Free Web NovelWhen I asked whether Hu Jintao had known, Wen Jiabao hesitated briefly before answering.
— “One hour. We were notified through the hotline one hour before the nuclear test. It’s more accurate to say we didn’t know. The notice came so abruptly that we could not take any preparatory action.”
Wen Jiabao used the word “notified.”
It was solid evidence that Kim Jongil had carried out the test without informing even China — his only lifeline.
“What was President Hu Jintao’s reaction?”
— “He was enraged. Not only President Hu, but former President Jiang Zemin as well. They said Chairman Kim Jongil dared to conduct a nuclear test without even asking for our permission.”
China’s stance toward North Korea became clear.
“I see.”
— “For now, we must figure out what happened. The Standing Committee convened an emergency meeting. Let us speak later, Chairman Kim.”
Before I could say anything more, Wen Jiabao unilaterally ended the call. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
That told me just how urgent the situation was. I let out a long sigh and slipped my phone into my pocket when Myungsoo immediately asked:
“What’d he say? Beijing knew, right? No way they didn’t.”
I shook my head. I had assumed China would know, but apparently not.
“He said they were unilaterally notified through the hotline one hour before. This is completely different from North Korea’s diplomatic behavior until now.”
“Jesus... have they lost their damn minds? Has Kim Jongil gone senile already, or what?”
“Who knows. Even I don’t understand him anymore.”
I thought the nuclear test triggered by Kim Jongil’s volatility was the end of it —
but that was a huge mistake.
Two hours after the test, North Korea unusually issued an official announcement through KCNA.
— “The entire people of the nation, in the construction of a great socialist strong country... in Juche 92, have safely and successfully carried out an underground nuclear test...”
After that announcement, every country attempted to connect through Pyongyang’s hotline —
but no one could reach them.
China, Russia, South Korea, the United States — all the same.
And two hours after the official announcement, North Korea fired seven objects — presumed ballistic missiles — into the East Sea.
All of this was North Korea’s provocation, carried out within a single day.
“They’ve lost their minds. Completely.”
Myungsoo had left long ago to head to the Korean embassy for emergency response discussions.
Left alone, I turned on the TV. Every news channel was broadcasting breaking reports on the crisis.
“We’ll have to replace him quickly.”
No one knew where this madness would spiral next.
But the longer it went on, the worse it was bound to get.
He might even pretend to be crazier and escalate further.
Last year, the Battle of Yeonpyeong happened in the West Sea.
Then, the hotel room phone rang loudly. Chief Ma answered it.
Moments later, he spoke to me with a stiff expression.
“Boss, it’s the White House.”
I nodded and extended my hand. After taking the receiver from him, I spoke.
“Yes, this is Kim Muhyuk.”
— “Charlie. This is Colin Powell.”
“Please speak, Secretary of State.”
— “Can you come into the White House right now? President Bush wishes to meet you.”
“President Bush?”
At my question, an odd silence drifted through the line. Powell cleared his throat and continued.
— “Yes. As you know, he has questions regarding North Korea. And he wishes to discuss what comes next.”
“Why discuss that with me?”
— “Charlie, don’t pretend ignorance. It is time for us to take off our masks and speak honestly.”
“...I’ll head in right now.”
If Powell was speaking like this, it meant the White House was treating this as extremely serious.
Summoning me meant they wanted to handle something not through official channels — but directly, covertly.
“Chief. We’re going to the White House. Get ready. We move with minimum personnel.”
“Understood.”
Chief Ma left, and I quickly prepared to go out. As I put on a suit, my thoughts deepened.
“Is everyone ready?”
“Yes. Two cars — one for you, and one for the security detail.”
“All right. Let’s go.”
We left the hotel and headed toward the White House. The three identity checks required for entering the main building were noticeably streamlined — they must have been notified in advance.
Thanks to that, we reached the main building without delay.
“From here, only one person may accompany you.”
I sent the security team elsewhere and entered with Chief Ma.
We passed through the main building and walked toward the West Wing, where the President’s Oval Office was located.
Right before the Oval Office, I was searched again.
“Please enter alone. I’ll accompany your aide separately.”
I nodded and entered through the door held open by a White House staff member.
Inside, major figures of the U.S. government were already gathered.
Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton, and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
In other words, the group that effectively ran the United States.
When I entered, they looked up at me from their seats.
Dick Cheney looked displeased, clearly unhappy about this meeting.
Rumsfeld’s expression was blank, and Powell was the only one smiling. He rose and guided me.
“Sorry for the sudden summons, Charlie. This way.”
At the center of the Oval Office was a small table. Bush’s senior staff sat on both sides, and President Bush himself sat at the center.
I was seated opposite Bush, at some distance.
Even I — someone who rarely felt nervous — felt the weight in the air.
I had met most of them before, but this was my first time seeing John Bolton.
I gave him a light greeting before sitting down.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Muhyuk. You can call me Charlie.”
Bolton returned only a curt nod.
Powell barely had time to retake his seat before speaking.
“Charlie, the reason we called you here today is the rapidly changing situation in North Korea. Let’s have an honest discussion.”
“And is this something you needed to call me here for? I’m a businessman.”
Powell laughed loudly.
“Haha, of course we know that. A businessman. But you understand North Korea better than anyone.”
No one else laughed.
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
“Charlie, do you know anything about this nuclear test?”
As expected, that was the first question. I answered flatly.
“I know nothing.”
“Really? What about China?”
“...Why ask me about China?”
“Stop pretending not to know. Nothing discussed here will leak outside.”
“And why should I believe that?”
Someone in this room maintained deep connections with Europe’s Baltice.
I had no intention of saying something that could become leverage against me.
The first to react was John Bolton.
“You’re saying you don’t trust us?”
I looked at him calmly.
“‘Us’? I didn’t say I distrust everyone here.”
“That’s the same thing!”
Bolton stroked his mustache, scowling.
His voice carried clear irritation.
“Everyone here is someone who runs the United States. People like you — businessmen — don’t get to decide whether to trust us or not. Understand?”
So that was it — Bolton was openly looking down on me.
His aggressive tone revealed exactly the kind of man he was.
A fiery hardliner — the perfect partner to Dick Cheney, and a core of the neocon circle.
I smirked.
“Is that so? Should I leave, then? A businessman shouldn’t be involved in matters that threaten U.S. national security, right?”
“What did you say? Do you want to get crushed? If we feel like it, we can destroy someone like you easily.”
“Then go ahead. The United States, champion of freedom, using state power to persecute a businessman. Fascinating. Destroying me by fabricating wrongdoing — now that would make headlines.”
Instead of shrinking at Bolton’s threat, I clapped lightly and sneered, making sure to smile even wider.
Even in a tiger’s den, you survive by keeping your head clear.
Even if the tiger bares its fangs, you must never show weakness.
It seemed to work — the others simply watched silently.
“Enough. What are we doing? I called him here. Stop the pointless power struggles. We all know North Korea’s nuclear issue is the bigger problem.”
“Hey, Bush. Still—”
“John!”
Bush raised his voice, and Bolton fell silent.
“Charlie, don’t take it too personally.”
“No worries. Power struggles like this are common on Wall Street. That place is filthier than this room — I’m sure you all know that.”
For the first time, everyone nodded.
“I survived in that filthy place. This is nothing.”
“I see. That confidence is admirable. So, will you answer my question now?”
They would learn this information soon anyway.
Telling them slightly earlier wouldn’t change anything.
“I spoke with Premier Wen Jiabao. He said they received an abrupt, unilateral notice one hour before the test.”
“So China didn’t know.”
“Seems that way. Unless they’re lying.”
“China made no ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) prior moves. They’re likely telling the truth. Next question: what did you discuss when you met Jang Songthaek in China?”
Again with this.
I suppressed the urge to sigh.
“We just drank together as acquaintances.”
“Since when did South Korea freely drink and bond with North Korean officials? Are you above the law in Korea?”
Bush asked with an odd smile. He already knew the answer.
I shrugged.
“Of course not. I met him with the Korean government’s authorization. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met him.”
“I see.”
Bush nodded, eyes sharpening.
“So, what did you two talk about?”
“...Are you interrogating me?”
“Charlie, South Korea is in immediate danger. They border North Korea. But you don’t look very concerned.”
I stared at Bush.
He met my gaze head-on.
A heavy silence filled the room. After staring at him for a long moment, I parted my lips.
“Mr. President.”
“Speak.”
“I request a private audience.”
“...A private audience?”
Every eye in the room turned to me.
“Yes. I want to speak with you alone.”
“Charlie, this is not Korea. I can’t make decisions alone.”
“I know. I’m not asking you to decide — only to speak privately first. You can brief your staff afterward.”
Bush glanced around the room.
Everyone except Powell shook their heads.
“...Very well.”
“Bush!”
Dick Cheney and Bolton called out, but Bush responded firmly.
“Everyone, please step outside. I will speak with him privately first, and share what needs to be shared afterward.”
“Bush. This is disrespectful to us.”
“Dick. Should I consider your behavior disrespectful to me?”
“...”
“Please step outside.”
Powell rose first, followed by Rice and Rumsfeld.
Bolton and Cheney stayed put until the very end.
“Dick, John. You too.”
“...Bush.”
Cheney and Bolton stood, shot me a glare, and left.
One by one, they all filed out until only Bush and I remained.
“Come sit here.”
I stood and moved to sit in Powell’s former seat.
Bush rubbed his face tiredly and asked:
“What is it you want to discuss privately? I trust it’s important. If not, there was no reason to send them out.” ƒгeewёbnovel.com
People liked to call Bush an incompetent puppet of the neocons.
But I didn’t think he was incompetent.
Soon, he would strip power from Cheney, the core of the neocons, and then unilaterally dismiss Rumsfeld.
Even now, his sharp eyes were fixed on me.
“With this nuclear test, Kim Jongil has become completely unpredictable.”
“That’s what we believe as well.”
To seize the initiative, I deliberately paused and controlled the atmosphere.
I steadied my breathing and continued.
“If things continue like this, both Korea and the U.S. will be forced to watch while an unpredictable man like Kim Jongil holds nuclear weapons. And proceeding into war again... would be burdensome for you as well, wouldn’t it, Mr. President?”
The more I spoke, the more Bush’s expression shifted.
