Chapter 700: A Promise with Chairman Jang Seong-taek

Now, let's discuss North Korea's reparations rights.

If the development of the Seven Islands succeeds, it would benefit both South Korea and Japan.

That's why Koizumi obliged with most of my demands without much resistance.

However, the issue of North Korea's reparations to Japan is politically very sensitive.

Throughout our conversation about the Seven Islands, Koizumi's face had been relaxed, but the moment reparations were mentioned, it stiffened.

"It's compensation, not mere consolation money."

The moment he admits it as compensation, Koizumi's political life would essentially be over.

That was the reality in Japan right now.

"Yes, whether it's compensation or consolation, that's not the important part. Chairman Jang Seong-taek also stated he wouldn't care about the terminology. However, the price will need to increase accordingly."

I checked my watch. Has it already gotten this late?

"I'll share the details once a representative from North Korea arrives, but let's at least discuss the approximate amount."

"The maximum consolation we can offer is 10 billion dollars."

"10 billion dollars? Sounds like you don't want to negotiate right now?"

If it's going to be that amount as compensation, that was something we should have settled long ago.

"It's our best offer. It's more than the consolation we provided to South Korea."

"Japan extracted more from the northern regions of Korea. They developed numerous mines and used the ores as they pleased. So, it's only natural for North Korea to demand more compensation than South Korea."

In truth, the reparations South Korea received were ridiculously small.

But with the country's treasury running dry, the South Korean government reluctantly came to an agreement with Japan. They used that as seed money to build modern-day Korea.

North Korea had the same intention of using the reparations from Japan as seed money for their economic development.

To achieve that, they needed to secure as much as possible.

"200 million dollars. We will not settle for less. There's no room for negotiation on this sum. This is a promise I made with Chairman Jang Seong-taek."

"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok, that is absolutely impossible. 200 million dollars… Isn't that just conceding to North Korea's claims?"

In 2002, North Korea issued a report calculating their reparations from Japan at around 200 million dollars.

But Japan rejected that claim.

"I understand. But didn't you promise that as a price for participating in the Six-Party Talks? It can't be helped if Japan bears the loss because of that. If you don't restore relations with North Korea, you'll incur even greater losses later."

Koizumi couldn't answer immediately. He seemed to be deep in thought.

Since he became Prime Minister, the political climate on the Korean Peninsula had changed dramatically in a short time.

South Korea and North Korea joined hands, and Russia did as well.

At this rate, Japan would inevitably find itself isolated in East Asia.

After a long pause of contemplation, Koizumi finally spoke up with difficulty.

"Even so, 200 million dollars is too much. Let's settle for 150 million dollars. I can probably push that through if I stretch my limits. But 200 million dollars would meet quite a bit of backlash even within the Liberal Democratic Party."

Thanks to watching the face-off with Hiroyuki, I could understand the struggles he faced.

I could fully grasp Koizumi's position, but we still needed to secure 200 million dollars.

At that moment, the phone next to Koizumi rang.

—Prime Minister, the North Korean special envoy has arrived.

"Let him in."

Timely as ever, someone had arrived from North Korea. The door opened, and Moon Kyung-duk walked in.

"Good day, Prime Minister. I am Moon Kyung-duk, sent on Chairman Kim's orders."

Moon Kyung-duk lightly nodded at me before greeting the Prime Minister.

Koizumi stood up, smiling, and extended his hand.

"I've got your message. Welcome."

After the handshake, I stood up as well and offered my hand to Moon Kyung-duk.

"It's nice to see you here in Japan."

"Likewise."

After finishing the handshake, Moon Kyung-duk took a seat next to me.

"You have been given full authority from Chairman Jang Seong-taek, correct?"

Moon Kyung-duk replied in a curt tone to my question.

"Yes. Chairman Kim Mu-hyeok stated that our Republic would follow through with whatever was agreed upon."

I nodded and turned my gaze back to Koizumi.

"Special Envoy Moon Kyung-duk is Chairman Jang Seong-taek´s closest aide. Although today's agreement is unofficial, what we discuss will remain intact in any future formal setting, with no changes made."

Hearing that Moon Kyung-duk was Jang Seong-taek's closest aide, Koizumi looked at him anew.

There was a hint of eagerness, but a underlying distrust lingered.

"If you're a special envoy with full authority, I welcome you. Negotiations with North Korea have always been unpredictable."

Pointing out the North Korean government's tendency to shift their positions, Moon Kyung-duk chuckled lightly.

"Chairman Jang Seong-taek will not behave that way. And the first to change their positions has always been Japan, not our Republic."

Moon Kyung-duk stood his ground even in front of Koizumi, unflinchingly voicing his stance.

We hadn't even started yet, and already they were engaged in a battle of wits.

With a smile, I interjected between the glaring two.

"We should all strive to move forward together. What good comes from drudging up past grievances? The past is the past, and today is today. Aren't both North Korea and Japan changed considerably? Let's set aside past grievances and focus on the future."

Moon Kyung-duk seemed unimpressed but nodded along, keeping silent from that point on.

Koizumi, too, looked somewhat dissatisfied, furrowing his brows slightly, but he said no more.

With both of them hesitant to speak up, I had no choice but to break the silence.

"From North Korea's perspective, if the reparations issue with Japan is resolved, establishing diplomatic relations is also possible."

Surprised by those unexpected words, Koizumi's eyes widened.

"…Are you actually considering diplomatic relations? Is that true?"

I stayed silent, turning towards Moon Kyung-duk. It would be more effective for him, as the North Korean envoy, to relay the rest.

Understanding my intent, Moon Kyung-duk nodded and spoke up.

"Yes. Our Chairman Kim has stated that if the issue of reparations from the Japanese colonial era is resolved, there would be no reason not to establish diplomatic relations with Japan."

"Oh? That's a significant decision you've made."

For North Korea to emerge onto the international stage, establishing relations with various nations was essential.

But they were also hesitant about forming ties with the U.S. or South Korea immediately.

Thus, Jang Seong-taek chose Japan.

For Koizumi, who didn't understand Chairman Jang Seong-taek's true intentions, it would sound like a reasonably good offer.

It would be hard for North Korea to forsake the symbolism of making Japan their first diplomatic partner after they had kept their doors shut for so long.

"That sounds enticing, but there are many hurdles to jump through before Japan can establish relations with North Korea."

Reading between the lines, Koizumi alluded to the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

Japan had always recognized the abduction cases by North Korea and demanded the return of hostages during high-level talks.

However, North Korea had never once admitted to those abductions.

Just like before, Moon Kyung-duk feigned ignorance and replied.

"Does Japan have any demands from us?"

"Regarding the abduction of Japanese citizens by the North Korean government. Nothing can move forward without resolving those incidents."

"…Our Republic has repeatedly informed the Japanese government that this never happened."

"That was during the era of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Now, it is the era of Chairman Jang Seong-taek, isn't it? You need to show us that Chairman Jang Seong-taek is different from his predecessors."

Moon Kyung-duk looked at me confused. I shrugged, signaling for Koizumi to speak.

"Bringing up the abduction issue is somewhat difficult this time, don't you think? Officially acknowledging it would be tough, even for Chairman Jang Seong-taek."

"But to establish relations, that must be resolved. That will link and resolve the issue of reparations with Japan as well."

As expected, the conversation unfolded as I had anticipated. I turned to Moon Kyung-duk and asked.

"Are there any survivors?"

"…"

"Didn't Chairman Jang Seong-taek mention that the abduction issue would arise?"

"He did say that."

"Then you must have prepared something, right? He wouldn't send you into negotiations empty-handed."

In my previous life, Kim Jong-il had also taken the initiative to admit the abductions to resolve the reparations issue with Japan.

Having that memory in mind, I demanded Chairman Jang Seong-taek to prepare a solution to the abduction problem.

Jang Seong-taek didn't respond hastily, claiming he would think about it.

Yet, I had warned him that failure to resolve this would prevent any hope of securing reparations, so surely he would have come up with some solution.

"Mr. Kim, could we have a moment alone to discuss?"

Moon Kyung-duk wanted to speak with me privately.

I sought Koizumi's permission.

"Would it be alright if I spoke with Special Envoy Moon Kyung-duk for a moment?"

After a moment of contemplation, Koizumi nodded.

He then gestured towards a door attached to his office and said.

"I believe you can have the conversation in the lounge."

"Thank you."

I led Moon Kyung-duk to the lounge attached to the office.

As soon as the door closed, Moon Kyung-duk spoke up.

"Mr. Kim, acknowledging the abduction of Japanese citizens could pose significant risks to Chairman Jang Seong-taek."

"Is that what Chairman Jang Seong-taek thinks?"

"…"

With Moon Kyung-duk silent, I could tell he was worried about the backlash against Jang Seong-taek domestically.

Excessive loyalty could sometimes be a poison.

"What is Chairman Jang Seong-taek's stance?"

"…He stated he would recognize and apologize for it."

"But you are acting the opposite way."

"Yes, that is true."

"Have you conveyed this to Chairman Jang Seong-taek?"

"Yes. I have advised against it several times. But he hasn't changed his mind."

Moon Kyung-duk's voice carried a blend of concern.

But it was clear that the 200 million dollars he could readily receive from Japan was of greater priority to Jang Seong-taek than potential domestic backlash.

"Surely, Chairman Jang Seong-taek isn't oblivious to that fact. I understand your worries."

"…"

"However, if you don't admit now, it won't be possible to cover it up indefinitely. North Korea has already initiated a policy of openness. Any superficial secrets will soon be uncovered. Officially, you may not acknowledge it, but it's a well-known fact."

The abduction of Japanese citizens orchestrated by North Korea had come to light through the KAL flight bombing, which was attributed to its culprit.

Since then, detailed facts had been revealed by defectors and ex-North Korean operatives.

The Japanese government, which had never once admitted to these abductions, ultimately declared that there indeed had been abductions of its citizens by North Korea.

"This cannot be hidden forever. If it were the same closed-off state as before, they could maintain ignorance until the end. But that's no longer the case."

"…"

Moon Kyung-duk simply chewed his lips, remaining silent.

"I see how deep your loyalty runs as well. But sincerely, if you care for Chairman Jang Seong-taek's wellbeing, you should act according to his wishes. That is the path for the Chairman's benefit."

"Huh…"

Moon Kyung-duk let out a deep sigh, his reluctance evident.

"What will you do? Will you continue to feign ignorance while risking the reparations from Japan, or will you acknowledge and apologize and secure as much as you can?"

"Chairman Jang Seong-taek has nothing to do with the abduction of Japanese citizens."

"I know. No one will assume Chairman Jang Seong-taek did that."

"Understood. I will do so."

I patted Moon Kyung-duk on the shoulder to comfort him.

"Breaking away from the past will soon enshrine Chairman Jang Seong-taek in international regard. Now, let's head back. It wouldn't be polite to leave Prime Minister Koizumi waiting alone for too long."

I took Moon Kyung-duk back with me.

Koizumi watched us with a knowing glance, to which I nodded.

Once seated, I got straight to the point.

"Prime Minister. Here's how we'll proceed. Japan promises to provide the 200 million dollars in reparations that North Korea requests. In return, North Korea will not only recognize the abduction incidents but also repatriate the survivors and establish diplomatic relations with Japan."