Free Web NovelThere is no such thing as an eternal secret. Given time, the truth always comes out.
But the Kim Hakgwon administration chose to reveal only limited information about what had happened in North Korea.
The fact that Manager Ma had been shot, and that all projects like North-South economic cooperation had been scrapped, remained hidden.
“Sigh...”
Watching the news, Grandma let out a deep sigh.
“Why?”
“The President must be having such a hard time.”
The people, knowing nothing, cheered for the President as he struggled to negotiate with the North. My Grandma was among them.
“He’s the man responsible for an entire country. No matter how hard it is, he has to endure. That’s the weight of being President.”
“True. All we can do is support him, right? Muhyuk, you finished already? Want more soup?”
Seeing my empty bowl, she stopped mid-sentence and rose to her feet. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
“No, I’ll get it myself.”
“Sit down. Grandma will bring it.”
I half rose, then awkwardly sat back down.
She returned with more soup, smiling warmly as she watched me eat.
“What? Do I have something on my face?”
I knew well enough she was only looking because she loved me. Still, guilty over neglecting her under the excuse of being busy, I let my words come out rougher than I intended.
Grandma only smiled and said nothing.
When I finished eating and was about to rise, she asked,
“Want to come to the market with me this afternoon? It’s been a while. You’ll be going ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) back up to Seoul in a few days, right? Let’s go before then.”
“The market? Need to buy something?”
“Not really. Just to stretch our legs, take a little stroll. You don’t want to?”
Seeing her face fall as she watched me, I laughed and answered.
It wasn’t a difficult request. But sometimes, she second-guessed herself, afraid I was too busy, and grew timid.
“No, let’s go.”
When I nodded, she smiled again.
“All right, then go rest. Call me when we leave.”
Her constant smile as she cleared the table made me smile too.
Pressed by her insistence, I returned to my room. The first thing I did was switch on my phone, which had been off for days.
“America, Russia, and China were looking for me, weren’t they?”
Even if I cut myself off, contacts outside still received calls meant for me. There was no stopping it.
But I hadn’t reached out. I hadn’t wanted my rest disturbed.
Now I scrolled slowly through the messages. Eva, Han Kyungyeong, even the U.S. Embassy had tried to reach me.
After checking them all, I dialed an international call.
After a few rings, Medvedev’s voice came over the line.
― President Kim, thank goodness you’re safe. When I heard about the coup in Pyongyang and that you were there, I worried.
He began with concern, but my answer came sharp.
“Of course I’m safe. Thanks to it, I had an amusing experience.”
Even to my own ears, my tone was edged. He could not miss it.
― ...Did something happen?
Hearing his cautious words, I recalled what Kim Jongil had said.
‘I forced a confession from those counter-revolutionaries that the KGB was behind them. Don’t you know anything about this, Mr. Kim?’
I didn’t know if he had been probing me, or speaking truth.
I had spent days thinking about it. The more I thought, the more certain I became that at least Russia had known something.
Most of those who led this coup had studied abroad at the Frunze Military Academy in Russia.
The “Frunze Military Academy” was a catch-all term for Moscow’s military schools, including the Lenin Military-Political Academy.
In 1992, the first generation of Frunze graduates had plotted a coup, dissatisfied with Kim Jongil becoming supreme leader.
In response, he had cursed them as ungrateful wretches and begun purges.
The Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces, the General Political Bureau, the General Staff—all units with Russian-educated officers came under investigation.
Not a single one escaped questioning.
Kim Sungjin and his fellow plotters must have felt the bloody purge firsthand. Though innocent of charges, they were denied promotions.
Perhaps their coup attempt now was born of those long-festering grievances.
They had learned from their seniors’ failure, lying low and waiting for their time.
Even if they had captured Kim Jongil, ruling would not have been easy. But with Russia backing them, power might have come more swiftly. Likely, they had used their student ties to reach out to Russia.
China was another possibility. But if Beijing had known in advance, then Jang Songthaek, the leader of the pro-China faction, would not have been in the dark.
“You’re really telling me you didn’t know?”
― Did I offend you somehow, President Kim? I can’t think of any way.
His voice was heavy. Did he truly not know?
“The day of the coup, I was with Kim Jongil. Before we parted, he said something strange. That behind the coup leaders stood the Russian KGB—or rather, the SVR, since the name has changed.”
The KGB had been split by Yeltsin into the FSB for domestic matters and the SVR for overseas.
It had been meant to weaken the mighty KGB.
― What? Is that true?
“If Kim Jongil wasn’t lying, then yes. He said they confessed.”
― ...
There was no reply. The silence stretched until I broke it.
“If the SVR was involved, and if you and President Putin knew and still allowed it, then you nearly had me killed. You know Kim Jongil already suspects me because of my ties with Russia, especially with Putin. He’ll think I was in on it. In fact, he already did.”
A normal leader wouldn’t kill on suspicion alone.
But Kim Jongil, drunk on power, might. I had learned that clearly this time.
He also knew the U.S. no longer feared war. That was why, instead of killing me, he had shot at Manager Ma—to warn me.
If the U.S. terror attack had not yet happened, if the coup had broken out with Russian involvement proven, I’d already be dead.
“I’m deeply disappointed. If you knew but kept silent, that’s one thing. But if you truly didn’t, that’s worse.”
― I really didn’t know, President Kim. Knowing you were in Pyongyang, how could we possibly act militarily?
Medvedev was desperate to defend himself. I let him speak.
― If this went above me to Putin, I can’t say. But if the SVR acted without him, then this is a challenge to Putin himself.
“...Tell President Putin this: I am sincerely disappointed.”
― President Kim...
“When Japan was attacked, you helped. I repaid that debt. You don’t still think I owe you, do you?”
I had been grateful when they moved troops to help me bring Eva back.
I had considered that a debt, and to repay it I had given them what they most desired.
“I repaid it by multiplying Putin’s and your personal slush funds many times over, without anyone knowing. Surely that was enough.”
― No, of course.
Just then, Grandma opened the door.
She seemed about to call me, but froze at my rigid posture, hesitating.
I waved a hand to show it was fine and wrapped up the call.
“Pass on my words to Putin exactly. And call me back. I have something urgent, so I’ll hang up.”
I ended the call without waiting for his reply.
“Are you too busy? If so, we don’t have to go. Just keep working.”
Grandma, watching me anxiously, spoke. Feeling bad for making her worry, I rose quickly.
“I’m done. Let me change and we’ll go.”
She hesitated, then closed the door.
I changed quickly, and when I stepped out, I found her waiting in the hall.
Her face apologetic, her voice weak, she asked,
“Because of me, you’re skipping work, aren’t you?”
“No. I’m really done. But Grandma, why are you so dressed up? You said just the market.”
She had dressed nicely, even putting on the expensive clothes I’d bought her for special days.
“Well... I couldn’t look shabby going out with my grandson, not after so long.”
Her words hit me with guilt. I’d neglected her too much.
I had only sought comfort here, never sitting down to talk properly with her.
“Then let’s eat out too.”
“Why bother? We can eat at home.”
“I want sashimi. Is Mr. Jang’s place still around?”
“Where else would he go? He’s been there for decades.”
“Good. We’ll shop the market, then eat there.”
Even as she demurred, her face lit up.
Together we left. Outside, one of Manager Ma’s men approached.
“Where are you going?”
“To the market with Grandma. Keep watch quietly, don’t interfere.”
“Yes, sir.”
He bowed and stepped back. I confirmed they would follow from a distance, then we headed for the market.
It was just ten minutes away. It was also where Grandma had sold goods for decades to raise me.
She’d never had enough to rent a stall, only spread her mat. But the market folk were so kind no one had ever given her trouble.
When I entered Korea University, they had celebrated as if I were their own.
Now I had wealth, but it couldn’t compare with those warm memories.
“Isn’t this Kim Muhyuk?”
“Uncle, long time no see.”
The dried-fish shop owner greeted me at the entrance.
“Wow, Seoul’s made you into a gentleman.”
“Thank you. You look the same as ever.”
“What nonsense. I’m bald now, nearly ready to retire. But what brings you here? Shopping with Grandma?”
At his joke, Grandma burst out laughing.
“Yes. Out for a stroll with my grandson.”
“She bragged about you enough. Now I see why. Go on in—everyone will be glad to see you.”
“Do well with business, sir.”
With a nod, Grandma led me inside.
Every stall we passed, uncles and aunts greeted me.
Nothing had changed. My heart eased, and I chatted freely with those who’d known me since I was small.
“Mr. Seong, you’ve lost all your hair. Used to be thick.”
“You brat, you tease me about my hair after years?”
“No, really, I remember it being full.” freёwebnovel.com
“You rascal!”
He lifted a dried pollack as if to strike, making me laugh.
“Muhyuk, stop. You’ll make him angry.”
Grandma scolded, embarrassed.
“No, it’s fine. He’s just playing.”
He laughed loudly to spare her embarrassment, and Grandma laughed along.
“You’re lucky, ma’am, with such a grandson. Mine won’t straighten out. Muhyuk, would you talk to him? He might listen to you.”
His booming laugh dimmed as he spoke of his child.
“How old is Jonghyuk now?”
“Twenty-three. I hoped the army would fix him, but no change.”
“What’s he doing these days?”
“Probably wasting time in PC rooms.”
“Then I’ll meet him.”
I agreed without hesitation. His face brightened.
“You mean it?”
“Yes. I go back to Seoul next week. Before then, send him over. Just call Grandma first.”
“Thank you. I’ll drag him if I must.”
Just then, a loud crash came from deeper in the market.
Mr. Seong clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, that house again.”
Grandma caught it.
“The rice-cake maker’s boy still causing trouble?”
“Grandma, people don’t change easily.”
As I listened, I turned my gaze toward the source of the noise.
