Chapter 558: I Will No Longer Answer

With conviction, President Bush asked.

— How can you be so sure, Charlie?

"China has only just realized that the situation in North Korea has drastically changed. The fact that they, who are closer than Russia and the U.S., were completely unaware proves it."

— …

"This coup attempt by Jang Seong-taek was solely his doing. No other country was involved. Russia learned about it by coincidence. That's certain. So please don't even think about moving U.S. troops. China and Russia won't act either."

— You know something you aren't telling us, Charlie.

I deflected the question instead of responding.

"If Jang Seong-taek succeeded, it wouldn't be bad for the U.S. He would give up nuclear weapons. Not only that, he would implement opening policies. He's the one who insisted on adopting China's opening model in North Korea."

Without a moment to spare, Bush jumped in.

— That's what we understand. But can someone not from the Kim family really take power? Our intelligence agencies speculate it would be quite difficult. Even if Jang Seong-taek succeeds in the coup, more chaos would follow.

"That may be true. If Jang Seong-taek killed Kim Jong-il, that could spark a civil war. But if he just pushes him aside and takes control, who knows?"

That's why I instructed them to capture Kim Jong-il alive instead of killing him.

Of course, I said they could kill him if capturing him proved too difficult.

If Kim Jong-il were to die, the possibility of civil war would significantly rise, and I wanted to avoid that.

— Hmm. So you're saying we just have to wait indefinitely.

"Information is limited, and so is what we can do. Moving U.S. troops would mean getting China and Russia involved. This is completely different from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Afghanistan War was a result of terrorism in the U.S., and the Iraq War was carried out under the UN's tacit approval. This time, unless absolutely necessary, we shouldn't act first."

— Hey, Charlie.

I heard Dick Cheney's voice. It seemed he was listening through a speaker.

"Yes, Vice President Cheney?"

— Can you take responsibility for that statement?

– Responsibility?

— Yes. You said China and Russia would not act first. Can you take responsibility for that?

"Am I supposed to take responsibility for that?"

— Your words mean that everyone gathered here must do nothing and just wait.

I couldn't help but chuckle at Cheney's pressure.

"Why should I be held responsible? Is the White House my subordinate? If I say don't do it, will they not? The ones who are responsible are President Bush and you, Vice President Cheney. I have neither the intention nor the obligation to take on any responsibility."

There was no reason to give them any opportunities to take hold of anything.

— So you're saying you made a statement you can't stand behind.

"Did you ask for information? I simply answered your questions. If you're going to act like this, I will no longer respond to you."

With that firm statement, Bush called for Cheney.

— Enough. Dick.

— Bush, the U.S. policy must not change just because of what this guy said. Think it over one more time. You're the President of the United States.

— Yes. I'm the President. Not you, Dick. So back off.

— Bush!

Traditionally, the office of the Vice President is nearly ceremonial, a role established to provide authority in the event that the President dies or can't serve.

But Dick Cheney had managed to position that titular Vice Presidency as the center of power.

It's no wonder media mocked that it wasn't the Bush Administration but the Cheney Administration.

— I'm giving you one last warning. Stop it!

But even that needed Presidential approval to be possible.

Without Bush's acknowledgment, Cheney's authority would crumble like a sandcastle.

— Bush.

— Why do you want to handle everything your own way? You can only let one or two things slide! So just shut up today!

Thanks to Bush's tough stance, Cheney's voice ceased to be heard.

Perhaps feeling embarrassed about the scene, Bush hurriedly spoke.

— Charlie. I'll hang up for now. We need to decide what to do. If any new information comes in, please share it with us.

"Understood."

— President Yoon Chang-ho.

Just before hanging up, President Bush called for Yoon Chang-ho.

"Yes, President Bush."

— The U.S. never underestimates Korea. While the operational authority has shifted to the U.S., nothing will happen without agreement with Korea.

"Thank you, Mr. President."

— Let's talk next time.

President Bush ended the call.

"Phew, this is nerve-wracking."

Yoon Chang-ho shook his head and let out an exaggerated sigh.

"It seems the relationship between President Bush and Vice President Cheney isn't as it used to be. They argued while talking with us, after all."

"It can't be helped. They collide on every single issue. Sometimes Bush is forced to yield to their opinions, too."

"The position of the U.S. President isn't easy, huh? At least being the President of Korea is better. If the President wants to do something, there's usually no opposition. Of course, the opposition party might object, but I can do anything if I set my mind to it."

I simply laughed at Yoon Chang-ho's banter without offering a response.

"But shouldn't we be hearing from them by now? I'm starting to get anxious."

I checked my watch at his words. It was already past 9 AM.

If things were going well, we should have heard from them long ago.

"Shouldn't it come soon? Unless they failed, that is."

"Let's grab some food. I need to head back to the office soon anyway. I should tell them to prepare quickly."

"Yes."

Yoon Chang-ho placed a call to prepare breakfast.

At that moment, my phone rang loudly. I quickly checked the number, and it was the satellite phone number I had given to Jang Seong-taek.

I hurriedly answered the call.

— Boss. It's Igor.

As soon as I heard Igor's voice, my tension eased.

— We've secured Yeohori Villa. We've captured Kim Jong-il and his entire family.

"Is that true? Are you sure?"

— Yes. It's certain. Jang Seong-taek is currently tidying up the situation.

"Good job. Well done."

— I can't talk for long.

"That's fine. If it's a success, then the next steps are up to Jang Seong-taek. Did you kill Baek Cheol-soo?"

— Yes. We killed him in front of Kim Jong-il.

With Baek Cheol-soo, the shadow of Kim Jong-il, dead, Kim Jong-il would be quiet for a while.

"What about our casualties?"

— Twenty-seven dead and twelve severely injured. The others only sustained minor injuries.

"…I told you to be careful with the equipment, but quite a number died."

I noticed Yoon Chang-ho peering over curiously beside me.

Since we were speaking in Russian, he couldn't understand and seemed intrigued.

"What happened? Boss Kim?"

I beamed at Yoon Chang-ho.

"They've captured Kim Jong-il."

"Really? Is that true?"

"Yes. I'll wrap up this call and explain further."

Yoon Chang-ho nodded eagerly.

"Did you recover the body?"

— Yes. We recovered everything.

"Take everyone with you when you withdraw."

— That's the plan.

"What about Jang Seong-taek?"

— Jang Seong-taek…I'm sorry. He's sustained a gunshot wound.

What? Jang Seong-taek was shot? I recalled the moment Manager Ma got shot in an instant.

"Was it Kim Jong-il's doing?"

If Kim Jong-il had tried to kill Jang Seong-taek… But Igor replied differently.

— No. I fired the shot.

"You did? Why?"

— Kim Jong-il was threatening us by taking Jang Seong-taek hostage. So, to show I wasn't affiliated with him, I shot him in the thigh.

Hearing Igor's explanation, I could understand. Had Igor hesitated there, Kim Jong-il might have gained the upper hand.

"Well done. He shouldn't have life-threatening injuries, right?"

— Yes. After first aid, he was treated again by Kim Jong-il's physician. There should be no problems.

"As long as it's not life-threatening, that's fine. Jang Seong-taek probably won't be too happy with you, though?"

— That's something I'll have to endure.

I couldn't help but smile at Igor's firm response.

"If he does anything out of line, contact me immediately."

— Understood.

"When you get a chance, tell Jang Seong-taek to contact me."

— Yes. I will relay that.

The call with Igor ended.

I placed my phone on the table, exhaling a sigh of relief.

I gave a small smile to Yoon Chang-ho, who was anxiously waiting, and opened my mouth.

"Jang Seong-taek is currently organizing the situation. This won't be wrapped up in a day or two."

"Please tell me more in detail."

"Jang Seong-taek will use Kim Jong-il's name until he completely suppresses Kim Jong-il's forces. He needs to capture anyone who could be a potential rival in the meantime."

"Hmm…"

"Please don't disclose this to anyone else just yet. There's no need to alert them."

"I understand. But it's a relief. It's not the worst-case scenario, at least."

I nodded and stood up.

"For now, I should go back."

Yoon Chang-ho grabbed me as I was leaving.

"At least take some food with you, Boss Kim."

"No. If I stay here too long, it might cause problems later. I'll share new information with the President."

With my brows furrowed, Yoon Chang-ho rose from his seat.

He then walked over to me, lightly patting my shoulder as he spoke.

"You've worked hard. Let's have a drink and chat next time."

"Yes, Mr. President."

I left the Presidential Residence and stepped out of the Blue House.

* * *

Jang Seong-taek finished the outdoor cleanup and returned to the underground bunker to treat his gunshot wound.

"How are you? No aftereffects, I hope?"

Jang Seong-taek asked Kim Jong-il's physician, who was treating his gunshot wound.

"Yes? Yes… Since the bullet didn't lodge itself and just passed through, if you take care of it, there should be no aftereffects."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, that's certain."

Jang Seong-taek nodded and bit his lip tightly.

The memory of Igor shooting him without any warning flashed by.

"Damn bastard!"

"What?"

"…I wasn't talking to you. Just finish the treatment."

Suppressing his anger, Jang Seong-taek organized the next steps.

'"First, I need to eliminate Ri Ul-sul. He's outlived his usefulness."'

Jang Seong-taek quickly compiled a mental list of people he needed to apprehend.

"All done."

The physician's words made Jang Seong-taek shift his legs slightly.

"It hurts."

"We treated the wound, but there's no way to avoid the pain. I'll give you painkillers, so take them if it becomes unbearable."

"Don't do that."

The physician rummaged through his supplies for a while and then handed several bottles of pills to Jang Seong-taek.

"Take one after meals, all of them. And this is a painkiller. You should take it whenever it hurts, but… don't overdo it. It's a narcotic painkiller."

"Got it."

Using the crutches the physician handed him, Jang Seong-taek stood up.

Then he hobbled outside, relying on the crutches.

Igor, who was sitting outside, spotted him and stood up.

"Is the treatment done?"

"Yeah."

"Don't take it too hard. If you hadn't, who knows what could have happened?"

Although he felt unsatisfied, Jang Seong-taek acknowledged the man's words. With a sigh, Igor asked.

"So what are your next plans?"

"First, I need to call in the Security Bureau troops. Once I fully seize control here, I'll apprehend Kim Jong-il's people in Pyongyang."

Igor nodded.

"Understood. I'll keep that in mind."

"I'm going to see the Chairman now."

"Go ahead. Also, Boss Kim requested you to contact him."

"I'll reach out after I speak to Chairman Kim Jong-il."

Jang Seong-taek hobbled toward the bedroom where Kim Jong-il was.

He then opened the door and disappeared inside.