Background Information
Evidence of Soviet involvement of the Pyongyang (North Korean) invasion were clear to outsiders even though diplomatically both the United States and Soviet Union feigned ignorance in their interactions. Five days after the invasion, a US Ambassador met with the Soviet ambassador in Korea and requested that he attempt to influence the North Koreans to remove their troops from South Korea. 1 Communications released later support the American's suspicions of Soviet Support. In the document below, Stalin delivers a message to be passed along to North Korean leader Kim Il Sung. In this message, Stalin promises to deliver the promised commitment of arms to the Koreans and also requests a report of Korean attitudes in response to American interventions.
Stalin on left, Truman center, and Soviet Ambassador Gromyko at the Potsdam Conference
Primary Source - A coded telegram from Joseph Stalin to his Ambassador, Andrei Gromyko, at the start of the Korean War (1 July, 1950)
8th Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR
Ciphered Telegram No. 34691/sh.
Pyongyang. Soviet Ambassador.
1. You do not report anything about what kind of plans the Korean command has. Does it intend to push on? Or has it decided to stop the advance. In our opinion the attack absolutely must continue and the sooner South Korea is liberated the less chance there is for intervention.
2. Communicate also how the Korean leaders regard the attacks on North Korean territory by American planes. Are they not frightened or do they continue to hold firm.
Does the Korean government intend to make an open statement of protest against the attacks and the military intervention? In our opinion, this should be done.
4. [sic] We have decided to fulfill fully by July 10 the Koreans' requests for delivery of ammunition and other military equipment. Report about this to KIM IL SUNG.
FYN-SI [Stalin].
No. 362/sh
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov
1.7.50
Ciphered Telegram No. 34691/sh.
Pyongyang. Soviet Ambassador.
1. You do not report anything about what kind of plans the Korean command has. Does it intend to push on? Or has it decided to stop the advance. In our opinion the attack absolutely must continue and the sooner South Korea is liberated the less chance there is for intervention.
2. Communicate also how the Korean leaders regard the attacks on North Korean territory by American planes. Are they not frightened or do they continue to hold firm.
Does the Korean government intend to make an open statement of protest against the attacks and the military intervention? In our opinion, this should be done.
4. [sic] We have decided to fulfill fully by July 10 the Koreans' requests for delivery of ammunition and other military equipment. Report about this to KIM IL SUNG.
FYN-SI [Stalin].
No. 362/sh
Copies: Stalin (2), Molotov
1.7.50
Guided Questions
- What kind of intelligence does Stalin wish to gather from the report from his Ambassador? According to this document, what is Stalin's view of the North Korean attack?
- Summarize point 4.
Sources Referenced
- "Kissinger Readings." NSA Archives. George Washington University, n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2015.
- "Korean War 1950-1953." Wilson Center Digital Archive. Wilson Center, n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2015.