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Kim Il Sung-Tito Correspondences, 1973-1979

Between 1973 and 1979, Josip Broz Tito and Kim Il Sung exchanged no fewer than 25 items of correspondence. These sources shine light on North Korea’s engagement with the Third World, and later with the US, and underline the Yugoslav leader’s importance within Pyongyang’s foreign policy during the 1970s. This collection is introduced and analyzed by Martin Coles in a series of postings on Sources & Methods: "Neighbors in Non-Alignment: The Tito-Kim Correspondence, 1973-1979".

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September 9, 1978

Cvijetin Mijatović’s Conversation with Kim Il Sung on September 9, 1978

Kim Il Sung discusses new developments in inter-Korean relations and his views on the Non-Aligned Movement.

November 16, 1979

Letter, Kim Il Sung to Josip Broz Tito

Kim Il Sung discusses South Korean leader Park Chung Hee, as well as the revolt in Busan and Masan on the 19th April 1960 and the uprising that broke out in October. Elsewhere, Kim discusses policy towards the US and South Korea regarding the resolution of the unification issue, and of the DPRK’s proposal for a peaceful solution. He thanks Tito for his active support and solidarity towards the DPRK.

July 23, 1974

President Tito's Reply [to the Letter and Message from Kim Il Sung]

Tito agrees with Kim on the importance of reunification and the need for US troops to withdraw from South Korea.

August 1, 1976

Message from the President of the DPR Korea, Kim Il Sung, to the President of the [Socialist Federal] Republic [of Yugoslavia], Josip Broz Tito

Kim expresses regret that he could not attend the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Colombo. He notes that the Prime Minister, Pak Seong-cheol, will attend in his place. Elsewhere, he discusses the political situation in South Korea, and the work of the summit.

February 6, 1978

Message from the President of the [Democratic] People's Republic of Korea and the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Il Sung, to the President of the [SF] Republic [of Yugoslavia], Josip Broz Tito.

Kim Il Sung criticizes Park Chung Hee and says the United States should "remove" him.
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Neighbors in Non-Alignment: The Tito-Kim Correspondence, 1973-1979

Between 1973 and 1979, Josip Broz Tito and Kim Il Sung exchanged no fewer than 25 items of correspondence. These sources shine light on North Korea’s engagement with the Third World and underline the Yugoslav leader’s importance within Pyongyang’s foreign policy during the 1970s

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