The idea of the Korean confederation as a factor of tension in Soviet-North Korean relations, 1958-1960

The article analyzes the position of the Soviet Union and North Korea on the Korean issue in the period from late 1958 to 1960. Based on the study of archival sources the article reveals the degree of the Soviet Union participation in the promotion of the idea of the Korean Confederation. The author considers the interests, goals and aspirations of each party involved in the discussions on the Korean issue and focuses on the differences in the positions of USSR and North Korea on the early stages of the Korean Confederation idea genesis.