Free Web NovelThe final day of the 7th Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea had arrived.
Of the three-day party congress, this was the most important day.
Jang Songthaek was alone in his empty residence, preparing to attend the congress.
“Vice Chairman Comrade, it’s time to depart.”
“Alright. I understand.”
Jang Songthaek left his home and headed toward the April 25 House of Culture, where the congress was being held.
As the luxury vehicle carrying him moved toward its destination, traffic police sealed off the roads, allowing the car to pass through the streets of Pyongyang without stopping even once.
When Jang Songthaek stepped out of the car, countless people were waiting.
They were deputies of the Supreme People’s Assembly. During the party congress, the Supreme People’s Assembly functioned as the highest sovereign institution.
It was also responsible for selecting the key party officials of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
The fact that the symbolic head of state of North Korea was the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly showed just how important the institution was.
Yet despite being granted such weighty authority and responsibility, during the eras of Kim Ilsung and Kim Jongil it had degenerated into nothing more than a rubber-stamp body, unable to exercise any real power.
Until Jang Songthaek passed by, none of them dared to raise their bowed heads.
As he walked past them, Jang Songthaek called out to Choi Ryonghae, who was following right behind him.
“Director of the General Political Bureau.”
“Yes, Vice Chairman Comrade.”
“This is excessive.”
Jang Songthaek frowned at the deputies’ overblown display of deference.
Choi Ryonghae immediately responded.
“No, Vice Chairman Comrade. For now, we must press them down with authority and power. Later, they will assimilate into ‘our’ reform and opening policies, but for now, this is the time to demonstrate authority.”
Jang Songthaek stopped walking and turned his head to look directly at Choi Ryonghae.
When Jang Songthaek halted, everyone following behind also stopped.
Choi Ryonghae flinched at the icy gaze directed at him.
“‘Our’?”
“.......”
“Director of the General Political Bureau. Don’t delude yourself.”
“I-I apologize.”
Choi Ryonghae hurriedly bowed his head.
Jang Songthaek stared at the crown of Choi Ryonghae’s bowed head for a moment, then turned away and resumed walking.
Choi Ryonghae remained standing with his head lowered as others passed him by to follow behind Jang Songthaek.
‘That bastard. Since when did he think he had power, acting like this toward me?’
Choi Ryonghae clenched his lips tightly, still keeping his head down.
The humiliation surging up from the depths of his bones was hard to endure.
“Director of the General Political Bureau Comrade. The Vice Chairman Comrade has entered.”
Only then did Choi Ryonghae raise his head at his subordinate’s words.
With glittering eyes, he stared at the entrance Jang Songthaek had gone through.
“The voting results of the Supreme People’s Assembly have concluded that the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shall be newly established, that all authority previously held by the National Defense Commission shall be transferred in full to the newly established State Affairs Commission, and that the National Defense Commission shall be abolished. Any party member comrades who oppose this proposal, please raise your hands and state your objection.”
At the shocking constitutional amendment proposing the abolition of the National Defense Commission—formerly the supreme military body and highest governing institution of the Kim Jongil regime—everyone gathered at the congress was thrown into shock.
The National Defense Commission was proof of the hereditary succession from Kim Ilsung to Kim Jongil.
During Kim Jongil’s rule, known as the era of military-first politics, its authority had steadily expanded.
Abolishing it ultimately meant erasing the Kim Ilsung family from the republic.
“We have also concluded to recommend Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission, Comrade Jang Songthaek, as Chairman of the newly established State Affairs Commission. Any who oppose, please raise your hands.”
Not a single person raised a hand.
Thus, Jang Songthaek’s appointment as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission was approved.
Kim Youngnam, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly and host of the proceedings, bowed his head toward Jang Songthaek.
Jang Songthaek rose from his seat as he received Kim Youngnam’s greeting.
At the same moment, thunderous applause erupted throughout the grand hall.
As Jang Songthaek stood, more than six thousand people began clapping.
When Jang Songthaek raised his hand, the applause stopped instantly.
“Accepting the will of Chairman Kim Youngnam of the Supreme People’s Assembly and the deputies here present who have recommended me as Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, from this moment forward I, Jang Songthaek, pledge before all party member comrades present here and all the people of the republic that I will faithfully carry out the duties of Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.”
It was the moment Jang Songthaek officially ascended to the position of North Korea’s supreme leader.
He had been recommended by the party congress, gaining legality and legitimacy.
Without stopping, he continued speaking.
“Now, the republic must change. I will devote my entire body and soul to economic development so that all our people may enjoy the prosperous life promised by the Great Leader Comrade—eating white rice and meat soup, living in tiled-roof houses, and wearing silk clothes.”
Applause rang out again in the grand hall. Jang Songthaek gazed at the scene for a moment with a satisfied expression.
When he sat back down, Kim Youngnam took the microphone once more and resumed the proceedings of the congress.
― From this moment, we will proceed immediately to the election of the central leadership bodies.
It was an open vote in which party members would raise their hands to approve or disapprove after Jang Songthaek announced the list.
“Standing members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee are: Jang Songthaek, Kim Youngnam, O Geumcheol, Choi Ryonghae, and Ri Yongho.”
After announcing the list of standing members, Jang Songthaek continued.
“Representative party members who agree with the list of standing members, please raise your hands.”
Starting with Jang Songthaek, everyone raised their hands. In each hand was a red party membership card.
“Any representative party members who oppose, please raise your hands.”
No one raised a hand. An eerie silence fell, so still that one could hear the sound of the person next to them breathing.
Then, suddenly, someone shouted loudly.
“None!”
That was the signal. About ten people responded in succession.
“None!”
“None!!”
It was a prepared formality.
Nodding in satisfaction, Jang Songthaek pulled the microphone closer and declared,
“None! Approved!”
Applause erupted once again.
The elections continued in the same manner.
With the announcement of the Central Committee Inspection Commission list, the elections came to an end.
Jang Songthaek stood up and began calling names one by one.
“Kim Youngnam.”
“Yes. Chairman Comrade!”
Kim Youngnam stood up and bowed to Jang Songthaek.
“O Geumcheol.”
“Yes. Chairman Comrade.”
Jang Songthaek called each newly appointed individual and received their oaths of loyalty.
Thus, the 7th Party Congress, which had lasted three days, came to an end, and the era of Jang Songthaek began.
On that day, the positions Jang Songthaek was recommended to and seated into at the congress totaled seven.
― General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
― Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
― Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
― Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army.
― Standing Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee.
― Member of the Political Bureau of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
― Member of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
He inherited all the positions and authority once held by Kim Jongil.
That night, Jang Songthaek secretly summoned Choi Ryonghae.
“You called for me, Director of the General Political Bureau.”
“Yes. Chairman Comrade.”
“You’ll need to go to Singapore.”
At Jang Songthaek’s instruction, Choi Ryonghae asked back, puzzled.
“Singapore, you say?”
Jang Songthaek nodded.
“Yes. You’ll go and handle the negotiations. You’re the only one in the republic capable of engaging in a power struggle with representatives from the United States, China, and Russia. Can you do it?”
“If you entrust it to me, I will do my utmost.”
Choi Ryonghae bowed his head. Seeing the light in his eyes, Jang Songthaek patted him on the shoulder.
“I’ll trust you, Director of the General Political Bureau.”
* * *
The person who suddenly visited my hotel room was Choi Ryonghae.
“Greetings. I am Choi Ryonghae.”
Choi Ryonghae bowed in greeting, and I stood up and extended my hand to him.
“Kim Muhyuk. What brings the Director of the General Political Bureau here?”
Taking my hand, Choi Ryonghae replied,
“I am leading the preliminary negotiation team for the upcoming North–South summit to be held in Seoul. I heard that President Kim Muhyuk would be coming to Singapore, and I wished to have a conversation with you, so I came to see you.”
“How did you know that?”
Not many people knew I was visiting Singapore.
“I heard it from someone within the Singapore government.”
“Did you?”
If ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) it was the Singapore government, it wasn’t strange for them to know. But why would they tell Choi Ryonghae?
“Yes. Perhaps I’ve made you uncomfortable by visiting without an appointment? If this was rude, I offer my apologies.”
Choi Ryonghae was strangely deferential. That only made me more suspicious.
There was no need for him to lower himself like this. What exactly was he trying to say?
“No. That can happen. Let’s sit down and talk first.” ƒгeewebnovёl.com
I led Choi Ryonghae to a seat and engaged in some light conversation to ease the atmosphere.
When the stiff, frozen mood had loosened somewhat, I brought up the main point.
“So...... what is it that made the Director of the General Political Bureau come to see me personally? I believe this is our first meeting.”
After Jang Songthaek rose to the position of supreme leader, Choi Ryonghae had also moved closer to the center of power.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service regarded Choi Ryonghae as third in the current North Korean power hierarchy.
There was plenty of evidence to support that assessment. One could tell simply by looking at the seating arrangement on the presidium during the 7th Party Congress.
The closer one sat to the center of the presidium, the higher their rank in the power hierarchy; the farther away, the lower.
Jang Songthaek sat at the very center. To his immediate right sat Director of the General Political Bureau Choi Ryonghae.
To his immediate left was Kim Youngnam, meaning Choi Ryonghae could be considered at least third in rank.
“I came to consult with President Kim Muhyuk regarding the treatment of Kim Jongil.”
Kim Jongil’s name came out of Choi Ryonghae’s mouth. I asked back without thinking.
“Kim Jongil? Why would you consult me about how to deal with him?”
“President Kim. My comrades and I believe that Kim Jongil must be killed.”
Kill Kim Jongil. I shared that thought myself, but Jang Songthaek had decided to spare him. That should have been the end of it.
“Why are you telling me this? You should tell Chairman Jang Songthaek and have him decide whether to kill him or let him live.”
“......The Chairman has decided to let Kim Jongil live. We comrades have tried to persuade him several times, but he will not change his mind.”
“Hm.......”
When I remained silent, Choi Ryonghae continued, his voice growing rather earnest, as if trying to persuade me.
“At present, there is no one in the republic who can persuade the Chairman Comrade. Just mentioning Kim Jongil’s name makes his gaze change.”
“Publicly, he is the former supreme leader expelled by the Chairman, but privately, he is still family.”
“The relationship between Chairman Comrade and Kim Kyonghui has already collapsed. That alone is not reason enough to keep Kim Jongil alive.”
After that, Choi Ryonghae went on at length, explaining to me the various reasons Kim Jongil had to be killed.
As I listened, the incident from my first life—when Jang Songthaek was purged and executed—suddenly came to mind.
Just as Kim Jongil had done, Kim Jongun could have purged Jang Songthaek and exiled him to a provincial farm.
He could have been stripped of power and kept alive, yet multiple testimonies claimed that he was instead executed by anti-aircraft gun.
Jang Songthaek’s body had been riddled with dozens of bullets, mutilated beyond recognition, and was even burned with a flamethrower to erase it completely.
‘Did this bastard persuade Kim Jongun to kill Jang Songthaek?’
Judging by his behavior toward me now, that suspicion came naturally.
Could it be that this man had been whispering into Kim Jongun’s ear?
In any case, Jang Songthaek was Kim Jongun’s uncle by marriage.
In North Korea, it was customary not to kill members of the Baekdu bloodline.
Though he was a collateral relative, killing Jang Songthaek while he was still married to Kim Kyonghui would have been a heavy burden even for Kim Jongun.
While I was lost in thought, Choi Ryonghae finished explaining his many reasons for killing Kim Jongil and concluded.
“At present, the only person who can persuade the Chairman Comrade is President Kim Muhyuk. Therefore, for the sake of the republic, please step forward.”
A hollow laugh escaped me. In the end, he brought up doing it for the sake of the republic.
“You’re asking me to step forward for the republic? Didn’t you come to the wrong person? I’m Korean. Not a citizen of the republic.”
“However, I am aware that President Kim played a major role in eliminating Kim Jongil. Therefore, this time as well—”
I cut Choi Ryonghae off.
“Director of the General Political Bureau. Do you think I’m someone who does whatever you tell me to do? If you wanted to persuade me, you should have come with terms that benefit me, not spouted nonsense about doing it for the republic. Even Chairman Jang Songthaek doesn’t make proposals to me that way.”
This bastard really thinks people are fools. I stared at Choi Ryonghae with cold eyes.
