Chapter 519: This Isn’t a Favor

I realized just how complicated an uncontrolled madman can make things through this situation.

My head throbbed with pain. A headache was creeping in, so I pressed my fingertips against my temples.

Manager Ma quickly handed me some painkillers, looking at me with a concerned expression.

"For now, it seems we can somehow prevent war. The real issue is what else he might do… it's frustrating. What's taking Jang Seong-taek so long to contact us?"

"Isn't he gathering people? He can't pull off a coup alone, after all."

"Still, he should at least keep in touch. He really is a frustrating person…"

Just then, Manager Ma's phone rang. After checking the caller ID, he turned to me and said,

"Boss, it's Jang Seong-taek."

"This guy really lacks manners. Just put him through."

I took the phone from Manager Ma and checked the number. The satellite phone number I had given to Jang Seong-taek was clearly displayed on the screen.

I tapped the call button and brought the phone to my ear.

I remained silent for a moment. I couldn't rule out the possibility that Kim Jong-il had intercepted the satellite signal.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

Jang Seong-taek opened with an anxious voice. Thankfully, it seemed he hadn't been caught.

"Yes, I can hear you, Manager Jang."

"Boss Kim, this is Jang Seong-taek. Where are you right now? Are you perhaps in the U.S.?"

"No, I'm in China. Did you enable the bug prevention device before calling?"

"Of course. It's a sensitive time, after all."

It was only after I heard that the bug prevention device was on that I felt curious enough to ask,

"Why is Kim Jong-il acting so recklessly? Sure, I can understand the nuclear tests, but firing missiles twice in quick succession? Is he really losing his mind?"

"…The missile launch early this morning was decided solely by Comrade Chairman last night. I only found out when I was called in yesterday."

"So even you were blindsided by this? Why on earth would he do that?"

Jang Seong-taek took a while to explain what had happened yesterday.

Listening to him, I could glean some understanding of Kim Jong-il's mental state.

It seemed that due to an unexpected strong backlash from China, his belief that nuclear weapons were the only thing protecting them had grown stronger.

"So what happened after that? The people you gathered yesterday… I doubt he's going to let that slide."

"Today… I've called all those who were present yesterday. Then I dismissed the head of the Security Bureau who led that meeting. In his place, I was directed to temporarily act in his position. I was also ordered to root out those who colluded with China."

"You were ordered to root them out? Doesn't Kim Jong-il know that you're leaning toward China?"

"That's right. That's why I rushed to contact you, Boss Kim."

I finally understood why Jang Seong-taek had contacted me now.

Of course, he would feel nervous if his neck was on the line.

"This could be dangerous. How many allies have you secured?"

"Allies or not, the atmosphere in Pyongyang is far from good right now. There has to be dissatisfaction internally over Comrade Chairman's abuses of power. Just looking at the people who gathered yesterday, they were all important enough not to be taken out easily. So, he killed just the head of the Security Bureau to set an example. But as the saying goes, the calm before the storm, I find that even more frightening, Boss Kim."

It seemed that the dissent against Kim Jong-il was growing larger internally than I had expected.

"Manager Jang, China, Russia, and the U.S. all want North Korea to change on its own."

"…None can predict how much blood will flow. To be honest, I don't feel confident either."

"The sanctions the UN is preparing could completely choke North Korea economically. Plus, China will likely seal off the border with North Korea entirely. Why was there no notification to China about the nuclear tests?"

Normally, North Korea would notify China at least a week before carrying out provocative actions like nuclear tests or missile launches.

But this time, for some reason, they unilaterally notified them only hours before the event.

That's why the only ally, China, was furious.

It had been a politically worthless choice. I couldn't comprehend it no matter how much I thought about it.

"Everyone opposed it. They said it was something that should be done at least after receiving China's permission. Even if not, it would have been fine to notify them in advance. Yet, the Chairman acted without any warning."

"Hmm."

Kim Jong-il's mental state seemed worse than I had imagined. Swallowing hard, I pondered how to resolve this situation.

For now, it was crucial to prepare ample funds.

"Once the sanctions pass, the dollars flowing into North Korea will dry up. Before that, make sure to transfer as much money as you can into North Korea. Use that to secure as many allies as possible. I'll handle all the preparations on my end. Is there a way to bring them in?"

"Isn't China supposed to seal off the border?"

"Yes. I suspect they'll deploy troops along the border even before the sanctions are formally decided. That means getting things in through the Chinese border will be difficult. Are there any other options?"

After a moment of contemplation, Jang Seong-taek spoke up.

"Hmm. If the Chinese route is blocked, there's always the Russian route. However, trying to get through there will require the help of the Russian government or military, making it nearly impossible to attempt on our own."

"Is there a route through Russia?"

"Of course. There's a separate smuggling route. They even use submarines to transport luxury goods. I believe we could get what we need through that route. But will Russia allow that right now…?"

I underestimated the nation of North Korea. Who would have thought they could smuggle goods using submarines as well?

Anyway, thanks to that, I could confirm there was another route available.

"I'll take care of that myself. I need to enter Russia once my dealings with China are done. So, please prepare that in advance."

"Understood. I'll prepare it."

The mention of smuggling suddenly gave me a good idea. Did he say he was acting temporarily as head of the Security Bureau?

"Hold on a second. Manager Jang, even though you're temporarily acting as the head of the Security Bureau, you still hold all the authority, right?"

"Yes. I did this once before in this manner. I have all the authority."

"You can move troops too?"

"Of course. The issue is that if I mobilize the troops, the Chairman would know within five minutes. I cannot move the Security Bureau's troops. If I do, my neck would be the first to roll before any action is taken."

During Kim Il-sung's reign, the State Security Department had unmatched power, but under Kim Jong-il, that power had been greatly diminished.

Believing that the Security Department was plotting against him, Kim Jong-il disregarded all systems laid out in the constitution and established the National Defense Commission as the supreme ruling body.

His paranoia grew worse after the attempted coup in Pyongyang. Now, he trusted no one.

He had created layered surveillance systems to monitor each other and made it so that armed troops could not move without his permission.

But any rule could be broken at any time.

"Can you move troops without Kim Jong-il knowing through the smuggling route?"

"…You're talking about moving troops?"

"Yes. I'm thinking about smuggling in troops to suppress and capture Kim Jong-il."

"Are you referring to the South Korean army?"

"Certainly not. No country's military would ever get involved in Pyongyang. I plan to send mercenaries."

The U.S., China, Russia, and even the South Korean military were not options.

But mercenaries were an entirely different matter. They were a group that acted for money, free from the control of any nation.

"Mercenaries… Do you think they can win against a regular army?"

Jang Seong-taek was skeptical, but mercenaries were specialized in guerrilla warfare more than any regular army.

"In a full-scale war, that might be a different story. But infiltrating and capturing Kim Jong-il shouldn't be an issue. If we secure Kim Jong-il while you make your move, we can seize power without sustaining heavy losses, right?"

"If we can secure the Chairman's person, what follows won't be difficult. The Guards Headquarters and the Security Bureau can't move troops without the Chairman's orders either."

"Great. Then can we use that route to move our troops? The best timing for the operation will be when Kim Jong-il is having a party at his secret villa, away from Pyongyang. Of course, finding that out will be your job, Manager Jang."

Jang Seong-taek seemed to ponder this for a moment.

"Alternatively, you could lure Kim Jong-il out yourself. Either way, the goal is to capture him and overthrow the regime. You can ensure that your mercenaries only follow your orders."

"I'll find a way to get them in without the Chairman knowing."

"Once the sanctions pass and the borders close, there will be huge changes within. I hope to wrap everything up within this year. The longer we drag this out, the harder it will be. I can't predict what actions Kim Jong-il might take. He could launch nuclear weapons at Seoul. Have you confirmed the locations of those nuclear weapons?"

Jang Seong-taek didn't respond. Usually, silence was a positive sign. It seemed he knew where they were kept.

"So you know where they are?"

"The Chairman previously informed me he had nuclear weapons. He also mentioned the locations. Although I couldn't verify with my own eyes, I believe there's a high probability they are still there based on my assessments of the surrounding area."

"We need to secure the Chairman's person at the same time we secure those nuclear weapons. And those nuclear weapons need to be delivered to the Russians."

"Is that really necessary? Once I take power, I can keep them without any issues… can't I?"

What the hell was he saying right now? The higher-ups were making a fuss about losing the nuclear weapons.

"Manager Jang, don't be greedy. People inherently desire to use what they have. Even if you don't intend to launch them, they could be used as bargaining chips in negotiations. I truly hope you don't follow in Kim Jong-il's footsteps."

"…Understood for now."

"This isn't a favor. If you don't hand over the nuclear weapons, I won't lift a finger. Whether the U.S. invades North Korea, China merges with North Korea, or Russia mobilizes its army to demand the nuclear weapons, I won't interfere."

I could almost hear Jang Seong-taek swallow nervously at my cold words and veiled threats.

"Do you know how much I stand to lose from this operation? But if you betray me for your gain… let's just say that the outcome won't be pleasant."

"…Understood."

"Once you have the smuggling route set up, contact me again. I'll have all the preparations made."

The call with Jang Seong-taek ended, and I harshly placed the phone down.

"These guys are just looking out for their own interests. It's infuriating."

Manager Ma, putting his phone away, looked at me and asked.

"Boss, are you okay? Is there any problem…?"

"I'm fine. It's Jang Seong-taek that's the problem. Even with the fire at his feet, he isn't willing to give up the nuclear weapons, despite knowing full well what caused this situation."

Manager Ma furrowed his brow.

"So there's really no reason to push him too hard. Ultimately, recovering the nuclear weapons and having Jang Seong-taek take power is for his own interests. If he continues with this attitude, I can't foresee how he'll change once he's in power."

"For now, we don't have many options. I need to find something to hold over Jang Seong-taek's head."

I let out a sigh and checked my wristwatch.

"That aside, it's about time to start preparing to leave."

The time for our scheduled meeting was approaching. Soon, someone sent by Hu Jintao would arrive to pick me up.

After finishing all the preparations, the person sent by Hu Jintao arrived at just the right moment.

As I followed him, it wasn't long before we arrived at a French-style mansion on the outskirts of Beijing.

I was astonished when I was shown inside.

Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, and a person I had never expected were waiting for me.