Cold War International History Project
Virtual Archive 2.0

Korea, DPRK, Korean People’s Army, KPA

Telegram Shtykov to Vyshinsky
January 19 1950 - Shtykov reports a meeting with Kim Il Sung, along with Chinese and Korean delegates, during which Kim Il Sung asks for Chinese help in the launching of a Korean Civil War, and Shtykov’s permission to visit Stalin.
 
Telegram from Shtykov to Maj. Gen. A.M. Vasilevsky, Head of Soviet Military Advisory group in DPRK
February 23 1950 - Telegram from Shtykov to Vyshinsky reporting the arrival of Lieutenant-General Vasiliev and the transfer of military adviser duties from himself to Gen. Vasiliev.
 
Ciphered telegram, Shtykov to Maj. Gen. A.M. Vasilevsky, Head of Soviet Military Advisory Group in DPRK
February 23 1950 - Telegram from Shtykov to Vyshinsky reporting the arrival of Lieutenant-General Vasiliev and the transfer of military adviser duties from himself to Gen. Vasiliev.
 
Ciphered telegram, Soviet representative Aleksei Ignatieff in Pyongyang Ignatiev to Vyshinsky
April 10 1950 - Telegram from telegram, Soviet representative in Pyongyang, Aleksei Ignatieff Ignatiev to Vyshinsky concerning a report from the North Korean deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. The deputy chairman reported about diplomatic overtures from Mao to the DPRK and North Korean partisan activities in the South.
 
Top secret report on military situation by Shtykov to Comrade Zakharov
June 26 1950 - Report from Shtykov to Zakharov detailing North Korean advances on the first day of the Korean War. Included is a list of conclusions drawn up by Shtykov regarding the conduct of Northern and Southern forces thus far.
 
Report on Military Situation by Shtykov to Cde. Zakharov
June 26 1950 - Report from Shtykov to Zakharov detailing North Korean advances on the first day of the Korean War. Included is a list of conclusions drawn up by Shtykov regarding the conduct of Northern and Southern forces thus far.
 
Ciphered telegram, Fyn-Si (Stalin) to Soviet ambassador in Pyongyang (Shtykov)
July 01 1950 - Reply from Stalin to Shtykov's telegram of July 1, 1950. Requests additional information on KPA plans and reaction to American internvention. Informs of intent to meet requests by Kim Il Sung for additional war materiel.
 
Ciphered telegram, Shtykov to Fyn-Si (Stalin) re political mood on North Korea
July 01 1950 - Telegram from Shtykov to Stalin (copied to the Soviet leadership) describing the successes of KPA forces in the South. He also relays the concern of some of the DPRK cadre regarding American intervention.
 
Ciphered telegram, Filippov (Stalin) to Chinese Foreign Minister Zhou Enlai (via Soviet ambassador to the People’s Republic of China [PRC] N.V. Roshchin)
July 05 1950 - A telegram from Stalin to Zhou Enlai with regards to India's mediation in the PRC's entry into the UN, Chinese troop movements in preparation for a possible Southern/Allied counterattack, and Soviet planes flying over Manchuria.
 
Ciphered telegram, Shtykov to Fyn-Si (Stalin), transmitting letter from Kim Il Sung to Stalin
July 08 1950 - Telegram from Shtykov to Stalin (copied to the Soviet leadership) relaying a request from Kim Il Sung for military advisors.
 
Ciphered telegram, Fyn-Si (Stalin) to Shtykov
July 13 1950 - Telegram from Stalin to North Korea advising that they reply to UN Secretary General Trygve Lie's concerns for treatment of POW's through a radio broadcast by a POW saying that prisoners are being treated well by the KPA.
 
Ciphered telegram, Filippov (Stalin) to Zhou Enlai or Mao Zedong (via Roshchin)
July 13 1950 - Telegram from Stalin to Mao and Zhou Enlai detailing his response to the English protest concerning "the Korean question." Also, a request for confirmation of Chinese troop movements to the Sino-Korea border, in case of a repulse of North Korean forces. Finally, a confirmation of the plans to train Chinese pilots on Soviet jets, to be followed by the transfer of the jets to Chinese possession.
 
Ciphered telegram, Fyn-Si (Stalin) to Kim Il Sung (via Shtykov)
August 28 1950 - Telegram from Stalin to Kim Il Sung, congratulating him for his victories thus far and offering the help of the Soviet air force.
 
Telegram from Fyn Si (Stalin) to Matveyev (Army Gen. M.V. Zakharov) and Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK T.F. Shtykov, approved 27 September 1950 Soviet Communist Party Central Committee Politburo
September 27 1950 - Telegram from Stalin to Soviet representatives in the DPRK containing extracts from a meeting of the VKP CC(b). The message expresses Stalin's displeasure with the KPA forces' conduct of battle and issues a series of directives for continuing the campaign.
 
Ciphered Telegram, DPRK leader Kim Il Sung and South Korean Communist leader Pak Hon- Yong to Stalin (via Shtykov)
September 29 1950 - Telegram from Kim Il Sung and Pak Hon-Yong telling Stalin of the losses they have incurred following American air and ground attacks in South Korea and of their general lack of supplies and trained personnel. They explain that should the Americans cross the 38th parallel, North Korea and Communist South Korea would require immediate and direct military assistance from the Soviet Union (or at least the benefits of Stalin’s influence over Chinese volunteer forces) in order to avoid complete American capture.
 
Ciphered Telegram, Shtykov to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and Instantsia (Stalin)
September 30 1950 - Telegram from Shtykov to Gromyko and Stalin reporting the dire circumstances into which the North Koreans had fallen in the wake of the Inchon landings. Mentioned is a correspondence between the North Koreans and Mao which hinted at possible Chinese aid.
 
Draft Telegram, Chan Fu (Stalin) to Matveyev (Zakharov)
September 30 1950 - A message from Stalin to Matveyev approving Kim Il Sung's plans to reconsolidate KPA forces and pull out of South Korea.
 
Ciphered Telegram, Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai
October 01 1950 - Telegram from Stalin to Mao and Zhou Enlai asking that they consider moving 5-6 divisions of Chinese volunteers to the China-DPRK border in order to give the North Koreans cover under which to reorganize their troops. Stalin explicitly states that he will not mention this idea to the North Koreans.
 
Ciphered Telegram, Chan Fu (Stalin) to Matveyev (Zakharov)
October 02 1950 - Telegram from Stalin to the North Korean leadership emphasizing the importance of recovering their military personnel. Stalin advises that they recover as much personnel as possible, regardless losses in equipment.
 
Ciphered telegram from Roshchin in Beijing to Filippov [Stalin], 3 October 1950, conveying 2 October 1950 message from Mao to Stalin
October 03 1950 - A two part telegram to Stalin from the Soviet Army General Staff. The first part is the text of a message sent to the Soviets by Mao in which he states that his forces and country are not currently ready to enter a potentially escalatory conflict with the U.S. The second part of the telegram is a Soviet analysis of the Chinese message which assesses that this is a change in the Chinese position which had previously been one of readiness to enter combat against the U.S. Proposed as a possible explanation is the advise of Nehru to Mao that they avoid conflict for the time being to avoid disaster.
 
Letter from Fyn Si [Stalin] to Kim Il Sung (via Shytkov)
October 08 1950 - Stalin sends Kim a copy of his October 1950 letter to Mao Zedong. Stalin describes the US's inability to engage in a "big war" and encourages Kim in his fight against the US.
 
Ciphered Telegram, Kim Il Sung to Stalin (via Shtykov)
October 09 1950 - Request from Kim Il Sung to Stalin to have Soviet training given Soviet-Koreans in engineering, radio operation, tank and air warfare.
 
Ciphered Telegram, Fyn Si (Stalin) to Kim Il Sung (via Shtykov)
October 13 1950 - A telegram from Stalin to Shtykov for Kim Il Sung relaying the decision of the Chinese to support North Korea with their troops. This decision is a marked reversal of the negative message sent 3 October by Mao. Shtykov is also told to suspend the plans for evacuation of Soviet personnel from North Korea.
 
Ciphered Telegram, Roshchin to Filippov (Stalin), 14 October 1950, re Meeting with Mao Zedong
October 13 1950 - Message to Stalin from Roshchin relaying the rationale for Mao's reversal of his earlier hesitance to send Chinese troops to the aid of the North Koreans. General plans for the deployment are stated as well as a request for arms on credit from the Soviet Union.
 
Ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) transmitting 4 January 1951 message from Peng Dehuai, Kim Son, and Pak Il U to Kim Il Sung
January 07 1951 - Message from Mao to Stalin informing him of the PLA's intent to push south of the Han River to capture key staging points such as Kimpo Airport and deny the enemy time to regroup.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to I.V. Stalin, transmitting 14 January 1951 message from Mao to Peng Dehuai with message from Kim Il Sung
January 16 1951 - Mao asks Stalin on his opinion regarding the incorporation of Korean troops into the Chinese army, as well as the possible response of the enemy.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to I.V. Stalin, conveying 19 January 1951 telegram from Peng Dehuai to Mao, regarding meetings with Kim Il Sung
January 27 1951 - The telegram from Peng Dehuai discusses the results of a meeting with Kim Il Sung, including: Kim Il Sung’s belief that the Korean People’s Army cannot defeat the Americans alone, the defense of the sea coast, the re-staffing of five corps, and better preparation for soldiers to carry out work in newly liberated areas.
 
Ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 19 January 1951 telegram from Peng Dehuai to Mao re meetings with Kim Il Sung
January 27 1951 - Telegram from Mao to Stalin relaying a report from Pen Dehuai on a meeting with Kim Il Sung. Topics discussed include a halt to advances to reorganize, defense of the coast, restaffing of units, consolidation of rule in recaptured areas.
 
Ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 28 January 1951 telegram from Mao Zedong to Peng Dehuai
January 29 1951 - A forward to Stalin of a message sent earlier by Mao to Peng Dehuai. It outlines operational plans for the PLA and KPA in and around Seoul and talks about the need to gain an advantageous military position with negotiations in mind.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to I.V. Stalin, conveying 28 January 1951 telegram from Mao Zedong to Peng Dehuai
January 29 1951 - A forward to Stalin of a message sent earlier by Mao to Peng Dehuai. It outlines operational plans for the PLA and KPA in and around Seoul and talks about the need to gain an advantageous military position with negotiations in mind.
 
Telegram from Stalin to Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Razuvaev with message for Kim Il Sung
January 30 1951 - Telegram instructing Amb. Razuvaev to discuss with Kim Il Sung details for reorganizing the KPA administrative and command structure.
 
Ciphered telegram, Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong
January 30 1951 - Telegram from Stalin to Mao acknowledging receipt of his latest telegram on KPA and PLA operational plans.
 
Ciphered telegram, Fyn Si (Stalin) to Soviet Ambassador to the DPRK A.M. Razuvaev with message for Kim Il Sung
January 30 1951 - Telegram instructing Amb. Razuvaev to discuss with Kim Il Sung details for reorganizing the KPA administrative and command structure.
 
Telegram from Stalin to Razuvaev
February 03 1951 - Stalin clarifies that his previous telegram of 30 January was not an order, but a proposal to discuss options with Korea.
 
Telegram from Razuvaev to Stalin reporting message from Kim Il Sung
February 04 1951 - Razuvaev discusses a meeting in which Stalin’s previous telegram of 30 January concerning the KPA was discussed.
 
Ciphered telegram, Razuvaev to Fyn-Si (Stalin) reporting message from Kim Il Sung
February 04 1951 - Telegram from Amb. Rauvaev to Stalin reporting on the changes planned in the structure of the KPA, per Stalin's telegram of 30 January
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin
June 05 1951 - Mao asks Stalin to receive Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung in Moscow so that they may discuss military operations in Korea.
 
Ciphered telegram, Filippov to Mao Zedong
June 05 1951 - Telegram from Stalin to Mao encouraging a prolonging of the war and giving advice on the conduct of operations against allied troops.
 
Ciphered telegram, Filippov (Stalin) to Mao Zedong re meeting in Moscow with Gao Gang and Kim Il Sung
June 13 1951 - 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.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to I.V. Stalin, via Roshchin
June 13 1951 - Response to Stalin’s telegram from the same day. Mao tells Stalin that Peng Dehuai needs Soviet advisers and gives some details about the current military situation in Korea.
 
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
June 14 1951 - Handletter 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.
 
Ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin)
June 30 1951 - 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.
 
Ciphered telegram, Razuvaev to S.M. Shtemenko reporting message from Kim Il Sung to Filippov (Stalin) CIP
July 01 1951 - Telegram from Razuvaev to Shtemenko requesting orders and advise for Kim Il Sung on the imminent armistice talks and the terms to be adopted there.
 
Ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 2 July 1951 telegram from Mao to Peng Dehuai, Gao Gang, and Kim Il Sung
July 03 1951 - Forward to Stalin by Mao of a telegram he sent to commanders of the communist forces in Korea ordering them to prepare for possible offensives and other potentialities in light of the imminent armistice talks.
 
Ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 30 June 1951 message from Kim Il Sung to Mao
July 03 1951 - Telegram from Mao to Stalin forwarding a telegram received from Kim Il Sung in which he names the North Korean delegates who will attend armistice talks and the conditions which they will present.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin
July 03 1951 - Mao Zedong writes Stalin on the Chinese position for cease fire 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.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin
July 03 1951 - The included telegram from Mao to Peng, Gao, and Kim gives Mao’s military instructions for the upcoming peace negotiations.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin
July 03 1951 - Mao Zedong writes Stalin on the Chinese position for cease fire 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.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin conveying 12 August 1951 telegram from Li Kenong to Mao re: armistice talks.
August 13 1951 - Telegram from Mao to Stalin relaying the assessment of Li Kenong of the state of the ongoing armistice talks. He states that the US is unwilling the accept the 38th parallel as the demaracation line and that given the state of North Korean forces, they should consider make concessions to American demands in this regard in the interests of ceasing hostilities.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin
September 08 1951 - Mao asks for more Soviet advisers for Chinese troops in Korea.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin
November 14 1951 - Mao writes to Stalin of the ongoing armistice negotiations concerning Korea, specifically the proposed demarcation line (38th parallel). Mao also writes about monitoring, the exchange of prisoners of war, and economic considerations within China.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin
January 31 1952 - Mao asks Stalin advice and instructions concerning issues raised during negotiations, particularly the establishment of a monitoring organ comprised of officials from neutral countries.
 
Telegram from Mao Zedong to Stalin, conveying 22 January 1952 telegram from Peng Dehuai to Mao and 4 February 1952 reply from Mao to Peng Dehuai
February 08 1952 - Mao conveys two telegrams to Stalin: one from Peng Dehuai to Mao (22 January 1952) and the other is Mao’s response (4 February 1952). The telegrams discuss North Korea’s need for aid from China.
 
Ciphered telegram, Kim Il Sung to Stalin via Razuvaev
July 16 1952 - Telgram from Kim Il Sung to Stalin stating the current situtation of the armistice talks and the pressure which is being exerted upon North Korea by uninhibited American air power. He makes a request for additional anti-aircraft support from the Soviet Union and China, which he believes will lead to a more advantageous bargaining position at the negotiating table.
 
Ciphered telegram, Mao Zedong to Filippov (Stalin) conveying 15 July 1952 telegram from Mao to Kim Il Sung and 16 July 1952 reply from Kim to Mao
July 18 1952 - A two-part telegram from Mao to Stalin forwarding to the latter, an exchange which occurred between him and Kim Il Sung. The first telegram expresses Mao's intent to meet North Korean requests to the extent possible and his belief that the communist parties must not give in to pressure through aerial bombardments from the Americans. The second telegram is Kim's reply to Mao's telegram which singals agreement with Mao and details the need to deploy additional anti-aircraft assets and go on the offensive, both in the air and on the ground, in order to put pressure on the US.
 
Minutes of Conversation between I.V. Stalin and Zhou Enlai
August 20 1952 - Conversation between Stalin and Zhou Enlai concerning the extension of the Port Arthur agreement, the construction of a Sino-Mongolian railroad to the Soviet Union, and the situation in Korea. On the issue of Korea, they discussed sending arms shipments to China and Chinese arms production; the possibility of a Chinese offensive in Korea; and the return of POWs. Stalin reaffirmed his commitment to assisting China in the war in Korea.
 
Minutes of Conversation between I.V. Stalin and Zhou Enlai
September 19 1952 - Conversation between Stalin and Zhou Enlai focusing on the Korean War. They discussed the exchange of POWs (and the Mexican proposal), peace negotiations, Chinese cooperation with India and Burma, and the creation of regional organizations. They also mentioned Germany (reunification), the situation/reforms in Xinjiang, Taiwan and Chiang Kaishek (Jiang Jieshi), and military aid.
 
Ciphered telegram, Kuznetsov to Soviet Foreign Ministry re meeting with Mao Zedong
July 29 1953 - Telegram from Kuznetsov to MID regarding his meeting with Mao on 28 July 1953, during which Mao talked about the steps which had led to and now, had to be taken following the signing of the armistice.
 
Report, Embassy of Hungary in North Korea to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
February 26 1955 - Report from Pál Szarvas, Hungarian Ambassador to the DPRK, describing the seemingly purposeful efforts of the North Korean government to minimize the effectiveness of all foreign delegations in the DPRK. He also talks about the lack of transparency of the government towards not just foreign diplomats but the North Korean populace as well.
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to North Korea Vasily Moskovsky and acting Soviet Military Attaché Ustinov
September 01 1962 - The Soviet Ambassador and the Military Attaché report on the activities surrounding the second detachment of Soviet military aircraft to DPRK. They both find it hard to explain the Korean requirement to keep the operation hidden from the Chinese.
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to North Korea Vasily Moskovsky and Kim Il Sung
November 01 1962 - 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.
 
Memorandum of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador to North Korea Vasily Moskovsky and Kim Il Sung
November 14 1962 - Kim Il Sung and Vasily Moskovsky meet before the Soviet Ambassador heads for Moscow. Kim Il Sung wants to make sure that his messages are conveyed to the Soviet leaders. He points to the weaknesses in Korean air and coastline defense capabilities and requests Soviet military aid. He is also suggesting an increase in the Soviet economic aid, as DPRK is experiencing shortages in some commodities, most notably – cotton and wheat.
 
Record of Conversation between Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Kuznetsov and the North Korean Ambassador to the Soviet Union Kim Pyong-chik
May 21 1965 - On behalf of Kim Il Sung, Ambassador Kim Pyong-Chik expresses thanks to the Soviet Union for their donation in weapons and military equipment in the amount of 150 million rubles; North Korea is asking for more aid
 
Report, Embassy of Hungary in North Korea to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
March 10 1967 - A report on the manpower and armament of the Korean People's Army, and the South Korean Army.
 
Report, Embassy of Hungary in North Korea to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
May 08 1967 - Report on Romanian, Czech, and Hungarian military attachés views on the KPA. The KPA is viewed as years behind in military technologies and capabilities.
 
Report, Embassy of Hungary in the Soviet Union to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
November 25 1967 - Sino-Korean relations continue to deterioate, along with the condition of the KPA's capabilities. The Soviet Union recognizes that the DPRK is the source of most tensions caused along the DMZ.
 
Record of Conversation between Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR Aleksei Kosygin and North Korean Ambassador in the USSR Chon Tu-hwan
May 06 1968 - DPRK diplomat, Chon Tu-hwan expresses his satisfaction about the mutual relationship between the DPRK and the Soviet Union. He discusses the Pueblo incident, and remarks on the increased tension on the Korean peninsula and in the far east. A.N. Kosgygin describes in frank detail, the continuous economic co-operation that the Soviet Union has with the DPRK.
 
Report, Embassy of Hungary in North Korea to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
June 03 1968 - Report from meeting of Hungarian and Romanian ambassadors with head of National Liberation Front of South Vietnam. The NLF comments on the balance of power on the peninsula, and the modernization of the DPRK armed forces.
 
Report, Embassy of Hungary in North Korea to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
November 22 1973 - Diplomats of the Soviet Bloc discuss relations between the two Koreas, and what would be necessary for reunification. Sino-Korean relations, and Chinese military aid to the DPRK are also discussed.
 
Memorandum, Hungarian Foreign Ministry
February 16 1976 - Korean Officials meet with the Hungarian Foreign Ministry. The North Koreans believe Korea can not be reunited peacefully, and that the DPRK is prepared for a nuclear war.
 
Report, Embassy of Hungary in North Korea to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry
February 18 1976 - A member of the Polish Embassy reports information on DPRK military expenditures, manpower, and desire to construct a nuclear reactor.
 

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