Free Web NovelThe April 25 House of Culture.
North Korea’s largest performance hall, and the largest of its kind on the Korean Peninsula.
With a site area exceeding 120,000 square meters, it was a massive venue counted among the largest in Asia—and it was here that the 7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea was being held.
It had taken more than twenty years since the 6th Party Congress in June 1980 for the 7th Congress to finally convene.
Jang Songthaek announced the decision of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, officially confirming the date, and at the same time permitted the entry of foreign journalists from around the world.
During the 6th Congress, delegations from various countries had been invited.
This time, however—whether due to budget constraints or for other political reasons—no one was invited.
“I hereby declare the opening of the historic 7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea!”
It was Kim Jongil’s opening address, his first appearance at an official event since Jang Songthaek had taken power.
Kim Jongil had been such a reclusive leader that for most people, this was the first time they had ever heard his voice directly.
When his opening address ended, thunderous applause echoed through the grand hall.
At the same time, the North Korean national anthem began to play, and Jang Songthaek supported Kim Jongil and guided him to his seat.
Countless people gathered in the grand hall witnessed the scene.
At the center was Kim Jongil’s seat, and right beside it was Jang Songthaek’s.
At the 6th Party Congress, Kim Ilsung alone had sat at the center, but this time, Kim Jongil and Jang Songthaek sat side by side.
The person presiding over this Party Congress was Kim Youngnam, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
“The agenda of the 7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea will proceed in the following order: the review of the work of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea; the review of the work of the Central Inspection Committee; and the revision of the Party Rules. In addition, we will deliberate on the agenda of the retirement of the respected Comrade Kim Jongil and the elevation of the respected Comrade Jang Songthaek to the highest position of our Party, followed lastly by the election of the central leading bodies of the Workers’ Party of Korea.”
As Kim Youngnam announced the agenda, the grand hall stirred.
This was because it was an official declaration that Kim Jongil would step down and that Jang Songthaek would be elevated as the supreme leader in his place.
It was the moment when the supreme leadership position, held by the Kim family from Kim Ilsung to Kim Jongil, passed to Jang Songthaek.
“Then, first, we will proceed with the review of the work of the Central Committee. The members of the Central Committee will, one by one......”
As the work report began, Jang Songthaek leaned toward Kim Jongil and spoke.
“General, are you feeling all right?”
Kim Jongil turned his head to look at Jang Songthaek. He appeared gaunt, but perhaps conscious of the eyes on him, he kept his expression stiff.
“If it’s too much for you, you may retire for the day.”
Jang Songthaek had already achieved his objective. There was no longer any reason for Kim Jongil to remain here.
He had revealed to the people that Kim Jongil was alive.
And by showing the two of them seated side by side, he had staged a ‘peaceful’ transfer of power.
It was similar in context to the 6th Party Congress. Recalling how Kim Jongil had once stood and delivered work reports to Kim Ilsung seated at the center, Jang Songthaek barely suppressed the corner of his mouth from curling upward.
There was no way Kim Jongil failed to grasp Jang Songthaek’s thoughts.
“So you want me gone?”
Composing his expression, Jang Songthaek shook his head.
“No. It would be better if you stayed until the end. I was only worried about your health, General.”
“You bastard. Acting like you’re concerned. I plan to stay until the end today. But from now on, handle things on your own. Understood?”
“Understood, General.”
At some point, Jang Songthaek had stopped calling him Chairman, but Kim Jongil did not bother to scold him.
Instead, he turned his head forward again and listened to the reports of the Central Committee members.
Jang Songthaek was listening as well, but his mind was filled with other thoughts.
‘Now the Republic must return to being a normal socialist republic. Leave behind Songun politics and return to a Party-centered socialist government system......’
Because the Party Congress had been prepared in haste, it could not be held for an extended period like in the past.
Though it was convened only after decades had passed, long enough for the mountains and rivers to change twice over, the duration was scheduled to be just three days.
When the morning session ended, Kim Jongil and Jang Songthaek moved to have lunch. Members of the Politburo followed behind them.
Dozens of photos were taken of Kim Jongil and Jang Songthaek walking side by side and conversing, and those photos were set to be distributed nationwide the next day.
The afternoon session began, and only after the sun had set did the first day of the Party Congress come to an end.
After seeing Kim Jongil off, Jang Songthaek returned to his office.
When Jang Songthaek opened the office door and entered, all of his closest aides who had already gathered there rose to their feet.
“I’m a bit late.”
Jang Songthaek gave a casual wave in response to their greetings and sat down. The others followed suit.
In truth, the Party Congress itself was little more than a formality. The future of the Republic was, for all intents and purposes, being decided right here.
“In two days, I will officially become the supreme leader of the Republic.”
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations, Su—......”
Jang Songthaek raised his hand, stopping them.
“I’ll hear that title after the Congress ends and I’m officially elected. For now, focus on finishing the Party Congress safely without a single mistake.”
“Understood.”
“Good. Then let’s begin the meeting in earnest.”
As Jang Songthaek brought up the agenda, his aides launched into heated debate.
After presenting the topics, Jang Songthaek merely observed their arguments, watching them closely.
Under Kim Jongil’s Songun politics, the military wielded immense power, while the Party was little more than window dressing.
But Jang Songthaek’s goal—like China’s—was a return to a normal communist state where the Party took precedence in all matters.
The people gathered here were those who would be placed in charge of the Party and the military. freewёbnoνel.com
The generals from military backgrounds forcefully asserted their positions to minimize any reduction in military power, while Party officials did their utmost to strip the military of as much influence as possible.
“That’s enough.”
The moment Jang Songthaek spoke, the room fell silent, as if the fierce arguments up to that point had been a lie.
“Songun politics will now fade into the back pages of history, and the Republic will operate centered on the Workers’ Party of Korea. That will never change.”
The faces of the military generals seated to Jang Songthaek’s right hardened.
“Marshal O Geumcheol. Ah, or is it Cha-su now?”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
“Marshal O Geumcheol must keep the military firmly in hand. That’s why I’m appointing you as Chief of the General Staff. If the military moves now, our reforms will all be finished. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Yes. I will absolutely control any movement by the military.”
“For the Republic to survive, reform and opening policies must be realized without fail. To do that, we must now show the international community that we are a normal state. I trust you, Marshal O Geumcheol. So be sure to live up to my expectations.”
O Geumcheol sprang to his feet and saluted.
“I will devote my entire being to reforming the military!”
Jang Songthaek nodded with a faint smile.
“Sit down. Let’s not be overly formal when it’s just us.”
When O Geumcheol sat back down, Jang Songthaek’s gaze shifted to the left.
“Choi Ryonghae.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman.”
“Do you know why I placed you in the position of Director of the General Political Bureau? Why I put you there—a Party bureaucrat, not a military general?”
“I do. It’s to show that the Party has completely taken control of the military.”
Jang Songthaek nodded in agreement.
“That’s right. That’s why I appointed O Geumcheol as Cha-su and you as Director of the General Political Bureau. But what are you doing now? Why are you pushing the military so hard? Do you think you outrank Marshal O Geumcheol?”
“Th-that is......”
“I don’t want to see friction between the military and the Party. Right now, the Party, the military, and the state must move forward as one. Understood?”
At Jang Songthaek’s cold words, Choi Ryonghae bowed his head.
“I will keep it firmly in mind.”
“I’ll be watching. If you let yourself be consumed by a lust for power and start manipulating the military without regard for consequences, imagine what will happen.”
“Yes! I will remember it—again and again.”
Jang Songthaek met each person’s eyes, encouraging and warning them.
If pointless power struggles caused problems with the reform and opening policy, he would spare no one.
“Vice Chairman.”
Just as the meeting was about to conclude, Choi Ryonghae spoke up.
“You must kill Kim Jongil.”
Jang Songthaek frowned.
“Choi Ryonghae! I told you never to bring that up again! I promised with my own mouth that I would keep Kim Jongil alive. Why do you keep raising this issue!”
Though Jang Songthaek shouted, Choi Ryonghae did not stop.
“If you keep him alive, he will be a threat to you for as long as he lives.”
“Listen.”
“Vice Chairman, even if it costs me my life, if I can take him down with me, I will. He must be killed. As long as he lives, he is someone who can return to the center of power in all his splendor at any time.”
“I already control the Party, the state, and the military. What exactly are you so afraid of that you insist Kim Jongil must die? Never bring this up again.”
Jang Songthaek slammed the table, clearly unwilling to hear more. At that moment, O Geumcheol also spoke.
“I ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ share the Director of the General Political Bureau’s view. Kim Jongil must be killed.”
Jang Songthaek’s eyes sharpened.
“Even you, O Geumcheol......”
“Kim Jongil ruled the Republic for decades. He is the sun of the Republic and the son of the eternal leader of the Republic. That symbolism will not disappear. One day, it will seize Vice Chairman by the ankle.”
It wasn’t just Choi Ryonghae and O Geumcheol.
Everyone gathered in the office spoke with one voice, insisting that Kim Jongil must die.
“Enough. I’ll warn you one last time. There will be no killing of the General. So if anyone brings it up even once more, I will kill that person myself. Understood?”
As if he would hear no further objections, Jang Songthaek ended the matter decisively.
“That was my final warning. Everyone, get out!”
At Jang Songthaek’s order to dismiss them, everyone left the office. Among those departing, Choi Ryonghae and O Geumcheol met separately.
“I hear the Director of the General Political Bureau will be going to the summit as well. Is that right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then there’s only one way left. The Director of the General Political Bureau should meet President Kim Muhyuk separately in Seoul and ask him to persuade the Vice Chairman.”
“President Kim Muhyuk? You want me to meet that man?”
O Geumcheol nodded.
“He’s the only one who can persuade the Vice Chairman now. I want to meet him myself, but...... I have to hold Pyongyang, don’t I? So meet him separately and persuade him.”
“Kim Muhyuk...... You’re asking me to risk my life.”
“If that still doesn’t work, then I’ll move myself. Kim Jongil must die. Only then will both the Director and I be able to sleep peacefully.”
Choi Ryonghae closed his eyes and thought for a long time, then nodded.
“All right. I’ll meet him. But I can’t promise anything.”
* * *
The grand banquet hall of the Baekje Hotel fell into shock in an instant.
It was understandable that they couldn’t believe it when I said I held the development rights to a massive project involving leasing and developing an entire North Korean administrative region.
Even when Chairman Song Youngju had been alive, he hadn’t possessed authority on that level.
He had merely overseen the construction of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and secured the business rights to the Mount Kumgang tourism project. Other projects had only been granted priority rights.
“You said the right to enter just now? Are you really saying you have the authority to develop and operate Nampo City, President Kim?”
Chairman Yeo Seungjin asked in a daze, having barely recovered from the shock.
“Yes. That’s correct. The authority to develop and operate that area—all of it rests with me. In addition, I hold all negotiation rights related to Korean companies entering North Korea.”
I looked around again and spoke.
“The faster the decision, the better. I need to convey it to Jang Songthaek at this summit. There’s less than a month left. So make your decision quickly and come find me. That’s all I have to say. I won’t be taking questions.”
Leaving those final words, I stood up.
Just before exiting the banquet hall, I stopped behind one person.
“Chairman Choi Woosik? Let’s step outside and talk privately.”
Upon hearing my words, KS Group’s chairman, Choi Woosik, stiffened his shoulders.
