Pyongyang

I confirm receipt of your letter of October 8, in which you inform us that the government of the Korean People's Democratic Republic has begun the fulfillment of its duties, and propose establishing diplomatic relations with the USSR and exchanging ambassadors, as well as establishing corresponding economic relations between the two states.

The Soviet government, which has invariably defended the right of the Korean people to create their united independent state, welcomes the formation of the Korean government and wishes it success in its activity for the benefit of the national rebirth and democratic development of Korea.

The Soviet government expresses its readiness to establish diplomatic relations between the USSR and the Korean People's Democratic Republic and to exchange ambassadors, and, together with this, to establish corresponding economic relations.

I. Stalin
Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of SSR

October 12, 1948.

Pravda. 1948. October 13.