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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September 14, 1960
Journal of Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 14 September 1960
Kim Il Sung mentions a bilateral cooperative treaty between Soviet Union and DPRK and the progress of the talks in Japan extending the agreement on repatriation of Koreans to the DPRK. A.M. Puzanov informs his impressions on the visit to the Hwanghae metallurgical works.
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October 08, 1960
Journal of Soviet Ambassador in the DPRK A.M. Puzanov for 8 October 1960
Petro Gedeshi and Kurt Schneidewind argue about the Soviet decision to recall specialists from the China. Kim Il Sung understands the delay of Khrushchev's visit to the DPRK and suggests that it be rescheduled for spring 1961.
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July 11, 1961
Minutes of Conversation between Zhou Enlai and Kim Il Sung
Zhou Enlai and Kim Il Sung discuss economic cooperation between China and North Korea, including industrial development in North Korea, Chinese economic support to North Korea, bilateral trade, Chinese training of North Korean technicians, agricultural development in North Korea, cross-border migration, and development strategies in the DPRK.
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September 25, 1961
Report on the Delegation of the Albanian Labor Party’s Meeting with Kim Il Sung
Manush Myftiu, the leader of the Albanian delegation, reports on the meeting with Kim Il Sung during the 4th Congress of the Korean Workers’ Party. He relates their discussion about the divisions within the communist camp and describes Kim Il Sung’s position on the matter and towards Albania.
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October 21, 1961
Letter from Asan Alimerko, 'An account being submitted'
Hasan Alimerko, the Albanian Ambassador to North Korea, relates the experience of the Albanian delegation that attended the 4th Congress of the Korean Workers’ Party. He addresses the delegation’s reception and recalls the conversation with Kim Il Sung, which touched on North Korea’s development as well as on the divisions within the communist camp.
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August 14, 1962
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to North Korea Vasily Moskovsky and Kim Il Sung
The Soviet Ambassador to Pyongyang reports on his recent meeting with Kim Il Sung in which the two discussed cooperation between the two countries in the military and economic sectors.
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November 01, 1962
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to North Korea Vasily Moskovsky and Kim Il Sung
The Soviet Ambassador Vasily Moskovsky and Kim Il Sung discuss DPRK’s border security in the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. By pointing out North Korea’s poor air defense and coast guard capabilities, Kim Il Sung requests an increase in the Soviet military assistance. He clearly states that DPRK is in favor of a peaceful resolution of the Cuban Crisis, because according to him, the socialist camp does not need a military conflict at that time. The two also discuss the economic development of the country.
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April 22, 1963
Record of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to North Korea Vasily Moskovsky and Kim Il Sung
Soviet Ambassador Moskovsky and Kim Il Sung discuss bilateral relations, industry and economic development iin North Korea, inter-Korean relations and Korean reunification, and ideology and socialist education in North Korea.