Comrade Kaganovich!

It is impossible to leave without attention the criminal violation of the CC directive on the inadmissibility of subversive activities by the OGPU and the Intelligence Directorate in Manchuria. The arrest of certain Korean saboteurs and the involvement of our agencies in this affair creates (or may create) a new danger of provoking a conflict with Japan. Who needs all this, if not the enemies of Soviet power? You must request information from the leaders of the Far East, clarify the matter, and punish the violators of the interests of the USSR in an exemplary fashion. This outrage can no longer be tolerated!

Talk with Molotov and take draconian measures against the criminals from the OGPU and the Intelligence Directorate (it is entirely possible that these gentlemen are agents of our enemies in our midst). Show that there is still a power in Moscow capable of punishing criminals in an exemplary fashion.

Greetings!

I. Stalin.

Source: Stalin i Kaganovich. Perepiska. 1931-1936 gg. [Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936], p. 208.

RGASPI, f. 81, op. 3, d. 100, l. 147.

NOTE

The letter was prompted by a blunder committed by Chekists in preparing a sabotage operation on the territory of Manchuria ("they made a lot of noise, but didn't blow up the bridge"). An OGPU agent, a Korean by nationality named Li, was captured by the Japanese authorities. During interrogations he confessed that, on assignment from the Vladivostok GPU, he and three other Koreans had intended to blow up several bridges.

On 16 July 1932 the Politburo considered the "Question of the DVK" and resolved:

"a) Draw the OGPU's attention to the fact that the matter was organized very badly; the people selected were not properly checked.

b) Indicate to Comrade Deribas that he personally did not devote due attention to this most important matter, especially the selection and checking of people.

c) Announce a strict reprimand to Comrade Zagvozdin, as directly responsible for the poor organization of the matter.

Predetermine the recall of Comrade Zagvozdin from Vladivostok.

d) Instruct the OGPU to strengthen the military-operational sector with cadres."