Free Web NovelMedvedev probably hadn’t understood the conversation between me and Lee Hyeonjik. We had spoken in Korean.
But he seemed to have grasped what was going on just from the chilled atmosphere.
That was why Medvedev had survived this long as Putin’s closest aide, his number two.
He cut in, speaking in English.
“President Kim Muhyuk is a friend of both Putin and myself, Prime Minister.”
Lee Hyeonjik looked startled, glancing back and forth between Medvedev and me.
Medvedev frowned, clearly displeased.
“The seating arrangement at this banquet was the exclusive right of our Russian delegation. We already gave you the list and coordinated it with the Blue House security team.”
Only then did Lee Hyeonjik snap out of it, frantically waving his hands.
“I didn’t mean there was a problem.”
“Really? For someone who was ‘just asking,’ the atmosphere feels rather serious.”
“It’s just... this is my first time meeting President Kim Muhyuk today, so it felt awkward. Ha-ha. It’s fine.”
Prime Minister Lee forced an awkward smile as he spoke.
Medvedev, still frowning, switched to Russian to address me.
“President Kim, are you really fine? Your expression doesn’t look good. Shall I assign you to another table?”
I answered his concern with a smile.
“No. I think he was just surprised that someone so young was seated at his table.”
“Ha-ha. In Korea, do they judge people by age? Age is only a number.”
“Perhaps. He simply doesn’t know me well, that’s all. Thank you for your concern.”
Unable to understand our conversation, Lee Hyeonjik just darted his eyes around and asked the Chief of Staff beside him.
“Chief Voloshin, is what Chairman Medvedev says true?”
Voloshin nodded.
“Yes. President Kim is known to be very close with President Putin. I myself have accompanied him in Russia.”
“Ah...”
Then Voloshin, looking puzzled, asked back.
“Is President Kim not that well known in Korea? In Russia he is extremely famous—both in politics and in business.”
Lee Hyeonjik’s expression was one of clear embarrassment.
He had probably heard my name, but only thought of me as Cheon Taesan’s grandson.
Seeing how slow his information was, he didn’t seem to be someone with much real influence.
Or perhaps information about me was being treated as highly classified on their side as well.
“P-President Kim, it seems I was ignorant and made a mistake. My apologies.”
Watching the Prime Minister himself apologize right away felt oddly refreshing.
“It’s fine. If you didn’t know, it’s understandable.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Since we’re acquainted now, let’s have a meal together sometime.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
Accepting his apology without fuss seemed to put him at ease.
I turned back to conversation with Medvedev.
“By the way, when will the President arrive?”
The banquet had already started, yet Putin still hadn’t appeared.
No, more accurately, he had arrived but hadn’t come in yet.
The very presence of Chief of Staff Voloshin here meant Putin was already at the Koryo Hotel.
Medvedev, smiling mischievously, said,
“He must be attending to some important business. He’s in his hotel room.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. After the summit meeting with President Kim Hakgwon during the day, he came straight here without any other schedule.”
Well, Putin was known for being late even to summit meetings.
He was so notorious for tardiness that the term “Putin Time” had been coined.
Being 10 or 20 minutes late was normal, and there had even been a case where he was an hour late to a summit.
It probably wasn’t yet widely known to the outside world, but anyone close to him already knew this.
And no matter how late Putin was, no one protested.
That was Russia. That was the power of Putin, called the Tsar of Russia.
“Was the summit successful?”
“Of course. Thanks to President Kim, Putin already had a positive image of Korea.”
“I wish you good results.”
Medvedev smiled.
“Russia straddles both Europe and East Asia. For us, it was a weighty decision.”
Russia’s vast territory, stretching from Far East Asia to Eastern Europe, was the largest in the world. Much of it uninhabited, but rich with underground resources.
Yet that very vastness could be a hindrance too.
“Putin wishes to raise Russia’s influence in East Asia rather than being dragged around by Western Europe. That’s why he chose Korea as his first state visit, rather than the U.S. or a Western country. Originally Japan and North Korea were the stronger candidates. But at the last minute it was changed to the Republic of Korea.”
“Don’t exclude Western Europe too much.”
Medvedev scowled.
“Those bastards have always looked down on Russia. They’ll only understand once they’re on the receiving end for once.”
“Ha-ha-ha.”
His sincerity was so raw that I couldn’t help but laugh.
The sudden burst of laughter drew gazes from nearby tables.
“It seems your feelings are deeply hurt.”
“Since the Soviet Union was renamed the Russian Federation, many republics gained independence. What the Western nations did to us then—the U.S. and Europe alike—was humiliating.”
It was the typical reaction of Russians unable to forget past glory.
For nearly half a century, they had ruled the world alongside the U.S.
Yet even that mighty nation [N O V E L I G H T] had crumbled before money.
In this age, money was power, money was national strength. The 21st century was that kind of era. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
But Putin was a man of 20th-century thinking. If something displeased him, he would not hesitate to use force.
‘The question is, how will I make use of that?’
Just then, the banquet hall doors opened and Putin entered.
Everyone rose to greet him with applause.
He was thirty minutes late, and yet this was the reception.
I couldn’t help but shake my head, but I too stood and clapped.
With a confident stride, Putin crossed the hall and took the podium, surveying the banquet.
“Good evening. I am Putin. To all who have come here today...”
His short yet long greeting ended with a reminder of the banquet’s true purpose.
“Please invest in Russia. To the companies that believe in and invest in our newly rising Russian Empire, we will give many opportunities.”
To Korea’s conglomerates too, Russia was a land of opportunity.
Winning oil and gas drilling rights in resource-rich Russia would be like winning the lottery.
As soon as he stepped down from the podium, Putin came directly to my table.
Catching my eyes, he gave a faint but knowing nod, which made me smile a little.
“Prime Minister, pleased to meet you.”
He extended his hand to Prime Minister Lee Hyeonjik.
“An honor to meet you, Mr. President.”
“I look forward to your help, Prime Minister. The reason I chose a banquet with business leaders as the first schedule after my meeting with President Kim Hakgwon is simple: to ask for investment in Russia.”
Putin’s hardened, expressionless face was enough to make Lee Hyeonjik shrink back.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Putin immediately turned toward me, as if he had been waiting.
“It’s been a while.”
A smile broke across Putin’s once stiff face as he pulled me into a strong embrace.
“I told you to visit Russia more often. Why have you been so scarce?”
“I’ve been too busy lately.”
“Let’s talk more later. For now, let’s sit.”
Hardly seated, Putin raised his wine glass.
“To the future of Russia and Korea, let’s drink.”
Everyone, myself included, raised their glasses.
Putin continued conversing with Prime Minister Lee, separated by the interpreter.
Meanwhile, I leaned toward Medvedev and whispered.
“Isn’t this a bit much?”
Medvedev smirked mischievously.
“Since he’s boosting your prestige anyway, he wants to make it very clear.”
Sure enough, the stares from other tables pricked at the back of my head.
I knew the intention, but this was going to be a headache later.
Feigning a calm face, I listened in on the conversation between Putin and Lee Hyeonjik.
“We will grant many benefits to the companies that invest in Russia. Korea should also provide tax incentives.”
“Mm... that’s difficult for me to promise. How was it during your meeting with the President?”
Lee avoided answering and shifted the burden onto the absent Kim Hakgwon.
But Putin wasn’t the sort to care about such things.
“President Kim gave me a good answer. I’d like to hear your opinion too, Prime Minister.”
Cornered, Lee faltered.
Putin frowned impatiently.
“In Korea, does even the Prime Minister have no authority to state an opinion? Then why are you sitting here?”
It went beyond blunt—it was outright undiplomatic.
As expected, Lee’s forced smile froze.
But Putin pressed on.
“Tell me. Do you have no authority?”
“No. I do.”
It seemed Lee’s temper had flared.
Yet the reality was that the South Korean Prime Minister had little real power, being merely an extension of Kim Hakgwon.
“Then say it. What specific benefits can Korea give to companies investing in Russia—tax breaks, anything?”
“We’ll have to discuss the details with working-level officials. But we will prepare various benefits.”
Putin’s expression showed displeasure, but seeing nothing more could be gained, he let it go.
Voloshin the Chief of Staff intervened at the perfect time.
“Mr. President, it is now time to meet with the chaebol chairmen.”
Putin nodded and straightened in his seat.
Voloshin signaled to the staff, and soon the conglomerate chairmen approached.
In place of Song Youngjoo, absent due to health, Daehyeon Group’s Chairman Song Chanwoo came forward first.
“Mr. President, this is Chairman Song Chanwoo of Daehyeon Group.”
Voloshin introduced him.
“Mr. President, it’s an honor to meet you.”
“I’m glad as well. Daehyeon is well known even in Russia.”
Chairman Song Chanwoo sat down.
Catching my eyes briefly, he gave me a small nod.
“What kind of investment does Daehyeon plan in Russia? As Korea’s top conglomerate, I can expect much, yes?”
“We plan to build an automobile plant first.”
“Oh-ho.”
The automobile industry created many jobs.
So Putin responded with clear interest.
“We also intend to expand into other sectors. Soon I’ll personally bring my executives to Russia.”
“Thank you. Come anytime.”
The conversation between Chairman Song Chanwoo and Putin remained cordial.
Then came Putin’s sudden question.
“Chairman Song, are you well acquainted with President Kim Muhyuk?”
At the unexpected inquiry, Song glanced at me again.
“My father and President Kim are close. I’ve seen him a few times myself.”
“Is that so? President Kim is someone I’ve long been close to as well. I will entrust him with full authority over Korean corporate investment in Russia.”
At that sudden declaration, not only Chairman Song Chanwoo but everyone nearby widened their eyes in shock.
Even I turned in surprise, only to see Putin grinning at me.
