Free Web NovelWhile President Kim Hakgwon and the North Korean ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) officials were holding their historic first summit at Baekhwawon Guesthouse, the corporate delegation was unpacking at the hotel.
The room I was guided to by Baek Cheolsu was at the end of the hallway.
“You have about an hour of free time. I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
He didn’t even wait for my reply. Just finished what he wanted to say and left. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at the sight.
He was no doubt carefully chosen—background checked, loyalty to the Party confirmed—so he could deal with South Korea’s conglomerate chairmen. It was understandable that he treated me so stiffly.
Left alone, I sat on the edge of the bed and looked around.
‘So this is supposed to be Pyongyang’s top-class hotel?’
I had expected something more, but at best it was no better than a decent motel in the South.
From the outside, it had looked impressive, but the inside was disappointing. The interior was outdated, and the orange lamps stung my eyes.
‘They probably have bugging devices installed too.’
Of course they would. This was North Korea. Who I met, where I went—everything would be watched and monitored.
Out of habit I almost called for Chief Ma, then closed my mouth. Having moved without him for the first time in a while, everything felt unfamiliar.
They say you don’t notice when someone is around, but you feel it when they’re gone. Chief Ma’s absence weighed heavily.
I sighed and pulled back the curtains to look out over Pyongyang. The dim room brightened with the city lights outside.
From high above, I could see that the streets were nearly empty.
‘Nothing much to see.’
How could the capital of a nation feel so desolate...
It was a rare sight for most people, but there wasn’t much to enjoy in it. My impression was indifferent at best.
I collapsed onto the bed. The blanket crinkled noisily as I sank into it.
‘When are they going to come for me?’
I stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
There was no fixed appointment for my meeting with Kim Jongil. The promise existed, but no time, no place, no certainty.
I had just begun to enjoy the rare quiet when an hour slipped by. A knock sounded on the door.
When I opened it, Baek Cheolsu stood there, expressionless in his neatly pressed uniform.
“It’s time to go down for dinner.”
“Let’s go.”
I put my suit jacket back on and stepped out.
Baek Cheolsu led me to the restaurant inside Koryo Hotel.
Chairman Song and the other conglomerate heads with their aides were gathering there. I quietly took the seat Baek Cheolsu indicated.
“Today’s lunch is naengmyeon. And shortly, Comrade Minister of Finance will arrive. After the meal, you will have a chance to meet with him.”
At the very end, Seo Jaehoon walked in. As luck would have it, he sat at my table.
Catching sight of me, Seo Jaehoon grinned smoothly as he sat.
“Seems like we’re destined to keep running into each other.”
“Haha, so it seems.”
We exchanged harmless small talk until the servers brought out bowls of naengmyeon to each table.
They politely explained how to eat it, then withdrew silently to one side.
“This is different from the Pyongyang naengmyeon I knew.”
Seo Jaehoon commented, and I nodded.
I had only ever seen the clear-broth version, but this one had red seasoning mixed in.
The guide, noticing our reaction, added an explanation.
“Koryo Hotel naengmyeon differs from Okryu-gwan naengmyeon, even here in Pyongyang. Preferences vary, but it’s not a matter of better or worse. Please try it.”
The rich aroma of buckwheat hit me as soon as I took a bite, the chewy noodles filling my mouth.
“Oh, this is good.”
Seo Jaehoon muttered to himself, clearly pleased.
I too nodded silently, focusing on eating. At least during the meal, I had no desire to converse with him.
“Did the naengmyeon suit everyone’s taste?”
The others nodded, apparently satisfied.
As I set down my chopsticks and rinsed my mouth, a man I hadn’t seen before approached.
“I am Gi Gwangho, Director of External Finance.”
He seemed a bit rushed as he went straight to the point.
“Now that you’ve finished eating, please proceed to the conference room. Comrade Minister of Finance is waiting for you.”
The Minister of Finance was the one responsible for North Korea’s economic policies, equivalent to our Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
Guided by Gi Gwangho, we reached a conference room on the third floor.
Inside was a long wooden table, with several men seated on one side.
“Chairman Song, it’s been a long time.”
A large man stood to greet him, smiling and even offering a light hug.
“Welcome to Pyongyang. I am Choi Gwangjin, responsible for the Republic’s economy.”
He was a stout figure, shaking hands with each of the five conglomerate chairmen. Then, seeing me and Seo Jaehoon, he laughed heartily.
“So we have some younger guests from the South too.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Seo Jaehoon.”
“Ah! Vice Chairman Seo Jaehoon of Ilseong.”
As expected of the man in charge of the economy, he seemed to know almost all of the South Korean figures.
After shaking Seo Jaehoon’s hand, he finally turned to me.
“Then you must be President Kim Muhyuk.”
“Yes. A pleasure to meet you.”
“Haha, I’ve heard much about you from Vice Director Jang.”
Seo Jaehoon looked puzzled at this remark, but I ignored his glance and shook Choi Gwangjin’s hand with a smile.
“There’s not much to say.”
“Vice Director Jang seems quite fond of you. I look forward to seeing more.”
A figure of his rank asking a favor like that couldn’t be refused.
“The honor is mine.”
For a brief moment, all eyes from the South turned to me, but I feigned indifference.
The formalities ended, and the two sides sat across from each other.
Choi Gwangjin took the lead.
“Chairman Song of Daehyeon has visited us several times, but I believe the others are here for the first time.”
Smiling warmly, he continued in a more businesslike tone.
“The reason we asked your government to bring company chairmen this time is that we wish to expand cooperation and projects with the Republic.”
The South Korean side seemed unsurprised, as they had already been briefed by the Blue House. Choi Gwangjin shrugged lightly.
“Chairman Song has already agreed to work with us, but we hope the other chairmen will invest in our Republic as well.”
I stayed quiet, observing.
This was quite different from the history I remembered, where almost no real investment followed the summit except from Daehyeon.
‘They’re being more proactive than I thought. So why didn’t investments actually take root afterward?’
Even while discussions continued, I could feel Seo Jaehoon sneaking glances at me. I ignored him and listened to the others.
After a long round of talks, Choi Gwangjin finally wrapped it up.
“Let us conclude here for today. By now the Chairman and the President should have finished their meeting.”
He looked pleased with the outcome.
“You will now join them for the performance we prepared, followed by the evening banquet.”
With that, Choi Gwangjin rose, followed by the other North Korean officials.
Only the South Korean delegation remained in the room. All eyes turned toward me, questions hanging in the air.
Chairman Song spoke on their behalf.
“Were you acquainted with Vice Director Jang Songthaek?”
“······‘Acquainted’ is too much. We merely crossed paths once in China.”
“Good heavens. Why didn’t you tell me that?”
He scolded me with furrowed brows, and I gave a sheepish smile.
“It’s not something worth spreading around.”
“Well... true enough. Does the government know?”
His cautious tone carried concern. I nodded lightly.
“Yes. A few in the Blue House are already aware.”
“I see... So that’s why you were brought along on this trip. Now it all makes sense.”
For Chairman Song, an introduction through me wasn’t necessary. His own connections were enough. But the others weren’t in that position.
“Mr. Kim, could you arrange a meeting with Vice Director Jang?”
It started with Ye Seungjin of Gyeongseon Group, then others joined in, all requesting the same.
“If time allows, perhaps. But it depends on Vice Director Jang’s willingness.”
“Please, help us. There’s much we could gain for South–North cooperation.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Gain?”
“North Korea is an attractive place for investment—plentiful resources, cheaper labor than abroad.”
In truth, without proper infrastructure, investing there was like charging headfirst into a wall. But if infrastructure were built, the benefits would be significant: cheap labor, and workers who spoke the same language—an advantage foreign laborers could never offer.
Then factories wouldn’t need to be built in China at all.
“But of course, safety is the problem. That’s why we hesitate. It’s the concern of all of FKI.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Chairman Song has been preparing for years, but the rest of us haven’t.”
“I understand. If there’s an opportunity, I’ll bring it up. But no promises.”
“Even so, we’d appreciate it. If Vice Director Jang or the Chairman himself confirms, then we can proceed with confidence.”
I let my eyes wander around the room.
This place must be bugged too.
This kind of talk could only harm Jang Songthaek.
“I understand. But for now, let’s move on.”
I deliberately cut the conversation short, turning to Chairman Song.
“Are you doing all right, Chairman Song?”
“Haha, don’t make me sound like I’m at death’s door. I’m still strong.”
“I know. Still, if you feel unwell, please let me know anytime.”
“Haha! All right, all right.”
He laughed heartily and patted my shoulder.
Just then, without us calling, the door opened and Baek Cheolsu entered with the military escorts.
“Time to move.”
Each of us followed our assigned escorts toward Mansudae Art Theater for the performance.
* * *
After watching the performance at Mansudae, we arrived at the People’s Cultural Palace for the banquet.
“Welcome, welcome.” ƒreewebɳovel.com
Kim Youngnam, Chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly, greeted President Kim Hakgwon warmly.
Since the presidency had been abolished, Kim Youngnam served as the formal head of state.
After Kim Ilsung’s death, Kim Jongil had consolidated real power by taking the Party and the military. Outwardly, the head of state was Kim Youngnam, and the Cabinet was left to the Premier.
Though a figurehead, on official occasions he stood as Jongil’s equal.
Many high-ranking officials were present at the banquet, though Kim Jongil and Jang Songthaek were absent.
“Let’s go inside.”
Kim Youngnam led President Kim Hakgwon in, with the delegation following.
The two sat together, while the rest of us were dispersed among North Korean officials. By fate or misfortune, I ended up at the same table as Seo Jaehoon again.
Our table’s host was Lim Dongok, First Vice Director of the United Front Department, along with his aides.
“I’m Lim Dongok. Pleased to meet you all.”
He greeted us arrogantly from his seat.
“I’m Kim Muhyuk. Pleased to meet you.”
“Seo Jaehoon.”
“So, how does Pyongyang compare to Seoul?”
As expected from the head of an intelligence bureau handling operations against the South, it was an aggressive question.
Seo Jaehoon hesitated, clearly flustered. I spoke instead.
“There’s no comparison.”
“No comparison? What do you mean by that?”
“As someone running operations against the South, don’t you already know the difference between Seoul and Pyongyang?”
“······Just answer the question.”
Lim Dongok’s cold stare locked on me.
“You know the economic gap. Pyongyang is twenty years behind Seoul.”
“What was that?”
He raised his voice, anger flaring at my blunt answer.
Perhaps he had expected us to squirm and falter for his amusement, but I wasn’t about to play along with his shallow tricks.
“I only answered your question.”
“Ha... this is why we shouldn’t deal with South Korean brats. Why the Chairman bothers bringing people like you all the way here...”
“Mr. Kim, don’t provoke him too much,” Seo Jaehoon whispered nervously.
But Lim Dongok was already fuming, face red, voice booming across the hall.
“Say that again! What did you just say?!”
The People’s Cultural Palace banquet hall rang with his furious roar.
