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Digital Archive International History Declassified

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Korean War Armistice

On July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ceasing hostilities and bringing an end to the Korean War. This collection contains Russian, Chinese, and Polish documents on the armistice negotiations which span the nearly two-year period of talks (July 1951-July 1953), shedding light on North Korean, Soviet, and Chinese strategic thinking toward the conflict and the armistice. For more coverage of the Korean War on the Digital Archive, see the collections: Korean War Origins, 1945-1950; Korean War, 1950-1953; China and the Korean War; and Korean War Biological Warfare Allegations. (Image: North Korean General Nam Il (seated right) signing the Korean War armistice agreement, US Department of Defense)

  • December 07, 1950

    Ciphered telegram from Roshchin conveying message from Zhou Enlai to Soviet Government

    A telegram from Roshchin in Beijing to Moscow, informing the Soviet leadership of the terms under which the Chinese will consider an armistice on the Korean Peninsula.

  • December 08, 1950

    Telegram from the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee to Wu Xiuquan and Qiao Guanhua

    The CCP Central Committee gives instructions to the Chinese representatives to the UN on how to reply to confrontation over the Korean issue. The Chinese representatives are to express willingness to end military action as well as desire to know the UN and the U.S.'s positions on the conditions for an armistice.

  • December 16, 1950

    Telegram from Zhou Enlai to Wu Xiuquan and Qiao Guanhua

    Zhou Enlai advises the Chinese UN representatives on how to explain and respond to representatives from other countries regarding the Korea issue and the proposed armistice.

  • June 13, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 3557, Filippov [Stalin] to Roshchin

    Telegram from Stalin to Mao summarizing his discussions with Kim Il Sung and Gao Gang on the issues of military advisors, air force training and assistance, and the implications of a potential armistice.

  • June 14, 1951

    Handwritten letter from Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung to Stalin, with 13 June 1951 handwritten letter from Mao Zedong to Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung

    Letter from Mao to Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung, conveyed to Stalin, on a strategy for approaching and terms for an armistice. Issues considered include Taiwan, China's entry into the UN and the establishment of a neutral zone.

  • June 24, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 3777, Filippov [Stalin] to Krasovsky, for Cde. Mao Zedong

    Stalin’s response to Mao’s 21 June telegram, turning down his request for further arms and discussing the possibility of armistice.

  • June 26, 1951

    Report from the Chinese International Liaison Department, 'Regarding Soviet Suggestion towards Ceasefire Negotiations'

    Report from the Foreign Ministry International Department on Soviet suggestion towards ceasefire negotiations in Korea.

  • June 30, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 21336 from Beijing, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

    Telegram from Mao to Stalin relaying a query from Kim Il Sung on how to respond to a request for negotiations from Ridgway.

  • June 30, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 21340 from Beijing, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

    Telegram from Mao to Stalin advising on the manner in which he believes armistice negotiations should be carried out.

  • June 30, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 21334 from Beijing, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

    Telegram from Mao to Stalin confirming that the PLA will enact the reorganizations proposed by Stalin. Mao also talks about several considerations regarding the American proposal for armistice negotiations.

  • June 30, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 3917, Filippov [Stalin] to Krasovsky, for Cde. Mao Zedong

    Telegram from Stalin to Mao advising how to reply to the American request for armistice negotiations.

  • July 01, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 501869, Razuvaev to Shtemenko

    Telegram from Razuvaev to Shtemenko requesting orders and advice for Kim Il Sung on the imminent armistice talks and the terms to be adopted there.

  • July 02, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 101529, Filippov [Stalin] to Cde. Razuvaev

    Message from Stalin that the Koreans must talk with the Chinese about armistice negotiations.

  • July 03, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 21412, Mao Zedong to Filippov [Stalin]

    The included telegram from Mao to Peng, Gao, and Kim gives Mao’s military instructions for the upcoming peace negotiations.

  • July 03, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 2950, Filippov [Stalin] to Krasovsky, for Cde. Mao Zedong

    Stalin sends his advice on peace negotiations to Mao, as requested by Mao’s telegram of the same day.

  • July 03, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 21404, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

    Kim Il Sung’s message to Mao Zedong communicates Kim’s requirements for a peace proposal.

  • July 03, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 21405, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

    Mao Zedong writes Stalin on the Chinese position for a ceasefire in the Korean War which the Chinese side will propose at an upcoming meeting with the UN negotiators. Mao asks Stalin for his opinion on the Chinese position.

  • July 05, 1951

    Ciphered Telegram No. 21497, Mao Zedong to Filippov [Stalin]

    Mao sends Stalin the draft text of an agreement to cease military operations in Korea.

  • July 10, 1951

    Letter from General Ridgeway to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on a Ceasefire Negotiations in Korea

    Report from Ridgway, Commander in Chief of the United Nations forces in Korea on meetings between the UN Command and North Korea to negotiate an armistice in Korea.

  • July 11, 1951

    Cable No. 21677, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

    Mao sends Stalin a brief report from Li Kenong concerning the agenda for the armistice negotiations.