"Ciphered Telegram From Shtykov to Vyshinsky
January 19, 1950
From To Attack or Not To Attack
Kim, addressing the advisers Ignatiev and Pelishenko in an excited manner, began to speak about how now, when China is completing its liberation, the liberation of the Korean people in the south of the country is next in line. In connection with this he said: "The people of the southern portion of Korea trust me and rely on our armed might. Partisans will not decide the question. The people of the south know that we have a good army. Lately I do not sleep at night, thinking about how to resolve the question of the unification of the whole country. If the matter of the liberation of the people of the southern portion of Korea and the unification of the country is drawn out, then I can lose the trust of the people of Korea."
Further Kim stated that when he was in Moscow, Comrade Stalin said to him that it was not necessary to attack the south, in case of an attack on the north of the country by the army of Rhee Syngmann, then it is possible to go on the counteroffensive to the south of Korea. But since Rhee Syngmann is still not instigating an attack, it means that the liberation of the people of the southern part of the country and the unification of the country are being drawn out, that he (Kim Il Sung) thinks that he needs again to visit Comrade Stalin and receive an order and permission for offensive action by the Peoples' Army for the purpose of the liberation of the people of Southern Korea.
Kim underscored that Mao Zedong promised to render him assistance after the conclusion of the war in China.
Then Kim Il Sung came toward me, took me aside and began the following conversation: can he meet with Comrade Stalin and discuss the question of the position in the south and the question of aggressive actions against the army of Rhee Syngmann, that their people's army now is significantly stronger than the army of Rhee Syngmann. Here he stated that if it is impossible to meet with Comrade Stalin, then he wants to meet with Mao Zedong, since Mao after his visit to Moscow will have orders on all questions.
In the process of this conversation Kim Il Sung repeatedly underscored his wish to get the advice of Comrade Stalin on the question of the situation in the south of Korea, since [Kim Il Sung] is constantly nurturing his idea about an attack.
Source: AVP RF, Fond 059a, Opis 5a, Delo 3, Papka 11, listy 87-91"
au moment ou mes valises étaient pretes pour une retraite bien méritée
j'appris avec le plus grand étonnement la nouvelle
de la perfide attaque des rouges en Corée !
le président Truman me confia sur l'heure le commandement des
opérations sur le terrain !
les consignes sont claires ! pas de recul devant les rouges
l'attaque du bandit Kim Boudi doit etre brisée
puis le coupable poursuivis jusqu'au fond de son palais
pour etre chatié !
voici la carte de la situation ce midi !
