Regarding matters related to the armistice, preparations should be made early [I]
(June 17, 1953)
Comrade Kim Il-sung:
Given that the Armistice Agreement is about to be signed, certain issues concerning the armistice require early preparation. I hereby offer the following suggestions:


(1) Airports. According to the Armistice Agreement, a total of five airports are to be constructed in our region: Panmunjom, Sinanju, Sinuiju, Hungnam, and Chongjin. For the convenience and speed of engineering preparation, construction, and management, it would be best if the North Korean side took charge of Hungnam and Chongjin. Should difficulties arise, China would provide assistance. Panmunjom, Sinanju, and Sinuiju would be primarily constructed by the Chinese side, with North Korea offering support. The management bodies of these airports would continue to be jointly formed by comrades from both sides. As for the airports needed for the North Korean air force to return to North Korean territory after the armistice, a plan is proposed whereby the Chinese Air Force Command and the Joint Air Command (2) would jointly study the matter with the North Korean Air Force Command and submit it to you for approval before implementation. China would endeavor to provide the necessary equipment and construction troops.


(2) Railways. It is proposed that, immediately after the armistice, the sections from Sinmok to Kaesong and from Singa-san to Pyeonggang be repaired first. Other lines would continue to operate according to the Sino-North Korean agreement. To ensure the smooth operation of the armistice monitoring teams and the neutral nations’ inspection teams, China proposes dispatching diesel locomotives, official cars, and soft-seat carriages to North Korea for standby use. The emblems on these vehicles should be replaced with North Korean insignia. China intends to assign a team of attendants to assist.
[1]
This is a telegram from Mao Zedong to Kim Il-sung, Prime Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
[2]
The Joint Air Command refers to the joint command of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army Air Force and the Korean People’s Army Air Force.