Free Web NovelAfter that, Baek Cheolsu stayed in the Myeongdong office for about an hour before bidding farewell and leaving.
Once he stepped out, I walked over to the window. He paused briefly after leaving the building.
He lifted his head, met my gaze through the window for a moment, then quickly slipped into the crowd and disappeared.
When he was gone from sight, I turned and gave instructions to Chief Ma, who was standing beside me.
“Track Baek Cheolsu’s movements. We need to know what exactly he intends to do in Seoul.”
“Understood.”
There was no way a man like Baek Cheolsu, who guarded Kim Jongil himself, would fail to notice being tailed. After a moment’s thought, I added,
“If the moment comes when you lose him, just drop it and pull back. Don’t risk trouble by chasing recklessly.”
“I’ll give the order exactly as you said.”
“Then let’s get going. We’re running late.”
Checking the time, I left the Myeongdong office.
Because of the delay, I had to hurry to the hotel where the welcome banquet for the North Korean economic delegation was being held.
The area was heavily secured, with all entrants checked thoroughly.
By the time I finally got inside the banquet hall, many people were already mingling freely in conversation.
The atmosphere was completely different from the banquet in Pyongyang, but the North Koreans showed no discomfort—as if they were quite used to such parties themselves.
Han Kyungyeong, surrounded by people, spotted me. After excusing himself from his conversation, he walked over.
“You’re here? You said you’d follow right after, but you’re a bit late.”
“It just turned out that way. What were you talking about? Looked pretty serious.”
As I spoke with him, I scanned the hall. But Eva was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Eva? I don’t see her.”
“Oh, Eva went into one of the rooms to talk with Chairman Kim of Joongwoo Group.”
Han Kyungyeong nodded toward one of the several doors lining the hall. Many of the rooms were lit—private conversations were clearly going on.
“The North Koreans are blending in pretty naturally here. I thought the atmosphere would be more awkward.”
“These people are all high-ranking officials from the North. They’re probably more accustomed to parties like this than we are.”
True enough. I had heard that North Korean elites lived more lavishly than most wealthy men.
“President Kim, long time no see.”
While I was in the middle of a discussion with Han Kyungyeong about international affairs, someone called me from behind.
Turning my head, I saw who it was.
“Ah, Deputy Director Jang. It has been a while.”
Jang Songthaek stood there with a wine glass in hand.
“The man beside you must be Representative Han Kyungyeong. Handsomer than in the photos. Pleased to meet you, I’m Jang Songthaek.”
Jang greeted Han first. Han took the offered hand and replied smoothly.
“You flatter me. I’m Han Kyungyeong. I’ve heard much about you, Deputy Director Jang.”
“Haha, aren’t you far more famous than I am? So modest.”
Jang answered back with a hearty laugh. For a moment, eyes around the hall turned toward us, but he seemed not to care at all.
“President Kim, you haven’t forgotten, have you? You promised me a grand reception if I visited Seoul.”
“Of course. I’ll contact you later, Deputy Director.”
“Why wait? We could meet right after this welcome banquet ends.”
“Don’t you have official schedules, since you came with the inspection group?”
Even if he was Jang Songthaek, the thought of him roaming freely in Seoul felt questionable.
“Haha, Chief Park Namgi is in charge of the group. I only came along. He’ll handle the official schedules.”
Guessing my thoughts, Jang answered with an easy smile.
“Then let’s meet after the banquet.”
“Fine. I’ll see you then.”
Leaving those words, Jang moved on to mingle elsewhere.
“He’s way more cheerful than I expected. That really is the North’s second-in-command, right?”
At Han Kyungyeong’s question, I nodded slightly, my gaze lingering where Jang had disappeared.
“He is. But... I don’t know what he’s thinking. For now, let’s go check on Eva.”
I led Han to the room Eva was in.
Opening the door, we found Eva and Chairman Kim Byungwoo in a tense conversation.
When we entered, both turned their eyes to us.
“Boss, you’re here?”
I gave a small nod, scanning the heavy air inside the room.
“It’s been a while, Chairman Kim.”
“Yes, President Kim. Long time indeed.”
“Please, finish your talk. We’ll wait on the side.”
Not wanting to interrupt, we sat at another table.
The serious mood was over the semiconductor acquisition. For another ten minutes they discussed Japan’s semiconductor company before wrapping up.
“Looks like you’re done. Let’s head out. There’s someone I need to meet.”
I rose first, the others following me out.
From the banquet hall, I walked toward the group gathered around Yoon Changho.
“Prosecutor General Yoon, long time no see.”
At my voice, Yoon Changho turned, then smiled warmly as he recognized me.
“Well, look who it is! My junior!”
In public, Yoon Changho always called me “junior.”
He then introduced me to the man standing before him—Park Namgi.
“Commander Park Namgi. This is a friend running a major business here in Seoul.”
“Ah, I know him. He even visited Pyongyang. We haven’t spoken personally before, but your face is familiar.”
Nodding, Park Namgi continued,
“You’re President Kim Muhyuk, correct? I’m Park Namgi, who led the inspection group here to Seoul.”
“Pleased to meet you. You’re the National Planning Commission Chairman, yes?”
When I named his position exactly, his face showed surprise.
“Oh, you know my title?”
“Of course. I’ve heard you enjoy deep trust from Chairman Kim Jongil. I was told every economic policy in the North passes through you before reaching him.”
Of the eighteen officials in Seoul now, Park Namgi held the highest official position—but the real power lay with Jang Songthaek.
Still, it was true Kim Jongil trusted Park Namgi deeply.
“Haha, you flatter me. I am unworthy, but the Chairman entrusted me with this important role.”
Park Namgi had tried many ways to apply capitalist ideas to the North’s economy.
But under sanctions, no matter how clever the policy, results never came.
In the end, a few years later, he would be executed by Kim Jongil’s hand.
“I hear you’ll be visiting many places starting here in Seoul. I hope you find good results.”
“Thank you. Already I am astonished. I expected the South to have advanced, but I never imagined such a gap. Ah—this is a secret, of course.”
Park Namgi seemed as open-minded as the policies he pushed.
Smiling at his jest, I listened as Yoon Changho quietly rose. Leaning down, he whispered,
“Keep the Chairman company for a while, will you? I need to speak with Deputy Director Jang.”
I gave a small nod. Yoon patted my shoulder lightly, then moved toward Jang.
I shifted to take Yoon’s seat.
“Chairman Park, this is Chairman Kim Byungwoo of Joongwoo Group. This is Representative Han Kyungyeong of Dreamhigh Investment. And this is Eva, head of Future Investment.”
As the three greeted Park Namgi, I took a wine glass from a passing waiter and returned to the table.
After greetings, they each sat, conversations flowing again.
“So Joongwoo Group plans to build a factory in the joint North–South industrial complex?”
“Yes. After this visit, we expect to confirm the decision.”
“So yours will be the first major South Korean group, aside from Daehyeon, to build a factory in our Republic...”
The chaebols wanted written assurance from Kim Jongil that private property would be acknowledged and protected before investing.
But Kim Jongil kept delaying.
That’s why, aside from Daehyeon, the other groups hesitated, despite knowing profit awaited.
As I listened to Chairman Kim and Park Namgi talk over drinks, a young man approached our table.
“Chairman.”
“Director Kim Seongjin?”
“Sorry to interrupt. If it’s not inconvenient, I’d like a quiet word with President Kim Muhyuk.”
“With President Kim?”
“Yes, please.”
Park Namgi naturally turned his eyes to me. Meeting his gaze, I asked the young man,
“Excuse me, but who are you?”
“Ah, I am Kim Seongjin, First Foreign Bureau Director at the Ministry of Commerce.”
He seemed around my age. To already hold the title of First Bureau Director meant either excellent family background or exceptional ability.
As if sensing my thoughts, Park Namgi explained,
“Director Kim’s father is Kim Ilcheol, ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) the Minister of People’s Armed Forces.”
What business did the son of the Minister of Armed Forces have with me?
Setting the question aside, I excused myself and stood. Kim Seongjin bowed to Park Namgi, then led me to a secluded room.
“President Kim, let’s sit.”
I nodded and sat. As soon as we did, he asked bluntly,
“I heard we’re about the same age, but meeting you in person surprises me. How did you gain such influence and wealth at your age? I envy you.”
That was too transparent to be called a question. Smiling faintly at the flattery, I answered,
“You too must be capable to hold such a high post in Pyongyang at your age. Even with a good family, one without ability wouldn’t last long there, would they?”
“True. Ability matters. But family and background matter more. The starting point is different.”
We tested each other, trading compliments.
“Different starting points—it’s the same North or South. If anything, it’s worse for us. No matter how far one runs, if he’s rotten, he’ll just live like a thug.”
At my words, Kim Seongjin laughed softly and nodded. After a brief pause, he lifted his lips again.
“I studied abroad in Moscow when I was young. I saw the great Soviet Union collapse, and I saw that old politician Yeltsin take power.”
He took a sip from his glass before continuing. freewebnσvel.cѳm
“Don’t you think our Republic will change as well?”
His daring words flashed sharply in his eyes.
“Isn’t Chairman Kim Jongil already changing much? Starting with inter-Korean economic cooperation...”
“Yes, that’s true. The Chairman wants change. But in the end, he cannot ignore the military.”
He cut me off firmly. And he wasn’t wrong.
Kim Jongil’s power was founded on Kim Ilseong’s legacy and the full support of the Korean People’s Army.
“That’s why I worry. I fear the Chairman’s reforms may be blocked by the military...”
He trailed off, gauging my expression.
Our eyes met in the air. I masked my cold face with a gentle smile.
“Before we go further—tell me why you’re saying this to me. What do you want from me?”
That was what I most wanted to know—why he was telling me this when we had just met.
Kim Seongjin’s smile faded. He straightened his posture.
“President Kim, may I ask why you are coming to Pyongyang this time?”
At his question, Baek Cheolsu’s warning from earlier at the office echoed in my head.
