Chapter 187: It Would Be Good to Refer to China

Mr. Kim."

It was a while ago when I met Kim Jong-il.

After the drinking party ended, Kim Jong-il called me back as I was about to leave. His wrinkled face showed no hint of emotion.

"In the Republic, do not trust anyone."

Though his voice was indifferent, I sensed deeper meaning in those few words.

"Yes, I will keep that in mind."

"It was nice meeting you. I hope you bring good news next time we meet."

After finishing his words, Kim Jong-il closed his eyes as if tired.

* * *

"What did you discuss yesterday that would prompt Chairman Kim to say such things?"

Normally, I would have replied with some degree of openness, but thinking of Kim Jong-il's words left me momentarily speechless.

Instead of expressing myself, I observed Jang Seong-taek's face as I responded.

"We talked about many things. He seemed particularly concerned about the people's livelihood issues."

"Ah…"

I noticed a slight tremor in Jang Seong-taek's gaze and seized the opportunity.

Kim Jong-il's mention of being under threat of assassination floated back to my mind.

"It seems you trust Deputy Minister Jang quite a bit."

"…Is that so?"

"Even if he is the Supreme Ruler, the Deputy Minister is still family. Isn't that how family works?"

"I see."

Jang Seong-taek's expression did not change.

He set down his chopsticks and lifted his glass of water.

"Have you finished eating?"

"Yes, it was delicious. Thanks to you, I had a hearty meal for the first time in a while."

"Ha ha, I'm glad it suited your taste."

Jang Seong-taek chuckled, also putting down his chopsticks.

"I heard there was a clash with Im Dong-ok. Tsk… I knew thatguy would cause trouble someday."

Just as I wondered what else he would say, he shifted to the topic of Im Dong-ok.

I recalled Im Dong-ok's confidence about anting to bash my head in, and covered my mouth with my hand.

"…He is rather arrogant, isn't he?"

"Military personnel are usually like that."

Jang Seong-taek frowned as he spoke. He clearly wasn't warm towards the military either.

"Even with Chairman Kim Yong-nam present, he showed no signs of caution whatsoever."

"One can hardly blame him. There is talk that the military exists above the Workers' Party."

"Isn't it since Chairman Kim Jong-il took power? In South Korea, it's known to be a means to maintain authority."

When Jang Seong-taek nodded and sighed lightly, it seemed he had a similar perspective.

"After the Great Leader passed, our Workers' Party was a bit chaotic. The Chairman must have felt the need to stabilize the regime. I suppose that's why he's relying on the military. From the outside looking in, it might seem like the Republic is firmly a one-man system, but internally, it's quite complicated."

Seeing both Kim Jong-il and Jang Seong-taek express similar sentiments made me think North Korea seemed pretty tumultuous.

"Wherever people live, there will always be conflicts and power struggles."

"The General Secretary must have overexerted himself due to this situation. Executing Deputy Minister Lim without a trial would surely weigh heavily on even the Chairman."

"So, that means…"

"He probably wanted to give Chairman Kim a good present."

Jang Seong-taek's eyes, which referred to a life as a 'gift', seemed to observe me in anticipation of something.

Astonishingly, I shrugged it off, trying to appear nonchalant.

"That's quite generous of him. Anyway, a broker will soon be coming from China. That's about all I can do. I told him to leave the contact details at the location you mentioned last time."

He didn't call me here just to discuss the military.

I intentionally shifted the topic, brightening Jang Seong-taek's expression.

"Things progressed faster than expected. You really are Chairman Kim, aren't you?"

"The broker likely won't suspect the funds relate to North Korea. I trust you'll handle the rest well."

"Thank you. I'll trade with that side, trusting in you, Chairman Kim."

It's absurd that he insists on trusting me now after pressuring me for compensation if something goes awry.

I swallowed a laugh at the transparency of it all.

"Then, I'll take care of the matter of bringing them from China to Korea. If you have them dropped off where we promised, I'll manage them from there."

"Don't worry about that. Once the General Secretary grants his approval, everything will be ready to go. If you return to Seoul, they'll arrive in about a week."

A week, huh? Once I return, I need to send Jang Dae-ho to China and launch the assault on Il-sung immediately..

Once Seo Jae-hoon completed the task of succeeding the Chairmanship, the opportunity would be lost without a doubt.

"What was your impression of the Republic, Chairman Kim? Do you see a future?"

Jang Seong-taek's serious question as he called out to me felt significant.

"Hmm… I only took a look around Pyongyang and its surroundings, but it feels like time has stopped. It hasn't improved at all compared to 20 years ago."

"Is that so? It's embarrassing, but that's indeed the state of our Republic."

Even Pyongyang, which is said to be the most developed in North Korea, is still far behind compared to Seoul.

Given that, it was hard to gauge how difficult life must be for the actual people.

In contrast, the lives led by Kim Jong-il and Jang Seong-taek were far more extravagant than those of Korean chaebols.

"If there's no change, there will be stagnation. You must think so as well, Chairman Kim?"

It was a question that was difficult to answer promptly.

However, perhaps it wasn't a question meant to elicit a reply, as Jang Seong-taek muttered to himself.

"The inter-Korean summit is just the beginning. The Republic must change. Only then can it survive."

"It would be good to refer to China."

"…The General Secretary's will is crucial."

Then again, if Kim Jong-il can't easily declare his support for reform, Jang Seong-taek wouldn't have a sharp solution either.

"Since you accepted the summit, doesn't that mean you are already prepared to embrace change?"

"I hope that's the case…"

With his words trailing off, Jang Seong-taek nodded.

His face, which I had considered greedy, now carried the burden of an intellectual's anguish.

"I truly hope the people can eat well and live well. I'm not a pure person, but still, I genuinely wish for a bright future for our Republic."

"Of course you can. You just need to assist the Chairman in making that happen."

"You'll need a lot of support from South Korea. I hope not only Chairman Song but other businesses also advance into our Republic."

To invest in North Korea, a solid safety device was essential.

I couldn't rely solely on Kim Jong-il.

"Indeed, the chairpersons were asking me to set up an introduction with the Deputy Minister."

"Is that so? With my schedule busier than ever, it's a bit tricky to carve out time though…"

The inter-Korean summit proceeded according to a thoroughly predetermined schedule.

Of course, I was an exception since I had to meet with Kim Jong-il, but not others.

"What they worry about in South Korea is whether they can receive protection when they invest. I shared that with the Chairman yesterday."

"I'll be meeting with the General Secretary this evening, and I'll mention it again. But still, are you not interested in investing in the Republic, Chairman Kim?"

"Hmm… I will think about what I can do."

"I'd truly appreciate that."

Jang Seong-taek stood up first.

"Due to another engagement, I think we need to wrap it up here. I hope to meet in South Korea next time."

"I would like that as well."

Was it in 2002 when Jang Seong-taek visited Seoul? It was during the presidential election season. I need to think of a way to utilize this for Yoon's campaign.

It'd be interesting if Kim Hak-gwon shows off his skills while Yoon reaps the monetary rewards.

I smiled and shook Jang Seong-taek's hand, appearing casual.

As we stepped out of the special room together, Baek Cheol-soo approached and bowed his head.

"Please take care of Chairman Kim."

"Yes, Deputy Minister."

Jang Seong-taek got in the car first.

As the vehicle dwindled into the distance, Baek Cheol-soo, who had kept a stiff posture, asked,

"Are you heading to the hotel?"

"Yes, I'm a bit tired."

"Understood."

Thanks to the special room's proximity to the hotel, we arrived quickly.

The group from Korea was entirely engaged in their schedules, making the Goryeo Hotel quiet.

Returning to my room, I reflected on the conversations I had in North Korea while looking over the tranquil Pyongyang streets. Unlike Seoul, the streets during the day appeared quiet and peaceful.

However, beneath the serene scenery, my mind was intensely troubled.

'Kim Jong-il and Jang Seong-taek…'

The relationship between the two felt strange.

Kim Jong-il appeared weaker than known, while Jang Seong-taek had the disposition of a revolutionary.

I couldn't help but think Jang Seong-taek might have been purged after Kim Jong-il's death because he attempted a coup.

'With Kim Jong-il underestimating Jang Seong-taek and Jang Seong-taek concealing his true intentions…'

The evening glow slipped past the window, but no matter how I pondered, my thoughts kept returning to a muddled state. It was challenging to read the landscape with such limited information.

'Jang Seong-taek doesn't have any reason to assassinate Kim Jong-il. His power derives from the Kim family. Simply killing him wouldn't secure leadership. Then who would…?'

A knock interrupted my thoughts. Baek Cheol-soo's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Chairman Kim, what will you do for dinner?"

"Have the others returned yet?"

"Yes, they're all back at the hotel. They just went downstairs for dinner."

"Then I should head down as well."

I put on my overcoat and left my room. When I arrived at the hotel's restaurant, the people had already gathered.

"Chairman Kim, right here!"

Chairman Song raised his hand in greeting. I bowed my head slightly in return and walked towards the table where he sat.

"Please have a seat."

"Yes, Chairman."

At the table were Chairman Song and Chairman Yeo Seung-jin.

This time, I was at a different table than Seo Jae-hoon.

"I didn't see you during the afternoon schedule. Were you resting in your room?"

"Yes, I had a headache and needed to rest a bit."

"Ha ha, you shouldn't be so weak at your age!"

Chairman Song chuckled, yet he gently patted my back, showing his concern for my supposed illness.

Perhaps sensing the worry in his touch, my previously heavy mood lifted considerably.

"Ha ha, I suppose you're right."

"I should see if I can find some good ginseng for you."

"If you find something good, you should enjoy it yourself, Chairman. I'm still young, after all."

"Is boasting about being young supposed to make me feel bad? My, that's something, ha ha."

Chairman Song laughed heartily.

While I engaged amiably with Chairman Song, Chairman Yeo Seung-jin remained quietly listening.

"What do you think, Chairman Yeo?"

I turned to Yeo Seung-jin.

"Are you considering investing in North Korea?"

"Hmm… Have you spoken with Deputy Minister Jang?"

"Yes, I relayed the message, but he said he couldn't meet separately due to his schedule."

"That makes sense."

Yeo Seung-jin nodded, his words thoughtful. Perhaps he was deep in consideration.

"If stability is guaranteed, I might redirect half of the factories currently being constructed in China to the North."

"Is that so?"

"To attract proper investment, one must take proactive steps. North Korea should also grant various infrastructure and incentives through economic special zones, similar to China."

China developed economic special zones while advocating economic openness, actively attracting foreign capital and technology.

"If that were to happen, investing in North Korea could be quite worthwhile. Korean companies venture into China for two main reasons, you know?"

I nodded slightly.

One is to access the vast Chinese market, while the other is to benefit from tax and administrative incentives through economic special zones.

"Of course, while North Korea did establish the Rajin-Sonbong free trade zone, the investment guarantee measures remain insufficient, and the lack of infrastructure led to failure in attracting foreign capital."

Yeo Seung-jin, feeling exasperated, gulped down some water.

Given that stability is guaranteed, North Korea is practically a goldmine, making the current situation rather regrettable.

"If they create new economic special zones close to the South, like in Kaesong, or near China, like in Sinuiju, and firmly secure investment guarantees, even if they build the infrastructure, businesses would be willing to invest. Yet, as of today, they haven't provided a proper response."

No response, huh?

Wasn't it this year that Chairman Song reached an agreement with the North Korean government?

"Hasn't Chairman Song had any discussions with the North Korean government?"

"Well, I want Haeju, but the North Korean government keeps mentioning Sinuiju. Because of that, we haven't been able to proceed properly."

I understand that Chairman Song desires to leave a footprint in his hometown, but North Korea wouldn't easily give up Haeju.

Hmm, but it didn't seem like the progress should drag on like this.

"What Chairman Song intends is to create a small industrial complex that can be run continuously without worries. What companies like mine desire is a complete economic special zone, just like China. I suppose we have common ground."

Food was served at the table. I lifted my chopsticks and asked.

"Is there no initiative from the government?"

In response to my question, Yeo Seung-jin cautiously scanned his surroundings and began to badmouth Kim Hak-gwon in a hushed voice.

"Don't even mention it. We're merely fireflies. Political achievements are the only consideration; they have no intention of conveying companies' opinions. It's no wonder that I ask Chairman Kim for help."

Kim Hak-gwon, holding hands with Il-sung, seemed to care litttle for connections with other chairpersons.

"Hmm… Understood for now. If I have a chance, I'll relay this again."

"Will you? Thank you, Chairman Kim."

As the heavy conversation passed, I continued to dine with the chairmen.

"Excuse me, Chairman Kim, sorry to interrupt your meal."

"What brings you here, Secretary?"

The one who called for me was Secretary Pyong Min-guk. His expression was stiff and rigid.

"We received a call from Seoul."

"From Seoul? To me?"

Typically, there shouldn't be many occasions for the government to contact me.

An inexplicable unease shot through my mind.

"Chairman Cheon seems to be in critical condition. Myung-hoon contacted us via the Blue House."

"…"

I dropped the spoon I was holding. My mind went blank.