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United States-North Korea Relations

 A collection of primary source documents on the history of North Korea's relations with the United States. Often characterized by enmity and hostility, the collection also contains evidence on several efforts to improve relations between North Korea and the United States.

Popular Documents

March 24, 1974

Telegram from Pyongyang to Bucharest, SECRET, Urgent, No. 060.127

In the aftermath of the failed inter-Korean dialogues, the North Koreans conclude that they must establish diplomatic relations with the United States. The telegram describes the rationale behind the move and the goal of limiting the interference of the United States on the Korean Peninsula. According to the author, North Korea believes that the rejection of the US to establish relations with the DPRK will expose Washington's opposition to the unification of Korea.

June 19, 1973

Telegram from Pyongyang , No.061.240, Urgent, SECRET

The North Koreans follow Romanian advice and allow the submission of their letter to Congress through the US State Department.

August 4, 1980

Records of Conversation between Congressman Stephen J. Solarz and Kim Il Sung and Kim Yong-nam

In this lengthy transcript of discussions between Stephen Solarz and Kim Il Sung, Solarz poses questions about prospects for Korea's unification, exchanges between North and South Korea, and exchanges between North Korea and the U.S. In his response, Kim emphasizes the DPRK's views regarding the necessary preconditions for unification and increased cooperation between the two Koreas. Later, Kim Yong Nam continues to elaborate to Solarz on the North Korean perspective of unification and the role of the international community in perpetrating division.

May 13, 1974

Letter from Government of North Korea

Letter from The Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the U.S. Senate formally proposing that talks be held for the conclusion of a peace agreement between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States of America.

September 4, 1977

Regarding President Tito’s Official Visit to the DPRK

The Romanian Embassy in Pyongyang reports to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on President Tito's visit to North Korea. The correspondence also summarizes the conversation between Tito and Kim Il Sung regarding the international communist movement, the Korean issue, and the Non-Aligned Movement.