Conversations with Kim Il Sung
This collection of primary source documents assembles a record of Kim Il Sung's conversations with foreign allies and other outsiders from 1949 through 1986, providing insights into DPRK foreign policy and domestic politics from North Korea's highest leader. (Image, NARA, RG 242, SA 2006, Item 6/38.)
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October 15, 1956
Communist Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee Report on 8 October Conversation between Ambassador Ivanov and Kim Il Sung
Report on Kim Il Sung's rejection to publish the text of the decree of the KWP CC Plenum in its entirety. CPSU CC agrees with Ambassador Ivanov's suggestion to familiarize the Chinese ambassador in the DPRK with the contents.
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April 09, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 9 April 1957
During his conversation with Puzanov, Kim Il Sung discusses the five-year plan to develop the DPRK's economy, the KWP's efforts to improve the standard of living for the North Korean people, factionalism and the eventual consolidation of KWP members under the official party line, Stalin's cult of personality, and problems in the North Korean judiciary.
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April 15, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 15 April 1957
Puzanov and Kim Il Sung reaffirm the need for solidarity between the Soviet Union and North Korea. Then Kim Il Sung shares about the unanimity achieved in KWP ranks and the agenda to discuss rice and fish products at the upcoming KWP CC plenum on 18 April.
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April 17, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 17 April 1957
Kim Il Sung and the Soviet Union trade delegation discuss the DPRK's economic conditions and terms for trade between the Soviet Union and North Korea. Afterwards, Nam Il gives Puzanov an overview of discrepancies in the North Korean and Polish delegations' draft communiques.
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May 06, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 6 May 1957
Kim Il Sung informs Puzanov of the DPRK's efforts to avert South Korean subversive activity against North Korea, discussions on the construction of a new irrigation system in Chonsan, and North Korea's possibility of providing food aid to South Korea.
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May 13, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 13 May 1957
During their discussions on the development of North Korea, the Soviet delegation and DPRK delegation exchange opinions on capital investment and consumer goods production. Puzanov then draws on his trip to Hamgyong and summarizes his conclusions on the DPRK's repairs to enterprises damaged by war, increased industrial and agricultural production, and shortcoming in meeting the needs of the population and economic efficiency.
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May 16, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 16 May 1957
At a DPRK reception to honor Soviet military advisers, North Korean and Soviet officials emphasize friendship and solidarity between the two countries. Then Kim Il Sung reports on the five-year development of the DPRK economy under various economic sectors and foreign trade.
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May 29, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 29 May 1957
Kim Il Sung requests technical assistance from the Soviet Unions for currency reforms in DPRK. He and Puzanov then discuss plans for elections in North Korea, DPRK agricultural and fishing conditions, progress in construction, and the exchange of delegations between the two countries. Later, Puzanov meets with the PRC Ambassador to the DPRK, Qiao Xiaoguang. They discuss the potential American bid to legalize weapons deliveries to South Korea as well as USSR and PRC consultation for the DPRK five-year plan.
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June 08, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 8 June 1957
Kim Il Sung tells Puzanov that the North Korean delegation to Moscow seeks consultation for the first DPRK five-year plan and the development of economic ties between the DPRK and the USSR. He states the expected North Korean production increases in agriculture, industry, consumer goods, capital investment, and export goods. Kim Il Sung also articulates the intended goals of the first five-year plan.
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July 07, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 7 July 1957
Puzanov informs Kim Il Sung of the Soviet government's support of the DPRK position against the US violation of the Armistice agreement. Kim reports on the DPRK's progress in meeting the semiannual plan targets for industrial output and fish catch before he states his intention for a vacation after Ho Chi Minh's visit.
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July 08, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 8 July 1957
Kim Il Sung and Puzanov discuss a meeting with representatives of the CPSU CC and SKYu CC, the American violation of the Korean Armistice agreement, and the Korean people's mixed reactions to the CPSU CC Plenum's June decision to expose factionalists and consolidate the party.
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July 26, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 26-28 July 1957
Kim Il Sung and Nam Il inform Puzanov of the Korean delegation's progress in evaluating the draft of the DPRK's first five-year plan in the USSR. Then they discuss North Korean corn yields, USSR timber harvests for North Korea, and South Korea. Later, Nam Il informs Puzanov of internal matters of the KWP CC.
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August 10, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 10 August 1957
Kim Il Sung and Puzanov discuss the use of corn for livestock feed, the need to mechanize DPRK agriculture, the city of Nampo and its industrial capabilities, and the startup of zinc production through Soviet aid in the non-ferrous metals industry.
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August 16, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 16 August 1957
Puzanov meets with North Korean leaders at a sporting events in celebration of Korea's liberation, and they discuss friendly sports exchanges between the Soviet Union and DPRK. Kim Il Sung informs Puzanov that the DPRK will revise its draft of the first five-year plan according to Soviet suggestions before the economic delegation goes to China for consultation. Later, the Russian and Bulgarian Embassies host a successful showing of a film, and the Soviets inform the PRC Ambassador Qiao Xiaoguang of Soviet consultations of the DPRK economic plan.
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August 19, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 19 August 1957
Kim Il Sung and Puzanov discuss the possibility of Korean citizens in Japan studying in DPRK higher education institutions, matters of the DPRK's draft five-year plan and terms of trade between the Soviet Union and North Korea, factionalist activities against the KWP leadership and DPRK government, and South Korean insurgency against North Korea leading up to DPRK elections.
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August 23, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 23 August 1957
Kim Il Sung tells Puzanov that he endorses organized public screenings of Socialist Revolution films. Nam Il and Kim Il Sung suggest a bilateral convention regarding dual citizenship, and Nam Il reports that the KWP CC is occupied with the investigation of anti-Party activity in the KWP leadership. Puzanov recommends that they inform the PRC Ambassador Qiao Xiaoguang about developments in this regard as soon as possible.
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August 31, 1957
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 31 August 1957
Nam Il reports to Puzanov that the KWP Presidium approved all USSR suggestions on the DPRK's draft five-year plan. They go on to discuss the commissions that exist in the Soviet Union and plans for organizing DPRK commissions. At a luncheon later that day, Kim Il Sung reiterates his gratitude for USSR consultation on DPRK economic development with Puzanov reminding the DPRK of its trade obligations.