Free Web NovelAt the airport entrance, a secretary sent from the Blue House was waiting.
“President Kim Muhyuk.”
“Ah, Secretary. What brings you here?”
“The President ordered me to escort you upon hearing news of your arrival.”
“If you wait, I would of course come see him on my own... All right. Should I go now?”
“Yes. I will escort you.”
“That would look worse. I’ll go to the Blue House separately.”
“There was a direct message to bring you in immediately.”
When I shifted my body slightly, the secretary became visibly restless.
He seemed worried I might stop somewhere else first.
What on earth is going on that they’re rushing me like this?
“Understood. I’ll go right away.”
“Then I will depart ahead of you.”
Only then did the secretary relax, bow, and head out first.
“Whew. I planned to rest at least a day, but no one seems inclined to let me. Ma, schedule a meeting with the president of JC Entertainment for tomorrow. Ah, and it’d be good to meet Chunha Group as well. Set Chairman Yoo for lunchtime, and schedule JC Entertainment separately in the evening.”
I issued the instructions to Ma, then got into the prepared car.
“Let’s head to the Blue House for now.”
Passing through the Blue House gates, we quickly arrived at the main building. The same secretary from the airport greeted me as I stepped out. freewebnovel.cσ๓
“Your staff will wait here. Please follow me alone.”
I nodded and spoke softly to Ma:
“Adjust tomorrow’s schedule just as I said, and wait here.”
After confirming Ma bowing in acknowledgment, I followed the secretary into the Blue House main building.
The first thing in sight was the gigantic staircase at the center, and I clicked my tongue inwardly.
No matter how many times I see it, it’s excessive.
Compared to the Kremlin it was modest, but the Blue House main building was still quite large.
Dictators always build their living spaces extravagantly—to display their authority.
The Blue House was no exception.
This place was a remnant of Korea’s modern political history.
With such thoughts in mind, I climbed the stairs and stopped before the President’s office door.
“Please go in. He is waiting inside. I stop here.”
The secretary opened the door and stepped aside.
When I entered the President’s office, Yoon Changho—who had been reading documents—looked up from his desk.
“President Kim! Long time no see.”
I bowed lightly with a small smile.
“Yes, Mr. President. I’ve returned.”
Yoon Changho stood up and strode toward me, then gripped my shoulders firmly.
“I heard you went through a lot.”
“It was nothing.”
“We can talk in detail while seated.”
Proudly patting my shoulder, Yoon guided me toward the sofa in the center of the office.
He glanced toward the secretary standing outside the door.
“You canceled all this afternoon’s schedule, right?”
“Yes. Everything is canceled.”
“All right. Don’t let anyone into this office.”
“Understood. Then I will take my leave.”
The secretary bowed deeply from outside, then closed the door.
The door shut without a sound. I watched it close and asked:
“That secretary was Han Jungho, correct? He’s been by your side for quite a long time. Seems he’s been with you since you entered politics.”
“Who? Jungho? Of course I keep him close—he’s someone I can trust. Ever since I left the prosecution and entered politics, he’s been with me. He knows me better than I do—better than anyone knows politician Yoon Changho. If that guy ever betrays me, I’m finished.”
Yoon joked lightly.
“If he were the type to betray you, would you have kept him by your side? He wouldn’t have handled your dealings with me if he were that sort.”
Han Jungho managed Yoon Changho’s political funds.
Which made Yoon’s joke even funnier.
“I’m thinking of giving him a spot in next year’s general election—let him earn a badge. Reward loyalty. Isn’t that what you always say?”
“Well, yes... but isn’t a Blue House Senior Secretary for General Affairs more powerful than a National Assembly member?”
The Senior Secretary for General Affairs controlled the finances.
Holding the purse strings meant he held great trust from the President.
It was also one of the most desirable positions—though not publicly known.
“Still, it’s time to let him stand on his own. I won’t be in this seat forever.”
“Hm... I’ll let Myungsoo know. He’ll probably assign him to a favorable constituency.”
“That would be appreciated. If I personally meddle in nominations, it’ll be chaos.”
Now that I thought about it—in the original timeline, accusations that the President interfered in the general election had led to impeachment proceedings and massive backlash.
Remembering an event that would no longer occur, I couldn’t help the slight lift of my lips.
Yoon grumbled:
“Why are you smiling? Seeing how the party’s been behaving, I feel like performing a sword dance just to straighten them out. But if I step forward, they’ll say I’m interfering. I thought being in this seat would let me do anything, but it’s actually restricting. Being party leader was easier.”
Despite the complaint, Yoon’s tone and demeanor held far more ease than before.
The ease of someone with true power.
A President who maintained approval in the 60% range could do nearly anything he wished.
“You’re being too modest. Now, may I get to the point? I’m a bit tired from the long flight.”
Yoon nodded quickly.
“Yes, let’s hear it. I heard the basics from Director Lee, but he didn’t explain in detail.”
He acted relaxed, but he was clearly anxious and impatient. Watching him, I began to speak slowly.
“It started in the United States.”
For a long while, I explained in considerable detail everything that had happened in the U.S., China, and Russia.
I disclosed everything necessary—and concealed everything that must remain hidden.
“Hoh...!”
When he heard everything, Yoon let out a small exclamation.
“So that stiff-necked China suddenly sealed the North Korean border... because of the pipeline project connecting Russia and China? Now it makes sense.”
“For China, securing stable oil imports is their top priority right now.”
“And you’re the one handling that project?”
“Yes. And Korean companies will also have opportunities.”
“That is welcome news.”
Yoon smiled in satisfaction. I could practically see him calculating the scale of the stakes.
“And I intend to push forward with constructing the pipeline connecting Russia and Korea as well. Same for the gas pipeline. If it’s built, our economy will benefit greatly.”
“You think North Korea will accept that? And even if they do, who knows what they’ll demand from us in return. Undersea installation isn’t cost-effective either. Wasn’t this something previous administrations had tried? But the conclusion was that the economic benefit wasn’t substantial.”
Russia ranked fifth in global proven oil reserves. And many fields were believed to remain undiscovered.
Since the 2000s, they had slowly increased production—now second only to the U.S. in daily output.
They also ranked first in both reserves and production of natural gas.
Meanwhile, South Korea had no oil, relying entirely on imports.
But because of politics and geopolitics, we relied on the Middle East and the U.S., not on nearby Russia.
“We still have to try. Overreliance on a single energy source always causes problems in the long run. And of course, I am excluding undersea pipelines. For maintenance and stability, undersea routes are incomparable to overland ones.”
“Hm. North Korea is indeed the variable. In this climate, they won’t permit anything. You do have a plan, don’t you? You wouldn’t tell me this without one. So what’s the plan?”
Yoon knew me well.
He sensed I had a plan—but it was not something I could tell him.
“A plan? I’m simply praying something happens in North Korea.”
“What? And I’m supposed to believe that?”
“In any case, the sanctions will pass, and North Korea will become an isolated island. Both we and they rely almost entirely on imported oil and raw materials. And they can’t even self-supply food.”
Yoon’s skeptical expression softened as he nodded.
“That alone would be enough to throw them into chaos. Another period like the so-called Arduous March.”
“But there’s a difference. Back then, powerless citizens suffered. Now, even the elite’s luxury imports will be cut off entirely. When their lifestyles collapse, they will begin thinking differently.”
During the Arduous March, countless people starved—yet Pyongyang remained untouched.
They lived as usual.
But those privileges would end under the current embargoes.
This would be Jang Songthaek’s greatest leverage.
“So you’re not going to tell me.”
Understanding my indirect refusal, Yoon gave a faint smile.
“As long as nothing causes trouble for me, that’s enough.”
“There will be only good things during your term, Mr. President.”
“I certainly hope so.”
I could hardly tell the nation’s leader that mercenaries were going to capture Kim Jongil.
And it was not something he should know anyway.
“But won’t North Korea provoke further if cornered? It’s ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) been only a year since the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong. If something like that happens again—”
Before he finished, the office door suddenly burst open.
Yoon stopped mid-sentence, frowning deeply.
“What is this? I said no one enters. What’s going on?”
The one who rushed in was National Security Chief Im Donghyun.
“Mr. President! Emergency. There has been a naval engagement in the West Sea.”
Yoon’s face drained white. He shot to his feet.
“What are you saying? Explain clearly.”
“Thirty minutes ago, a North Korean patrol boat illegally crossed the maritime boundary. Our patrol boat issued warning shots. Normally they would retreat, but this time they began aiming at our vessel. A firefight ensued, and—”
As he listened, Yoon’s face oscillated between pale blue and flushed red.
I hid my own surprise and listened while collecting my thoughts.
North Korea pulling this nonsense again... but right before a joint Korea–U.S. military drill?
Suppressing his trembling voice, Yoon asked:
“So... our casualties?”
“Fortunately, none. No injuries reported.”
“That is... a relief.”
Yoon exhaled in relief and sank back into his seat.
“What about North Korean casualties?”
“Thanks to the revised engagement rules after the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong, our response was swift. North Korea suffered significant damage and retreated. No confirmed numbers yet.”
Yoon nodded again, then looked at me with eyes closed.
“What do you think? What are these bastards up to?”
To ask a civilian for an assessment in front of the National Security Chief—
a risky request given the eyes in the room.
I opened my eyes slightly and looked at him.
“My opinion hardly matters, does it?”
“Who understands North Korea better than you?”
“...”
After a brief glance at the National Security Chief, I answered.
“They’re protesting the joint Korea–U.S. exercise. If they intended a real escalation, this wouldn’t have ended so quickly.”
“Hm.”
Seeing him sink into thought, I rose from my seat.
“I’ll take my leave. You’ll be busy from here on.”
“Indeed. I’ll call you again later.”
Passing the National Security Chief, I left the Blue House and headed straight home.
Turning on the television as soon as I arrived, breaking news about the West Sea engagement filled the screen.
This is a provocation now... but later, who knows what they’ll attempt...
I had barely returned to Korea, and already my mind was in turmoil.
