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North Korea August 1956 Plenum Incident

This collection of documents examines the post-Korean War disputes and debates within the Korean Workers' Party which culminated in the 1956 August Plenum.

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April 23, 1956

Record of a Speech delivered by Kim Il Sung at the Third Congress of the Korean Workers' Party

Kim Il Sung draws on Khrushchev's speech at the 20th Congress of the CPSU in his own speech at the Third Congress of the Korean Workers' Party, and speaks to the successes of the Three-Year Plan and discusses the implementation of a similar Five-Year Plan.

August 30, 1956

Draft of a Statement by Yun Gong-heum at the CC Plenum of the Korean Workers' Party in August 1956

Yun Gong-heum presents a lengthy criticism of Kim Il Sung's dictatorship. He accuses "sycophants" of straying from Marxist-Leninist principles and preserving Kim's personality cult.

September 18, 1956

Conversation records between Chairman Mao Zedong and the Soviet Communist Party Delegation, 18 September 1956

Mao Zedong and the Soviet Community Party Delegation exchanged views on Korean issues and a potential visit by Kim Il Sung to the PRC.

August 30, 1956

Speech by Kim Il Sung at the August Korean Workers' Party Central Committee Plenum

Kim Il Sung reflects upon the delegation he led to the USSR and other socialist states, and speaks about solidarity in the socialist bloc and peaceful reunification on the peninsula. He discusses the Three-Year Plan and the blueprint for the Five-Year Plan.

September 5, 1956

Letter from Seo Hwi, Yun Gong-heum, Li Pil-gyu, and Kim Gwan to the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee

Seo Hwi, Yun Gong-heum, Li Pil-gyu, and Kim Gwan provide a detailed report on the events of the August Incident and the days leading up to the plenum. The four justify their actions and request the support of the Chinese Communist Party.
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