China. In a cable to the help of the war there, to prevent China not easy for Beijing to adopt that military
Ambassador Roshchin he ordered: “Tell from capturing Taiwan, completing the civil decision. Two members of the Chinese
Mao Zedong that Koreans complain that war and becoming a strong power.29 leadership considered sympathetic to Mos-
there is no representative of China in Korea. cow, Gao Gang and Peng Dehuai, finally
They should quickly send a representative... 8. Stalin pressures a reluctant China to managed to convince Mao to take their side.
if, of course, Mao Zedong feels it is neces- enter the Korean war Their main argument was: if all of Korea
sary to have a communication link with was occupied by the Americans, it would
Korea.”27 On 1 October 1950, Stalin came to the create a mortal danger to the Chinese revo-
On July 13, Stalin approved the Chi- conclusion that China had to come to the lution. Those who opposed participation, on
nese decision to deploy troops in the vicin- rescue of the collapsing Kim regime. On that the other hand, complained about Soviet
ity of the Korean border and promised to day he sent an urgent message to Mao and refusal to participate in the conflict. Some
train Chinese pilots and to provide China Zhou asking them “to move to the 38th even suggested that China should accept the
with military planes. In August-September parallel at least 5-6 divisions in order to give American advance, even occupation by the
1950, on a number of occasions, Mao per- our Korean comrades a chance to organize USA of Manchuria—because in this case a
sonally expressed concern over the escala- under the protection of your troops’ military war between Moscow and Washington would
tion of American military intervention in reserves to the North of the 38th parallel.” break out and China could stay away from
Korea and reiterated the readiness of Beijing Stalin added that Pyongyang was not in- trouble.
to send troops to the Korean Peninsula “to formed of this request.30 It did not take Mao
mince” American divisions. Simultaneously long to respond to Stalin’s cable. Mao de- 9. Chinese “volunteers” enter the Korean
the Chinese leaders complained that the clined to fulfill his own promise under the War, the communist camp is euphoric
North Korean military command had com- pretext that Chinese troops were not strong
mitted many mistakes and ignored Beijing’s enough and a clash between China and the After the entrance of Chinese “volun-
recommendations. Moreover, Pyongyang USA would ruin Beijing’s plans for peaceful teers” into the Korean war in late November
did not even inform China of developments reconstruction and could drag the USSR into 1950, the mood of Stalin and Kim Il Sung (as
on the front.28 a war with Washington. Instead, he sug- well as that of Mao Zedong, of course)
On September 20, Stalin in a cable to gested that the North Koreans accept defeat dramatically changed for the better. With
Mao agreed that it was not normal and and resort to guerrilla tactics.31 every new success of the Chinese on the
correct that the North Korean leadership did The Soviets were stunned with this un- battlefield the desires and arrogance of Stalin
not properly inform their Chinese comrades expected change in China’s position. Stalin and his allies grew (though they did feel their
about the development of combat activities reminded the Chinese of their previous prom- weak points and exchanged occasional com-
in Korea. Stalin, however, defended the ises and urged them again to move into the plaints).
Koreans, explaining the aforementioned fact conflict. The Soviet dictator tried to con- On December 1, Stalin cabled Mao:
by the lack of proper communications and vince Beijing that the Americans would not “Your successes make happy not only my-
noting that Moscow too had only received dare to start a big war and would agree on a self and my comrades in the leadership, but
“sporadic and outdated” information from settlement on Korea favorable to the com- the entire Soviet people. Let me welcome
the front. Stalin reminded Mao that the munist camp. Under such a scenario China from all my heart you and your friends in the
(North) Korean People’s Army was very would also solve the Taiwan issue. He added leadership, your army and the entire Chinese
young and inexperienced and it had to fight that even if the USA provoked a big war, “let people in connection with tremendous suc-
cesses in the struggle against American noticeable that Stalin tried to keep the USSR tween the USSR and the PRC reveals that
troops.”34 On December 4, Soviet deputy as much as possible out of direct participa- the fighting spirit of the communist side
Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, talking tion in the war—if he agreed to send Soviet continued to deteriorate as that of the Ameri-
to the Chinese Ambassador Wang Jiaxiang, advisers, pilots and other military personnel cans improved.44 The situation got so bad
advised Beijing to continue its successful to Korea once in a while, every time he did that Stalin felt it necessary to criticize Mao
offensive by crossing the 38th parallel. He so only after repeated pleas by Mao and for wrong tactics employed in the war.45
stressed that the Chinese had to exploit the Kim. Stalin did not always satisfy the re-
emerging opportunities to the full extent. quests of his allies about supplies of arma- 11. Communists seek an armistice
Both sides agreed that Americans were con- ments, but for objective reasons: they wanted
fused and had fallen into a very unfavorable more than the USSR, still weak after WWII By June 1951 the situation at the front
situation, that disagreements had developed and engaged in a global Cold War, could became so hopeless for the communists that
between Washington and London. The Chi- provide. they started to seek a way out. The question
nese ambassador quoted reports from the On January 28, Mao informed Stalin of an armistice was raised by the North
front that Americans were poor fighters, that the adversary had begun an unexpected Koreans and Chinese. Stalin had no choice
much worse than the Japanese.”35 offensive and due to this the communist but to agree. Maneuvers around the armi-
On December 7, Stalin and Mao agreed troops lost the opportunity to rest and to stice talks did not, however, prevent the
to go on with the fighting and present at the undergo a restructuring. Instead they had to communists from looking for every oppor-
United Nations tough conditions for a cease- launch a counterattack. After achieving an tunity to reinforce the army, to gain territory
fire. On 8 January 1951, in a cable announc- operational success the Chinese side hoped and to strike at the opposite side. At the same
ing the further advance of Chinese troops, to resume preparation for the final assault on time the communists constantly worried
Stalin wrote: “From all my heart I congratu- the South.39 Stalin promptly agreed with the about attacks by the opposite side. The
late Chinese comrades on the capture of strategy, stressing that “from the interna- conditions presented by the communists for
Seoul. This is a great victory of popular tional point of view it is undoubtedly advis- an armistice were inflexible. It is also worth
patriotic forces over forces of reaction.”36 able that Inchon and Seoul are not captured noting that Stalin flatly refused to direct the
On January 16, Mao suggested to Kim Il by the adversary, that Chinese-Korean troops armistice negotiations and quite rudely told
Sung to reinforce and to restructure joint give a serious rebuff to the advancing troops Mao to do the job. Another prominent
forces in Korea (in order “not to repeat of the adversary.”40 feature of this period was constant bargain-
mistakes committed by the Korean troops In late January/early February 1951, ing between Stalin and Mao about Soviet
from June to September 1950”). After a Stalin criticized the structure, organization, military supplies and military advisers. Mao
certain rest, Mao proposed that a spring and quality of the Korean armed forces, kept bombarding Stalin with new requests,
(April/May) offensive could start “with the suggesting substantial changes. His propos- and the Kremlin chief continued to rebuff
purpose of achieving the final solution of the als were immediately accepted by the Kore- Mao, sometimes with visible irritation.
South Korean issue.” Mao did not exclude ans and supported by Beijing. By that time In June 1951, Kim Il Sung and Gao
that the Americans, having learned about the first reports of the falling spirit of the Gang went to Moscow, where they con-
serious preparations on the Chinese-North Korean troops reached Beijing and Mos- vinced Stalin to agree to the necessity of an
Korean side, would cease resisting and leave cow.41 That the situation for the communist armistice-seeking policy. However, at the
the Korean peninsula. But even if Washing- side continued to deteriorate is quite clear same time the communists discussed mea-
ton continued to resist, it would soon realize from a cable sent by Mao to Stalin on 1 sures to beef up their military capabilities
that resistance was futile and evacuate its March 1951, in which the Chinese leader and to prepare for an offensive in August.46
troops from Korea.37 admitted that a general offensive was no In ensuing communications, tactics were
On January 19, Peng Dehuai reported to longer possible, that the adversary had supe- worked out on who would raise the issue of
Mao that Pyongyang accepted Mao’s plan of riority in weapons and dominated the air, the armistice first and how it would be done.
a rest and thorough preparation for the final and that Sino-Korean troops were sustaining It was also decided to insist on restoration of
assault (though Pak Hon-Yong tried to hurry heavy losses and urgently needed air cover the border line along the 38th parallel and on
things up). It was also agreed that the North by Soviet air force units. Mao stressed that a small neutral zone on both sides. Mao
Koreans could not advance alone; Chinese the communist side must prepare for a long suggested to raise, for the sake of bargain-
participation was needed.38 war and admitted that American troops will ing, the issue of Taiwan and then to drop it.
not be driven out of Korea for at least a Simultaneously China requested from the
10. Euphoria disappears number of years.42 USSR armaments for 60 divisions. Stalin
Stalin satisfied Mao’s requests, imme- gave the OK, though he rebuked the Chinese
By the end of January 1951, as docu- diately noting that large-scale military op- for trying to get all the weapons during one
ments testify, the communists’ euphoria erations were in the offing for Sino-Korean year, explaining that it was “physically im-
started to decline; soon it disappeared, re- troops.43 In the following months Moscow possible and totally unthinkable.”47
placed by worries, fear, confusion, and at promptly and favorably responded to all Preparing for the negotiations, Mao
times panic. Reading the documents, one other requests of the Chinese, concerning cabled Stalin: “It is extremely important
also senses growing irritation among the first of all airplanes and air defense. that you personally take charge of the nego-
ranks of the communist allies. It is also Meanwhile, further correspondence be- tiations in order to prevent us from getting
into an awkward position.”48 Stalin re- 2. APRF, Fond 45, list 1, file 346, pp. 13-23, 46. 43. Ibid., p. 118.
3. Shtykov report to Stalin, 2 May 1949, Archives of 44. See, e.g., the coded message N 20412, June 1951,
jected the idea, saying: “In your cable you
Foreign Policy, Russian Federation (AVP RF). See ibid., file 339, pp. 4-6.
proposed that we, from Moscow, should also Marshal Vasilevsky and Ambassador Shtykov’s 45. Ibid., file 338, pp. 98-99.
direct the armistice talks. This is, of course, cable to Stalin on 20 April 1949, N 17064, APRF. 46. Coded message N 3557, 13 June 1951, APRF, Fond
unthinkable and not necessary. It’s you, 4. See, e.g., Stalin cable to Shtykov, 30 October 1949, 45, list 1, file 337, pp. 31-32; see also file 339, pp. 61-
APRF. 63.
comrade Mao Zedong, who’ll have to direct
5. See APRF, Fond 45, list 1, file 346, pp. 13-23, 46. 47. Coded message N 635177, 24 June 1951, ibid., file
negotiations. We can at best give advice on 6. See, e.g., memorandums of conversations of ambas- 339, p. 78.
some questions. We are not able to be in sador Shtykov with Kim Il Sung and Pak Hon-Yong, 12 48. Coded message N 21334, 30 June 1951, APRF,
direct communication with Kim Il Sung. and 14 August 1949, and Charge’d’Affaires Tunkin’s Fond 45, list 1, file 339, p. 92.
cable to Moscow on 3 September 1949, AVP RF. 49. Coded message N 3917, 30 June 1951, ibid., pp. 95-
You must have direct communication with
7. See APRF, Fond 3, list 65, file 776, pp. 30-32. 96.
him.”49 8. See Shtykov cable to Stalin, 19 January 1950, AVP
To raise the stakes at the forthcoming RF.
negotiations the communists decided to be 9. Stalin’s cable to Shtykov, 30 January 1950, AVP RF.
10. See Shtykov cable to Stalin, 23 March 1950, AVP Dr. Evgueni Bajanov is Director of the Insti-
more active on the front, to put additional
RF. tute for Contemporary International Prob-
pressure on the adversary as well as to 11. See Shtykov cable to Stalin, 15 May 1949, AVP RF; lems, Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow,
improve their own defenses in case the other cable to Stalin by General Kovalev about a conversa-
Russia. This article was originally pre-
side would try to gain a military advantage. tion with Mao Zedong, APRF, Fond 45, list 1, file 331,
pp. 59-61. sented to the conference on “The Korean
Measures were also taken to upgrade
12. Shtykov cable to Moscow, 12 May 1950, AVP RF. War: An Assessment of the Historical
the overall military potential of North Ko- 13. Coded message N 2220, 3 May 1950, APRF, Fond Record,” held on 24-25 July 1995 at
rea, making it ready for a prolonged war. 45, list 1, file 331, pp. 59-61.
Georgetown University, Washington, DC,
Stalin satisfied the requests of his allies as 14. Shtykov cable to Stalin, 12 May 1950.
15. Coded message N 5500, 14 May 1950, APRF, Fund and sponsored by the Korea Society, the
much as he was able, except for the advisers.
45, list 1, file 331, p. 55. Korea-America Society and Georgetown
Periodically Stalin lashed at the Chinese for 16. See Ambassador Roshchin’s cable to Moscow, 14 University.
extravagant requests for weapons and un- May 1950, AVP RF.
willingness to share them with the North 17. APRF, Fund 6, list 9, file 14, p 57.
18. Shtykov cable to Stalin, 1 January 1950, AVP RF.
CWIHP FELLOWSHIPS
Koreans.
19. Shtykov cable to Stalin, 12 May 1950, AVP RF.
My analysis concludes here, leaving 20. Coded message N 34691 /sh, 1 July 1950, APRF, The Cold War International History Project
for other contributions a reexamination of Fond 45, list 1, file 346, p. 104. awards a limited number of fellowship for schol-
the strategy and tactics of the communist 21. Coded message N 405809, 2 July 1950, APRF, ars from countries on “the other side” of the Cold
Fond 45, list 1, file 346, pp. 105-107. War to conduct up to one year of archival re-
side at the armistice talks and in the final
22. Coded message N 75021, 28 August 1950, ibid., pp. search in the United States. Recipients are based
stage of the war. In conclusion, I would 5-6, 10-11. at the Institute for European, Russian, and Eur-
stress that further archival research is needed 23. APRF, Fond 45, list 1, file 347, pp. 12-15.
asian Studies, George Washington University,
to get definite answers to the following 24. Coded message N 600262/sh, 27 September 1950,
APRF, Fund 3, list 65, file 827, pp. 94-96. Washington, D.C. Applications should include:
aspects of communist politics in the Korean CV; letter of nomination and three letters of
25. Coded message N 600508/sh, 30 September 1950,
war: APRF, Fond 45, list l, file 347, pp.41-45. recommendation; research proposal, indicating
1. The exact reasons for the reversal of 26. Roshchin cable to Moscow, 2 July 1950. topic to be investigated and sources to be utilized;
Stalin’s position on “the liberation” of 27. Stalin cable to Roshchin, 8 July 1950. writing samples in English welcomed, though not
28. See, e.g., Mao’s conversations with Soviet acade- required. Applicans should have a working abil-
South Korea.
mician on 19 and 28 August 1950, and Zhou’s com- ity in English. Preference will be given to schol-
2. The real motives behind China’s ini- ments on 14 September 1950 to Roshchin.
tial refusal to enter the Korea War, and ars who have not previously had an opportunity to
29. Roshchin cable to Moscow, 13 July 1950, AVP RF.
30. Coded message N 4581, APRF, Fond 45, list 1, file do research in the United States. Applications
the total picture of Soviet-Chinese in-
334, pp. 97-98. may be sent or faxed to:
teractions on Korea in 1949-1950. Jim Hershberg
31. Roshchin cable to Moscow, 3 October 1950, coded
3. The detailed process of communist message N 25199, ibid., pp. 105-106. Cold War International History Project
preparations for the war. 32. See Stalin’s cable to Kim Il Sung (quoting Stalin’s Woodrow Wilson Center
4. The events of the first days of the war earlier message to Mao), 8 October 1950, APRF, Fond 1000 Jefferson Dr. SW
45, list 1, file 347, pp. 65-67.
and reaction to these events in Moscow, Washington, D.C. 20560 USA
33. Coded message N 4829, 14 October 1950, APRF,
Beijing, and Pyongyang. Fax: (202) 357-4439
Fond 45, list 1, file 343, p.77.
5. What further strategy Stalin had in 34. Coded message N 9768. APRF, Fond 3, list 1, file E-mail: wwcem123@sivm.si.edu
mind when he ordered North Korean 336, p. 5.
35. See APRF, Fond 3, list 65, file 371, pp. 35-37. Recent recipients of CWIHP fellowships include:
communists to evacuate the country in Vytas Berenis (Insitute of Culture and Arts,
36. Ibid., list 1, file 336, pp. 88-90.
the autumn of 1950. 37. See coded message N 15603, 16 January 1951, Vilnius); Wanda Jazarbek (Insitute of Political
APRF, Fond 3, list 1, file 336, pp. 81-82. Studies, Warsaw); Michael Latysh (Institute of
1. See, e.g., coded message N 121973, 2 May 1947, The 38. Coded message 15994, 21 January 1951, APRF, Slavonic & Balkan Studies, Moscow); Michael
8th Directorate of the General Staff, Soviet Armed Fond 45, list 1, file 335, pp. 37-40. Lesniewski (Warsaw University); Bartek Pawlak
Forces, pp. 4-6, Archives of the President of the Rus- 39. See APRF, Fond 45, list 1, file 337, p. 44.
(Warsaw University); Michael Skapa (Charles
sian Federation (hereafter APRF); cable from Ambas- 40. See APRF, Fond 45, list 1, file 337, pp. 47-48.
sador Shtykov to the Soviet Foreign Ministry, 19 41. Ibid., Fond 3, list 65, file 828, p. 123. University, Prague); and Wenqian Gao (Re-
January 1949, APRF. 42. See APRF, Fond 45, list l, file 337, pp. 78-82. search Center on Party Literature, Beijing).
SHTYKOV the Soviet Army in the north. The Soviet As regard to the strike, I in-
continued from page 69 leaders in the north, through Kim Il Sung, structed as follows:
umes remain: Vol. 1, 149 pages (from Sept. tried to persuade or even threaten leftist Continue the struggle until the
5-Nov. 16, 1946); Vol. 2, 141 pages (from leaders in the south, who were against the demands of various economic
Dec. 1, 1946-Feb. 5, 1947); Vol. 3, 193 merger, into accepting Pak Hon-yong’s line claims, wage increase for workers,
pages (from July 7-Aug. 29, 1947); Vol. 4, and the merger. For instance, when Kang the release of the leftist leaders
72 pages (from July 26-Sept. 6, 1948). The Jin, a leftist leader in the south who was from prison, the cancellation of the
periods of Aug. 1945-Sept. 1946, Feb.-July against the merger, visited North Korea, Kim warrant of arrests of Communist
1947, Sept. 1947-July 1948, and Sept. 1948 Il Sung, apparently under the direction of leaders, and revived publication of
to 1951 have been lost. Shtykov, met with Kang and reported the banned leftist newspapers are met.
In the diaries, of course, Shtykov wrote details of the meeting to Shtykov on 22 Stop the strike when the de-
much about strictly military affairs. How- October 1946.10 mands are met.
ever, the majority of the diaries were de- Declare that [the strikers] will
voted to the political and economic situation I met with Kang Jin. I told him continue to talk with the American
in Korea after the liberation from Japanese that he had to take full responsibility Occupation Government on the is-
occupation in August 1945. The first vol- for the failure of the merger. I also sue of transition of power to
ume deals with the September 1946 General told him, “Although I don’t know People’s Committee [in the south].
Strike, the October 1946 Uprising, and the whether you are a running-dog of Demand that the American Oc-
merger of the three leftist parties in the American Imperialism, you are help- cupation Government not oppress
south; volume two covers the election for ing Americans enormously. ... Com- the organizers and supporters of
the People’s committees of provinces, cit- rade Pak Hon-yong’s decision is not the strike.
ies, and counties, and the Assemblies of the only his but also 400,000 North Ko-
Committees in North Korea; the third vol- rean Party members’. ... You have to Probably the most striking evidence of
ume includes the Second Soviet-American admit that you made a mistake if you intervention was that Shtykov funneled 2
Joint Commission, when Shtykov himself truly want to be a real revolutionary million yen to support the General Strike
was the head of the Soviet Delegation; and which you have not been.” and later 3 million yen for the October Riot.14
finally volume four covers the cabinet for- There are some problems in analyzing
After the success of the merger, Shtykov the diaries. First, the information in the
mation of the Democratic People’s Repub-
ordered General Romanenko, the Director of diaries is so fragmentary that it is nearly
lic of Korea (North Korea).
the Soviet Military Administration in the impossible for us to understand completely
Most important, the diaries vividly show
north, to telegraph Pak Hon-yong as follows: how certain situations evolved. They also
that the Soviet Stationary/Occupation Army
“Congratulations on the hard-earned but suc- contain many abbreviations which can be
intervened deeply in and exerted an enor-
cessful merger.” 11 Even after the merger, understood only by the author himself and
mous influence on not only North Korean
Shtykov and the Soviet leaders closely grammatical errors which are open to a vari-
but also South Korean politics.8
worked with Pak and even supported him ety of interpretations. Above all, Shtykov
The merger of the three leftist parties
financially from time to time.12 wrote as if he were giving orders to Korean
and the September General Strike/October
It has been a widely accepted view that leftist leaders: according to the diaries, the
Uprising in the south are the two most
the September General Strike and the Octo- Korean leaders were simply automatons.
conspicuous examples of the Soviet inter-
ber Taegu Riot (or Uprising) in the south had Therefore we must interpret historical events
vention.9 In the case of the merger of the
nothing to do with the Soviets. However, the very carefully, comparing information from
parties, the Soviet Army played the role of
Shtykov Diaries shed new light on this issue. the diaries and that from other sources.
moderator and leader in the process. Inter-
The strike and the riot broke out to a certain Still, the Shtykov diaries are undoubt-
estingly, despite the efforts by Shtykov and
extent spontaneously under KCP leadership. edly among the most important documents
the Soviet Army to make Kim Il Sung the
But the incidents themselves provoked the to emerge on Soviet policy toward Korea
representative of the will of the Soviets, the
intervention of Soviet leaders in the north. from 1945 to 1951 and the emergence of the
South Korean leftist leaders preferred to
On the other hand, Communist leaders in the Cold War in East Asia. From the diaries, it
deal with the Soviets directly rather than
south had to consult with the Soviets when is evident that Shtykov and the Soviet Army
with Kim Il Sung. This demonstrates that
the General Strike transformed into an armed in North Korea played a major role in the
the leftist leaders in the south did not yet
riot. In their wholehearted support for the decision-making: Soviet policies in Korea
approve Kim’s leadership. In the process of
strike and riot, Shtykov and the Soviet lead- were planned at Shtykov’s desk and ap-
the merger, the Soviet Army consistently
ers did not refrain from giving advice: proved by the higher ranking Soviet army
supported Pak Hon-yong, head of the Ko-
Shtykov gave specific instructions to Com- leaders and later by Moscow. After he
rean Communist Party (KCP). The reasons
munist leaders in the south, and these leaders received approval from Moscow, the diaries
were, first of all, that Pak controlled the
often asked for the instructions of the Soviet suggest, Shtykov and his lieutenants care-
biggest leftist party in the south; and second,
leaders in the north.13 For example, Shtykov fully choreographed and directed the politi-
that Pak’s transition of policy from coopera-
wrote in his diary on 28 September 1946: cal drama of North Korean (and sometimes
tion to confrontation with the U.S. Occupa-
tion Government was consistent with that of South Korean) politics. Although not all of
them were puppets of the Soviet Army, it is

evident that North Korean Communist lead-
ers like Kim Il Sung were under the tutelage
of the Soviet Army. Even though the Soviet DMITRII VOLKOGNOV
Army leaders tried to make their rule look (1928-1995)
like an indirect one, their intervention was
always direct and full-scale. In other words, General Dmitrii Volkogonov, a promi- In late 1991, Volkogonov was appointed
the Shtykov diaries show that the Soviet nent Russian military historian, died of head of a special parliamentary commission
Army in North Korea was a de facto Occu- cancer on 6 December 1995 at age 67. to oversee the handling of archives from the
pation Army, not merely a “Stationary Volkogonov spent much of his career as a Soviet period. In that capacity, he helped
Army.” In addition, we now know from the high-ranking political officer in the Soviet secure the release of many valuable docu-
diaries that the Soviets were more deeply Army, and for several years was director of ments, including items from the Presidential
involved in politics and social unrest in the the prestigious Institute of Military His- Archive, the collection of highly-sensitive
south than we had known previously; leftist tory. More recently, he served as a military materials kept under the personal control of
parties in the north and south were strongly adviser to Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Soviet and then Russian leaders. Even so,
dependent upon the Soviets in the north and, and as co-chair of the joint U.S.-Russian critics of Volkogonov frequently charged
ultimately, Moscow. commission on prisoners of war. Even that he exploited his privileged access to the
while he performed these functions, he archives and held back from circulation the
1. Lebedev, “S soznaniem ispolnennogo dolga,” in
Osvobodzhdenie KOREI (Moscow, 1976), 79. continued to work on lengthy books about most significant or sensational documents
2. Zhdanov was the First Secretary of the party commit- Soviet history. Beginning in 1989, for his own use. After a lengthy article along
tee of Leningrad. Shtykov had absolute loyalty to Volkogonov published richly documented these lines appeared in the newspaper
Zhdanov. When Zhdanov died on 31 August 1948,
biographical studies of Josif Stalin (Triumf Izvestiya in July 1994, Volkogonov sent a
Shtykov expressed his deep grief over his death in his
diary. Diaries, 31 August, 1, 3 September 1948. i tragediya: Politicheskii portret I.V. letter to the editor asserting that he had
3. When the Communist regime was established in Stalina, 4 vols. [Moscow: Novosti, 1989], enjoyed no special access for his Stalin and
North Korea, Stalin immediately appointed Shtykov to English ed., Stalin: Triumph and Tragedy, Trotsky biographies, and that virtually all
this important post. Interestingly enough, Shtykov re-
trans. and ed. Harold Shukman [New York: the documents he used for his Lenin book
fused the offer at first because of his heart problem.
However, he could not refuse Molotov’s urgent request Free Press, 1991]); Leon Trotsky (Trotskii: were “accessible to everyone.” Partly as a
along with promise to send Shtykov to a center for Politicheskii portret, 2 vols. [Moscow: result of this controversy, the translator’s
medical treatment and provide him with competent Novosti,1992]); and Vladimir Lenin preface to the English edition of the Lenin
aides. See Diaries, 2 December 1948.
(Lenin: Politicheskii portret, 2 vols. [Mos- biography was modified to include a pledge
4. Sovetskaia Voennaia Entsiklopediia (Moscow, 1980),
544 cow: Novosti, 1994], English ed., Lenin: A that all documents cited in the book, includ-
5. Ibid. New Biography, trans. and ed. Harold ing those from the Presidential Archive,
6. His memoirs stopped at the years of his childhood. Shukman [New York: Free Press, 1994). would be made available to all researchers.
Interview in 1995 with Viktor Terentevich Shtykov,
Shortly before his death, he completed a Unfortunately, the access envisaged in
General Shtykov’s son, in St.Petersburg.
7. For example, Kravtsov, a special aide to Shtykov, survey of the whole Soviet period (Sem’ that pledge has not yet materialized. Rus-
recollected that he had burned in the 1950s all of his Portretov (Seven Portraits)[Moscow: sian and foreign scholars who worked in the
documents, including reports he had written. Novosti, 1995]), which only recently ap- Russian archives in 1995 (including myself)
8. For convenience’s sake, I use North Korea and South
peared in Russia. were summarily turned down when they
Korea although there were only the de jure U.S. Occu-
pation Government in the south and de facto Soviet Having been an orthodox Communist requested access to documents adduced in
Occupation Government in the north from 1945- 1948. for most of his life, Volkogonov in the the Lenin book. Whether because of bureau-
9. The 3 November 1946 election in North Korea was 1990s shifted toward a strongly anti-Com- cratic inertia or some other motive, most of
another example.
munist position. As recently as when he the senior archival officials in Moscow dis-
10. Kim Il Sung’s Report to Shtykov on Kim’s meeting
with Kang Jin. Diaries, 22 October 1946. wrote his books on Stalin and Trotsky, he played no interest in gathering and making
11. Diaries, 2 December 1946. had glorified Lenin. But by the time he available the items that Volkogonov cited.
12. Diaries, 6, 7, 11, 12, 25, 27 December 1946 completed his study of Lenin in 1994, One hopes that with Volkogonov’s death, a
13. Diaries, 28 September, 7, 8, 22 December 1946.
Volkogonov had concluded that the founder renewed effort will be made to release for
14. At that time one seom of rice (a big sack of rice) cost
15 yen in the north and 150 yen in the south). of Bolshevism was in fact a “savage, cruel, open research the many documents he em-
uncompromising, remorseless, and venge- ployed to such good effect. That would be a
Hyun-su Jeon is a doctoral candidate at the ful” figure. Volkogonov said he had found fitting tribute to a courageous historian.
Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Acad- it “painful” to “shed [his] illusions” about
emy of Sciences; this article was edited and the Soviet regime, but shed them he did. —Mark Kramer
translated by Gyoo-hyoung Kahng, a fellow His final books provide overwhelming sup- Russian Research Center
of the Contemporary History Institute, Ohio port for his ideological change of heart. Harvard University
University. A longer version of this article
appeared in the Fall 1995 issue of the Ko-
rean-langauge publication Yoksa biyong
[Critique of History].
STALIN, MAO, KIM, AND CHINA’S DECISION TO ENTER THE KOREAN WAR,
SEPTEMBER 16-OCTOBER 15, 1950:
NEW EVIDENCE FROM THE RUSSIAN ARCHIVES
article and translations by Alexandre Y. Mansourov1
At 5:45 a.m. on 15 September 1950, the scholarly and eyewitness accounts of the negotiations between Stalin and Zhou Enlai
5th Marine Brigade of the X Corps com- preparation, implementation, and strategic on 10-11 October 1950, as well as the still-
manded by Maj. Gen. Edward M. Almond and military significance of Operation enigmatic October 1950 correspondence
began its unprecedented amphibious land- Chromite, as well as the subsequent pros- between Beijing and Moscow.9
ing onto the beaches of Inch’on. There were ecution of the war by the UN forces, includ- But due to the unavoidable lack of hard
about 500 North Korean soldiers on Wolmi- ing the origins and aftermath of the reversal top-level archival evidence, these accounts
do, a tiny island protecting the entry into the of fortunes for the UN troops in November fell far short of being able to reconstruct in
Inch’on harbor, another 500 at Kimpo, and 1950.4 In addition, in his 1960 study China detail the attitudes and policy orientations of
about 1,500 within Inch’on.2 They were Crosses the Yalu, Allen S. Whiting persua- Stalin or other key Soviet leaders in Moscow
confronted with more than 70,000 troops sively showed how national security con- and their representatives on the ground in
from the United States, Australia, Canada, cerns, as well as domestic political and eco- Korea, nor the decision-making processes
New Zealand, France, Holland, and the UK nomic considerations, may have led the taking place inside the Kremlin immediately
disembarking from more than 260 ships. People’s Republic of China (PRC) govern- after the U.S. landing at Inch’on and leading
The surprise of the UN attack, and the pre- ment to decide to enter the Korean War. His up to the final Chinese decision a month later
ponderant firepower and manpower of the preliminary conclusions were supported al- to intervene militarily in Korea. Moreover,
U.S.-led forces, destroyed pockets of the most three decades later by Russell Spurr,5 this literature suffered from the lack of pre-
dazed North Korean resistance within hours. who focused his research on the psychologi- viously classified Moscow-Pyongyang top-
By the next morning the 1st Marines had cal background of the Chinese leaders’ deci- level correspondence, and to rely primarily
been able to squeeze the remnants of the sion to provide military assistance to a on the officially authorized, at times propa-
Korean People’s Army (KPA) out of Inch’on friendly communist regime in Pyongyang. gandistic Chinese sources of the exchanges
and had started their rapid advance towards Then, a wave of memoirs6 published in between the PRC and USSR leaders.
Kimp’o and Seoul. Operation Chromite was the PRC by former high-ranking Chinese This absence of critical Soviet source
a complete success and later labelled as “a officials, military leaders, and other insiders materials, consequently, gave birth to a num-
masterpiece of amphibious ingenuity.”3 In allowed scholars to reconstruct in great de- ber of academic debates. First, many schol-
a little more than a week Seoul was recap- tail the relevant decision-making processes ars disagree in their assessments of Soviet
tured by the UN forces. On 1 October 1950, in Beijing and Northeast China regarding and Chinese intentions and motivations in
they crossed the 38th parallel, and began the merits of Chinese military intervention Northeast Asia and the nature and param-
their rapid, sweeping advance northward. in Korea, including debates within the Polit- eters of their respective perceived national
The KPA surrendered Pyongyang on Octo- buro of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interests on the Korean peninsula at this
ber 19, and soon the first Republic of Korea and among PLA senior commanders. These stage of the war. Second, an overarching
(ROK) and U.S. battalions approached the works also brought to light some differences debate among historians involves a series of
Yalu River on the Chinese-North Korean in the individual positions of Chinese lead- interrelated questions about alliance com-
border. ers, including last-minute doubts, reversals, mitments between Moscow and Beijing—
However, U.S./UN Commander Dou- disagreements, and vacillations on the part what commitments were made, why and
glas MacArthur’s promise to “Bring the of those involved, and analyzed the corre- how they were reached, whether they were
Boys Home by Christmas” never came true. spondence between Mao Zedong and Zhou broken or honored, and how they affected
The Thanksgiving offensive proved still- Enlai and their military officials, as well as the subsequent course of Sino-Soviet rela-
born, for it was a new enemy that the UN other political, economic, military, and ad- tions (a good example of this is the claim
troops confronted in Korea from then on: 36 ministrative events related to the war which advanced in some Chinese accounts that
divisions of the Chinese People’s Volun- occurred in China in August-October 1950.7 Stalin, in his 10-11 October 1950 meeting
teers (CPV) who entered North Korea in late However, what this literature still left to with Zhou, reneged on a prior commitment
October-early November, supported by al- speculation was the Soviet side of the story. for the USSR to provide air support for the
most twelve wings and air defense divisions Some of the books, especially Uncertain CPVs). This debate includes controversies
of the Soviet Air Force operating from nearby Partners (1993), by Sergei N. Goncharov, related to the personal roles of Stalin, Mao,
airfields in Northeast China. Recognizing John W. Lewis, and Xue Litai, and William and Kim Il Sung in manipulating one
new patterns in the enemy’s behavior, in his W. Stueck’s recently-published The Korean another’s decisions regarding the war, espe-
special communiqué to the UN dated 28 War: An International History,8 discuss stra- cially the initial decision to initiate a large-
November 1950, MacArthur called it “an tegic calculations which Stalin might have scale attack against the south in June 1950
entirely new war.” Indeed, it was. made at this crucial juncture of the Korean and later over China’s intervention. There is
In the Western literature there are many War, the course and outcome of crucial also a cloud of uncertainty over the role of
Zhou Enlai as an intermediary between Stalin new evidence on the commonalities and dif- his exchange with Mao Zedong, Stalin held
and Mao in managing (mismanaging?) the ferences in the Soviet and Chinese world Kim Il Sung and his Korean generals re-
Sino-Soviet alliance, and the role of the views, and their respective views on the sponsible for failures at the battleground. In
Soviet ambassador to Pyongyang in the limits of the U.S. global power and likeli- turn, Zhou Enlai blamed Kim Il Sung for
initial stages of the war, T.F. Shtykov, as an hood of a U.S.-led escalation of the Korean withholding military intelligence from the
intermediary between Stalin and Kim Il conflict, as well as on the varied significances Chinese and for ignoring Mao’s warnings,
Sung in the ill-fated handling of the USSR- of Korea, divided or unified, for the Soviet issued as early as mid-August, about the
DPRK alliance. versus Chinese national interests. Also, the danger of a U.S. landing at Inch’on. Kim Il
Shortly before the 40th anniversary of newly declassified early October 1950 cor- Sung, in turn, blamed his commanders for
the end of the Korean War, the Russian respondence between Moscow and Beijing insubordination, Stalin for lack of commit-
government released a new batch of previ- sheds dramatic new light on intra-alliance ment, and his Soviet advisers for profes-
ously classified documents related to the bargaining between Stalin and Mao Zedong sional ineptitude. Reading the newly de-
events on the Korean peninsula from 1949 regarding the terms of China’s entry into the classified Russian telegrams, it is hard not to
to 1953, including some correspondence Korean War, which is at variance with the conclude that these mutual recriminations
between Stalin and Kim Il Sung, Stalin and traditional Chinese and Western interpreta- undermined palpably the mutual trust among
Mao Zedong, internal correspondence be- tions thereof. In particular, these Russian the leaders of these communist allies.
tween the Kremlin and various Soviet gov- documents raise questions about the reliabil- The ciphered telegrams also reveal the
ernment ministries involved in the prosecu- ity and even authenticity of Mao’s telegrams atmosphere of confusion and discord that
tion of the war in Korea, and ciphered tele- of 2 and 14 October 1950 as they appear in permeated relations between the Soviet and
grams between Soviet representatives in officially authorized Chinese sources, and Chinese leaders and their respective repre-
North Korea (known officially as the Demo- subsequently in scholarly literature. They sentatives and associates in Korea regarding
cratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK) also reveal the depth of Stalin’s and Mao’s the military-strategic significance of the
and their respective superiors in Moscow. personal involvement and the complexity of Inch’on landing. Stalin considered the
In total, these new primary source materials policymaking processes in Moscow and Inch’on landing a development of vital stra-
amount to well over a thousand pages and Beijing regarding the prosecution of the tegic significance, fraught with grave impli-
come from the Archive of the President of Korean War, as well as how domestic politi- cations for the KPA [Document #3]. There-
the Russian Federation (APRF), the Archive cal considerations and bureaucratic politics fore, in his ciphered telegram dated 18 Sep-
of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation in the USSR and PRC affected their respec- tember 1950, he directed that Gen. Vasiliev,
(AVPRF) at the Ministry of Foreign Af- tive policy outcomes concerning military the Chief Soviet Military Adviser to the
fairs, and from the Military Archive at the strategy and tactics. Finally, they reveal for KPA, and Ambassador T.F. Shtykov, the
Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federa- the first time a series of decisions by the Soviet envoy to the DPRK, tell Kim Il Sung
tion. Soviet leadership to reduce the Soviet pres- to redeploy four KPA divisions from the
This article introduces and analyzes a ence in Korea at that time, including three Naktong River front to the vicinity of
selection of these newly declassified docu- CPSU Politburo conferences (on 27 and 30 Seoul.10 Also on September 18, he ordered
ments from the Russian Archives related to September 1950 and 5 October 1950) which Soviet Defense Minister Marshal A.M.
the period after the U.S.-UN troops’ landing considered the Chinese leadership’s pro- Vasilevsky urgently to develop a plan for the
at Inch’on on 16 September 1950, until mid- nounced reluctance to accommodate Stalin’s Soviet Air Force to provide air cover to
October 1950, when the PRC decided to prodding of Mao to send troops to rescue the Pyongyang, including the transfer of several
send its troops to Korea to save Kim Il DPRK, leading to Stalin’s 13 October 1950 Soviet Air Force fighter squadrons with
Sung’s collapsing regime. The newly re- decision to abandon North Korea and evacu- maintenance crews, radar posts, and air de-
leased documents primarily from the APRF, ate Kim Il Sung and the remnants of the KPA fense battalions from their bases in the Mari-
offer new information and insights into how to Northeast China and the Soviet Far East, time Province of the Soviet Far East (includ-
Stalin and his political representatives and as well as his dramatic reversal less than ing the strategic port city of Vladivostok) to
military advisers in Korea; Kim Il Sung and twenty-four hours later upon learning of the the airfields around Pyongyang [Document
his close associates; and Mao Zedong, Zhou Chinese final decision to fight. #1].
Enlai and their personal representatives in The value of the ciphered telegrams lies In contrast with Stalin’s judgment, nei-
Korea, viewed and assessed the strategic in the fact that they reveal the atmosphere of ther Shtykov nor Vasiliev seemed to grasp,
and military significance of the UN forces’ mutual finger-pointing which reigned in the let alone forecast, the strategic importance
landing at Inch’on, recapture of Seoul, cross- offices of the Soviet, North Korean, and of the U.S. troops’s amphibious landing at
ing of the 38th parallel, and drive to the Chinese decision-makers after the Inch’on Inch’on—as Stalin harshly admonished them
Yalu. These new archival materials provide landing. In the internal correspondence be- in a withering message on September 27
researchers with a fascinating window into tween Stalin and the Soviet political and [Document #3]. They believed it was a bluff
the internal dynamics and politics of alli- military advisers in Korea, Stalin blamed aimed at distracting the attention of the KPA
ance relationships among the Soviet Union, them for all the KPA failures in the Korean Command from the main southeastern front.
PRC, and the DPRK from the aftermath of campaign, whereas in his correspondence Shtykov even suggested that an author of an
the Inch’on landing until the Chinese cross- with Kim Il Sung Stalin blamed the KPA article in the Soviet newspaper Pravda about
ing of the Yalu River. They present startling commanders for military defeats, while in the Inch’on landing should be brought to
trial for disinformation and panicking. In had not heard anything from them.13 Zhou talions and regiments to the vicinity of
their correspondence with Stalin, they complained that the DPRK leaders had per- Inch’on and Seoul—were flawed and fraught
doubted the need to redeploy KPA troops sistently ignored Mao Zedong’s advice and with the possible annihilation of these units
from the Naktong River front to the defense predictions and, moreover, deprived the without providing any solution to the prob-
of Seoul, instead favoring a strategy of ex- Chinese Ambassador in Pyongyang, Ni lem as a whole. He stressed that only a
erting additional pressure on the southeast- Zhiliang, of operational information about pullout of main forces from the southeastern
ern front in order to throw the U.S. and ROK the military situation, thereby preventing front and creation of formidable lines of
troops defending the Pusan perimeter off the him from informing his government prop- defense east and north of Seoul could halt
cliffs into the Sea of Japan in a final great erly in a timely fashion. As a result, Mao had the unfolding UN offensive around Seoul.
offensive. Consequently, they dragged their only sketchy reports about the execution and Upon receiving Stalin’s message from
feet in executing Stalin’s order to withdraw consequences of the Inch’on landing. Roshchin on September 21, Zhou expressed
four KPA divisions from the Southeast to In response to Roshchin’s question about satisfaction that the Soviet assessment of the
the vicinity of Seoul. the appropriate course of action for the KPA military situation in Korea after Inch’on
As the military situation around Seoul at this juncture, Zhou recommended with matched the Chinese one. He mentioned to
deteriorated due to the rapid advance of the some reservations Zhou recommended that, Roshchin that two days earlier, he had sent a
U.S. X Corps toward the ROK capital from if the KPA had 100,000-men reserves in the cable to Chinese Ambassador Ni Zhiliang in
the west, and their recapture of Kimp’o on vicinity of Seoul and Pyongyang, they could Pyongyang with recommendations similar
September 18, Stalin urgently dispatched to and must eliminate the enemy’s landing to those which he had given Roshchin and
Korea a special mission headed by Army force at Inch’on. If, however, the KPA Soviet military advisers earlier that day.
General Matvey Vasilievich Zakharov,11 lacked such reserves, then they had to with- According to Zhou, the same day, Ni had a
(known by the pseudonym Matveyev), the draw their main forces from the Naktong long talk with Kim Il Sung, with Pak Il’u and
Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Soviet River front northward, leaving rear-guards Pak Hon-Yong present, and, afterwards,
Army, carried Stalin’s order that Shtykov behind to defend the frontline. On behalf of cabled to Beijing Kim’s words that “the
and Vasiliev tell Kim Il Sung to halt the the PRC government, Zhou requested that Korean people were ready to fight a pro-
offensive along the Pusan perimeter, to as- the Soviet government pass to the Chinese tracted war.”15
sume the defensive and pull out all his divi- leadership more accurate and up-to-date in- In the meantime, on September 22, the
sions from the Naktong River front and formation on the military situation in Korea, 5th and 7th regiments of the 1st U.S. Ma-
redeploy them to defend Seoul in the north- if it possessed it itself. rines Division approached Seoul from the
east and east. Also, he pressed Vasilevsky to On September 20, Stalin sent a ciphered northwest and northeast, while the 32nd and
step up his efforts to provide the KPA with telegram to Roshchin in Beijing for delivery 17th regiments of the ROK 7th Division
air cover and set up an air defense system to Zhou Enlai, responding to the latter’s advanced to Seoul from southeast, preparing
around Pyongyang (see Document #2). Fi- request for more information on the Korean for the final stage of Operation Chromite:
nally, Stalin directed his representative in situation.14 First of all, he stressed that poor the recapture of the capital. There was a
Beijing to solicit the Chinese leadership’s communications between the DPRK and general feeling that Seoul was about to fall.
opinion on the Korean situation and what to PRC and lack of information in Beijing on On September 23, the U.S.-UN-ROK forces
do about it. the military situation in Korea was “abnor- launched a frontal assault on Seoul; at the
On the night of September 18, Stalin mal.” In Stalin’s opinion, Kim Il Sung failed same time the Eighth Army’s general offen-
received a ciphered telegram from his Am- to provide Mao Zedong with military intel- sive in the South, unleashed on September
bassador to the PRC, N.V. Roshchin.12 ligence because of difficulties in his own 16, began to bear fruit, and the KPA fell
Roshchin informed Stalin of his meeting the communications with his Frontline Com- apart at the Naktong River front.
same day with Zhou Enlai, with the Soviet mand rather than his reluctance to share this Upon arrival in Korea, General
Military Advisers Gen. Kotov and Konnov kind of information. Stalin complained that Zakharov (Matveyev) sent his first ciphered
present. Zhou said that the Chinese leader- he himself received odd and belated reports telegram to Stalin on September 26 [Docu-
ship had no other information about the U.S. about the frontline situation from his Am- ment #4]. He reported that the situation of
amphibious landing at Inch’on besides that bassador in Pyongyang (Shtykov). He asked the People’s Army troops on the western
reported in the Western newspapers and by Zhou to bear in mind that the KPA was a very (Seoul) and southeastern (Pusan) fronts was
the Pyongyang Radio. Zhou noted that, in young and ill-experienced army with an grave; that the KPA’s First and Second
general, the Chinese had very poor contacts underdeveloped command and control sys- Armies faced the certain prospect of being
with the North Korean government regard- tem and weak cadres unable to analyze the encircled and completely destroyed by the
ing military matters. The Chinese were frontline situation quickly and efficiently. enemy troops; and that the U.S. Air Force
aware of the North Korean demand for cad- He blamed the U.S. intervention for the dominated the air space without hinderance,
res but were absolutely in the dark about the KPA’s debacle at Inch’on, emphasizing that wreaking havoc both within the KPA and in
KPA’s operational plans. They had at- had the KPA fought only against Syngman the rear areas. He noted that the KPA troops
tempted to dispatch a team of senior Chinese Rhee’s troops, “it would have cleaned up had suffered heavy losses, mainly from the
military officers from the Northeast Frontier Korea from the reactionary forces long time enemy’s air force, having lost almost all its
Forces Command to Korea to observe the ago.” Stalin argued that the tactics used by tanks and much of its artillery; and that they
military situation on the battleground, but the KPA at that time—dispatching odd bat- lacked munitions and fuel, the delivery of
which was virtually halted. He stressed that reported that the North Koreans had only just charges, however, no personnel changes
the KPA’s top-down command and control started to form six infantry divisions in the among the Soviet political and military ad-
system was set up poorly, that wire and northern part of Korea, and that Kim Il Sung visers were made in Korea at that time.
radio communications worked only inter- had issued a directive to take immediate Meanwhile, in Korea, on September 28
mittently because of the breakdowns in- steps to withdraw manpower from South Kim Il Sung convened an emergency meet-
flicted by the enemy’s air raids and due to Korea in order to use it in the formation of ing of the Workers’ Party of Korea Central
the lack of qualified radio operators and new divisions in North Korea and deny this Committee Political Council (WPK CC
radio station fuel, and that courier mail was opportunity to the South. PC).18 Everyone present agreed that the
almost nonexistent. Stalin was furious. On September 27, he military situation was critical and warranted
On September 25-26, Seoul became convened an emergency session of the Polit- extreme measures. First, in order to restore
“an inferno,”16 with the U.S. Marines ad- buro of the Central Committee of the All- the KPA Command Structure and improve
vancing into Seoul from the South, North, Union Communist Party (bolshevik) [Docu- its efficiency and reliability, the Political
and West, and methodically destroying over ment #3]. This was the first in a series of CC Council approved Kim’s proposal to com-
20,000 North Korean troops making a last- VKR(b) Politburo meetings which consid- bine the positions of the Supreme Com-
ditch stand. According to Zakharov’s ci- ered Soviet national interests in Korea and mander-in-Chief (SCINC) and Minister of
phered telegram [Document #4], on Sep- eventually decided to minimize Soviet expo- National Defense in his hands and to set up
tember 25, at 19:00 hours, local time, Kim Il sure on the peninsula. In its decision P#78/ a General Staff for the SCINC, i.e., the
Sung was finally persuaded to abandon his 73, the Politburo blamed the KPA’s predica- measures recommended to Kim by Zakharov
dream of pushing the UN troops into the sea ment in the Seoul area and in the southeast on and Shtykov at their meeting on September
in the south. He succumbed to his Soviet a series of grave mistakes made by the KPA 26. This was tantamount to establishing an
advisers’ urging and ordered that the Seoul Frontline Command, the Commands of the entirely new command and control system
Group and the Second Army Group operat- Army Groups and army groupings in the over the KPA centered on Kim Il Sung. This
ing in the northern part of the southeastern questions related to command and control decision was an obvious reflection of the
front assume the defensive and hold up the over troops, and combat tactics. In particu- fact that by September 28, Kim had already
enemy by any means. The troops of the lar, Stalin and his associates in Moscow held lost contact with his Defense Minister, Ch’oe
Second Army Group operating in the cen- responsible the Soviet military advisers for Yong-gon, who was in charge of the defense
tral and southern parts of the southeastern these blunders. In their judgment, the Soviet of Seoul.19 Moreover, Kim and other top
front were ordered to begin a general retreat military advisers had failed to implement political leaders in Pyongyang had lost all
northwestward. But the North Korean troops scrupulously and in a timely fashion Stalin’s communication with their Front Line Com-
in the South no longer obeyed their com- order to withdraw four divisions from the mand and the Auxiliary Command Posts,
manders; the KPA was rapidly disintegrat- central front to the Seoul area, and had dis- which had been cut off from each other by
ing. In Zakharov’s judgment, at that time played, moreover, strategic illiteracy and Walker’s rapidly advancing Eighth Army.20
the North’s top political and military leaders incompetence in intelligence matters. “They That day, the U.S.-led UN forces enveloped
already had no idea about the predicament failed to grasp the strategic importance of the both the First and Second Army Groups of
of the KPA troops, in particular on the enemy’s assault landing in Inch’on, denied the KPA, broke up the KPA’s command
southeastern front. the gravity of its implications... This blind- structure, and completely destroyed its com-
On September 26, the ROK 7th Divi- ness and lack of strategic experience led to munications system. The KPA units at-
sion moving westward from Namsan dis- the fact that they doubted the necessity of tempting to retreat to the north from the
trict, after having crossed the Han River, redeploying troops from the South toward Naktong River were pursued and destroyed.
joined hands with the U.S. 5th and 7th Seoul. At the same time, they procrastinated In Kim Il Sung’s own words, “because of
Marines. Although some North Korean over the redeployment and slowed it down poor discipline and failure to fulfill orders,”
resistance, including suicide squads attack- considerably, thereby losing a week to the the KPA failed to pull out most of their
ing American tanks, continued fiercely un- enemy’s enjoyment.” The Politburo stated troops stuck in the south.21
til the afternoon of September 27, by and that “the assistance provided by our military The WPK CC PC’s second decision
large the battle for Seoul was over as the advisers to the Korean Command in such was to take urgent measures aimed to orga-
night fell. According to Zakharov’s ci- paramount questions as communications, nize defenses along the 38th parallel, ap-
phered telegram [Document #4], later that command and control over troops, organiza- proving Kim’s plan to form immediately
night, Kim Il Sung received him; DPRK tion of intelligence and combat is exception- fifteen new divisions. At that time, six new
Foreign Minister Pak Hon-Yong and ally weak.”17 In conclusion, the Politburo infantry divisions were already being cre-
Shtykov also attended. As a result of the decided that after the fall of Seoul the KPA’s ated in South Pyongan and South Hwanghae,
conversation, Kim Il Sung decided to com- main goal should be to withdraw all its troops and South and North Hamgyong Provinces.
bine the duties of the Supreme Commander- to North Korea and defend its own homeland At the same time, Kim hoped to reconstitute
in-Chief and Defense Minister in his own by all means. It attached a list of military nine more infantry divisions from the rem-
hands, to set up a Staff Office for the Su- measures which Chief Soviet Military Ad- nants of the KPA returning from the south-
preme Commander-in-Chief for command viser Vasiliev was ordered to implement in eastern front.22
and control over troops, and to pay serious order to prevent the enemy from crossing the Finally, in the course of a fierce debate,
attention to the work of the rear. Zakharov 38th parallel. Despite the gravity of the the Political Council concurred that after the
fall of Seoul nothing would stop the UN pleading for help [Document #6]. Actually, could not be more explicit than that. Recog-
forces from crossing the 38th parallel; that if the letter was dated September 29. The next nizing that they could not survive on their
they did cross the parallel, the remaining day, Pak Hon-Yong personally delivered it own, they were crying out for help to Stalin,
KPA units would not be able to render any to Shtykov with an emotional plea that “at their “fatherly leader,” for, preferably, the
serious resistance, and, consequently, the the moment of the enemy’s troops crossing Soviet cavalry to rescue the day, or, if not, to
war would be over in a very short period of of the 38th parallel, we will desperately need broker Mao’s consent to enter the war.
time, with the North Korean state being ground troops from the Soviet Union.” The In the meantime, on September 29,
eliminated by the aggressive American im- letter arrived at the Eighth Department of the General MacArthur restored the Govern-
perialists. Unanimously, the North Korean General Staff of the Soviet Armed Forces on ment of the Republic of Korea headed by
leadership agreed to ask both allies, the September 30, at 23:30 p.m., by wire as Syngman Rhee in an emotional ceremony in
Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of “very urgent,” was deciphered on October 1, the capital in Seoul. The last hope that the
China, for direct military assistance. The at 0:35 a.m., typed up at 1:45 a.m., and war could be contained at the status quo ante
Political Council thus discussed and ap- forwarded to Stalin to his dacha in the South belli was dashed when later that day the U.S.
proved two official letters [Document #6] at 2:50 a.m. The timing is important in this Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) approved
addressed to Stalin and Mao Zedong, beg- case because only after having received Kim MacArthur’s plan for the conquest of North
ging them to intervene directly and without Il Sung’s plea for help did Stalin dispatch a Korea, envisioning the Eighth Army ad-
delay to save the North Korean regime. cable to Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai on vancing to Pyongyang and the Tenth Corps
It is noteworthy that the next day, before October 1, at 3:00 a.m., requesting China’s being withdrawn from the Inch’on-Seoul
dispatching the letter to Stalin, Kim solicited direct intervention in the Korean conflict. area for another amphibious landing at
Shtykov’s advice regarding its content and In their letter, Kim and Pak informed Wonsan. The same day, U.S. Secretary of
advisability. On the evening of September Stalin about the severe consequences for the Defense Gen. George C. Marshall sent an
29, following the mandate of the WPK CC KPA of the Inch’on landing. Although still encouraging message to MacArthur: “We
Politburo, Kim for the first time officially loathe to admit that Seoul had fallen, they want you to feel unhampered strategically
raised to his Soviet military advisers the indicated that the enemy “had the real possi- and tactically to proceed north of the 38th
question of the UN forces’ crossing the 38th bility of taking over Seoul.” They were Parallel.”25
parallel. At his meeting with Shtykov and certain that “with the complete occupation On September 30, the Soviet Politburo
Zakharov [Document #5], with Pak Hon- of Seoul, the enemy would launch a further conferred again on the Korean situation, in
Yong present, he asked Shtykov whether the offensive into North Korea.” Kim and Pak particular Zakharov’s latest report on the
latter thought the enemy would dare to cross admitted that “if the enemy were to take dire military situation [Document #4]. The
the 38th parallel. Once Shtykov replied that advantage of the situation and step up its discussion focused on the need to avoid a
he was not sure, Kim concurred by saying offensive in North Korea, then we would be direct military confrontation between the
that “it was not clear to me either.” Kim unable to stop the enemy by our own forces... USSR and the United States and the options
added, however, that “if the enemy did cross and the U.S. aggression would succeed in still available to salvage the situation in
the parallel, the People’s Army would not be the end.” Nonetheless, they emphasized that Korea, including soliciting Chinese help and
able to form new troops and, therefore, would they were still determined to fight on, to opening a last-ditch diplomatic maneuver-
not be able to render any serious resistance mobilize new troops and to prepare “for a ing at the United Nations. The Politburo
to the enemy forces.” Kim told Shtykov he protracted war.” They argued that it was “in directed that the Foreign Ministry draft a
wanted his advice as to how they should the USSR’s national interest to prevent the new ceasefire resolution to be submitted to
approach Stalin concerning their letter re- U.S. advance into North Korea and the latter’s the UN. Also, they decided to approve Kim
questing direct Soviet military assistance. transformation into a colony and military Il Sung’s proposals to reorganize the KPA
But Shtykov dodged the question, obviously springboard of U.S. imperialism.” high military command, form six new divi-
to ensure that the final decision to invite Finally, they begged Stalin for a “spe- sions, and withdraw remaining North Ko-
Soviet troops to the defense of North Ko- cial kind of assistance,” admitting that “at rean troops from the South [Document #8].
rea—and subsequent responsibility, should the moment when the enemy troops begin to At the same time, the Politburo decided that
things go wrong—would rest with Kim Il cross the 38th parallel, we would desper- armaments, munition, and other materials
Sung and Pak Hon-Yong themselves.23 Kim ately need direct military assistance from the for the new divisions would be supplied to
and Pak were visibly dissatisfied and upset Soviet Union.” Afraid of their plea being the KPA between October 5 and 20.26 Fi-
but at the same time so “confused, lost, rejected outright and fearful that Stalin held nally, the Politburo recommended that Kim
hopeless, and desperate,” and had so much at them personally responsible for the war’s ask the Chinese to dispatch truck drivers to
stake at the moment, that they went ahead disastrous turn, Kim and Pak inserted a face- North Korea.
and asked Stalin for a total commitment, saving proposition for Stalin, i.e., “if for any It is worth noting that Stalin specifically
including Soviet ground troops, even with- reason, this [direct military assistance - AM] mentioned in his instructions to Shtykov that
out Shtykov’s blessing.24 proves to be impossible, please, assist us in their last recommendation should be passed
It was on October 1, at 2:50 a.m., that lining up international volunteers’ units in to Kim Il Sung without any reference to
Stalin received ciphered telegram #1351 from China and other countries of people’s de- Moscow, as if it were coming from the
Shtykov, containing an official text of the mocracies to be used in providing military Soviet military advisers in the field. The
letter of Kim Il Sung and Pak Hon-Yong assistance to our struggle.” Kim and Pak probable cause for such reticence may have
been Stalin’s belief that the entire question ernment. Otherwise, all had to stay at their generals, implying that the role of the Soviet
of the Chinese entry into the war was so post, whatever it was. At the same time, the military advisers to Kim Il Sung and the
profound that: 1) he had to discuss it with Foreign Ministry in Moscow insisted that it, KPA would be drastically curtailed, if not
Mao directly; and 2) he should not even not Shtykov, should have the final say in abolished altogether.
raise it until it was clear that without Chi- each case of anticipatory repatriation. Sur- It is noteworthy that this is one of the
nese help the North Koreans would not prisingly, Stalin opted to defer both Shtykov’s first instances in the Stalin-Mao correspon-
survive, and until the latter asked for it request and Gromyko’s recommendation for dence where Stalin indicated to Mao his
explicitly. Also, Stalin may have wanted to the time being. willingness to share control over events in
probe Mao’s intentions and promises and Later that same night, on September 30, Korea. In exchange for shouldering so much
put them to a real test, albeit on the minor Stalin, who was vacationing at one of his of the burden of defending of North Korea,
issue of truck drivers. Perhaps Stalin even dachas on the Black Sea, was informed about Stalin offered Mao a power-sharing arrange-
hoped to drag Mao into the war incremen- the content of Zhou Enlai’s official speech in ment. Thus, this telegram was a harbinger of
tally: according to this scenario, the drivers Beijing earlier that day, in which Zhou stated the looming end of the unilateral Soviet
would be the first commitment of man- that “the Chinese people will not tolerate control over North Korea which had lasted
power by Mao to Korea, which would later foreign aggression, nor will they supinely since 1945. It also meant that from then on
lead to a chain of escalating commitments. tolerate seeing their neighbors being sav- Kim Il Sung would have two masters to
The Politburo made these decisions and agely invaded by the imperialists.” Stalin serve, as well as to play off against each
wired some of them to Pyongyang close to may well have sensed that the Chinese might other—one in Moscow and one in Beijing.
noon on September 30, i.e., before Stalin be ready for action. At the same time, Stalin felt compelled to
received another ciphered telegram #1340 On October 1, at 3:00 a.m., upon the show some respect for Chinese sensitivities,
from Shtykov [Document #5], later that the receipt of Kim Il Sung’s desperate plea for in particular, their yearning for national in-
same day (after 4:55 p.m.). Only then was help, Stalin immediately dictated a telegram dependence and independent decision-mak-
Stalin officially informed by him that Seoul to Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai and had it ing; moreover, he was intent to avoid the
had fallen and Syngman Rhee was back in wired to Beijing [Document #10]. In his possibly very awkward position of being the
the capital, promising to complete his drive telegram, first of all he placed all the blame messenger of bad news, in case Mao turned
to the North and vanquish Stalin’s North for the KPA’s collapse and disintegration on down his request. Therefore, Stalin “mag-
Korean comrades; that Kim Il Sung was North Korean military commanders who, in nanimously” designated Mao to deliver his
afraid that the UN forces would not halt his opinion, had failed to carry out Kim Il own response directly to Kim Il Sung, stress-
their advance northward at the 38th parallel; Sung’s orders for a strategic retreat of the ing that he did not intend to pre-judge the
and that the North Koreans would not be main forces from the South. He specifically Chinese comrades and tell Kim Il Sung
able to resist the enemy’s offensive on their mentioned to Mao that Moscow had fore- about their likely decision, nor would he
own. warned the North Korean political leader- desire to do so in the future, because all the
Later in the evening of September 30, ship about possibly devastating consequences honors and gratitude should belong to Mao,
in line with the general disposition in Mos- of the U.S. landing at Inch’on as early as not Stalin.
cow toward limiting the Soviet presence September 16, but that the warning was dis- On the evening of October 1, Stalin
and risks in Korea, Shtykov requested evacu- regarded. However, he was careful to avoid approved the text of a Soviet draft resolution
ation powers from Moscow [Stalin was in- blaming Kim Il Sung personally, thereby regarding the Korean Question that had been
formed of this in a note from Deputy For- indicating to Mao that Kim was still the man drafted at the Foreign Ministry’s first Far
eign Minister A. A. Gromyko dated Sep- to deal with in Pyongyang. Second, Stalin Eastern Department, approved by Gromyko,
tember 30—Document #9]. Shtykov asked informed Mao and Zhou that after their ruin- and submitted for Stalin’s consideration.
for the right to send back to the USSR all ous defeat in Seoul, the North Koreans no For Stalin, it was a last pitch to the West to
Soviet specialists working at the North Ko- longer had any troops capable of resistance, resolve the Korean crisis without major es-
rean enterprises,27 as well as some redun- and that the road toward the 38th parallel calation.28 At 9:15 p.m. (Moscow time), in
dant personnel of the Soviet organizations from the south was wide open. Finally, Beijing Soviet Ambassador Roshchin deliv-
in the DPRK. As the Soviet Ambassador to Stalin requested that Mao, if possible, “im- ered the content of the draft resolution to
the DPRK responsible for the lives of his mediately dispatch at least five to six divi- Zhou Enlai. At 10:45 p.m. (Moscow time),
people and anticipating the inevitability of sions toward the 38th parallel so that the Zhou Enlai met Roshchin again and in-
the U.S. occupation of North Korea, Shtykov Korean comrades would have an opportu- formed him that Mao agreed with its provi-
not unnaturally sought emergence authority nity to regroup and form combat reserves sions. An hour later, after learning Mao’s
to order their evacuation. But Gromyko north of the 38th parallel under the protection view, Stalin immediately ordered it wired to
disagreed and advised a different proce- of the Chinese troops.” Stalin suggested, the Soviet Representative to the United Na-
dure: In order to show the Soviets’ continu- apparently for the first time, that the Chinese tions at Lake Success.29
ous faith and backing for Kim Il Sung’s troops should be designated as “volunteer” It is well known that on October 2,
government, he recommended to Stalin that forces. In order to entice Mao further, he Soviet Foreign Minister Vyshinsky presented
Shtykov be allowed to repatriate the Soviet indicated that he was ready to share overall the Soviet draft resolution to the Political
specialists only after a specific request of command and control over the KPA and the Committee of the General Assembly, which
such a nature was made by the DPRK gov- Chinese volunteer forces with the Chinese stipulated an immediate ceasefire, with
drawal of all foreign troops, and general plained, after “thoroughly” considering the October 2 which was published in 1987 in an
elections in all Korea to be held under inter- matter, many of his comrades now advo- official Chinese document compilation and
national supervision. However, at this stage cated a more cautious course of action. has since been relied upon for numerous
of the war, after a miraculous landing at Consequently, the PRC would refrain from scholarly accounts; see the attached foot-
Inch’on and the recapture of Seoul when the sending troops to Korea, at least for the time note for further information.)30
KPA was in ruins, a ceasefire was out of being. Mao attributed this reversal to three Stalin, while undoubtedly sorely disap-
question and totally unacceptable to the West. principal considerations. First, the Chinese pointed, did not know whether Mao had
By now, the decision made in Washington, army was poorly armed, ill-prepared, and given his final word or was simply for bar-
on mostly tactical grounds, to cross the 38th had “no confidence” it could defeat the mod- gaining for better terms for China’s partici-
parallel, after Inch’on had become an offi- ern American military, which could “force pation in the war. During the day of October
cial United Nations operation. us into retreat.” Second, Chinese interven- 5, Stalin conferred with the members of the
While waiting for Mao’s reply, on Oc- tion in the conflict would “most likely” lead (VKP(b) CC) Politburo. Although the offi-
tober 2, Stalin received information that the to an open Sino-American war, which in cial agenda was designated as “the Question
North Korean frontier defenses had begun to turn could drag the USSR into the war due to of Comrade Shtykov,” the real issue under
crumble under incessant attacks from Rhee’s its commitments under the Sino-Soviet Alli- consideration was the nature of the Soviet
revenge-hungry troops, and the ROK forces ance Treaty, “and the question would thus national security interest in Korea and how
had pushed north beyond the parallel on the become extremely large.” Finally, after to protect it on the ground. All Politburo
east coast road heading towards Kosong. He decades of civil war, Chinese entry into the members agreed that a direct Soviet-U.S.
sent an angry ciphered telegram to Matveev Korean conflict to confront a powerful confrontation in Korea should be avoided at
in Pyongyang [Document #11], reiterating American adversary would provoke wide- all costs, even if the USSR had to abandon
his earlier directive to his chief military spread domestic resentment within the PRC North Korea. In his memoirs, Khrushchev
representative in Korea to do his utmost to toward the newly-established People’s Gov- recalls that “When the threat [after Inch’on]
bring the remnants of the KPA mired in the ernment, and wreck the leadership’s plan for emerged, Stalin became resigned to the idea
south back into the north, and to hold the peaceful reconstruction. that North Korea would be annihilated, and
frontline along the 38th parallel. Therefore, Mao reluctantly concluded, that the Americans would reach our border.
In the meantime, in Beijing, the crisis it was necessary to “show patience now,” I remember quite well that in connection
was building on October 2: ignoring Zhou’s focus on building military strength for a with the exchange of opinions on the Korean
warnings, ROK troops with U.S. backing possible later conflict, and in the meantime question, Stalin said: ‘So what? Let the
had crossed the 38th parallel a day earlier; accept a temporary defeat in Korea while the United States of America be our neighbors
Kim Il Sung was begging for direct military North Koreans “change the form of the in the Far East. They will come there, but we
assistance; and, finally, Stalin was person- struggle to partisan war.” Mao concluded shall not fight them now. We are not ready
ally urging Mao to intervene in Korea. Con- his message by noting that this decision was to fight.’”31 The upshot of the Politburo
sequently, that day Mao convened the first provisional and awaited a final determina- discussion was a decision to increase pres-
of a series of enlarged meetings of the Chi- tion by the Central Committee of the Chi- sure on Mao to extract an unequivocal com-
nese Communist Party Central Committee nese Communist Party; in the meantime, he mitment from China to enter the war.
(CCP CC) Politburo in Beijing to formulate was ready to send Zhou Enlai and Lin Biao Thus, it appears that as a result of cumu-
the Chinese response. New documents from to Stalin’s vacation home for direct consul- lative discussions and a series of incremen-
the Russian Presidential Archive suggest tations. In conveying Mao’s telegram, which tal decisions dated September 27, Septem-
that at their first meeting the CCP CC Polit- was dated October 2, an obviously shocked ber 30, and October 5, the Soviet Politburo
buro members discussed general reasons Roshchin noted that this new position flatly adopted a major policy shift in the Soviet
why the PRC should or should not enter the contradicted repeated assurances from Chi- policy toward Korea. The Soviet leadership
war in Korea and decided that the risks nese leaders that the People’s Liberation appears to have decided to begin to limit
outweighed the benefits of China’s direct Army was ready, indeed, in high “fighting Soviet military and political exposure in
military intervention at that time. Zhou spirit,” to aid the Koreans and to defeat the Korea, and at the same time permit a greater
Enlai and Lin Biao’s negative position pre- Americans. The Soviet envoy could only Chinese role in the alliance decision-making
vailed, and Mao felt obliged to inform Stalin speculate on the reasons for the turnabout in on Korea.
of the Chinese hesitations and lack of deci- the Beijing leadership’s stand: the interna- In this light, given the continuous dete-
sion. tional situation, the “worsening” predica- rioration of the military situation in Korea,
On October 3, the Soviet ambassador in ment in Korea, and/or Anglo-American “in- as well as the Soviet leaders’ determination
Beijing, Roshchin, relayed Mao Zedong’s trigues” through the intercession of Indian to see Chinese, not Soviet, troops fighting
negative response. [See Document #12.] Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. (It is there, the Politburo overruled the Foreign
Replying to Stalin’s October 1 entreaty to important to note that this account of Mao’s Ministry’s objections and decided, as one of
enter the war, Mao acknowledged that the October 2 communication to Stalin, inform- the first steps aimed at curtailing the Soviet
Chinese leadership had “originally planned” ing him of Chinese refusal to enter the war, presence in Korea, to grant Ambassador
to send “several volunteer divisions” to as- based on newly-declassified documents int Shtykov the evacuation powers that he re-
sist the “Korean comrades” once the enemy he Russian archives, fundamentally contra- quested with respect to some Soviet special-
crossed the 38th parallel. However, he ex- dicts the purported Mao to Stalin message of ists employed by the DPRK government and
by Soviet organizations in Korea [Politburo but it would not be able to get back even 5] letter and stated that he would send nine,
Decision No. P78/168, Document #14]. He Taiwan, which at that time the United States not six, divisions to Korea, but that he would
was notified of this policy change by wire was clinging to; not for the benefit of Nation- not do it right away; instead, he intended to
the same day. Ironically, the permission alist Chinese leader Jiang Jieshi (Chiang do it some time soon. In the meantime, he
arrived just as Shtykov, sensing a policy Kai-shek), in Stalin’s view, but to use the asked me to receive his representatives and
shift in Moscow, losing all his faith in Kim island as its own strategic base or for a discuss with them a plan of military assis-
Il Sung’s ability to defend his regime on his militaristic Japan of tomorrow. tance to Korea in detail” [see Document
own, and unsure if any help was coming In conclusion, Stalin displayed a singu- #13]. Evidently, Mao’s October 7 telegram
from Moscow or Beijing, requested even larly unusual propensity for high-stakes gam- contained only his conditional consent to
more extended evacuation powers, now in- bling which was fraught with the potential send troops to Korea. He had taken a step
cluding the families of the Soviet citizens of for global disaster. He reassured Mao that he toward Stalin’s position but hinted that, once
Korean nationality,32 the personnel of the had taken into account the possibility that the again, the decision was not yet final, and
Soviet Air Force units stationed in Korea,33 United States, albeit unready to fight a major could be rendered final only after Stalin
and all other Soviet citizens in Korea [Docu- war then, could still be drawn into a big war received in person and succeeded in per-
ment #16]. It took less than a day for (i.e., with China) on a question of prestige, suading the chief CCP CC Politburo oppo-
Vasilevsky and Gromyko to get Stalin’s which, in turn, would drag the USSR, which nents of China’s entry into the Korean War:
approval and immediately wire the affirma- was bound with China by a Mutual Assis- Zhou Enlai and Lin Biao. Stalin accepted
tive response. tance Pact, into the war. Stalin asked Mao: Mao’s request with understanding, realizing
After the conference with his Politburo “Should we be afraid of this possibility? In that he had to bolster Mao if he wanted the
associates sometime during the day of Octo- my opinion, we should not, because, to- latter to deliver.
ber 5, Stalin sent a ciphered telegram to Mao gether, we will be stronger than the United While Moscow and Beijing bickered
and Zhou [Document #13]. Without men- States and Great Britain, whereas none of the about why, when, on what terms, and whether
tioning the latest policy shift in Moscow, he other European capitalist states (with the troops should be sent to defend Kim Il Sung’s
outlined his reasoning why it was in China’s exception of Germany, which is unable to crumbling regime—and whose troops they
national interest to dispatch the Chinese provide any assistance to the United States should be—the Western allies intensified
“Volunteers” to save the collapsing North now) possess any military power at all. If their diplomatic offensive at the United Na-
Korean regime and why this had to be done war is inevitable, let it be waged now, and not tions and stepped up their military offensive
immediately. First, he reiterated his convic- in a few years when Japanese imperialism on the battleground, anticipating a quick
tion that the United States was not ready to will be restored as a U.S. ally and when the mop-up of the entire Korean campaign. On
fight a major war at present, while Japan, U.S. and Japan will have a ready-made bridge- October 4, the Political Committee of the
whose militaristic potential had not yet been head on the continent in the form of all Korea UN General Assembly rejected the Soviet
restored, was not currently capable of mili- run by Syngman Rhee.” This telegram was draft resolution of October 2, and, on Octo-
tarily assisting the Americans. Therefore, a call for action. Stalin forcefully indicated ber 7, the UN General Assembly passed by
he argued, the U.S. would be compelled to to Mao that all the chips were down, and Mao a 47-5-7 vote a “Go after the DPRK” resolu-
concede in the Korean question to China, had to show what hand he was playing after tion, proposed by the United Kingdom, which
which was backed by its ally, the USSR, and all. recommended that: “1. a) All appropriate
to agree to terms of settlement favorable to The embattled Mao must have received steps be taken to ensure conditions of stabil-
(North) Korea thus preventing the Ameri- this telegram amidst a series of tense emer- ity throughout Korea; b) all constituent acts
cans from transforming the peninsula into gency sessions of the CCP CC Politburo in be taken, including the holding of elections,
their springboard. Following the same hard- Beijing sometime on October 6. It was at one under the auspices of the U.N., for the estab-
nosed realpolitik reasoning, Stalin stated of these meetings that Mao reportedly an- lishing of a united, independent and demo-
that, consequently, not only would Wash- nounced his decision to appoint Peng Dehuai cratic government in the sovereign state of
ington have to abandon Taiwan, but also as the commander of the Chinese People’s Korea.” In a nutshell, this resolution gave
they would have to reject the idea of sepa- Volunteers (CPV). Later that evening, Mao Gen. MacArthur and the Western powers
rate peace with the Japanese “revanchists,” dined together with Peng Dehuai, Zhou Enlai, carte blanche to occupy all of North Korea
and to jettison their plans of revitalizing and Gao Gang. Reportedly, they agreed that and rearrange its political and economic
Japanese imperialism and of converting Ja- “now it seems that we have to fight a war,” systems to their liking. On the day this
pan into their bridgehead in the Far East. and that Zhou Enlai would fly to Moscow to crucial vote was taken, in Korea the ad-
Having depicted his vision of an emerg- solicit Soviet military aid. The next morn- vanced units of the 1st Cavalry of Gen.
ing new geopolitical order in the Far East, ing, a supreme military conference presided Walton Walker’s Army crossed the 38th
Stalin blandly told Mao that he proceeded over by Zhou is said formally to have ap- Parallel in the Kaesong area.
from the assumption that China could not proved of Mao’s decision to send Zhou and At 10:15 p.m. on the night of October 7
extract these concessions if she were to Lin Biao to the USSR to discuss the details of Stalin asked Bulganin to forward to Kim Il
adopt a passive wait-and-see policy. With- military cooperation.34 Sung via Shtykov his long-delayed response
out some serious struggle and an imposing On October 7, Stalin received Mao’s to Kim’s October 1 plea for help. It had
display of force, he argued, not only would reply; in Stalin’s own words, “Mao expressed taken almost a week for Stalin to respond,
China fail to obtain all these concessions, solidarity with the main ideas of my [October although he was well aware that Kim was
desperate and hanging over a precipice. Stalin military advice and arms supplies from the forces could use this opportunity to raise
had tarried simply because he did not yet USSR. Nonetheless, once informed of Mao’s their heads again; and, finally, 3) the U.S.
have any good news to deliver. Only after commitment to send ground troops to fight could declare war on China, should the latter
receiving Mao’s conditional commitment in Korea, he apparently began to distance intervene in Korea.
did he decide to write to Kim. In his tele- himself from Stalin. No longer did he re- Aware of these arguments from his pre-
gram, which Shtykov gave Kim on the after- quest Soviet ground troops or even air cover, vious correspondence with Mao and bearing
noon of October 8, Stalin for the first time because he knew Mao would probably take in mind that Zhou Enlai and Lin Biao were
told Kim Il Sung about his ongoing negotia- care of it by himself.36 the chief opponents within the CCP CC
tions with Mao, noting that the Chinese In the meantime, the Western allies Politburo of China’s entry into the war,
comrades still had doubts and hesitated to continued to advance. On October 9 in Stalin went on the offensive. First, he noted
make a final commitment to fight, but, at the Washington, President Truman and the JCS that the Great Patriotic War (World War II)
same time, emphasizing that negotiations directed MacArthur to cross the 38th paral- had just ended, and therefore it would be
continued, and therefore Kim Il Sung had to lel, even if Chinese intervention occurred, so very difficult for the USSR to fight another
battle tenaciously for each inch of his land long as “in your judgment, action by forces large-scale war right away. Besides, the
because help was on its way [Document now under your control offers a reasonable Soviet-North Korean border was too narrow
#13]. chance of success.” At once, MacArthur to allow massive troop transfers. Notwith-
Reportedly, Mao also sent a telegram to issued his final unconditional surrender de- standing this, if U.S. actions were to jeopar-
Kim Il Sung via his Ambassador in mand, stating that unless North Korea ca- dize the fate of world socialism on a global
Pyongyang, who went to Kim’s underground pitulated, he would proceed to “take such scale, the Soviet Union would be ready to
headquarters and handed it to him on the military action as may be necessary to en- take up the American challenge. However,
night of October 8. It said: “In view of the force the decrees of the United Nations.” he stressed that, at that time, U.S. imperial-
current situation, we have decided to send The same day, advanced ROK I Corps units ism was in a weak strategic position because
volunteers to Korea to help you fight against moving up the east coast from the perimeter it could not rely for assistance on traditional
the aggressor.” Chinese sources report Kim reached Wonsan, over 110 miles north of the military powers such as Germany and Japan,
Il Sung to have reacted gleefully.35 parallel. The 1st Cavalry and the 27th Com- as well as Britain, all of which were pro-
The next morning, on October 9, at 7:05 monwealth Brigade pushed north towards foundly weakened by the Second World
a.m., Shtykov wired Kim’s reply to Stalin Kumchon, Sariwon, and Pyongyang itself.37 War. Hence, Washington would not dare to
[Document #16], adding that he concurred On October 9, two F-80 jets raided “by launch a world war. Since any kind of U.S.
with its content. Clearly, this letter reflected mistake” a Soviet airfield sixty miles inside attack against China would trigger the mu-
Kim’s new, more positive mood and his the USSR border near Vladivostok. The tual military assistance provision of the So-
newly found self-confidence. Although days of Kim Il Sung’s state appeared to be viet-Chinese Alliance Treaty and draw the
Shtykov did not mention any contacts be- numbered. It is plausible to assume that U.S. into a global conflict with the USSR,
tween Kim and the Chinese representatives Stalin was aware of these developments in for which it was not ready, America was
the night before, surely Mao’s cable had Korea when he first received Zhou Enlai and unlikely to risk a war with China on the
lifted Kim’s spirit. In his letter, Kim ex- Lin Biao at a dacha near the Black Sea late latter’s own territory. Hence, in Stalin’s
pressed his belief that the U.S. aggressor that night. opinion, at that moment, Beijing could help
would not stop until it had occupied Korea The Stalin-Zhou talks of 9-10 October the North Koreans without fear of U.S. re-
entirely and converted it into its military- 1950 are crucial in understanding the evolu- taliation against Mainland China. More-
strategic springboard for further aggression tion of the Soviet-Chinese alliance and the over, Stalin emphasized that it was in China’s
in the Far East; therefore, the struggle of the terms of the Chinese entry into the Korean national interest to ensure the survival of a
Korean people for their independence, free- War. They reveal how domestic political friendly government in North Korea. For, if
dom, and state sovereignty would be pro- considerations influenced the foreign policy the U.S. occupied the North and deployed its
tracted and very hard. priorities of these two communist giants, as forces along the Yalu and Tumen rivers, this
In contrast to his previous letter of Sep- well as the pivotal role of misperceptions would pose an enormous threat to Chinese
tember 29, in which he had requested “direct and miscommunications in the mismanage- security, because the Americans could ha-
military assistance” from the Soviet Union, ment of the alliance relationship. rass China from the air, land, and sea at their
Kim now asked Stalin only to aid the KPA The newly declassified Russian docu- discretion and could also endanger the eco-
by training 2,000 pilots, 1,000 tank drivers, ments from the APRF by and large confirm nomic development of northeast China.
500 radio operators, and 500 engineering the account of Mao’s interpreter, Shi Zhe,38 But, despite these arguments, Zhou did
officers in the territory of the USSR. Of (except dates) of what transpired between not yield to Stalin’s pressure. Stalin appears
course, if one looks at the numbers, the Stalin and Zhou at the former’s dacha during to have almost yelled in exasperation, “That
inescapable impression is that Kim basically these two days. In brief, Zhou told Stalin you do not want to send troops to Korea is
asked Stalin to help train an entirely new that the CCP CC Politburo had decided not your decision, but socialism in Korea would
professional officers corps for the KPA, to send troops to Korea because: 1) China collapse within a very short period of time.”
with the exception of the infantry officers. lacked adequate money, arms, or transport; After regaining his composure, Stalin
In other words, Kim Il Sung’s fortunes were 2) the CCP’s domestic political opposition changed his tactics and laid out a stark alter-
still very much dependent on professional had not been pacified yet, and reactionary native for Zhou. He suggested that both the
Soviet Union and PRC provide sanctuary very beginning. 41 Not only did these fic- other’s throat because they both disagreed
for Kim Il Sung and the remnants of the tional events never occur, they could not with his own beliefs. Zhou seems to have
KPA if they could no longer fight on their even have happened the way they were de- viewed his visit to Stalin as a last opportu-
own; the main forces, arms, equipment, and scribed. Stalin never co-signed his tele- nity to prevent China from entering the Ko-
some cadres of the KPA would be rede- grams with anybody, regardless of the status rean war and to shift the entire burden of
ployed to northeast China, while the dis- of the other party or the addressee, including saving Kim’s regime onto Stalin’s broad
abled and wounded men, as well as Koreans Mao and Zhou. In the Stalinist era, Soviet shoulders. Once he realized that Stalin did
of Soviet origin, could be moved to the Politburo members never used the telephone not want to accept this responsibility and
Maritime Province of the Soviet Far East. In to communicate important decisions, no preferred to see the Chinese fighting, Zhou
their new bases in northeast China they matter how urgent those might be, let alone opted to bluff and may even have misrepre-
would train new troops, master new weap- to talk to foreign leaders. These fictional sented the Soviet position in his correspon-
onry, and prepare themselves for the day of events contradict the then-prevailing Soviet dence with Mao. But, to his regret, he
their reentry into Korea. Stalin reiterated party bureaucratic practices.42 The present miscalculated Stalin’s high risk-taking pro-
that since the Chinese did not intend to send author has never encountered evidence of pensity in his gambling on the future of
troops, the Soviet Union and China should such unorthodox procedures anywhere in the North Korea altogether, as well as Mao’s
work out concrete plans to provide shelter Russian Archives. own determination to fight in Korea, and
for their Korean comrades and their forces, In reality, all along Stalin reiterated his failed to foresee that Mao would decide to
and make sure that one day they would be willingness to provide the CPV with air fight even when his back was pushed against
able to return to Korea. cover if Mao sent his troops to Korea.43 the wall and he was left ostensibly alone,
Reportedly, Zhou was stunned at what Nonetheless, on October 11, Zhou report- allegedly without Soviet air support.
he heard. He backed away from his initial edly sent a telegram to Mao in Beijing, stat- In the meantime, in Korea, on October
tough stance, and asked Stalin whether China ing that “Comrade Filippov [a pseudonym 12, the Interim Committee of the UN Com-
could count on Soviet air cover should it for Stalin-AM] did not express his objections mission for the Unification and Rehabilita-
decide to fight in Korea. Without a pause, to the CCP CC Politburo’s decision not to tion of Korea, created by the UN General
Stalin responded positively: “We can send a send troops to Korea.” It was Gao Gang who Assembly resolution of October 7, advised
certain number of aircraft to offer cover [for told the Soviet Consul-General in Shenyang, the United Nations Command to take over
the CPV in Korea-AM].” Stalin also reas- A.M. Ledovsky, and General Vazhnov about the civil government of North Korea, which
sured Zhou that the Soviet Union would Zhou’s cable from Moscow during a conver- meant in practice that the U.S. military was
take care of weapons and equipment sup- sation on October 25 in Shenyang. He added authorized to rule the “liberated” provinces
plies for the CPV, including their replace- that it was this telegram from Zhou that of North Korea. Kim Il Sung moved his
ments, immediately after the Chinese side reignited a fierce debate in the CCP CC headquarters to Kosangjin, near Kanggye,
ascertained its needs in actual combat. Politburo regarding the merits of China’s not far from the Chinese border. The newly-
The Stalin-Zhou talks lasted for two intervention in Korea. 44 The result was that rebuilt KPA Front Line Command was
days, and yet no mutually agreed upon deci- Mao put on hold all Chinese preparations in moved to Tokch’on in South P’yongan Prov-
sions were reached at the end. Zhou simply the northeast for the dispatch of troops to ince. The KPA forces desperately tried to
said that he needed to communicate with Korea.45 halt the advancing ROK and U.S. troops that
Beijing in order to ask for new instructions. I would interpret what happened during had broken through the 38th parallel and
Stalin replied that he could wait but that the Stalin-Zhou talks on October 9-10 as reached as far as Chunghwa, a few miles
time was fast running out. They parted, follows. Zhou Enlai and Lin Biao went to see from Pyongyang.
reportedly, both confused about each other’s Stalin with a strong belief that China could On the morning of October 13, Stalin
true intentions.39 not and should not intervene in Korea. Dur- received a report from Admirals Golovko
Contrary to Goncharov, Xue, and ing the talks, Stalin failed to convince them and Fokin informing him of a large concen-
Lewis’ account in Uncertain Partners40— of the potentially dire consequences of the tration of U.S. heavy battleships and am-
citing the recollections of Zhou aide Kang North’s collapse for Chinese security and its phibious assault vessels, manned with troops,
Yimin—Stalin and Zhou Enlai did not agree international standing. Therefore, Zhou and apparently ready for an amphibious landing
to send a joint telegram to Mao Zedong the Lin decided to stick to their original anti- in the harbor of Wonsan [Document #17].
next day. Nor did Molotov call Zhou after intervention stand in their debate with Mao, That day, Wonsan was the target of fero-
the latter’s arrival in Moscow with “star- Peng Dehuai, and Gao Gang. At the same cious U.S. air raids and Navy fire. Stalin
tling news that the Soviet Union would not time, they invented a “respectable” excuse could easily foresee the strategic implica-
offer any military equipment to China.” for their obduracy, i.e., an alleged refusal by tions of the forthcoming U.S. landing in
These are stories, perhaps elaborated by Stalin to provide the CPV with air cover. At Wonsan: the KPA would be again split in
Zhou’s entourage in order to persuade Mao that moment, there was a brief rupture in half, this time along the Pyongyang-Wonsan
that Stalin, not Zhou’s obduracy, was to bilateral communications, and both sides were line, and, with its rear absolutely unpro-
blame for the “breakdown of talks;” that left to make decisions for themselves. tected, the ROK I Corps and U.S. X Corps
Stalin was an unreliable ally; and that, after As far as Zhou Enlai’s role is concerned, could march unimpeded toward the Yalu-
all, China should not fight a war in Korea if this scenario is correct, he rose up between Tumen rivers on the North Korean-Chinese
alone, which was Zhou’s belief from the Stalin and Mao, and almost had them at each and North Korean-Soviet borders, while Gen.
Walker’s Eighth Army mopped up KPA After receiving Stalin’s evacuation or- asked Zhou Enlai to discuss the matter of
remnants in the Pyongyang area and then der on the night of October 13, Kim Il Sung China’s entry into the Korean War with
advanced toward the northwest. called Major-General Ch’oe Kyong-dok47 Comrade Filippov again. He stressed that
This was a decisive moment for Stalin. to his headquarters in Kosangjin and ordered “Zhou Enlai was being sent new instruc-
A week earlier, the Soviet Politburo had that Ch’oe leave immediately for the north- tions.”
decided that the USSR would rather aban- eastern provinces of China in order to set up What is important about this telegram is
don North Korea than risk a direct military guerrilla bases for Kim and the KPA rem- that it contains Mao’s admission that, in
confrontation with the U.S., unless the latter nants there. Ch’oe is said to have departed essence, Zhou’s position was to stonewall
deliberately attacked Soviet territory. There- with two adjutants the same night. In the because of the hesitations and reservations
fore, Stalin did not intend to send Soviet next several hours, Kim is said to have displayed by some prominent CCP CC lead-
ground troops to save Kim Il Sung. As Zhou repeatedly told his close associates that they ers in Beijing. However, once these domes-
had told Stalin a couple of days earlier, the would have to wage a guerrilla war from tic political disputes were resolved, Mao
Chinese also decided to refrain from sending China again. Within a day Ch’oe and his two wanted Stalin back in the game.
the CPV to Korea for the time being. Real- aides had mysteriously disappeared. Kim Il Indeed, Stalin rejoiced at Mao’s new
izing that neither he nor Mao was willing to Sung dispatched a small team of scouts to decision because he had been so reluctant to
save Kim Il Sung from total defeat, Stalin find them, but in vain.48 abandon North Korea to begin with. At
evidently resigned himself to viewing the Meanwhile, however, even before see- once, he hand-wrote a note to Shtykov for
entire Korean situation as a matter of cutting ing Kim’s response, Stalin had changed his immediate delivery to Kim Il Sung [Docu-
his losses and saving face. mind and dramatically reversed himself, ment #20], the second telegram within hours,
Such a conclusion is supported by the thanks to some welcome news from Beijing. temporarily halting the implementation of
dramatic order Stalin appears to have sent a Early in the morning of October 14, at 3:20 his order of October 13.49 It said: “I have
Kim Il Sung via Ambassador Shtykov on the a.m., he received two extremely urgent tele- just received a telegram from Mao Zedong
afternoon of October 13.46 Informing Kim grams (#2406 and #2408) from the Soviet in which he reports that the CCP Central
of his talks with Zhou Enlai and Lin Biao, envoy to the PRC described a late-night Committee discussed the situation again and
Stalin reported with regret that Zhou had meeting with Mao which took place imme- decided after all to render military assistance
stated that the Chinese were not yet ready to diately after the CCP CC Politburo finally to the Korean comrades, regardless of the
enter the war. Consequently, they con- decided, at a emergency session, to inter- insufficient armament of the Chinese troops.
cluded that it would be better for Kim to vene in Korea before the war ended in a U.S. I am awaiting detailed reports about this
withdraw the remnants of his forces from victory. Roshchin cited Mao as saying: matter from Mao Zedong. In connection
Korea to China and the USSR. Therefore, “Our leading comrades believe that if the with this new decision of the Chinese com-
Stalin ordered that Kim Il Sung “evacuate U.S. troops advance up to the border of rades, I ask you to postpone temporarily the
North Korea and pull out his Korean troops China, then Korea will become a dark spot implementation of the telegram sent to you
to the north.” He also directed that Shtykov for us and the Northeast [China] will be yesterday about the evacuation of North
assist Kim in drawing up a plan of measures faced with constant danger.” Mao con- Korea and withdrawal of the Korean troops
to implement this evacuation order. In ef- firmed that “past hesitations by our com- to the north.” This telegram makes perfectly
fect, Stalin was fed up with Kim Il Sung and rades occurred because the questions of the clear that the crucial consideration in Stalin’s
had thrown in the towel. international situation, the questions of the position on intervention in Korea was the
Late on the night of October 13, Shtykov, Soviet assistance to us, the question of air role of China. When Mao balked, so did
following Stalin’s instructions, met with Kim cover were not clear to them,” and stressed Stalin. When Mao decided to make a com-
Il Sung and Pak Hon-Yong and read the text that “at present, all these questions have mitment to Kim Il Sung, Stalin again fol-
of Stalin’s telegram to them. In Shtykov’s been clarified.” Furthermore, Mao pointed lowed suit. Still unsure whether Mao’s
telegram addressed to Fyn Si (another Stalin out, “now it is advantageous for us to dis- decision was irrevocable, Stalin displayed
pseudonym), which he wired from patch Chinese troops into Korea. China has some caution and ordered that Kim Il Sung
Pyongyang at 3:15 a.m. on October 14 [Docu- the absolute obligation to send troops to “temporarily” postpone, not cancel, the
ment #18], he described the North Koreans’ Korea” [Document #19]. He mentioned that implementation of measures advised to him
reaction as follows: “Kim Il Sung and Pak at this point they were sending a first contin- a day earlier.
Hon-Yong were very much surprised by the gent of nine divisions. Although poorly Only after Stalin received further clari-
content of the telegram. Kim Il Sung stated armed, it would be able to fight the troops of fications and proof from Beijing that this
that it was extremely hard for them to imple- Syngman Rhee. In the meantime, the Chi- time Mao meant it, did he order that his
ment such advice; however, since there was nese comrades would prepare a second ech- previous recommendations to Kim be an-
such advice, they would implement it.” Then, elon. As for air cover, Mao expressed hope nulled. He reiterated his commitment to
Kim asked Shtykov to give him his practical that the Soviet air force would arrive in supply the CPV with weapons and equip-
recommendations and directed that Pak Hon- northeast China as soon as possible, but not ment. Most importantly, he felt compelled
Yong write them down. Also, he asked later than in two months. Mao concluded by to indicate to Kim that he was relinquishing
Shtykov and Matveyev to assist him in draft- saying that the CCP CC believed that the some of his authority on the Korean matter
ing a plan of measures to be taken regarding Chinese must assist Korean comrades in to Mao and his CPV commanders. A few
the KPA evacuation plan. their difficult struggle; therefore, he had hours later on October 14, he dispatched a
third ciphered telegram to Shtykov for Kim at the critical juncture of the war after the UN Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Russian Federation, Moscow. In order to make
[Document #21] which said: “After hesita- troops had crossed the 38th parallel: he or-
these materials readily available to researchers in the
tions and a series of temporary decisions, dered Kim to abandon the defense of North United States, the Center for Korean Research has
the Chinese comrades at last made a final Korea and pull out the remnants of the KPA agreed to cooperate with the Cold War International
decision to render assistance to Korea with into guerrilla camps in northeast China and History Project (CWIHP) of the Woodrow Wilson
International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.
troops. I am glad that the final and favorable the Soviet Far East. Although within several
in the procurement, translation, custody, and dissemi-
decision for Korea has been made at last. In hours Stalin reversed himself, after learning nation of these documents. (CWIHP has provided a
this connection, you should consider the of Mao’s renewed commitment to fight in copy of the documents to the National Security Archive,
recommendations of the meeting of the Korea, this original decision dramatically located on the seventh floor of the Gelman Library at
George Washington University in Washington, D.C.,
Chinese-Soviet leading comrades, which revealed the limits of the Soviet national
where they are available for researchers.) The Center
you were told about earlier, annulled. You security interest on the Korean peninsula. In for Korean Research acknowledges with gratitude a
will have to resolve concrete questions re- Stalin’s own words (as recalled by generous facilitating grant from the Luce Foundation in
garding the entry of the Chinese troops Khrushchev), he was willing to abandon support of this project.
2. This is according to the field reports filed by several
jointly with the Chinese comrades. The North Korea and allow the United States to
dozen agents sent to the area by the Joint Special
armaments required for the Chinese troops become the USSR’s neighbor, with its troops Operations Group from the Far East Command’s G-2
will be delivered from the USSR. I wish you deployed in Korea, if this was the price to pay on the eve of operation Chromite.
success.” for avoiding direct military confrontation 3. David Rees, Korea: The Limited War (Baltimore,
MD: Penguin Books, Inc., 1964), 84.
with the U.S. at that time. Moreover, I
4. See, e.g., David Rees, Korea: The Limited War,
CONCLUSIONS believe that it was as a result of this incident, op.cit.; Richard Rovere and Arthur M. Schelesinger,
not Khrushchev’s destalinization campaign, Jr., The General and the President, and the Future of
The new documentary evidence from that Kim Il Sung realized the limits of the American Foreign Policy (New York: Farrar, Straus,
and Young, 1951); I. F. Stone, The Hidden Story of the
the Russian archives led me to the following Soviet support as well as the extent of his
Korean War (New York and London: Monthly Review
conclusions. First, all three supreme leaders personal dependency on Moscow, and made Press, 1951); Allen S. Whiting, China Crosses the
of the USSR, PRC, and the DPRK—Stalin, up his mind to begin distancing himself from Yalu: the Decision to Enter the Korean War (Stanford,
Mao Zedong, and Kim Il Sung—were per- his Soviet handlers. CA: Stanford University Press, 1960); Dean Acheson,
The Korean War (New York: W. W. Norton & Co.,
sonally and intimately involved in the pros- Fourth, obviously, there was little politi-
1967); Kim Chullbaum, ed., The Truth About the Ko-
ecution of the Korean War. Notwithstand- cal will and much less hope in Moscow, rean War (Seoul, Korea: Eulyoo Publishing Co., Ltd.
ing this, their will often failed to prevail, for Beijing, and even Pyongyang to defend North 1991).
the war policies of these states were also Korea to the last man when the military 5. Russell Spurr, Enter the Dragon: China’s Unde-
clared War against the U.S. in Korea, 1950-1951 (New
shaped by the pressures of intra-alliance situation collapsed in mid-October 1950.
York: New Market, 1988).
bargaining, domestic politics, bureaucratic Therefore, had the United States been less 6. See, e.g., Nie Rongzhen, Inside the Red Star: The
outputs, and personal preferences of people ambivalent, more consistent, and more per- Memoirs of Marshal Nie Rongzhen (Beijing, 1988);
in charge of the implementation of leaders’ suasive on the diplomatic front in stating to Peng Dehuai, Memoirs of a Chinese Marshal: The
Autobiographical Notes of Peng Dehuai (1898-1974)
decisions, not to mention circumstances cre- Moscow and Beijing the goals of its Korean
(Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1984); Shi Zhe, Zai
ated by enemy and external forces. campaign—e.g., that it had no desire to at- Lishi Juren Shenbian Shi Zhe Huiyilu [Beside Great
Second, contrary to the traditional Chi- tack Mainland China or threaten the territory Historical Figures: The Memoirs of Shi Zhe] (Beijing:
nese interpretation, Stalin never reneged on of the Soviet Far East—the Soviet and Chi- Central Archives and Manuscripts Press, 1991); and
Yao Xu, Yalujiang dao Banmendian [From the Yalu
his promise to Mao to provide the CPV with nese governments could well have decided
River to Panmunjom] (Beijing: People’s Press, 1985).
Soviet air cover. From early July until late to let Kim Il Sung’s regime go under and 7. Important scholarly contributions in this respect
October 1950 he unwaveringly maintained acquiesced to a UN-proposed Korean settle- include Hao Yufan and Zhai Zhihai, “China’s Decision
that if the Chinese comrades decided to ment. However, Gen. MacArthur’s repeated to Enter the Korean War: History Revisited,” China
Quarterly 121 (March 1990), 94-115; Michael Hunt,
intervene in Korea he would send the Soviet unconditional surrender demands, coupled
“Beijing and the Korean Crisis, June 1950-June 1951,”
Air Force and Air Defense units to protect with barely veiled direct threats against the Political Science Quarterly 107 (Fall 1992), 453-478;
the Chinese ground troops from the air. He PRC and the USSR, coming out of Tokyo Thomas Christensen, “Threats, Assurances, and the
even considered dispatching them directly headquarters, literally pushed the insecure Last Chance for Peace: The Lessons of Mao’s Korean
War Telegrams,” International Security 17 (Summer
to Pyongyang. An “account of Stalin’s Chinese to the brink, compelling them al-
1992), 122-154; Sergei N. Goncharov, John W. Lewis,
betrayal of Mao” is fictional and should be most against their will to intervene in Korea, and Xue Litai, Uncertain Partners: Stalin, Mao, and
attributed to Zhou Enlai’s entourage, who thereby providing Stalin a legitimate reason the Korean War (Stanford, CA: Stanford University
wanted to have their boss look good after the to reconsider his own decision to evacuate Press, 1993); Kim Chull Baum and James Matray,
Korea and the Cold War: Division, Destruction, and
latter probably purposefully failed his mis- North Korea.
Disarmament (1993); Chen Jian, China’s Road to the
sion at his talks with Stalin in mid-October, Korean War: The Making of the Sino-American Con-
1950 and perhaps even misled Mao about 1. This article is based on the newly-declassified Rus- frontation (New York: Columbia University Press,
Stalin’s true intentions. sian archival materials related to the Korean War. Re- 1994), and Shu Guang Zhang, Mao’s Military Roman-
searchers were allowed access to these primary sources ticism: China and the Korean War, 1950-1953
Third, the only person who had a legiti-
from Russia as a result of a series of agreements on (Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1995).
mate reason to feel that Stalin had betrayed academic cooperation and joint research on the history 8. William W. Stueck, The Korean War: An Interna-
him at that time was Kim Il Sung. Stalin of the Korean War, signed by the Center for Korean tional History (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University
reneged on his commitment to back up Kim Research of Columbia University, New York, and the Press, 1995).
9. [Ed. note: In addition, some high-level declassified mobility by Stalin’s early order that under no circum- records indicating whether Stalin knew of U.S. delegate
Russian documents bearing on the period examined by stances they cross the 38th parallel, even when the KPA to the UN Warren Austin’s famous statement to the UN
this article were published in English translation in was on the offensive at the Naktong River front. Hence, Political Committee made the day before: “Today the
Kathryn Weathersby, “The Soviet Role in the Early their own knowledge of the military situation and forces of the United Nations stand on the threshold of
Phase of the Korean War: New Documentary Evi- ability to influence it were very much limited. military victory... The aggressor’s forces should not be
dence,” The Journal of American-East Asian Relations 18. See Shabshin’s conversation with Pak Hon-Yong, permitted to have refuge behind an imaginary line
2:4 (Winter 1993), 425-458; see also Col. Gen. D.A. recorded in Document #5. A.I. Shabshin had been the because that would recreate the threat to the peace of
Volkogonov, “Should We Be Frightened by This?— Soviet Deputy Consul in Seoul before the end of the Korea and of the world.”
Behind the Scenes of the Korean War,” Ogonok (Mos- Second World War; as Adviser on Political Affairs; in 29. See Chronology, list 61.
cow) 25-26 (June 1993), English translation in Vladimir 1946, he was appointed as a Political Adviser to the 30. The purported Mao to Stalin cable of 2 October
Petrov, “Soviet Role in the Korean War Confirmed: Soviet 25th Army responsible for the occupation of 1950 appeared in an official Chinese compilation of
Secret Documents Declassified,” Journal of Northeast North Korea; when the Korean War started, he was Mao’s writings published by the Central Committee of
Asian Studies 13:3 (Fall 1994), 42-67, esp. 48-57.] assigned to Gen. Matveyev’s team. the Chinese Communist Party: Jianguo Yilai Mao
10. Although this document has still not been declassi- 19. Kim was reported to be very upset that Ch’oe failed Zedong Wengao Diyi Ce (1949.9-1950.12) [The Manu-
fied, it is alluded to in a detailed chronology of events to report to him regularly about the development of the scripts of Mao Zedong Since the Founding of the
prepared by officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry military situation in Seoul, despite his access to radio. Nation, vol. 1 (Sept. 1949-Dec. 1952)] (Beijing: Cen-
who had access to still-classified materials. In particu- 20. Kim Il Sung commanded his troops from inside an tral Documents Publishing House, 1987), pp. 539-541;
lar, the chronology entry dated 20 September 1950, underground bunker located in the vicinity of an English translation appears in Goncharov, Lewis,
describing the content of Stalin’s reply to Zhou Enlai’s Pyongyang. According to Yu Song-ch’ol’s memoirs, and Xue, Uncertain Partners, 275-76, reading as fol-
inquiry about the military situation in Korea after the during the entire war Kim Il Sung made only one visit lows:
Inch’on landing (an inquiry which Zhou had conveyed to the Front Line Command. That was when it was
to Amb. Roshchin and Soviet military advisers Kotov located at the Seoul Capitol Building. Others disagree 1. We have decided to send some of our
and Konnov on September 18), states: “These Soviet and insist that he came down as far as Suanbo to inspect troops to Korea under the name of [Chinese
recommendations [regarding what the KPA should do the front lines and allegedly even bathed in hot springs People’s] Volunteers to fight the United States
following the Inch’on landing] were transmitted to Kim there. [See Yu Song-ch’ol, “Recollections,” Choong- and its lackey Syngman Rhee and to aid our
Il Sung on 18 September 1950.” See Chronology of ang Ilbo (Seoul), 14 November 1990.] Consequently, Korean Comrades. From the following consid-
Major Developments on the Eve of and During the the only more or less reliable source of updates on the erations, we think it necessary to do so: the
Korean War (January 1949-October 1950) [hereafter military situation for Kim Il Sung at that time was his Korean revolutionary force will meet with a
Chronology]. Archive of Foreign Policy, Russian Fed- Soviet advisers. But as the predicament of the KPA fundamental defeat, and the American aggres-
eration (AVPRF), Moscow, Fond 5, opis 58, delo 266, deepened, they seemed to begin to dodge his inquiries, sors will rampage unchecked once they occupy
list 55. citing insufficient knowledge, and to avoid giving rec- the whole of Korea. This will be unfavorable to
It appears that this is the same telegram which ommendations on strategy and tactics. the entire East.
Stalin referred to in his message to Mao Zedong and 21. See Document #5. 2. Since we have decided to send Chinese
Zhou Enlai on 1 October 1950 [Document 10], in which 22. One should note that two days earlier Zakharov had troops to fight the Americans in Korea, we hold
he stated that on September 16 “Moscow warned our told Kim that it was wishful thinking on his part to count that, first, we should be able to solve the prob-
Korean friends that the landing of the USA troops at on manning those nine divisions from among “the lem; that is, [we are] ready to annihilate and
Chemulp’o [Inch’on] had great significance....” Per- southerners” because the UN offensive would most drive out the invading armies of the United
haps the discrepancy can be explained by the fact that likely cut off and rout them. See Document #4. States and other countries. Second, since Chi-
although the telegram may have been drafted in or sent 23. Such “shyness” was quite unusual for Shtykov, who nese troops are to fight American troops in
from Moscow on September 16, given the time differ- in the past had pushed Kim Il Sung around as he pleased Korea (although we will use the name Volun-
ence and the chaos of the military situation it might have and often used Kim’s name to promote his own ideas in teers), we must be prepared for a declaration of
been handed to Kim only on September 18. Further Moscow. war by the United States and for the subsequent
declassification is required to resolve the question con- 24. The origins of this request were not without contro- use of the U.S. air force to bomb many of
clusively, however. versy even within the DPRK government. In his con- China’s cities and industrial bases, as well as an
11. At this point, it is worth clarifying a bit of confusion versation with A.I. Shabshin on September 28 [Docu- attack by the U.S. navy on [our] coastal areas.
that has emerged over the fact that there were two senior ment #5], Pak Honyong mentioned that originally the 3. Of these two problems, the primary prob-
Soviet military officials with the surname Zakharov at WPK CC PC intended to ask only for Soviet air support lem is whether or not the Chinese troops can
this juncture of the Korean War. Army Gen. Matvey because some nationalistic North Korean leaders advo- annihilate the American troops in Korea and
Vasilievich Zakharov (1898-1972), the Deputy Chief of cated only limited direct Soviet participation in the war. effectively resolve the Korean issue. Only
the General Staff of the Soviet Armed Forces, was As of September 29, Kim Il Sung still insisted, perhaps when it is possible for our troops to annihilate
dispatched to Pyongyang in late September 1950 to pro forma, that “we should continue to fight on and the American troops in Korea, principally the
inspect and report back to Stalin on the military situa- eventually unite Korea by our own forces.” However, Eighth Army (an old army with combat effec-
tion. He signed and received messages using the as the military situation continued to deteriorate, in- tiveness), can the situation become favorable to
pseudonym, “Matveyev.” In October 1950, shortly creasing the perception in Pyongyang that only an all- the revolutionary camp and to China, although
after M.V. Zakharov was sent to Korea, Corps Commisar out intervention by the USSR could bail out the North the second problem (a declaration of war by the
Semyon Egorovich Zakharov (1906-1969) was sent to Korean regime, which was on the brink of complete United States) is still a serious one. This means
Beijing as Stalin’s personal military envoy to Mao disaster, Kim felt compelled to seek full Soviet military that the Korean issue will be solved in reality
Zedong and Zhou Enlai and remained in the Chinese intervention. along with the defeat of the American troops (in
capital until the end of the war in July 1953, and 25. Quoted in Rees, Korea, 103. name it will probably remain unsolved because
documents involving him bear his actual name. 26. This timetable may have reflected Stalin’s hope that the United States will most likely not admit
12. See Chronology, AVPRF, Fond 5, Opis 58, Delo the remnants of Kim’s troops would be able to resist the Korea’s victory for a considerable period of
266, listy 52-53. UN troops on their own at least for the next few days time). Consequently, even if the United States
13. In Uncertain Partners (p. 174), Goncharov, Lewis, while he would be busy seeking Chinese support. declares war on China, the war will probably not
and Xue refer to a five-man team which was dispatched 27. His justification for this measure was that most of be of great scope or last long. The most unfavor-
from China to Korea on September 17 “to survey local these enterprises were destroyed by American air raids able situation, we hold, would result from the
topography.” This must be the same team of senior and out of operation anyhow. inability of the Chinese troops to annihilate
military officers to which Zhou referred. 28. I have not located any evidence in the Russian American troops in Korea and the involvement
14. Chronology, listy 54-55. archives as to whether Stalin was informed on October of the two countries’ troops in a stalemate while
15. See Chronology, listy 55-56. 1 that MacArthur had just made an unconditional sur- the United States publicly declares war on China,
16. Rees, Korea, 91. render demand to the North Koreans to “forthwith lay undermines the plans for China’s economic
17. These charges are not completely fair because the down your arms and cease hostilities under such mili- reconstruction, which has already begun, and
Soviet military advisers were severely restricted in their tary supervision as I may direct.” Nor could I find any sparks the dissatisfaction of [China’s] national
bourgeoisie and other segments of the people appears to leave two principal alternatives: 1) that both 35. See Goncharov et al., Uncertain Partners, 185, 279.
(they are very afraid of war). Russian documents, and others in the Presidential Ar- 36. One can notice also that from then on, Kim Il Sung
4. Under the current situation, we have chives collection that are logically and chronologically started to conclude his personal letters to Stalin with the
reached a decision to order the 12 divisions consistent with the events they describe, are elaborate words “respectfully yours,” instead of “faithfully yours.”
stationed in advance in South Manchuria to set fakes (which I find highly unlikely, especially as the 37. See Rees, Korea, 108-109.
off on October 15. They will be deployed in collection includes plenty of documents that are highly 38. See Shi Zhe, op. cit.
appropriate areas in North Korea (not necessar- incriminating regarding the Soviet role in the war); or 2) 39. The above account of Stalin-Zhou talks in October
ily reaching to the 38th parallel). On the one (what I find more likely) that the published Chinese 1950 is based on the author’s June 1995 interview with
hand, they will fight the enemies who dare to version of the October 2 telegram is unreliable: inaccu- Dr. Nikolai T. Fedorenko, one of the Soviet participants
cross the 38th parallel. At the initial stage, they rate, unsent, or perhaps misdated; nor can one exclude at these talks who interpreted them and later composed
will merely engage in defensive warfare to the possibility that the text was altered or falsified by minutes thereof. In the near future, the Center for
wipe out small detachments of enemy troops Chinese authorities to present what they deemed to be Korean Research expects to receive copies of the min-
and ascertain the enemy’s situation; on the a more ideologically or politically correct version of utes of the Stalin-Zhou talks as part of its project on
other hand, they will wait for the delivery of history. (In contrast to the case with Russian docu- academic cooperation with the Diplomatic Academy of
Soviet weapons. Once they are [well] equipped, ments, scholars have not been permitted access to the the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
they will cooperate with the Korean comrades relevant Chinese archives to examine original docu- 40. Goncharov et al., Uncertain Partners, 190.
in counterattacks to annihilate American ag- ments or facsimiles, and have been forced to rely on 41. It is noteworthy, however, that Goncharov, Xue,
gressor troops. published versions.) In any case, numerous important and Lewis’s account is based on the personal recollec-
5. According to our intelligence to date, an accounts of the events leading to the PRC’s entry into tions of Kang Yimin, a confidential secretary of Zhou
American corps (composed of two infantry the Korean War relying on the Chinese version of the 2 Enlai from the CCP Central Committee who accompa-
divisions and a mechanized division) has 1,500 October 1950 Mao to Stalin cable must now be called nied the latter to Moscow. One may speculate that Zhou
guns of 70 mm to 240 mm caliber, including into question. [Ed. note: Some of the more important of might have attempted to distort the record of talks in
tank cannons and anti-aircraft guns. In com- the many examples of recent works using the Chinese order to manipulate Mao’s opinion, and later used his
parison, each of our corps (composed of three version of the cable—an English translation of which confidential secretary to leak his preferred version of
divisions) has only 36 such guns. The enemy was reprinted under the headline, “Mao’s Cable Ex- what allegedly happened in Moscow.
dominates the air. By comparison, we have plains Drive Into Korea,” in The New York Times on 26 42. This conclusion is based on the author’s June 1995
only just started training pilots. We shall not be February 1992—include Christensen, “Threats, Assur- interview with a former high-ranking official at the
able to employ more than 300 aircraft in combat ances, and the Last Chance for Peace,” esp. 135-142; International Department of the CPSU CC who asked
until February 1951. Accordingly, we do not Hunt, “Beijing and the Korean Crisis,” esp. 460-463; not to be identified.
now have any certainty of success in annihilat- Shu Guang Zhang, Deterrence and Strategic Culture: 43. Intriguingly, the first time Stalin mentioned his
ing a single American corps in one blow. Since Chinese-American Confrontations, 1949-1958 (Ithaca: willingness to provide Chinese troops with air cover if
we have made a decision to fight the Ameri- Cornell University Press, 1992), 97; Goncharov, Lewis, they engaged in Korea was in his letter to Zhou Enlai
cans, we certainly must be prepared to deal with and Xue, Uncertain Partners, esp. 176-183; Chen Jian, dated 5 July 1950(!). In his ciphered telegram #3172
a situation in which the U.S. headquarters will China’s Road to the Korean War, esp. 175-180; Stueck, wired to Beijing at 23:45 p.m., he stated that “we
employ one American corps against our troops The Korean War, esp. 99-100; and Shu Guang Zhang, consider it correct to concentrate immediately nine
in one [of the Korean] theaters. For the purpose Mao’s Military Romanticism, esp. 78-80.] Chinese divisions on the Chinese - North Korean border
of eliminating completely one enemy corps Clearly, further research is necessary, in both the for volunteers’ actions in North Korea in the event of
with a certainty of success, we should in such a Moscow and Beijing archives, to establish the precise the enemy’s crossing the 38th parallel. We will do our
situation assemble four times as many troops as contents and chronology of the communications be- best to provide the air cover for these units.” For the full
the enemy (employing four corps to deal with tween Stalin and Mao during the first two weeks of text, see Document #7.
one enemy corps) and firepower from one-and- October 1950. In the meantime, the evidence cited here 44. See Chronology, list 61.
a-half times to twice as heavy as the enemy’s should induce additional caution in treating the Chinese 45. See Goncharov et al., Uncertain Partners, 192-195.
(using 2,200 to 3,000 guns of more than 70mm version of Mao’s decision to enter the Korean War. 46. Although we do not have this ciphered telegram in
caliber to deal with 1,500 enemy guns of the 31. N. S. Khrushchev, The Korean War (Moscow: our physical possession, there is plenty of circumstan-
same caliber). Progress Publishing House), 28, in Russian; for a slightly tial evidence to believe that this document actually
6. In addition to the above-mentioned 12 different English translation, see Khrushchev Remem- existed: Stalin cited and referred to this ciphered tele-
divisions, we are moving 24 divisions from bers: The Glasnost Tapes, trans. and ed. by Jerrold L. gram several times in Documents #20 and #21; also, a
south of the Yangtze River and from Shaanxi Schecter with Vyacheslav V. Luchkov (Boston: Little, reference to it appears in Shtykov’s telegram to Stalin
and Gansu provinces to areas along the Xuzhou- Brown, and Co., 1990), 147. in Document #18.
Lanzhou, Tianjin-Pukou, and Beijing-Shenyang 32. I believe that Shtykov referred to the members of the 47. Major-General Ch’oe Kyong-dok was a member of
railroad lines. We plan to employ these divi- DPRK government and various administrative agen- the Front Military Council. Before the war he was the
sions as the second and third groups of troops cies and organizations who originally came from the Chairman of the DPRK Federation of Trade Unions.
sent to aid Korea in the spring and summer of USSR as Soviet citizens of Korean nationality. This 48. This account is based on the author’s interview with
next year as the future situation requires. was an “escape clause” for all the so-called Soviet Dr. V. K. Pak (Pak Gil-yon), former Deputy Foreign
Korean leaders, including Kim Il Sung himself and his Minister of the DPRK (1954-1960) in charge of the
Is the above text—indicating a firm Chinese guerrilla comrades. DPRK’s relations with socialist countries, who has
decision to intervene militarily against the Americans 33. I believe that herein Shtykov referred to the Soviet been in exile in the USSR since his purge in 1960.
in Korea (albeit with some trepidation and an explicit aircraft maintenance and support teams which were During the Korean War, Mr. Pak served at Kim Il
statement that the “Volunteer” forces would require transferred from the Maritime Province to the vicinity Sung’s headquarters as his second personal interpreter.
adequate Soviet weaponry before they could take the of Pyongyang in the last week of September. At that The interview took place in Moscow on 10 July 1995.
offensive)—compatible with the message from Mao to time, the Soviet General Staff had still been considering 49. Although this note was written and wired out in the
Stalin dated 2 October 1950 which Roshchin cabled to Stalin’s order to dispatch a Soviet fighter aviation early morning hours of October 14, Stalin seems to have
Moscow on 3 October 1950 [Document #12], accord- squadron to provide air cover for the North Korean pre-dated it as of October 13. Perhaps he wanted to
ing to the document recently declassified in the Rus- capital. However, once the UN forces moved over the make everybody in the loop, as well as posterity, forget
sian archives? Clearly not. Nor is it compatible with 38th parallel on October 1 and were rapidly and suc- about his original evacuation order sent to Kim only a
Stalin’s statement to Kim Il Sung on October 8, stating cessfully advancing toward Pyongyang, apparently few hours earlier.
that, in response to his own letter of October 1 seeking Stalin made a decision not to deploy the Soviet Air
Chinese entry into the war, “Mao Zedong replied with Force directly in North Korea, but to redeploy it in
Alexandre Y. Mansourov is a doctoral can-
a refusal, saying that he did not want to draw the USSR northeast China. Therefore, Shtykov requested author-
into the war, that the Chinese army was weak in ity to send home the remaining aircraft maintenance didate at the Center for Korean Research,
technical terms, and that the war could cause great and support teams. Columbia University.
dissatisfaction in China.” [Document #13.] That 34. See Goncharov et al., Uncertain Partners, 183.
Document 1: Soviet Defense Minister several radar units designed to locate the operation.
A.M. Vasilevsky to Stalin, 21 September enemy’s aircraft, as well as a team of radio At present, there are no maintenance
1950 operators who can set up communications personnel at these airdromes because they
between the airbase and these radar posts. had all been redeployed to airfields south of
To Comrade STALIN Otherwise, our airplanes on the ground will Seoul. Neither are there fuel and munitions
be subject to sudden raids by the enemy’s for combat aircraft in the vicinity of
Regarding the question of the transfer aviation. Pyongyang.
of fighter aviation regiment of “YAK-9s” to 5. We ask You to give us permission to Therefore, first, from September 25 to
provide air cover to Pyongyang, I herewith report all our final calculations regarding the September 30, we will transport the follow-
report: regiment’s transfer to Pyongyang as soon as ing by railroad from the Maritime Region
1. In order to speed up the regiment we find out in Pyongyang the details related via Andong to their destinations:
transfer, we consider it the most expedient to to the questions of the regiment’s redeploy- - a team for the technical maintenance
use the 84th fighter regiment of the 147th ment. At the same time, we will report to of the regiment with the minimum required
aviation division based on 40 metal-made You our considerations concerning the or- airbase equipment;
“YAK-9s”, deployed in the Maritime Re- ganization of the air defense system of the - a team of radio technicians with four
gion in the vicinity of Voroshilov. The airbase from which the regiment will oper- radar units for locating the enemy’s planes
regiment shall be dispatched by air via Chi- ate. and guiding our planes thereto;
nese territory by the route Yanji-Andong- [signature] - an air defense artillery battalion con-
Pyongyang. The regiment’s overflight VASILEVSKY sisting of three 85-mm gun batteries and one
should take two days. During the prepara- “21” September 1950 37-mm gun battery, in total 16 artillery guns,
tion for the overflight one has to take into No. 1172cc for providing air cover to the airdrome;
account the inevitability of air combat in the Copies: Stalin, Malenkov, Beriya, - fuel for 15 refueling cycles and 15 sets
area of Andong-Pyongyang. Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin, of munitions.
2. In a very cautious manner, we made Khrushchev. 3. On September 24, in order to orga-
a number of inquires to Comrade Shtykov nize the reception of the regiment and its
concerning the following questions: [Source: Archive of the President, Russian combat operation, we are sending by car
- the suitability for the landing of our Federation (APRF), fond 3, opis 65, delo from the Maritime Region to Pyongyang the
aircraft of airbases in the vicinity of 827, listy 79-80] commander of the aviation corps Colonel
Pyongyang which have been badly damaged Noga who is supposed to meet the regiment
by the enemy’s air raids, especially lately; in Andong, assign combat tasks thereto, and
- the availability of aircraft maintenance Document 2: Vasilevsky to Stalin, 23 be in charge of its flight over to Pyongyang.
personnel, fuel, and munitions thereat. September 1950 4. The regiment is expected to com-
3. If the Koreans do not have aircraft mence fulfilling its combat mission aimed at
maintenance crews, before the regiment’s To Comrade STALIN covering Pyongyang from the air on October
transfer we will have to dispatch an aviation 3.
maintenance battalion for this regiment, com- I herewith report concerning the under- 5. At the same time, we consider it
posed of 223 men with air-base equipment, taken measures relating to the redeployment necessary to report that our pilots’ work in
to Pyongyang by the railroad via Andong. It of the fighter aviation regiment based on the the skies over Pyongyang will inevitably be
is likely to take us five-six days to transfer “LA-9” type of aircraft from the Maritime discovered by the U.S. troops right after the
this battalion, given the transport overload Region to provide air cover for the city of first air combat, because all the control and
across the Yalu River in the vicinity of Pyongyang. command over the combat in the air will be
Andong. 1. For the redeployment we assigned conducted by our pilots in the Russian lan-
If the Koreans do not have fuel and the 304th fighter aviation regiment of the guage.
munitions, we will have to ship them to 32nd fighter aviation division numbering 40 [signature]
Pyongyang simultaneously with the battal- airplanes “LA-9” currently deployed at the VASILEVSKY
ion transport. air base Spassk in the Maritime Region. “23” September 1950
In this case, accounting for the transfer On October 1-2, the regiment will be
of the personnel, it is likely to take up to redeployed by air via Chinese territory by [Source: APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827,
eight-ten days for the final readiness of the the route Spassk-Dongning-Yanji-Tonghua- listy 81-82]
regiment for combat in the vicinity of Andong-Pyongyang.
Pyongyang. We will carefully elaborate the flight
4. Bearing in mind the lack of Korean plan, especially regarding its segment from Document 3: Telegram from Fyn Si
aerial surveillance and alert system in the Andong to Pyongyang, and the regiment’s (Stalin) to Matveyev (Army Gen. M.V.
vicinity of Pyongyang, in order to create pilot crews will study it thoroughly. Zakharov) and Soviet Ambassador to
normal conditions in combat for our regi- 2. The information which we received the DPRK T.F. Shtykov, approved 27
ment, we would consider it necessary to from Korea indicates that airdromes in the September 1950 Soviet Communist
dispatch along with the regiment at least vicinity of Pyongyang are still suitable for Party Central Committee Politburo
unprepared for combat, could not produce mand, especially in the questions of an orga-
VKP(b) CC any effect because of lack of coordination nized pullout of the KPA troops from the
# P78/73 and communications with the staff. The southeast and the prompt organization of a
27 September 1950 division which arrived from the southeast new defense front to the east, south, and
[To:] Cmrds Malenkov, Bulganin, was thrown into combat in a disorganized north of Seoul, our military advisers must
Vasilevsky manner and in odd units, which made it arrange the following:
easier for the enemy to decimate and annihi- 1. The pullout of the main forces must
late it. As we directed earlier, you should be conducted under the protection of strong
Extract Minutes from Protocol #78 of the have deployed this division for combat at the rear guards dispatched from the divisions
Meeting of the Politburo of the CC line northeast and east of Seoul, reorganize it and capable of rendering serious resistance
VKP(b) Decision dated September 27, there, give its soldiers at least one day of to the enemy. This can be achieved if the
1950 respite, prepare it for battle and only after- command over the rear guards is assigned to
wards introduce these troops into combat. commanders with considerable military ex-
#73. - Questions of Korea. One cannot help taking serious note of perience, if the rear guards are strengthened
erroneous and absolutely inadmissible tac- with standing and antitank artillery, field
Approve of the attached directive tics for tank use in combat. Lately you have engineering units, and, if possible, with tanks.
to Comrades Matveyev and Shtykov. used tanks in combat without preliminary 2. The rear guards must engage in com-
artillery strikes aimed at clearing the field for bat from defensive line to defensive line,
Secretary of the C[entral] C[ommittee] tank maneuvers. As a consequence, the making broad use of engineering fortifica-
enemy easily destroys your tanks. Our mili- tions, including mines and materials at hand.
* * * * * tary advisers who have personal experience The rear guards must act decisively and
from the Great Patriotic War must be aware actively in order to gain the time required for
Attachment to that such ignorant use of tanks leads to their the pullout of the main forces.
#73 (op) of the Politburo Protocol #78 loss. 3. The bulk of the troops of the divi-
One cannot help noticing the strategic sions, to the extent possible, must be with-
Top Secret illiteracy of our advisers and their incompe- drawn in a compact manner, ready to force
Pyongyang tence in intelligence matters. They failed to their way forward, but not in separate and
grasp the strategic importance of the enemy’s odd units. The major force must dispatch
TO MATVEYEV [ZAKHAROV] assault landing in Inch’on, denied the gravity strong forward guards armed with artillery
TO SHTYKOV of its implications, while Shtykov even sug- and, if possible, with tanks.
gested that we should bring to trial the author 4. Tanks must be used only in joint
The serious predicament in the area of of an article in the “Pravda” about the U.S. action with infantry and only after prelimi-
Seoul and in the South-East in which the assault landing. This blindness and lack of nary artillery fire.
Korean People’s Army has found itself lately strategic experience led to the fact that they 5. One must dispatch forward detach-
has to a great extent been caused by a series doubted the necessity of redeploying troops ments to occupy and hold ravines, bridges,
of grave mistakes made by the Frontline from the South toward Seoul, as well as ferries, passes and important road junctions
Command, the Commands of the Army procrastinated over their redeployment and located along the way of the movement of
Groups and army groupings in matters re- slowed it down considerably, thereby losing the major forces until the latter pass through
lated to command and control over troops, a week to the enemy’s enjoyment. them.
as well as to the tactics of their combat use The assistance provided by our military 6. Special attention must be paid to the
in particular. advisers to the Korean Command in such questions of the organization of field intelli-
It is our military advisers who are even paramount matters as communications, com- gence, as well as flank protection and main-
more to blame for these mistakes. Our mand and control over troops, organization tenance of communications between march-
military advisers failed to implement scru- of intelligence and combat is exceptionally ing troops’ columns.
pulously and in a timely fashion the order of weak. As a result of this, the KPA troops, in 7. When preparing for defense, one
the Supreme Commander-in-Chief for the essence, are beyond control: they are en- should avoid stretching out the troops along
withdrawal of four divisions from the cen- gaged in combat blindly and cannot arrange the entire front line but tightly cover the
tral front to the area of Seoul despite the fact the coordination between the various armed main directions and set up strong reserve
that at the moment of adopting this decision services in battle. One can tolerate such a units for active actions.
such a possibility existed. Consequently, situation during a successful offensive, but 8. When setting up communications
they lost seven days which brought about an one cannot allow this to happen when the with troops via the line of the Korean Com-
enormous tactical advantage in the vicinity frontline situation is worsening. mand, one must utilize radio with the use of
of Seoul to the U.S. troops. Had they pulled You must elucidate all these points to codes.
out these divisions on time, this could have our military advisers, and first of all to In the future, while organizing the work
changed the military situation around Seoul Vasilyev. of our military advisers in accordance with
considerably. Odd battalions and separate In the present military situation, in order this directive, you must undertake all neces-
detachments arriving in the vicinity of Seoul, to provide assistance to the Korean Com- sary measures so that none of our military
advisers will be captured by the enemy, as over Sangju and Antó to the north and north- Supreme Commander-in-Chief and Defense
was directed earlier. west of Taegu. Minister in his hands, to set up a Staff Office
Report on the implementation of this According to the information which still for the Supreme Commander-in-Chief for
directive. needs to be verified, some tank units of the the command and control over troops, and to
enemy’s Seoul group continue to advance pay serious attention to the work of the rear.
F Y N SI. [STALIN] toward Ch’ungju, which creates the danger At present, they have begun to form
of encirclement of the First Army Group of only six infantry divisions in the northern
[Source: APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827, the KPA. part of Korea, whereas the current military
listy 90-93] The People’s Army troops, suffering situation has made impossible the formation
heavy losses, mainly from the enemy’s of nine infantry divisions manned with the
airforce, having lost almost all their tanks Southerners.
Document 4: Ciphered telegram from and much artillery, are engaged in difficult KIM IL SUNG issued a directive to take
Matveyev (Zakharov) to Fyn Si (Stalin), battles to hold their positions. The troops immediate steps aimed at withdrawing the
26 [27] September 1950 lack ammunition and fuel the delivery of remaining KPA troops from South Korea so
which has been virtually halted. The ac- that to use it to form new divisions in North
CIPHERED TELEGRAM # 600262/sh counting for the available weapons and am- Korea and deny this opportunity to the South.
munition is organized unsatisfactorily. The In connection with the fact that the
From Pyongyang Sent on top-down command and control system is Chinese railroads are overloaded transport-
26.9.50 at 8:101 a.m., by wire set up poorly. The wire and radio communi- ing supplies to Korea, it is desirable that the
Received in Moscow on 27.9.50 at 20:55 cations work intermittently because of the armaments designated for use by the six
p.m. interruptions inflicted by the enemy’s air divisions which are being newly formed be
Arrived in the 8th MDGS2 on 27.9.50 at raids and due to the lack of qualified radio shipped first, and only then should the am-
21:10 p.m. operators and the lack of fuel for radio sta- munition be delivered.
Deciphered by Morozov on 27.9.50 at tion generators correspondingly. Courier After our conversation with KIM IL
23:50 p.m. mail is almost nonexistent. SUNG we got down to work in order to assist
The predicament of the KPA troops, in in:
Number of copies made - 10 particular on the Southeastern front, remains - organizing good command and con-
Distribution List: unclear. trol over troops;
Stalin - 2,Molotov - 1, Malenkov -1, Upon our recommendation, on the night - rearranging the system of troop sup-
Beria -1, Mikoyan - 1, Kaganovich - 1, of 26.9.50 [26 September 1950], some Ko- plies, shipments, and transport services;
Bulganin - 1, Vasilevsky - 1, 8th MDGS rean communications officers were dis- - preparing defensive fortifications.
file - 1. patched to the Front Command and the Seoul The People’s Army is experiencing a
group in order to collect information on the dire shortage of drivers. The 3,400 trucks
troops’ situation. which are to arrive soon have no drivers at
TO COMRADE FYN SI [STALIN] On 25.9.50, at 19:00 pm, local time, all. It may be expedient to propose to Kim Il
Kim Il Sung’s order was forwarded to the Sung that he ask the Chinese friends to
Having familiarized myself with the troops, according to which the Seoul group- dispatch not less than 1,500 drivers to Ko-
predicament of the KPA, I report: ing and the Second Army Group operating rea, may it not?
The situation of the People’s Army in the northern part of the southeastern front
troops on the Western (Seoul) and South- were told to go on the defensive and hold up MATVEYEV [ZAKHAROV]
eastern (Pusan) fronts is severe. the enemy by any means. # 1298/sh
Seeking to encircle and destroy the main The troops of the Second Army Group 09/27/50
forces of the People’s Army, it is in the operating in the central and southern parts of 12:35pm, Pyongyang time
general direction of Ch’ungju that the U.S. the southeastern front were ordered to begin Typed by Budanova on 28.9.50 at 0:15
troops have concentrated the major efforts general retreat northwestward with the aim a.m.
of the assault group which had landed in the of getting to the area of Chénchang, Taejon,
area of Chemulp’o, as well as of the troops Poún for further levelling off the front line [Source: APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827,
that had launched an offensive from the area approximately following the line Seoul, listy 103-106]
to the North and Northwest of Taegu. Yóju, Ch’ungju [in Russian translation:
Using the support of the air force which Seoul, Reisiu, Tsiusiu, Naidzio, Urutsin].
has dominated the air space without hin- On 26.9.50, KIM IL SUNG received Document 5: Ciphered Telegram,
drance and caused aircraft-fright our group. Shtykov to Deputy Foreign Minister
[aviaboiazn’] both among the ranks within The meeting was also attended by For- Andrei Gromyko and Instantsia
the People’s Army and in the rear areas, the eign Minister PAK HÓN-YÓNG and Com- (Stalin), 29 September 1950
U.S. troops have managed to move from rade SHTYKOV.
Suwon eastward and southeastward for 25 to As a result of our conversation, KIM IL CIPHERED TELEGRAM # 600301/sh
30 kilometers and some of their troops took SUNG decided to combine the duties of the
From: PYONGYANG mediate deployment of troops at the already CH’ÓNGJU, to cut off the Second Army
Sent on 09/29/50 at 20:23 p.m. prepared fortifications there. Group composed of 7 divisions. Seoul fell.
Received in Moscow on 09/30/50 at 14:45 KIM IL SUNG asked me, how do you There are no standby troops ready to render
p.m. consider [the situation], will the adversary any serious resistance to the enemy advanc-
Received at the 8D/GS on 09/30/50 at cross the 38th parallel northward? ing to the 38th parallel.
14:50 p.m. I replied that it was not clear yet, but that New military units being formed in the
Deciphered by Vakushin on 09/30/50 at they had to undertake urgent measures to set North advance to the frontline very slowly
15:50 p.m up defenses along the 38th parallel. because the railroads in fact do not function
Distribution list - 12 copies: KIM IL SUNG reiterated his earlier due to the demolished bridges and ruined
Stalin - 2, Molotov - 1, Malenkov - 1, stated desire to unify the country by his own railway stations, while automobile transport
Beria - 1, Mikoyan -1, Kaganovich - 1, means, he stated that he wanted to form 15 is scarce.
Bulganin - 1, Gromyko - 1, 8 MDGS - 1, divisions and to continue the struggle, but it These new units lack armaments. The
MFA - 1, on file - 1. was not clear for him whether the adversary newly formed units and groupings desig-
would cross the 38th parallel or not. Should nated to defend CHEMULP’O, HAEJU,
To: MOSCOW the enemy cross the 38th parallel, they [the WÓNSAN, and CH’ÓNGJIN have weap-
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR North Korean leadership - AM] would be ons designed for training purposes only.
To Comrade GROMYKO unable to form new troops and they would The political situation is also getting
Instantsia [Highest Authority] have no means to render any serious resis- more and more complicated.
tance to the enemy. The enemy stepped up its activity of
On 29 September 29 I met KIM IL In this connection, he would like to ask dropping paratroopers into the territory of
SUNG upon his request. my advice regarding his letter to Comrade North Korea with the task of gathering intel-
PAK HÓN-YÓNG was present at the STALIN. They discussed this idea and want ligence on what deliveries are being shipped
meeting. In the beginning of the conversa- to send the letter. from the Soviet Union and to conduct sub-
tion KIM IL SUNG asked me whether I was I responded that I could give no advice versive activities. Reactionary forces are
aware of the military situation at the front. on this matter. At that moment, PAK HÓN- raising their heads in North Korea.
I replied that I did not know the latest YÓNG joined the conversation and said that
one. they had already drafted a letter, that the SHTYKOV
Then KIM IL SUNG briefly ex- WPKs Political Council had discussed it, 30.IX.50
plained to me the predicament of his troops and they wanted to familiarize me with its No. 1340
on the basis of the report of the Front Com- content. Typed by Lobyseva on 09/30/50 at 16:55
mander and asked my advice as to what one I dodged the reading by saying that it p.m.
could do in order to improve the situation at was up to the Political Council what its
the front. KIM IL SUNG believes that in the members were going to write in their letter. [Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 347,
wake of the enemy’s having occupied the On 28.9.50, [A.I.] SHABSHIN, a mem- listy 46-49]
Syarye mountain range and moving into the ber of MATVEYEV’S group, told
rear of the Second Army Group the front MATVEYEV and myself that at a chance
situation is becoming particularly trouble- meeting with PAK HÓN-YÓNG the latter Document 6: Ciphered Telegram,
some. Earlier they hoped that they would be told him that the Political Council had dis- DPRK leader Kim Il Sung and South
able to withdraw troops in an organized cussed and adopted a text of the letter ad- Korean Communist leader Pak Hon-
manner. But because of their poor disci- dressed to comrade Stalin, containing a re- Yong to Stalin (via Shtykov), 29 Sep-
pline and failure to fulfill orders, the enemy quest to aid Korea with air support. tember 1950
managed to cut off the First Army Group PAK informed SHABSHIN that they
and is moving to cut off the Second Army had dispatched a letter in reply to MAO CIPHERED TELEGRAM # 600308/sh
Group by its breakthrough toward P’UNGGI ZEDONG which contained a hint about aid.
[BUNKEI] and JIJYON [TISEN]. It was obvious that they [Kim and Pak - Sent from Pyongyang by wire on 09/30/50
The situation in Seoul is also murky. AM] were not satisfied with my earlier reply at 20:35 p.m.
His orders notwithstanding, CH’OE and they did not know what to do with their Received in Moscow on 09/30/50 at 23:32
YONGGÓN does not report anything, de- letter to Comrade STALIN. p.m.
spite the fact that a line of communications KIM IL SUNG and PAK HÓN-YÓNG Arrived in the 8 MDGS on 09/30/50 at
with him is available. are nervous. In the present difficult situation 23:30 p.m.
I replied that it was hard for me to one can feel some confusion and hopeless- Deciphered by Mikhaylenko on 10/01/50
advise anything regarding this matter be- ness. at 0:35 a.m.
cause I did not know the predicament of the The military situation has worsened dra- Distribution list - 12 copies:
KPA troops and their location, however, I matically lately. The adversary managed to Stalin - 2, Molotov - 1, Malenkov - 1,
would consider it expedient for KIM IL cut off the entire First Army Group com- Beria -1, Mikoyan - 1, Kaganovich - 1,
SUNG to take urgent steps to organize de- posed of six divisions and two brigades, as Bulganin - 1, Gromyko - 1.
fense along the 38th parallel, including im- well as, by advancing to the vicinity of
Extremely Urgent restore its prestige and to implement by any can aggression ultimately will be success-
means its long-held plans of conquering ful.
MOSCOW Korea and transforming it into its military- In order to provide troops with all the
To Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the strategic bridgehead, on 16.9.50, the U.S. necessary supplies and to feed the frontline
USSR performed an assault landing operation and without any interruption, first of all, we need
Comrade GROMYKO landed a considerable number of troops and to have an appropriate air force. But we do
armaments in the vicinity of Inch’ón after not possess well-trained pilots.
I herewith relay the text of a letter ad- having mobilized almost all its land, naval, Dear Comrade STALIN, we are deter-
dressed to Comrade STALIN which I re- and air troops deployed in the Pacific ocean. mined to overcome all the difficulties facing
ceived from KIM IL SUNG and PAK HÓN- The enemy took over Inch’ón and is engaged us so that Korea will not be a colony and a
YÓNG (translation from the Korean). in street combats in the city of Seoul itself. military springboard of the U.S. imperial-
This letter was handed over to me by The military situation became perilous. ists. We will fight for the independence,
PAK HÓN-YÓNG in person. The units of our People’s Army hero- democracy and happiness of our people to
ically fight against advancing assault land- the last drop of blood. Therefore, with all
ing units of the enemy. However, we con- our energy we are taking decisive measures
SHTYKOV sider it necessary to report to You about the for the formation and training of many new
emergence of very unfavorable conditions divisions with the aim of using more than
No. 1351 for us. 100,000 troops mobilized in South Korea
The enemy’s air force numbering about [captured in South Korea - AM] in the most
Enclosure: 4-page letter. a thousand airplanes of various types, facing advantageous operational areas, as well as
no rebuff from our side, totally dominate the arming the entire people so as to be prepared
This letter was cabled to Comrade Stalin air space and perform air raids at the fronts to fight a protracted war.
on 10.01.50 at 12:50 p.m. and in the rear day and night. At the fronts, This notwithstanding, if the enemy does
under the air cover of hundreds of airplanes not give us time to implement the measures
Typed by Shcherbakova on 10/01/50 at the motorized units of the enemy engage us which we plan, and, making use of our
1:45 a.m. in combat at their free will and inflict great extremely grave situation, steps up its offen-
losses to our manpower and destroy our sive operations into North Korea, then we
* * * * * armaments. Moreover, by freely destroying will not be able to stop the enemy troops
railroads and highways, telegraph and tele- solely with our own forces.
Moscow, Kremlin. phone communications lines, means of trans- Therefore, dear Iosif Vissarionovich,
portation and other facilities, the enemy’s we cannot help asking You to provide us
DEEPLY RESPECTED Iosif air force impedes the provision of supplies with special assistance. In other words, at
Vissarionovich STALIN. to our combat units and bars maneuvers by the moment when the enemy troops cross
our troops, thereby making their timely re- over the 38th parallel we will badly need
On behalf of the Workers’ Party of deployments impossible. We experience direct military assistance from the Soviet
Korea, we express to You, the liberator of this difficulty on all fronts. Union.
the Korean people and the leader of the Having cut off all the communications If for any reason this is impossible,
working peoples of the entire world, our lines of our troops and joined the assault please assist us by forming international
profound gratitude for compassion and as- force that landed in Inch’ón with the units of volunteer units in China and other countries
sistance which You constantly provide to their southern front that broke through our of people’s democracy for rendering mili-
our people struggling for the freedom and frontline, the adversary has a real opportu- tary assistance to our struggle.
independence of its Motherland. nity to take over the city of Seoul com- We request Your directive regarding
In this letter, we would like to brief You pletely. the aforementioned proposal.
on the current situation at the fronts of the As a result, the units of the People’s
liberation war of our people against the Army that are still fighting in the southern Respectfully, The CC of the Workers’ Party
American aggressors. part of Korea have been cut off from the of Korea
Prior to the assault landing at Inch’ón northern part of Korea, they are torn into
(Chemulp’o) one could not judge the situa- pieces and cannot receive munitions, arma- KIM IL SUNG, PAK HÓN-YÓNG
tion at the fronts as unfavorable to us. The ments, and food rations. Moreover, some
adversary, suffering one defeat after an- units do not have any communication with 29 September 1950
other, was cornered into a tiny piece of land each other, while some of them are sur-
at the southern-most tip of South Korea and rounded by enemy troops. [Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 347,
we had a great chance of winning a victory After taking over Seoul completely, the listy 41-45]
in the last decisive battles. enemy is likely to launch a further offensive
Such a situation considerably damaged into North Korea. Therefore, we believe that Document 7: Ciphered Telegram,
the military authority of the United States. if in future the above-mentioned conditions Filippov (Stalin) to Soviet Ambassador
Therefore, in those conditions, in order to unfavorable to us continue, then the Ameri- in Beijing (N.V. Roshchin) with message
for Zhou Enlai, 5 July 1950 the Meeting of the Politburo of the CC
VKP(b) Comrade STALIN I.V.
CIPHERED TELEGRAM # 3172 Decision dated 30 September 1950 The Ambassador of the USSR to the
DPRK Comrade Shtykov has reported that
Coded, only by wire as a result of air bombardments by the U.S.
Submitted at 23:45 p.m. on 07/05/50 118. Telegram from Comrade Matveyev # Air Force many enterprises of the DPRK
Distribution List - 3 copies: Stalin - 2, 1298. have been ruined and are not in operation. At
Molotov -1 the present time, Koreans do not intend to
To BEIJING, [SOVIET] AMBASSA- The attached draft of the reply to Com- rebuild these factories and plants.
DOR rade Matveyev regarding his telegram # 1298 In this situation Comrade Shtykov con-
has been approved. siders it expedient to send some of the Soviet
specialists back to the Soviet Union and asks
Re Your ciphered telegrams ## 1112- to be given the right to dispatch the Soviet
1126 SECRETARY OF THE CC experts back to the USSR regardless of the
length of their stay in Korea upon consulta-
Tell Zhou Enlai the following: * * * * * tions with the government of the DPRK.
1. We agree with the opinion of Chi- Comr. Shtykov also requests that he be
nese comrades regarding the Indian inter- Attachment to the Decision of the Polit- permitted, at his judgement and upon con-
mediation in the matter of admitting the buro #78 on #118 sultations with heads of the Soviet organiza-
People’s [Republic of] China into the UN PYONGYANG tions in Korea, to evacuate some of their
membership. To MATVEYEV [ZAKHAROV] personnel working in Korea without whom
2. We consider it correct to concentrate RE: # 1298 they can still continue to do their work.
immediately 9 Chinese divisions on the The M[inistry of] F[oreign] A[ffairs of
Chinese-Korean border for volunteers’ ac- We consider correct the decisions the] USSR considers it possible to recall
tions in North Korea in the event of the adopted by Kim Il Sung at his meeting with some of the Soviet specialists from the DPRK
enemy’s crossing the 38th parallel. We will You, in particular, regarding the combining only if the initiative for their return to the
do our best to provide the air cover for these of the duties of the Supreme Commander-in- Soviet Union were to come from the govern-
units. Chief and Defense Minister in the hands of ment of the DPRK.
3. Your report about the flights of the Kim Il Sung, the establishment of the Staff at As far as Comr. Shtykov’s suggestion
Soviet aircraft over the Manchurian terri- the office of the Supreme Commander-in- about the evacuation of the personnel of the
tory has not been confirmed. But we have Chief, the formation of six divisions and Soviet organizations from the DPRK, the
issued an order not to permit such over- withdrawal of manpower reserves from South MFA [of the] USSR proposes that we main-
flights. Korea. tain the existing procedures according to
The formation of six divisions must be which the recall of personnel is to be done
F I L I P P O V [STALIN] accelerated. Necessary armaments, ammu- via the MFA of the USSR upon consulta-
nition, and other materials will be supplied tions with appropriate ministries and organi-
_ 373/sh from October 5 to October 20. zations of the USSR.
5.7.50 [5 July 1950] As far as the question about the expedi- A draft [cable to Shtykov - AM] is
Typed by Stepanova at 0:55 a.m. on 07/ ency of recommending that Kim Il Sung ask attached.
06/50 the Chinese friends to dispatch drivers to I request Your consideration.
Korea, You may give such advice but with-
[Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 331, out citing Moscow. A. G R O M Y K O
list 79]
Upon the directive of Instantsia 30 September 1950
# 182-sh
Document 8: Draft Telegram, Chan Fu C H A N F U [STALIN] 1 copy
(Stalin) to Matveyev (Zakharov), 30
September 1950 [Source: APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827,
listy 100-101] Attachment
VKP(b) CC TOP PRIORITY
# P78/118
09/30/50 Document 9: Memorandum Gromyko To PYONGYANG,
To: Cmrds. Malenkov, Bulganin, to Stalin, 30 September 1950, with draft To SOVIET AMBASSADOR
Vasilevsky cable from Gromyko to Shtykov
In connection with the present situation
Extract Minutes from Protocol #78 of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR the evacuation of the Soviet specialists from
Korea may take place only when the initia- lel. However, the 1 [First] and 2 [Second] feels compassion toward them and will help
tive for the return of any such specialists Army Groups’ Commands failed to imple- them out. They must leave heavy weapons
comes from the government of the DPRK. ment Kim Il Sung’s order for the withdrawal behind and try to get to the north by all
You should not display any initiative of your of troops northward, which allowed the U.S. means, by using the cover of night and the
own in raising the issue of the evacuation of troops to cut them off and surround them. areas unoccupied by the enemy yet. You
Soviet specialist before the Koreans do. Our Korean friends have no troops capable have the possibility of rescuing thereby the
The return of the personnel of the Soviet of resistance in the vicinity of Seoul. Hence, most valuable asset, that is, the cadres.
organizations working in the DPRK to the one needs to consider the way toward the Take all the necessary measures to
Soviet Union should be done in the previ- 38th parallel wide open. implement this directive.
ously-established order, that is, via the MFA I think that if in the current situation you Telegraph the fulfillment.
of the USSR upon consultations with appro- consider it possible to send troops to assist
priate ministries and organizations of the the Koreans, then you should move at least C H A N F U [STALIN]
USSR. five-six divisions toward the 38th parallel at 2 October 1950
You should inform the MFA of the once so as to give our Korean comrades an
USSR about each case of pending return of opportunity to organize combat reserves [Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 347,
the Soviet specialists from Korea well in north of the 38th parallel under the cover of list 64]
advance. your troops. The Chinese divisions could be
considered as volunteers, with Chinese in
A. G r o m y k o command at the head, of course. Document 12: Ciphered telegram from
I have not informed and am not going to Roshchin in Beijing to Filippov [Stalin],
[Source: APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827, inform our Korean friends about this idea, 3 October 1950, conveying 2 October
listy 123, 125] but I have no doubt in my mind that they will 1950 message from Mao to Stalin
be glad when they learn about it.
I await your reply. SECOND MAIN ADMINISTRATION
Document 10: Ciphered Telegram, OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE
Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong and Greetings, SOVIET SOVIET ARMY
Zhou Enlai, 1 October 1950 F I L I P P O V [STALIN]
CIPHERED TELEGRAM No. 25199
Transmitted to Bulganin 1 October 1950
On 1.X.50 [1 October 1950] at 3:00 a.m. Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov, Malenkov,
[Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 334, Beria, Mikoyan, Kaganovich, Bulganin
Ciphered Telegram listy 97-98]
From BEIJING Received 12:15
To BEIJING, SOVIET AMBASSA- 3.10.1950
DOR Document 11: Ciphered Telegram,
(For immediate transmission to MAO Chan Fu (Stalin) to Matveyev TOP PRIORITY T
ZEDONG and ZHOU ENLAI.) (Zakharov), 2 October 1950
TO FILIPPOV [STALIN]
I am far away from Moscow on vaca- Ciphered Note (by wire)
tion and somewhat detached from events in I report the answer of MAO ZEDONG
Korea. However, judging by the informa- To PYONGYANG to your [telegram] No. 4581:
tion that I have received from Moscow to- MATVEYEV [ZAKHAROV] (transmit- “I received your telegram of 1.10.50 [1
day, I see that the situation of our Korean ted by ciphered telegram) October 1950]. We originally planned to
friends is getting desperate. move several volunteer divisions to North
It was on 16 September already that We constantly point out to You the Korea to render assistance to the Korean
Moscow warned our Korean friends that the exceptional importance of the withdrawal of comrades when the enemy advanced north
landing of the U.S. troops at Chemulp’o troops out of the encirclement. In this mat- of the 38th parallel.
[Inchon] had great significance and was ter, the crucial point is to bring the man- However, having thought this over thor-
aimed at cutting off the First and Second power and commanding officers back to the oughly, we now consider that such actions
Army Groups of the North Koreans from north. may entail extremely serious consequences.
their rear in the North. Moscow admonished In the current situation, without delay In the first place, it is very difficult to
them to withdraw at least four divisions you must give instructions to the soldiers resolve the Korean question with a few divi-
from the South immediately, to set up a and officers who are still fighting in the sions (our troops are extremely poorly
frontline to the north and east of Seoul, and south to retreat by any means, in groups or equipped, there is no confidence in the suc-
later to gradually pull out most of the troops person by person, to the north. There is no cess of military operations against Ameri-
fighting in the South northward, thereby continuous frontline. These troops are fight- can troops), the enemy can force us to re-
providing for the defense of the 38th paral- ing on their own territory, so the population treat.
In the second place, it is most likely that USA and China, then our entire plan for has not been taken on this question. This is
this will provoke an open conflict between peaceful construction will be completely ru- our preliminary telegram, we wish to con-
the USA and China, as a consequence of ined, and many people in the country will be sult with you. If you agree, then we are ready
which the Soviet Union can also be dragged dissatisfied (the wounds inflicted on the immediately to send by plane Comrades
into war, and the question would thus be- people by the war have not yet healed, we ZHOU ENLAI and LIN BIAO to your vaca-
come extremely large [kraine bol’shim]. need peace). tion place, to talk over this matter with you
Many comrades in the CC CPC [Cen- Therefore it is better to show patience and to report the situation in China and
tral Committee of the Communist Party of now, refrain from advancing troops, [and] Korea.
China] judge that it is necessary to show actively prepare our forces, which will be We await your reply.
caution here. more advantageous at the time of war with
Of course, not to send out troops to the enemy. MAO ZEDONG 2.10.50”
render assistance is very bad for the Korean Korea, while temporarily suffering de-
comrades, who are presently in such diffi- feat, will change the form of the struggle to 1. In our view MAO ZEDONG’s an-
culty, and we ourselves feel this keenly; but partisan war. swer is indicative of a change in the original
if we advance several divisions and the We will convene a meeting of the CC, at position of the Chinese leadership on the
enemy forces us to retreat; and this more- which will be present the main comrades of Korean question. It contradicts the earlier
over provokes an open conflict between the various bureaus of the CC. A final decision appraisal, which was repeatedly expressed
MAO TO STALIN, 2 OCTOBER 1950: THE RUSSIAN VERSION

in conversations of MAO ZEDONG with rades, which took several days. On 1 Octo- wait-and-see policy, and that without seri-
YUDIN, KOTOV and KONNOV; [and] LIU ber, I sent a letter to Mao Zedong, inquiring ous struggle and an imposing display of
SHAOQI with me, which were reported at whether he could dispatch to Korea immedi- force not only would China fail to obtain all
the time. In these conversations, it was ately at least five or six divisions under the these concessions but it would not be able to
noted by them that the people and the PLA cover of which our Korean comrades could get back even Taiwan which at present the
[People’s Liberation Army] are ready to form reserve troops. Mao Zedong replied United States clings to as its springboard not
help the Korean people, the fighting spirit of with a refusal, saying that he did not want to for Jiang Jieshi [Chiang Kai-shek], who has
the PLA is high and it is able, if necessary, to draw the USSR into the war, that the Chinese no chance to succeed, but for themselves or
defeat the American troops, regarding them army was weak in technical terms, and that for a militaristic Japan of tomorrow.
as weaker than the Japanese. the war could cause great dissatisfaction Of course, I took into account also [the
2. The Chinese government undoubt- [nedovol’stvo] in China. I replied to him by possibility] that the USA, despite its
edly could send to Korea not only five-six the following letter: unreadiness for a big war, could still be
battle ready divisions, but even more. It drawn into a big war out of [considerations
goes without saying that these Chinese troops “I considered it possible to turn to You of] prestige, which, in turn, would drag China
are in need of some technical equipping in with the question of five-six Chinese volun- into the war, and along with this draw into
antitank weapons and to some extent in teer divisions because I was well aware of a the war the USSR, which is bound with
artillery. number of statements made by the leading China by the Mutual Assistance Pact. Should
The reasons for the changes in the posi- Chinese comrades regarding their readiness we fear this? In my opinion, we should not,
tion of the Chinese are not yet clear to us. It to move several armies in support of the because together we will be stronger than the
is possible to suppose that it has been influ- Korean comrades if the enemy were to cross USA and England, while the other European
enced by the international situation, the wors- the 38th parallel. I explained the readiness capitalist states (with the exception of Ger-
ening of the position in Korea, [and] the of the Chinese comrades to send troops to many which is unable to provide any assis-
intrigues of the Anglo-American bloc Korea by the fact that China was interested tance to the United States now) do not present
through [Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal] in preventing the danger of the transforma- serious military forces. If a war is inevitable,
NEHRU, who has urged the Chinese toward tion of Korea into a USA springboard or a then let it be waged now, and not in a few
patience and abstention [from intervention] bridgehead for a future militaristic Japan years when Japanese militarism will be re-
in order to avoid catastrophe. against China. stored as an ally of the USA and when the
ROSHCHIN While raising before You the question USA and Japan will have a ready-made
of dispatching troops to Korea, I considered bridgehead on the continent in a form of the
No. 2270 3.10 5-6 divisions a minimum, not a maximum, entire Korea run by Syngman Rhee.
_______________________ and I was proceeding from the following Such were the considerations and pros-
considerations of an international character: pects of an international nature that I pro-
Dec[iphered by] Araushkin 12.50 3.10 1) the USA, as the Korean events ceeded from when I was requesting a mini-
[12.50 p.m. 3 October] showed, is not ready at present for a big war mum of five-six divisions from You.”
Typ[ed by] Doronchenkova 13.20 3.10 [k bol’shoi voine]; In response to this [letter], on October 7,
[1.20 p.m. 3 October] 2) Japan, whose militaristic potential I received letter from Mao on 7 September
Typ[ed in] 10 copies [copies no.] 9-10 -(to has not yet been restored, is not capable of [sic-October], in which he expresses soli-
file) rendering military assistance to the Ameri- darity with the fundamental positions dis-
cans; cussed in my letter and declares that he will
[Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 334, 3) the USA will be compelled to yield in dispatch to Korea nine, not six, divisions.
listy 105-106; translation by Kathryn the Korean question to China behind which But [he said] that he will send them not now,
Weathersby and Alexandre Mansourov.] stands its ally, the USSR, and will have to but after some time. He also requested that
agree to such terms of the settlement of the I receive his representatives and discuss
Korean question that would be favorable to some details of the mission with them. Of
Document 13: Letter, Fyn Si [Stalin] to Korea and that would not give the enemies a course, I agreed to receive his representa-
Kim Il Sung (via Shtykov), 8 [7] Octo- possibility to transform Korea into their tives and to discuss with them a detailed plan
ber 1950 springboard; of military assistance to Korea.
4) for the same reasons, the USA will It is obvious from the above mentioned
not only have to abandon Taiwan, but also to that You must stand firm and fight for every
PYONGYANG, To SHTYKOV reject the idea of a separate peace with the tiny piece of your land, that You have to
for KIM IL SUNG Japanese reactionaries, as well as to aban- strengthen resistance to the American occu-
don their plans of revitalizing Japanese im- piers of Korea and prepare reserves, using
perialism and of converting Japan into their for this purpose the military cadres of the
Comrade Kim Il Sung! springboard in the Far East. Korean People’s Army coming out from the
In this regard, I proceeded from the encirclement. Also, this shows that You are
My reply has been delayed because of assumption that China could not extract these absolutely right in your proposal that we
my consultations with the Chinese com- concessions if it were to adopt a passive transfer all Korean comrades studying in the
USSR into the pilot training program. concerning the temporary evacuation of some nizations and their families, follow the in-
I will keep you informed about further Soviet specialists upon consultations with structions laid out in our telegram # 18909.
talks with the Chinese comrades. 8 October the Korean government, as well as of the Second. You must decide the question
1950. personnel of Soviet organizations in Korea. of the evacuation of families of Soviet citi-
zens of Korean nationality from the territory
F Y N S I [STALIN] GROMYKO of Korea on the spot, bearing in mind changes
in the situation on the ground.
Comrade Shtykov, I ask You to read 5-nb Third. All the Soviet personnel of the
this letter to Kim Il Sung. He may copy it by air commandants’ offices and families of
hand in your presence, but You may not [APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827, listy Soviet military advisers must be evacuated
hand over this letter to Kim Il Sung because 121-122] from the territory of Korea.
of its extreme confidentiality. Fourth. We agree with your proposal
F Y N S I [STALIN] that, in case of emergency, all the Soviet
Document 15: Gromyko and citizens, including Soviet citizens of Korean
[Handwritten: This letter was delivered to Vasilevsky to Stalin, 6 October 1950, nationality, be evacuated to the territory of
Comrade Bulganin on October 7, 1950 at attaching draft cable to Shtykov the USSR and China.
22:15 pm.]
[Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 347, Ministry of Defense of the USSR (A. Vasilevsky) (A. Gromyko)
listy 65-67] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR
[Source: APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827,
listy 126-127]
Document 14: Telegram from Distribution list:
Gromyko to Shtykov Approved by Stalin - 1, Molotov - 1, Malenkov - 1,
Soviet Communist Party Central Beria - 1, Mikoyan - 1, Kaganovich - 1, Document 16: Ciphered Telegram,
Committee Politburo, 5 October 1950 Bulganin - 1, Khrushchev - 1. Kim Il Sung to Stalin (via Shtykov), 9
October 1950
VKP(b) CC Comrade STALIN I.V.:
# P78/168 Ciphered Telegram # 600382/sh
05/10/50 In connection with Comrade Shtykov’s
To: Cmrds Bulganin, Gromyko telegram #1405/sh dated 5 October in which To Comrade STALIN I.V.
he pressed the question of the evacuation FROM: PYONGYANG
Extract Minutes from Protocol #78 of from Korea of Soviet specialists working in
the Meeting of the Politburo of the CC Korea, personnel of Soviet organizations in Sent by wire on 10/09/50 at 7:05 a.m.
VKP(b) Korea, families of Soviet citizens of Korean Received in Moscow on 10/09/50 at 9:38
nationality, staff of the Soviet air comman- a.m.
Decision dated October 5, 1950 dants’ offices, and, in case of emergency, all Arrived at the 8D/GS on 10/09/50 at 9:45
Soviet citizens, we consider it necessary to a.m.
168. The Question of Shtykov. reply in accordance with the attached draft. Deciphered by Morozov on 10/09/50 at
10:45 a.m.
The attached draft of a telegram ad- We request your consideration thereof. Distribution list - 11 copies: Stalin - 2,
dressed to the Ambassador of the USSR to Molotov - 1, Malenkov - 1, Beria - 1,
the DPRK Com. Shtykov, regarding the A. VASILEVSKY A. GROMYKO Mikoyan - 1, Kaganovich - 1, Bulganin -
question of the evacuation of Soviet special- [signature] 1.
ists and personnel of Soviet organizations 6 October 1950
from Korea to the USSR, has been ap- No. 201-gi I herewith transmit a letter of the fol-
proved. lowing content addressed to Your name from
[Attachment] comrade KIM IL SUNG:
SECRETARY OF THE CC PRIORITY CABLE
4ak “Comrade STALIN Iosif
To PYONGYANG Vissarionovich,
[Attachment to the Decision of the SOVIET AMBASSADOR.
Politburo #78 regarding #168] Let me ask You, dear Iosif
RE: 1405/sh Vissarionovich, for assistance and advice.
PYONGYANG Now it is evident to everybody that
SOVIET AMBASSADOR First. Regarding the question of the having made significant achievements in
evacuation of Soviet specialists and their recent military operations, the American
1304/sh. We agree with your proposals families, as well as personnel of Soviet orga- aggressor will not stop at anything short of
the complete takeover of all of Korea, and its squadron of mine-sweepers, the first and the p.m.
conversion into its military-strategic spring- third assault landing groups.
board for further aggression in the Far East. Ch’óngjin was heavily bombarded from [Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 335,
In my opinion, the struggle of our people the air and the sea. list 3]
for its independence, freedom and state sov-
ereignty will be protracted and very hard. [signature] G O L O V K O
For a successful struggle against a strong [signature] F O K I N Document 19: Ciphered Telegram,
enemy armed with the latest achievements No. 244cc Roshchin to Filippov (Stalin), 14
of military science and technology we will 13 October 1950 October 1950, re Meeting with Mao
have to train pilots, tankists, radio operators, Zedong
and engineering officers urgently. [Source: APRF, fond 3, opis 65, delo 827,
It is very difficult to train them inside list 139] Ciphered Telegram # 25629
our country. Therefore, we turn to You,
comrade STALIN, with the following re- FROM: BEIJING
quest: Received in Moscow on 10/14/50 at 01:38
1. To permit the training of 200-300 Document 18: Ciphered Telegram, a.m.
pilots from among Korean students studying Shtykov to Fyn Si (Stalin), 14 October Deciphered by Yelezov on 10/14/50 at
in the Soviet Union. 1950 02:00 a.m.
2. To permit the training of 1,000 Typed by Rubleva on 10/14/50 at 03:20
tankists, 2,000 pilots, 500 radio operators, Ciphered Telegram # 600428/sh a.m.
and 500 engineering officers from among FROM: PYONGYANG Cabled by VTCH to the South for Stalin
Soviet Koreans residing in the Soviet Union. Distribution list - 9 copies: Stalin - 2,
I ask You, comrade STALIN, to render Sent by wire on 10/14/50 at 03:15 a.m. Molotov -1, Malenkov - 1, Beria - 1,
us assistance in this regard. Received in Moscow on 10/14/50 at 6:36 Mikoyan - 1, Kaganovich - 1, Bulganin -
a.m. 1, 8MDGS - 1.
Respectfully, KIM IL SUNG” Arrived at the 8D/GS on 10/14/50 at 7:10 PRIORITY T
a.m.
I support KIM IL SUNG’S request. Deciphered by Morozov on 10/14/50 at To FILIPPOV [STALIN]
7:45 a.m.
SHTYKOV Distribution list - 11 copies: Stalin - 2, In addition to my No. 2406 (incoming
Molotov-1, Malenkov - 1, Beria - 1, No. 25612), Mao Zedong went on to say:
No. 1447/sh Mikoyan - 1, Kaganovich - 1, Bulganin - Our leading comrades believe that if the
1. U.S. troops advance up to the border of
9 October 1950 China, then Korea will become a dark spot
FYN SI [STALIN] for us [the Chinese - AM] and the Northeast
Typed by Kravchuk on 10/09/50 at 11:20 will be faced with constant menace.
a.m. In accordance with your directive dated Past hesitations by our comrades oc-
13.10.50 I had a meeting with KIM IL SUNG. curred because questions about the interna-
[Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 347, PAK HÓN-YÓNG was present at the tional situation, questions about the Soviet
listy 72-73] meeting. I read the text of your telegram to assistance to us, and questions about air
them. The content of the telegram caught cover were not clear to them. At present, all
Document 17: Memorandum, Golovko KIM IL SUNG and PAK HÓN-YÓNG by these questions have been clarified.
and Fokin to Stalin, 13 October 1950 surprise. Mao Zedong pointed out that now it is
KIM IL SUNG stated that it was very advantageous for them to dispatch the Chi-
Comrade STALIN hard for them [to accept Stalin’s recommen- nese troops into Korea. The Chinese have
dation - AM], but since there is such advice the absolute obligation to send troops to
According to electronic intelligence data they will fulfill it. Korea.
gathered by the Seventh Fleet, as of 8:00 KIM IL SUNG asked me to read prac- At this point, they are sending the first
a.m., 13 October, the following U.S. battle- tical recommendations and ordered PAK echelon composed of nine divisions. Al-
ships were noticed in the vicinity of HÓN-YÓNG to write them down. He also though it is poorly armed, it will be able to
Ch’óngjin: USS “Missouri,” three heavy asked us to help him develop a plan for fight against the troops of Syngman Rhee. In
aircraft carriers (“Valley Forge,” “Leyte,” measures related to this question. the meantime, the Chinese comrades will
“The Philippine Sea”), two escort aircraft have to prepare the second echelon.
carriers (“Sicily,” “Beduin Strait”), three SHTYKOV The main thing that we need, says Mao
heavy cruisers (“Rochester,” “Toledo,” “Hel- No. 1476/sh Zedong, is air power which shall provide us
ena”), three cruisers (“Wooster,” “Juno,” 14 October 1950 with air cover. We hope to see its arrival as
“Ceylon”), twelve destroyers, the third Typed by Bantsekina on 10/14/50 at 13:30 soon as possible, but not later than in two
months. 13 Oct 1950

Furthermore, Comrade Mao Zedong [typed:] Sent on 13.X.50 CWIHP ACTIVITIES
noted that at present the government of the AT V WORLD CONGRESS
People’s Republic of China cannot pay in [Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 347, OF CENTRAL AND
cash for the armaments delivered. They listy 74-75] EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES,
hope to receive arms on credit. POLAND, AUGUST 1995
Thus, the 1951 budget will not be af- The Cold War International History Project
fected, and it will be easier for them to Document 21: Ciphered Telegram, Fyn (CWIHP) organized several activities in con-
explain it to the democrats. Si (Stalin) to Kim Il Sung, 14 October nection with the V World Congress of Central
In conclusion, Mao Zedong stated that 1950 and East European Studies, held at Warsaw
the leading comrades in the Central Com- University on 6-11 August 1995.
mittee of the Chinese Communist Party be- CIPHERED TELEGRAM # 4829 CWIHP, in cooperation with the National
lieve that the Chinese must come to the Security Archive (a non-governmental reposi-
tory for declassified documents and research
assistance of the Korean comrades in their To PYONGYANG—SOVIET AMBAS-
institute located at George Washington Univer-
difficult struggle. To discuss this matter, SADOR sity), co-organized three panels at the Warsaw
Zhou Enlai will have to meet comrade meeting. Two were chaired by CWIHP Director
Filippov again. Transmit to KIM IL SUNG the follow- Jim Hershberg: “New Evidence on the Polish
Zhou Enlai is being sent new instruc- ing message: Crisis, 1980-1981,” with presentations by Mark
tions. Kramer (Russian Research Center, Harvard Uni-
“After vacillations [kolebaniy] and a versity), Michael Kubina (Free University, Ber-
ROSHCHIN series of temporary [provisional] decisions lin), and Malcolm Byrne (National Security
Archive); and “Cold War Flashpoints,” with
No. 2408 the Chinese comrades at last made a final Vladislav Zubok (National Security Archive),
13.10 [13 October] decision to render assistance to Korea with Johanna Granville (Carnegie-Mellon Univer-
troops. sity), Byrne, and Kramer. Malcolm Byrne
[Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 335, I am glad [rad] that the final and favor- chaired a session on “New Opportunities for
listy 1-2] able decision for Korea has been made at Research and the Issue of Openness in Cold War
last. Studies,” with presentations by Hope Harrison
In this connection, you should consider (Lafayette College), Sven Holtsmark (Norwe-
gian Institute for Defense Studies), Hershberg,
Document 20: Ciphered Telegram, Fyn the recommendations of the meeting of the
and Zubok.
Si (Stalin) to Kim Il Sung (via Shtykov), Chinese-Soviet leading comrades, which During the conference, CWIHP, the Na-
13 October 1950 You were told of earlier, annulled. You will tional Security Archive, and the Institute of
have to resolve concrete questions regarding Political Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences,
Ciphered Telegram # 75525/4/6759 the entry of the Chinese troops jointly with conducted a day-long workshop on current schol-
(incoming #3735/shs) the Chinese comrades. arship and research on the 1980-81 Polish Cri-
(Stalin’s hand-written note) The armaments required for the Chi- sis. CWIHP presented a collection of newly-
nese troops will be delivered from the USSR. released Soviet documents on the crisis, in-
cluded Politburo minutes, selected, translated,
PYONGYANG I wish You success.”
annotated, and introduced by Mark Kramer,
To SHTYKOV for Comrade Kim Il while the Archive assembled declassified U.S.
Sung F Y N S I [STALIN] documents obtained through the Freedom of
Information Act. Plans were discussed to hold
I have just received a telegram from 14.10.50 an oral history conference on the 1980-81 Polish
Mao Zedong in which he reports that the CC Typed by Doronchenkova #8865 Crisis, gathering key Polish, Russian, and Ameri-
CPC [Central Committee of the Communist Made 2 copies: Stalin - 1, 8MDGS - 1. cans involved in the events, in the spring of 1997
in Poland. Meetings were also held with Ger-
Party of China] discussed the situation [in
man and Hungarian colleagues regarding, re-
Korea - AM] again and decided after all to [Source: APRF, fond 45, opis 1, delo 347, spectively, meetings for scholars to present new
render military assistance to the Korean com- list 77] East-bloc evidence on the 1953 East German
rades, regardless of the insufficient arma- uprising and the 1956 Hungarian crisis which
ment of the Chinese troops. I am awaiting are planned in connection with the National
detailed reports about this matter from Mao 1. Although on the front page of the telegram it says that Security Archive’s “Cold War Flashpoints”
Zedong. In connection with this new deci- it was sent from Pyongyang at 8:10 a.m. on September project and will be co-sponsored by CWIHP.
sion of the Chinese comrades, I ask You to 26, I believe that the date was indicated incorrectly In conjunction with the Warsaw gathering,
because of a typo. It should be dated as of September 27 Hershberg and Byrne gave presentations re-
postpone temporarily the implementation of because at the end of the telegram it says that it was garding CWIHP’s and the Archive’s activities
the telegram sent to You yesterday about the dispatched from Pyongyang at 12:35 p.m. on 27 Sep- at the International Librarians’ Conference on
evacuation of North Korea and the retreat of tember 1950 (local time) which is 6:35 a.m. of the same
Libraries in Europe’s Post-Communist Coun-
date Moscow time.
the Korean troops to the north. tries, held near Krakow, Poland, at Jagellonian
2. 8th MDGS stands for the Eighth Main Department of
the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR. University’s Polonia Institute (Przegorzaly) on
F Y N S I [STALIN] 3-5 August 1995.
Cumings and Weathersby—An C OLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT BULLETIN 120
11 July 1995 trary, charged Kim two percent—about what mander of the Korean Military Advisory
mortgages cost in the U.S. then.) Group (KMAG) “to recover high ground in
To the Editor: Document #7, Stalin’s telegram to Rus- North Korea occupied by [the] South Ko-
sian ambassador to P’yôngyang Shtykov on rean Army.” Before dawn it launched strong
Since Kathryn Weathersby chose once 30 January 1950, does not say what artillery barrages and then at 5:30 a.m., 4000
again to stigmatize my work (as “revision- Weathersby says it does, namely, it does not to 6000 North Korean border guards at-
ist”) in the spring 1995 issue of the CWIHP “reveal so bluntly” Stalin’s strategic think- tacked the salient. They routed the South
Bulletin, perhaps I might be permitted a ing or his “perfect mafioso style.” Instead it Korean defenders, destroying two compa-
comment. The documents that she repro- shows Stalin appearing to be more interested nies of ROK soldiers and leaving hundreds
duced, selectively culled from a vastly larger than at any previous point in Kim Il Sung’s dead.
archive and handcarried to Seoul by a Boris plans for South Korea, without a hint of what Virtual panic ensued at high levels of
Yeltsin beseeching South Korea to aid the Stalin’s own strategic thinking might be. Dr. the South Korean government, leading
faltering Russian economy, are quite inter- Weathersby thinks the timing of this change Syngman Rhee and his favored high officers
esting but in ways that she does not seem to is to be explained by Dean Acheson’s famed in the army to argue that the only way to
understand. press club speech on January 12, which is to relieve pressure on Ongjin was to drive
Document #1, a standard transcript of assume a Stalin so inexperienced as to take north to Ch’orwon—which happened to be
Kim Il Sung’s meeting with Stalin on 5 Acheson’s public statement of a private policy about 20 miles into North Korean territory.
March 1949 widely circulated for use inside at face value (and even the public statement Rhee, who was meeting with Chiang Kai-
the Soviet government, is impressive pri- is always misread by scholars). Finally, shek [Jiang Jieshi] in a southern Korean
marily for how bland it is, adding very little Stalin’s request that Kim send 25,000 tons of port, returned to Seoul and dressed down his
to the existing record. If anything it illus- lead (whether gratis or for a price is not defense minister for not having “attacked
trates how distant Stalin was from the Ko- mentioned) is no more “mafioso” than the the North” after the Ongjin debacle. The
rean situation, probing Kim on what kind of U.S. more or less telling South Korea that it American ambassador and the KMAG com-
an army he had, what kind South Korea had, would require Korea’s entire annual output mander both intervened, since an attack on
and whether he had utilized the “national of tungsten in the early 1950s, to make up for Ch’orwon would, in the words of the latter,
bourgeoisie” to organize trade (which Kim the lost tungsten supplies of southern China. “cause heavy civil war and might spread.”
indeed had done). This transcript adds Documents number two through six are The South did not move against Ch’orwon,
virtually nothing to what has been known of considerably more interesting, but remain but attacks from both sides across the paral-
this meeting, a relatively full record of which inexplicable unless placed against the back- lel on the Ongjin peninsula continued through
can be found in an archive of captured North and-forth logic of the developing civil con- the end of 1949.
Korean materials in Washington. But it flict on the peninsula, with full knowledge of All this is based on unimpeachable
does appear to show that no secret military what the South and the U.S. were doing. The American archival documentation, some of
alliance or agreement issued forth from this critical issue in these documents is not a which was reproduced in the 1949 Korea
meeting, as the South long claimed. wholesale invasion of the South, but a mili- papers of the Foreign Relations of the U.S.
This document certainly does not pro- tary operation to seize the Ongjin Peninsula, and which I treated at length in my 1990
vide evidence for Dr. Weathersby’s asser- which juts southward from the 38th parallel book. When we now look at both sides of the
tion that the meeting was “revealing in a on Korea’s west coast, reachable from the parallel with the help of Soviet materials, we
most intimate way [of] the nature of the South only by sea or by an overland route see how similar the Russians were in seek-
relationship” between the USSR and the through North Korean territory. This is where ing to restrain hotheaded Korean leaders,
DPRK or that North Korea was “utterly the Korean War conventionally dated from including the two chiefs of state. Indeed,
dependent” on the USSR. The captured 25 June 1950 began, and where fighting two key Russian Embassy officials seeking
archive has large numbers of documents on between the South and North began on 4 to restrain Kim used language almost iden-
Korean-Soviet trade, negotiations over vari- May 1949—in a battle probably started by tical to that which John Foster Dulles used
ous exchanges, and proof that some pre- the South, according to the most reliable with Rhee in his June 1950 discussions in
cious Korean minerals, like gold and mona- accounts. Seoul (both, upon hearing Kim or Rhee
zite (when refined, useful for a thorium According to these Soviet documents, declaim their desire to attack the other side,
atomic bomb) were indeed transferred in Kim Il Sung first broached the idea of an “tried to switch the discussion to a general
large quantities to Russia. (I covered this operation against Ongjin to Shtykov on 12 theme,” to quote from document #6). We
briefly in my Origins of the Korean War, August 1949. This came on the heels of the see that Kim Il Sung, like southern leaders,
volume 2 [Princeton University Press, 1990], biggest Ongjin battle of 1949, initiated on wanted to bite off a chunk of exposed terri-
pp. 151-2, 340-45.) These voluminous ma- August 4 by the North to dislodge South tory or grab a small city—all of Kaesong for
terials still do not prove North Korea’s utter Korean army units holding Unp’a Mountain, example, which is bisected by the 38th par-
dependency on the USSR, especially when a salient above the 38th parallel which the allel, or Haeju city just above the parallel on
contrasted to South Korea, which had half South had aggressed against in a previous Ongjin, which southern commanders wanted
its annual budget and five-sixths of its im- battle and the summit of which commanded to occupy in 1949-50.
ports in the 1950s provided virtually gratis much of the terrain to the north. The North The Soviet documents also demonstrate
by the United States. (Stalin, to the con- sought, in the words of the American com- the hardwon, learned logic of this civil war
by late 1949, namely, that both sides under- “rise up” to greet northern troops (Origins, of half-century-old documents?) And even
stood that their big power guarantors would 1990, pp. 456-57). Kim Il Sung trumped up when we have every document the Soviets
not help them if they launched an unpro- these charges in show trials in 1953, and then ever produced, we will still need the South
voked general attack—or even an assault on had Pak and his close allies executed. Mean- Korean archives, the North Korean archives,
Ongjin or Ch’orwon. Document #6, a tele- while Kim told Shtykov in January 1950 that the Chinese archives on both sides of the
gram from the Russian ambassador to Mos- “partisans will not decide the question. The Taiwan straits, and the American intelli-
cow in January 1950, shows Kim Il Sung people of the south know that we have a gence, signals and cryptography archives,
impatient that the South “is still not instigat- good army.” South Korean “liberation” was before we will be able to argue on truly solid
ing an attack,” thus to justify his own, and to come courtesy of, and only of, the Korean ground the question we ought all try to
the Russians in P’yôngyang tell him once Peoples Army. forget, namely, “who started the Korean
again that he cannot attack Ongjin without Finally, what is absolutely fascinating civil war?”
risking general civil war. Meanwhile Rhee about documents two through six is Kim Il
and his advisors (some of whom were Ameri- Sung’s basic conception of a Korean War, Sincerely yours,
cans with cabinet-level portfolios in the ROK originated at least by August 1949: namely,
government) had gotten the message (espe- attack the cul de sac of Ongjin (which no Bruce Cumings
cially through OSS and CIA operative sane blitzkreig commander would do pre-
Preston Goodfellow) that the US would only cisely because it is a cul de sac), move 1. The armistice did not end discussions of seizing
back Seoul in the case of an unprovoked and eastward and grab Kaesong, and then see Ongjin and Kaesông, however. According to American
intelligence reports in February 1955, Syngman Rhee
unequivocal attack from the North. Thus the what happens. At a minimum this would
had held “meetings in which Rhee told Korean military
1950 logic for both sides was to see who establish a much more secure defense of and civilian leaders to prepare for military actions
would be stupid enough to move first, with P’yôngyang, which was quite vulnerable against north Korea,” and in October came reports
Kim itching to invade and hoping for a clear from Ongjin and Kaesong. At maximum, it saying that he had ordered plans for the retaking of
Kaesông and the Ongjin Peninsula. This never hap-
southern provocation, and hotheads in the might open Seoul to his forces. That is, if the
pened, probably because the U.S. once again prevented
South hoping to provoke an “unprovoked” southern army collapses, move on to Seoul Rhee from doing it. See declassified information cited
assault, thus to get American help—for that and occupy it in a few days. And here we see in Donald S. MacDonald, U.S.-Korean Relations from
was the only way the South could hope to the significance of the collapse of the ROK Liberation to Self-Reliance (Boulder, Colorado:
Westview Press, 1992), 23-24, 80.
win. What better way for both sides to begin 2nd and 7th divisions, 25-27 June 1950,
than to do it in isolated, remote Ongjin, with which opened the historic invasion corrider * * * * * *
no foreign observers present along the paral- and placed the Korean People’s Army in
lel? Seoul on the 27th, and why some people K. Weathersby responds:
Other items in these documents also with intimate knowledge of the Korean civil
bear comment. They make clear that well conflict have speculated that these divisions Professor Cumings attempts to
before the war Kim already had begun play- may have harbored a fifth column (Origins, downplay the significance of the Russian
ing Moscow off against Beijing, for ex- 1990, pp. 572-73, 582-85). Kim did not by documents by asserting, first of all, that the
ample letting Shtykov overhear him say, at any means get what he wanted out of the documents on the decision-making behind
an apparently drunken luncheon on 19 Janu- Korean War, but, rest his soul, he got his the North Korean attack on South Korea in
ary 1950, that if the Russians wouldn’t help minimum demand: Kaesong and Ongjin re- June 1950 published in the previous issue of
him unify the country, “Mao Zedong is his main firmly on the other side of the 1953 the Bulletin were “selectively culled from a
friend and will always help Korea.” In demilitarized zone....1 vastly larger archive.” In fact, the collection
general this document underscores my point Readers of this Bulletin may not be as from the Presidential Archive declassified
that the victory of the Chinese revolution interested in the details of Korean history as in preparation for Yeltsin’s presentation of a
had an enormous refractory effect on North I am. But they make the point that Korean portion of them to South Korea includes the
Korea (Origins, 1990, pp. 369-71), and that history is made first and foremost by Kore- great majority of what that archive contains,
North Korea’s China connection was a trump ans, which is something that much of the as can be ascertained from looking at the
card Kim could play to create some breath- Korean War literature (from all sides) still “Delo” and page numbers. The important
ing room for his regime between the two fails to grasp. The Soviet documents also gaps in that collection are from April-June
communist giants. The documents also show show that they are merely documents, that 1950 and October 1950, not from the earlier
that Kim’s timing for an invasion was deeply is, evidence that remains to be interpreted period.
influenced by his desire to get large numbers with all the intelligence, hindsight, imagina- Cumings also writes that these docu-
of Korean soldiers back from China, where tion and care that the historian can muster. ments were “handcarried to Seoul by a Boris
they had been fighting for years with Mao’s Furthermore these documents are highly se- Yeltsin beseeching South Korea to aid the
forces (Origins, 1990, pp. 451-53). lective, drawn from one portion of one sec- faltering Russian economy.” Actually,
These documents put to rest forever, in tion of one archive, and proferred to a Seoul Yeltsin presented them to President Kim
my view, P’yôngyang’s canard that it was still socked into the Korean civil struggle by Young Sam while the latter was in Moscow.
Pak Hon-yong, the southern communist a mendicant from Moscow. (Can we imag- Furthermore, Yeltsin’s government’s eco-
leader, who argued for war in 1950 and ine the reverse? An American president nomic reasons for wishing to improve rela-
foolishly thought the southern people would currying favor in P’yôngyang with a handful tions with South Korea are only relevant to
our discussion if this motivation led the testing him and reinforcing his vulnerability limited military operation on the Ongjin
Russian declassification commission to ex- by making him expose himself through his peninsula. As the Soviet documents show,
clude certain documents, presumably ones replies to such questions. he was correct to conclude that something
that would present the Soviet role in the Cumings also argues that this transcript was up on Ongjin. However, he stops his
Korean War in an unfavorable light. As is does not provide evidence for my assertion account before the punch line. In 1949 Kim
apparent from the documents published in that North Korea was utterly dependent on did raise the possibility of a limited opera-
this issue as well as the previous issue of the the Soviet Union. Of course it doesn’t—it tion to seize Ongjin, but the Soviet leader-
Bulletin, unflattering documents have not would have been ridiculous to claim that it ship rejected the plan. In early 1950 Stalin
been excluded; these records are, in fact, did. What I wrote was that “the thousands of changed his mind, and, as the article in this
remarkably frank. pages of documents on post-war Korea in the issue details, in April and May Soviet and
Cumings disparages the usefulness of Russian Foreign Ministry archive” show “in North Korean military leaders together
the transcript of the first meeting between exhaustive detail” that “in the years prior to worked out a plan for a full-scale offensive
Kim Il Sung and Stalin by describing it as a and during the Korean War, North Korea against South Korea. Cumings is right that
“standard transcript...widely circulated for was utterly dependent economically on the leaders of both sides hoped to gain their
use inside the Soviet government” which Soviet Union,” a subject I address further in patron’s support for a war by provoking an
“adds virtually nothing to what has been my essay in this issue of the CWIHP Bulletin. assault by the other side and that “the 1950
known of this meeting.” With regard to this Cumings adds that the collection of docu- logic for both sides was to see who would be
assertion, it must be pointed out that Cumings ments captured by UN forces in Pyongyang stupid enough to move first.” But the end of
has no knowledge of the circulation of this in the fall of 1950, which is housed in the the story is that the Soviet Union eventually
transcript within the Soviet government, National Archives in Washington, reveal decided to support its client’s plan for mili-
and neither does any other scholar. Further- considerable trade between the DPRK and tary reunification while the United States
more, nothing was “widely circulated” the USSR, but “still do not prove North did not. Thus, though Cumings is right that
within the Soviet government; in the Soviet Korea’s utter dependency on the USSR.” Korean history is made first and foremost by
context this claim simply makes no sense. With regard to this argument, it must be Koreans, the war of 1950-53 was not a
In addition, the account of Kim’s meeting pointed out that the collection of captured purely Korean product.
with Stalin provided in the captured docu- documents consists of documents that the Of course it’s true, as Cumings notes,
ments is limited to a report of the trip Kim Il North Koreans left behind when they with- that we must examine the archives from all
Sung presented to a party assembly, in which drew from Pyongyang in the face of the U.S./ the major actors in the war before we can
he described the agreements reached, the UN advance into North Korea. They thus fully understand this unusually complex
“friendly atmosphere” of the talks, the sites include only those documents that were not conflict. The Cold War International His-
the delegation visited, etc. Obviously, an considered important enough either to evacu- tory Project is facilitating just such a
actual transcript of the meeting with Stalin ate or destroy. This is why there is nothing in multiarchival investigation, beginning with
provides a much more substantial piece of that collection about the planning of the June a close comparison of the Chinese and Rus-
historical evidence. 1950 attack and no records of high-level sian sources. Nonetheless, certain impor-
As for Cumings’ conclusion that the correspondence between Pyongyang and tant questions about the war have been re-
transcript reveals “how distant Stalin was Moscow. It is not sound reasoning to argue solved by the Russian archival sources; to
from the Korean situation,” it would be that something was not the case if it is not pretend otherwise is simply dishonest.
possible to interpret Stalin’s remarks in this documented in this collection.
way if one had no knowledge of Soviet/ The captured documents are a very rich
North Korean relations and no knowledge source of information on many aspects of the
of Stalin’s style with subordinates. Perhaps history of North Korea that are little illumi-
I should have been more explicit. Stalin was nated in the Soviet documents, such as poli-
very well informed about events in North tics at the village level, economic records of
Korea. The ranking Soviet official in North individual factories, and party personnel ros-
Korea was General T.F. Shtykov, one of ters. But to get the big picture we must turn
Stalin’s “own men,” who had direct access to the Russian documents. And to get a
to Stalin, reporting to him outside the nor- complete picture, we must examine both sets
mal channels of the Foreign Ministry and of records, a laborious undertaking which a
General Staff. Throughout 1949 and 1950 handful of scholars from South Korea has
Shtykov regularly communicated with Stalin begun.
about the situation in Korea, particularly With regard to Cumings’ disagreement
about the U.S. military presence in the South, of my reading of Stalin’s telegram of 30
the opposition movement in the South, and January 1950, I refer readers to my article in
the actions of the U.S.-backed government the present issue of the Bulletin. Cumings
in Seoul. Stalin’s request to Kim to provide goes on to discuss documents #2-6, recount-
him with information on such topics was a ing the reasons why he concluded in his 1990
familiar style of dealing with subordinates, volume that the war of June 1950 began as a
SOVIET INTERROGATION OF ministers, stated: such activities secret—as “weather” or “train-

U.S. POWs IN THE KOREAN WAR Representatives of the MGB of ing” missions.
the USSR and China came from These flights, which actually began be-
by Laurence Jolidon Peking to conduct further prisoner fore the outbreak of the Korean War and
interrogations, in order to gain more continued for years afterward, were them-
The extensive, covert involvement of precise information on spy centers, selves responsible for the loss of approxi-
Soviet intelligence in the interrogation of landing strips and flights over the mately 140 U.S. pilots and crewmen shot
American prisoners throughout the Korean territory of the Soviet Union. down over or near Soviet territory. Except in
War has been laid bare thanks to a trove of The interrogations will continue rare cases these men were never publicly
long-secret military documents unearthed in Pekton [Pyoktong]. acknowledged by the U.S. government and
by the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission on While seemingly cursory and matter- the very existence of their missions was
missing Americans in the former Soviet of-fact, this document had several important routinely disavowed.
Union. implications. Just as routinely, the Soviets denied
Despite accounts in the debriefings of First, it contradicted previous Russian finding or capturing any survivors of these
repatriated U.S. POWs—and even brief assurances that Soviet officials had not been shootdowns. They were secret casualties in
mentions in the Western press during and involved in the interrogation of American a secret war. So long as the U.S. and the
immediately following the war—that Rus- POWs. USSR remained superpower enemies, to
sians had questioned U.S. POWs, Soviet Even after veterans of the Soviet mili- publicly seek their whereabouts would vio-
officials steadfastly maintained for decades tary intelligence service had told the Joint late their secret status.
that it never happened. Commission of their personal involvement But the interrogations referred to in the
The Kremlin’s obvious interest in the in numerous interrogations, the Russian side 26 November 1952 message were primarily
details of American weapons, strategy and had insisted that the rules under which So- those conducted on Americans taken pris-
morale in the Far East—as early-Cold War viet forces operated in the Korean War the- oner in hostile action in the Korean War. In
indicators of what to expect once the battle ater forbade such acts. the case of U.S. aviators, they included men
for world supremacy that most assumed As proof, they cited message traffic to shot down over or otherwise forced to ditch
would eventually occur in Europe was Soviet posts in the war theater dating from or parachute in Manchuria.
joined—had never gone that far, Stalin and January 1951, and repeated as a standing By UN Command edict, U.S. planes
his successors argued. order throughout the war, that “our transla- were forbidden to enter Chinese air space.
Moscow’s leaders hid behind the fic- tors are categorically forbidden to interro- This stipulation was frequently breached by
tion that the Soviet Union, while lending gate American and British POWs, or prison- U.S. pilots, although it was customary for
moral and logistical support to the troops of ers of any other nationality.” official military records to mask this fact in
North Korean leader Kim Il Sung and air The Ignatyev-Malenkov message, on after-action reports.
protection along the Manchurian border for its face, was either a reversal of that policy Secondly, the 26 November 1952 mes-
the sanctuary it had recently ceded to the or—as some American analysts believed— sage to the Soviet advisor in North Korea is
new Chinese ruler, Mao Zedong, had prima- a clue that the “categorically forbidden” an important clue to the dynamics of the
rily been a neutral, disinterested party in order was only for public consumption. covert war the Soviets were then conducting
Korea. (In the course of the Russian-American behind the lines in Korea.
But just as Soviet Communist Party dialog on this subject through the meetings Rather than simply sitting back and
archival documents made public in the past of the Joint Commission, the Russian posi- waiting for the reports of POW interroga-
few years have drawn a clear, intentional tion shifted several times. Some Russian tions to be sent through channels, from the
and decision-making connection between members of the commission admitted reluc- prison camps that were ostensibly under the
Stalin’s hand and the North Korean inva- tantly that one favored method of interrogat- control of the Chinese army, the Soviets
sion, documents from Soviet military files ing American POWs was to have the Rus- were taking the initiative to monitor and
have deepened our knowledge of what be- sians’ questions put to the prisoners by Chi- direct the process more directly.
came in effect an extensive, bold, yet largely nese interrogators while the Soviets sat, un- This speaks to the apparent competition
covert intelligence war conducted by the seen, in an adjacent room. Testimony taken for access to the most valuable POWs—
Soviets north of the 38th parallel. by the commission also made clear that in documented in wartime accounts of UN
One key document, obtained in April some cases the Soviets carefully chose Rus- prisoners—among the three Communist al-
1994 by investigators from the Pentagon’s sian officers of Asiatic cast to do the interro- lies in the war.
POW/MIA Affairs Office working under gating.) By the fall and winter of 1952, for
the aegis of the Joint Commission, came While Americans are not specifically instance, the Chinese had capitalized on the
from files at the Soviet military archives in mentioned in the Ignatyev-Malenkov mes- capture on Manchurian territory of a number
Podolsk. sage, the reference to “flights over the terri- of U.S. aviators by charging them with “war
The two-paragraph message, dated 26 tory of the Soviet Union” could pertain only crimes,” including the much-disputed alle-
November 1952, from S. Ignatyev, the chief to American reconnaissance flights, dis- gation of waging “germ warfare” by drop-
Soviet military advisor in North Korea, to guised in public statements by U.S. authori- ping infected plants and insects while over-
G.M. Malenkov, one of Stalin’s principal ties—who had their own reasons for keeping flying Chinese territory.
The statement that “interrogations will Captain Charles McDonough was the incident—has been resolved through the
continue in Pekton (Pyoktong),” a city on taken prisoner. Joint Commission’s efforts.
the North Korean side of the Yalu near the Under interrogation he said: But investigations into other cases, par-
border with China, could be read as a sign The aircraft was shot down at ticularly those related to the testimony of
that the Soviets wished to make it clear that an altitude of 30,000 feet. live Russian witnesses, are continuing; and
the prisoners—and the intelligence gained The crew numbering 3 persons together, the Senate committee and the Joint
from their interrogations—should be shared. bailed out on parachutes. The navi- Commission did become a catalyst for bring-
A later Soviet document, acquired by gator having landed ran off, where ing to light some of the Soviet Union’s most
the American side of the commission in the radio operator disappeared to he closely-held secrets regarding the treatment
early 1995, also appears to lift any previous did not see. The captive himself of Americans in Russian hands.
prohibition against Soviet involvement with was burned and is in a critical con- One clear lesson was that the main tar-
American POWs—if the prohibition ever dition. gets of the Soviet’s intelligence war during
existed. Sent on 29 January 1953, and A second cable, dated the following Korea were American POWs—and that the
addressed to three top Soviet leaders includ- day, added this: most prized among them were the pilots and
ing Lavrenti Beria, then head of the MGB, I am informing you that the pi- crews of the innovative units of the U.S. Far
the message read: lot from the shot down B-45 aircraft East Air Force. Of men flying the F-86, the
“The minister of public security of died en route and the interrogation most advanced U.S. fighter of the Korean
China, having reported on 27 January 1953 was not finished. War era, a disproportionate several dozen
to our advisor on this decision of the TSK These two cables—both sent to Marshal failed to appear among the ranks of the
KPK [the Central Committee of the Chinese Stepan Krasovskiy, chief of the Soviet gen- repatriated U.S. POWs when prisoners were
Communist Party], requested that our advi- eral staff in Moscow—were found in the exchanged in 1953.
sor help the Chinese investigators organize Soviet military archives in Podolsk by civil- The documents on American POWs
the interrogation of the prisoners of war and ian Russian researchers working under the from Soviet military archives, taken together
oversee their work. The MGB advisor was direction of Dr. Paul Cole, then with the with the testimony of Soviet veterans of
ordered by us to render such help.” Rand Corp. Cole’s project was authorized Korea and now-declassified papers from
A second document that illustrates the under a Pentagon contract with Rand to search U.S. archives, clearly point to Soviet com-
involvement of Soviet military intelligence for information in Soviet archives dealing plicity in the disappearance and probable
in the interrogation of American POWs in with Americans missing after World War II, death of dozens, if not hundreds, of those
Korea deals with the 4 December 1950 the Korean War and Cold War. POWs who were not repatriated.
shootdown of a USAF RB-45 reconnais- The cables in the McDonough-Lovell Soviet military data dealing with Ameri-
sance plane. RB-45 case were made available to the Ameri- can prisoners in Korea began making its way
None of the four men aboard the plane— can side of the Joint Commission within a to U.S. authorities and private researchers in
the pilot, Capt. Charles McDonough, two short time after Cole learned of them in the the winter of 1991-92, as the administration
other crewmen, and Col. John R. Lovell, a fall of 1992 and ultimately became a part of of Mikhail Gorbachev was giving way to his
top-ranking Air Force intelligence officer the large repository of Joint Commission rival, Boris Yeltsin.
believed to be on a mission from the Penta- documents that comprises the results of the During what many would later charac-
gon—made it back to the U.S. commission’s efforts. terize as a brief “window of opportunity,”
Thus, like the Cold War spy flights, the After being translated, documents re- when a mood of genuine reform and open-
RB-45 case was wrapped not only in the ceived from the Russian side of the commis- ness about past misdeeds seemed to emanate
difficulties of unraveling any MIA case sion, along with transcribed minutes of the from Moscow, government and private re-
from the tangles of the Korean War but also Joint Commission’s regular meetings (usu- searchers seeking answers about U.S. POWs
in the sensitivity that attaches to intelligence ally three times a year), are placed on file at and MIAs attempted to turn the moment to
missions and personnel. the Library of Congress. their advantage.
The key document discovered so far in Besides filling gaps in the world’s ex- A number of interested parties in the
the RB-45 case revealed not only that at panding knowledge of Soviet behavior and U.S. government—the State Department,
least one of those aboard was captured alive, policies, the still-growing collection of docu- Pentagon, National Archives, Library of
but also that Soviet interest and involve- ments, summaries of papers, lists and trans- Congress—decided on a unified approach to
ment in the case was high. lations now available to scholars and the gaining access to files related to missing
A cable dated 17 December 1950, stated general public may ultimately help resolve a Americans, and supported the creation of
in part: significant number of American MIA cases. the U.S.-Russia Joint Commission. Each
An aircraft shot down on 12-4- To date, the Joint Commission’s record agency or department appointed a represen-
50 of the B-45 type fell in a region on that score has been modest. Only one tative to the commission, whose co-chair-
70 km to the east of Andun (Man- actual Cold War MIA case—a U.S. fighter men were former U.S. ambassador to Mos-
churia). The aircraft caught fire in pilot whose remains were retrieved from an cow Malcolm Toon for the U.S. and the late
the air and upon falling to the earth uninhabited coastal island in the Russian Far Gen. Dmitri Volkogonov, a historian and
burned up completely. The crew East after a Russian man who took part in the military adviser to Yeltsin, for the Russians.
bailed out on parachutes. The pilot original burial came forward with details of The commission began its work in rela-
tive obscurity. But in a move whose motiva- number of Russian citizens who have come
tion and meaning to this day remains some- forward as a result of printed and broadcast
what of a mystery, Yeltsin in June 1992 appeals for information. (Joint Commission
suddenly announced that a number of Ameri- staffers operate on the understanding that CWIHP On-Line
can military prisoners had indeed been held Russian officials will be notified of and
on Soviet territory. And he vowed an inves- invited to sit in on all interviews of Russians ...is coming!
tigation that would determine whether any volunteering information to the American The Cold War International History
remained alive. side.) Project (CWIHP) is developing an internet-
His statement revived the hopes not Now in its fifth year, the Joint Commis- accessible system to make publications (in-
only of thousands of families seeking infor- sion remains in operation, although the flow cluding the Bulletin and Working Papers),
mation about MIAs in Indochina—the most of tips and leads has slowed drastically and translated documents, and other features
vocal and media-noticed segment of the the frequently stated promise of access to available via computer. The service is being
POW/MIA community—but also of a qui- KGB files on foreign POWs remains unful- developed in cooperation with the National
Security Archive, a non-governmental, non-
eter and more patient community represent- filled.
profit research institute and declassified
ing the families and friends of nearly 8,200 While conducting ground-breaking documents repository located at George
unaccounted-for men from the Korean War work that frequently kept the POW/MIA Washington University.
and dozens more from the shootdowns of community’s hopes on razor’s edge, the Plans call for the system to go on-line
U.S. spy planes during the 1950s and 1960s. Joint Commission also became caught in early in 1996, with CWIHP to be part of the
This community—unaligned with and post-Cold War gridlock, as the archival “win- Archive’s home-page on the World Wide
largely separate from the academic commu- dow of opportunity” closed and the Russian Web. Once in service, users will be able to
nity that had begun to forage in Soviet ar- side’s hardliners parried with a dwindling gain access to past, present, and in-progress
chives for its own purposes—had two pow- and sometimes fractious team of Americans CWIHP publications, to learn other infor-
mation on CWIHP and related research ac-
erful allies in its search for information about on the other side.
tivities.
American MIAs assumed to be in Russian A report released in the summer of 1993 One planned feature of the on-line ser-
hands. by the Task Force Russia—a team of U.S. vice of special interest to many users will be
Each of these allies—the Senate Select experts on Soviet affairs and military intel- the Russian Archives Documents Database
Committee on POWs and MIAs and the ligence put together by the U.S. Army— (RADD). RADD, a collaborative effort of
U.S.-Russia Joint Commission—would end concluded that up to 1,000 or more Ameri- CWIHP and the National Security Archive,
up disappointing the Korean War and Cold can POWs from the Korean War had been is intended to help inform researchers of
War MIA community in its own way. shipped to the former Soviet Union for inter- documents relevant to Cold War history that
The Senate committee, whose co-chairs rogation. various scholars and scholarly projects have
obtained from Russian archives, and to share
were Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and But the report’s findings were mini-
expenses for translations so that they can be
Sen. Robert Smith of New Hampshire, lasted mized by Pentagon officials who charged used as widely as possible. An English-
for one year and drew significant media they were more supposition than fact. The language inventory of documents which
attention. But, predictably, it spent the vast team of experts who had constructed the scholars have already provided is being pre-
majority of staff time and investigative ef- case made by the report—Task Force Rus- pared, and the aim is to put translations on
fort on Indochina. The life of the committee sia—was effectively disbanded after one line as soon as feasible. Those scholars who
was marked by private and public quarrels year, and its duties subsumed under the can read Russian may then read the docu-
over the value of certain evidence and the Pentagon’s Office of POW/MIA Affairs. ments in the Archive reading room, while
integrity of some of the witnesses. The current U.S. position on this issue is those who cannot can commission transla-
tions, which will then be made freely avail-
But in every case, the context of the that the strongest available evidence points
able. RADD is presently being managed at
news and controversy was the Vietnam War. to the transfer to Soviet territory of a rela- the Archive by Mark H. Doctoroff, who can
In the public hearings phase, only one day tively small number of Korean War Ameri- be reached at (202) 994-7239 (telephone) or
was devoted to Korean War and Cold War can POWs—perhaps corresponding to the (202) 994-7005 (fax).
issues and cases. roughly 25-30 fighter pilot MIAs who are As the project moves forward, we are
The Joint Commission, meanwhile, had believed to have been among the most prized open to expanding RADD into READD—
begun what can now be seen as an extremely captives for intelligence purposes. Russian and East-bloc Documents Data-
ambitious attempt to investigate the thou- base—if resources permit and source mate-
sands of intelligence tips and live-sightings rials justify this expansion.
of Americans held in the former Soviet Union Laurence Jolidon is an investigative reporter, Further information on CWIHP’s on-
from the end of World War II to the present war correspondent, and the author of Last line service will appear in the next issue of the
day. Seen Alive—The Search for Missing POWs Bulletin. In the meantime, we welcome sug-
Thanks to some Russian cooperation— from the Korean War, from which this ar- gestions and (as always) donations of docu-
or, to put it another way, despite frequent ticle was excerpted. ments and translations for RADD (and
Russian non-cooperation—the American READD).
side of the commission has been able to visit
some archives and museums and interview a

CWIHPBulletin6-7 p2 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CWIHPBulletin6-7 p2 PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CWIHPBulletin6-7 p2 PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

30 COLD WAR INTERNATIONAL HISTORY PROJECT B ULLETIN NEW EVIDENCE ON

NEW RUSSIAN DOCUMENTS ON THE KOREAN WAR

FYN-SI [Stalin]. The leadership of the DPRK and the

Zhou Enlai to Filippov (Stalin) tion.

ASSESSING THE POLITICS OF growing number of violations of the 38th

Korea. ceived a direct order to do so and after the

all 15 points. dinate to it must be provided by both warring No. 72/III

BAJANOV So, Stalin finally took the decision to South

them were puppets of the Soviet Army, it is

MAO TO STALIN, 2 OCTOBER 1950: THE RUSSIAN VERSION

months. 13 Oct 1950

SOVIET INTERROGATION OF ministers, stated: such activities secret—as “weather” or “train-

You might also like