Free Web NovelAfter finishing the handshake, Ri Ulsol spoke curtly.
“I did exactly as you told me. Will this really protect the Republic?”
“Yes. I will make sure of it.”
“And Kim Jongil—that bastard—are we letting him live?”
At Ri Ulsol’s question, Jang Songthaek answered with a smile.
“Yes. Killing Chairman Kim Jongil inside the Republic brings no benefit whatsoever. And I myself wouldn’t be free from the consequences either.”
Ri Ulsol nodded and took a seat.
“Sit down, then.”
“Yes, Marshal.”
The first person Jang Songthaek approached—with Kim Muhyuk’s backing—was Ri Ulsol.
Aside from Kim Jongil himself, he wielded the greatest influence within the Korean People’s Army, and he carried the symbolic weight of a first-generation partisan.
Moreover, above the Guard General Bureau that protected Kim Jongil sat the Guard Command.
Every unit responsible for Pyongyang’s defense was in this man’s grasp.
If he could not persuade this man, removing Kim Jongil would be impossible.
To secure his help, Jang Songthaek handed over half of the funds Kim Muhyuk had provided to Ri Ulsol.
“I will never forget the merits of the first generation—including you, Marshal—who toiled for and protected the Republic. I, too, am not someone who can disregard the Baekdu bloodline. My heart is not at ease either. Even so, as I said before, the reason I have no choice but to make this decision is for the survival of the Republic.”
“······.”
“Everything surrounding the Republic is changing. Until recently, we had a thaw with the South, and there was at least some communication with the United States, China, and even Russia. But now all of them have turned their backs on us. If a resolution to blockade the Republic passes next week, we will have no choice but to self-destruct.”
Ri Ulsol rubbed his face dryly and swallowed.
“This is the Republic that the Great Leader and elders like you, Marshal, built and protected. I cannot bear to watch it collapse like this. That is why I had no choice but to rise.”
“Is it really true that if you take power, the United States, China, Russia, and even the South will lift all pressure on the Republic? If not, I cannot agree to this under any circumstances.”
Kim Muhyuk had said he would make it so. Jang Songthaek trusted that man’s influence.
“Yes. Without question. What they want is stability on the Korean Peninsula—not the collapse of the Republic. Times have changed. The once-mighty Soviet Union collapsed, and even China has opened up. Our Republic cannot survive in isolation anymore. The people are starving to death. This can no longer be ignored. That is not something a politician should ever allow. Now the Korean People’s Army must choose who it exists to protect—the Baekdu bloodline, or the people.”
Ri Ulsol answered in a firm voice. freewёbnoνel.com
“I will persuade the military as much as I can.”
“Thank you. But not yet. Preparations are not complete. No matter how much authority you hold, Marshal, you cannot block the Guard General Bureau and Chairman Kim Jongil’s personal guard all at once, can you?”
“That place is staffed only with those who prioritize Kim Jongil’s orders over mine.”
“Yes. Once everything is ready, we’ll proceed. Time is on our side. Until then, please hold your position firmly.”
Ri Ulsol nodded.
“Very well. I’ll make sure that no Guard Command troops move without my orders. That should be enough, shouldn’t it? But I won’t move those troops to strike Kim Jongil. That was your condition.”
It meant that Jang Songthaek would bear all the risk. And that Ri Ulsol would remain a bystander.
Jang Songthaek read his intent clearly, but there was no one who could replace him, so he said nothing.
‘No—perhaps it’s better that he’s being this cautious.’
The moment Ri Ulsol moved, Jang Songthaek’s own leverage would weaken.
Secure Kim Jongil first, then use Ri Ulsol to transfer power.
That was the best possible path for Jang Songthaek to seize control.
There was no need to provoke Ri Ulsol or anyone else and hand over the initiative.
“Of course. All you need to do, Marshal, is prevent the military from acting recklessly once Chairman Kim Jongil’s custody is secured. That alone will suffice. Isn’t that why you deliberately sharpened your tone with me earlier?”
At Jang Songthaek’s words, Ri Ulsol nodded.
This old fox was weighing both sides on his scales.
If Jang Songthaek failed, he would either move swiftly to secure Kim Jongil—or arrest everyone connected to him.
“Very well. I, Ri Ulsol, will not move. As Kim Ilsung’s friend, I only wish for the Republic to remain unharmed.”
“Yes, Marshal.”
“So. Did Kim Jongil say anything else? He wouldn’t have kept only you behind for no reason.”
“We just had a drink. And he ordered me to keep an eye on the military’s movements. His paranoia seems to be flaring up. He trusts no one. Still, since I’m his brother-in-law······.”
Jang Songthaek trailed off. Seeing that, Ri Ulsol curled his lips into a mocking smile.
“Hah······. For all his pretense of cleverness, Kim Jongil is trusting the one person he absolutely shouldn’t.”
“······.”
Instead of answering, Jang Songthaek stood.
“I’ll be going now. By now, word that we’re meeting has probably reached the Chairman.”
“Indeed. Kim Jongil’s eyes are everywhere—and nowhere.”
Jang Songthaek bowed slightly and turned.
Watching the door he exited through, Ri Ulsol muttered,
“If that bastard captures Kim Jongil, then I’ll capture him. If Kim Ilsung could do it, why couldn’t I?”
Same bed, different dreams.
They had joined hands to seize the Republic’s power, but even as they clasped those hands, they were thinking entirely different thoughts.
* * *
During the height of the joint South Korea–U.S. military exercises,
North Korea responded by firing multiple rocket artillery salvos toward the West Sea.
However, since none crossed the Military Demarcation Line, South Korea and the United States showed no reaction and simply continued their scheduled drills.
Time passed, and President Yoon Changho finally arrived at the airport to depart for the United States.
Not only the Centrist Party, but key figures from the administration were all there to see him off.
“Haha, please take good care of state affairs while I’m gone. I can trust you with that, right?”
Prime Minister Han Dongha smiled and clasped the President’s hand.
“Of course. Trust us and complete your visit to the U.S. without worry, Mr. President.”
“I’m counting on you, Prime Minister. If North Korea provokes us, respond immediately as I instructed. If they hit us once, hit back ten times. Don’t worry about optics. I’ll take full responsibility.”
“······.”
There was no immediate reply. Yoon Changho tightened his grip and spoke again.
“This is not a request, Prime Minister.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Only then did the Prime Minister answer with a stiff face.
Yoon Changho smiled and released his hand.
“Then I’ll be off.”
After finishing greetings with the Prime Minister, Yoon Changho greeted the others and boarded Code One.
Shortly after, the presidential aircraft carrying the President and his entourage lifted into the sky.
“Whew······. This is exhausting.”
Once the flight had settled, Yoon Changho called for Lee Myungsoo.
With Lee Myungsoo standing before him, Yoon loosened his tie and grumbled,
“I told him to come with us, but he insisted on going separately. I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
Lee Myungsoo smiled and replied,
“If someone with no official position boarded the presidential plane, it could stir up unnecessary talk. That’s probably why he left first.”
“Still, he worries too much about things everyone already knows.”
“Haha. Reporters are on board, and so are the chairmen of major conglomerates. There’s nothing to gain from becoming gossip. And with foreign correspondents as well, he’s probably being extra careful.”
At Lee Myungsoo’s calm explanation, Yoon Changho nodded.
He had been sulking more than anything, and the irritation quickly faded.
“So he said he’d join us in Washington? President Kim, I mean.”
“No. He said he’d join if circumstances changed. Until then, he plans to meet various people. I’ll stay in contact and call him immediately if an emergency arises.”
“Good. You’ll have to work hard.”
“It’s no trouble. It’s my job.”
As Yoon Changho and Lee Myungsoo continued talking, there was a knock.
After permission was given, the Chief of Staff entered.
“Mr. President. The meeting will begin shortly.”
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes. Everyone is present.”
“Let’s go, Secretary-General.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
Lee Myungsoo nodded and stood.
Whether in the air or on the ground, the work that had to be done was always the same.
* * *
While the plane carrying President Yoon Changho was in the air, I was heading to Apple’s headquarters.
“He should be airborne by now.”
“Yes. He likely departed already.”
“I’d rather not have to move myself······. You never know what tricks those people in Washington might pull.”
“Boss, you kept every promise.”
“I did.”
A few days earlier, a resolution against North Korea had passed unanimously at the UN Security Council.
Even China and Russia had voted in favor.
The same held true in the General Assembly.
Despite the North Korean ambassador’s fierce objections, the resolution was adopted, and North Korea was now completely isolated.
I had kept every promise I made to the White House. Now it was their turn to keep theirs.
“Boss. We’ve arrived.”
We had reached Apple’s headquarters in Silicon Valley.
Stepping out of the car, I looked around at the building. Not bad.
“Charlie!”
At that moment, Steve Jobs came out alone, spotted me, and waved enthusiastically.
Employees passing by stopped in their tracks.
They seemed shocked to see the notoriously prickly Steve Jobs acting like that.
Shaking my head, I reluctantly raised my hand.
As he came closer, Steve Jobs wrapped me in a tight hug.
“It’s been too long.”
“Yes. It has been a while, Jobs.”
“Haha, welcome. First time at Apple headquarters, right?”
“Yes. It is.”
“This place holds the history of the Apple I built. I’m glad you came. Come on—let me show you around.”
Brimming with excitement, Steve Jobs set off at a brisk pace.
Manager Ma and I naturally followed.
Passing through the main entrance toward reception, Jobs ignored the staff springing to their feet and spoke with a broad smile.
“This is the first place visitors see when they come to Apple.”
Jobs began explaining, and I followed him around.
We crossed skybridges linking buildings and browsed the gift shop.
Just touring part of the campus took a couple of hours.
Eventually, we reached the development area where engineers worked—off-limits to the general public.
Leading me to an office deep inside, Steve Jobs said in an excited voice,
“This is it. This is where the people who will turn our dream into reality are.”
“Oh. Has it already started?”
“It’s still in preparation. But it’ll become reality soon.”
Contrary to Jobs’s bold declaration, there was no sign or marking on the ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ office door.
“Only people working here—including me—are allowed in.”
“You’re focusing on security?”
“Yes. I plan to keep this secret until it’s announced. So, Charlie, don’t go telling anyone.”
At Jobs’s playful remark, I answered just as playfully.
“When would I ever do that?”
“Exactly. That said, just like you told me, the phones from Motorola are trash. There’s no way I’d sell that garbage under Apple’s name.”
“······You’re not selling them?”
“That’s right. I tore up the contract. Paid all the penalties too.”
What? That wasn’t part of the plan. My eyes widened before I could stop myself.
“The first phone to carry Apple’s name will be the iPhone. No— it has to be.”
Jobs spoke firmly, his eyes hazy as if lost in a dream.
This guy······. He’s completely hooked.
