(November 24, 1954)
Prime Minister Kim, and to the Command of the Chinese People’s Volunteers,

In the past, due to the requirements of the negotiations, Chinese comrades have borne the greater share of responsibility for the work in Kaesong. During our joint struggle against external forces, both Korean and Chinese comrades have accumulated certain experience. At the same time, it has become clear that the Kaesong operations are tending to be prolonged. Under these circumstances, it would be more appropriate for the Korean comrades to take over the responsibility for the Kaesong work in the future, under your direct leadership. We have also considered several specific difficulties that might arise when the Koreans assume this responsibility; however, these difficulties can be resolved through mutual cooperation. If you agree with the above arrangement, we will immediately dispatch Comrade Chai Chengwen, who is currently on leave in China, to Pyongyang to report to you and seek your instructions, after which he will proceed to Kaesong to consult with Comrades Ri Sang-cho and Chung Kuk-hwan regarding the specific methods of implementation.

Mao Zedong
November 24, 1954

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong to Kim Il-sung, Prime Minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
[2]
The “Command of the Chinese People’s Volunteers” refers to the headquarters of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army.
[3]
Chai Chengwen was, at that time, the representative of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army to the Military Armistice Commission in Korea.
[4]
Ri Sang-cho was, at that time, the chief negotiator for the North Korean–Chinese side of the Military Armistice Commission. Chung Kuk-hwan was, at that time, the deputy secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army delegation to the Military Armistice Commission.