Free Web NovelYoon Changho showed no sign of relaxing his tightly furrowed brow.
“Isn’t the situation different from before?”
“Well, that’s true, but... at least I’m not the type to be swayed by chaebols since I didn’t take presidential campaign funds from them. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably have been pushed around by those bastards too.”
“You wouldn’t have been, Mr. President. You would’ve just crushed them all if it came to that.”
Perhaps pleased by the remark, Yoon Changho’s expression finally softened.
“Heh heh. Even if it’s flattery, I’ll take it. So—did those stiff-necked chaebols accept your proposal?”
“How could they not? If they want to stick even a spoon into North Korean business, they have to accept it. Among the people gathered there, if there’s anyone who still doesn’t realize what a honey pot North Korea is... they’ll be weeded out soon enough.”
“Hm... Then I suppose I can speak a bit more boldly at this summit. Would that be alright?”
On the surface, Yoon Changho’s question sounded like he was asking for permission, but beneath it was a clear request to hurry up and wrap things up.
I shrugged once and replied.
“Daehyeon Construction said they’d complete the Kaesong Industrial Complex as quickly as possible. At the same time, the roads leading into Kaesong need maintenance. The road conditions aren’t very good. That part will probably have to be handled by the South Korean government.”
“Well, that’s something the previous administration was already planning anyway, so it shouldn’t be a major issue. There’s already a budget proposal that was thoroughly reviewed and discussed.”
There had been a cold wind blowing midway through, but when inter-Korean relations warmed, various forms of support did appear. That budget must ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) have been part of it.
Kim Hakgwon—that man had ambition, but he really did his job well.
“Then you can speak boldly. Since we’re doing it anyway, let’s put on a bit of a show. You need a performance to draw people’s attention. When Chairman Jang Songthaek arrives at Panmunjom, have you personally cross the Military Demarcation Line and bring Chairman Jang back with you. That image will be splashed across not only domestic media but foreign press as well.”
Anticipation lit up Yoon Changho’s face.
“That’s good. I’m looking forward to it.”
“You should be.”
After that, I exchanged various conversations with President Yoon Changho, and only after quite some time was I able to leave the Blue House.
It was late at night. As soon as I returned to Pyeongchang-dong, I went straight into the bathroom.
After washing away the lingering fatigue and exhaustion, I changed into comfortable clothes and headed to the study.
My grandfather’s portrait was still there.
A blunt, stubborn-looking face. After gazing at that portrait for a moment, I sat down.
On the desk were materials about New Fact. I opened the envelope and began reading.
“Only twelve employees—a small media outlet. But the ownership structure isn’t clear, and just like Eva said, an overseas corporation is the real owner...”
The documents were fairly thick. I muttered to myself as I read through them.
New Fact was a media outlet barely a year old.
Its CEO was formerly from Koryeo Daily, and many of its staff were also veterans of major daily newspapers.
Just as I was deeply absorbed in reviewing the documents, Manager Ma entered the study carrying coffee.
He set the cup down beside me as I examined the papers and asked,
“Boss, aren’t you tired?”
I smiled, lifting my eyes briefly from the documents at the concern-filled question.
“I just want to check a few things. Have you looked through this yet?”
“I haven’t had the chance.”
Manager Ma had been busy as well, thanks to all the instructions I’d given him.
Maybe I really should assign him a few more secretaries.
I took a sip of the coffee he brought and returned my gaze to the papers.
“Read it later when you have time. It’s pretty interesting. They don’t really have a proper revenue model yet, but somehow they’re staying afloat. Laundering money through paper companies and funneling it in like that... It almost feels like this outlet was created specifically to attack me.”
I set the reviewed documents down.
“For now, we need to dig into this guy named Ha Jiseong—the so-called CEO. Since he’s from Koryeo Daily, check with them. Why he left, and what kind of person he is. Oh, and look into his accounts as well.”
“I’ll do that.”
After finishing the remaining coffee, I stood up.
“I should get some rest now. Unless it’s urgent, don’t wake me.”
I left the study, went straight to the bedroom, and lay down on the bed.
Perhaps from accumulated fatigue, the ceiling I stared at seemed to draw closer, then farther away.
In the end, I closed my eyes and sank into thought.
‘First, I need to cut off their news partnership with the portals I can influence.’
After pondering for a long time about how to deal with New Fact, I fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
It was early morning, but Kissinger was already awake.
True to a hotel chosen by Kim Muhyuk, the Myeongdong Hotel’s service was quite good.
Without even ordering it, Kissinger took a sip of the coffee that had been prepared to his taste and smiled.
“Hm.”
His gaze was fixed on the laptop.
On the screen was an email packed with information about Kim Muhyuk.
He spent a long time reading through the neatly organized, year-by-year account of Kim Muhyuk’s life—from childhood to the present—occasionally letting out low hums.
“Interesting. Where on earth did someone like this come from?”
What was recorded about Kim Muhyuk’s path was astonishing.
He had wandered briefly in his youth, but the road he walked after becoming an adult was nothing short of remarkable.
“Not a single mistake so far...”
Even from the perspective of someone who had spent decades moving between American politics and business, Kim Muhyuk’s actions were far from ordinary.
“This makes no sense unless he knows the future in advance.”
His actions in Russia were especially intriguing.
He built relationships when no one cared about the master of the Kremlin, and even after that man became the Tsar of Russia, he never hesitated to offer political advice.
“No. That can’t be. Knowing the future... what nonsense am I thinking?”
Kissinger chuckled softly and closed the laptop.
“This friend will be the key to improving relations between Russia and the United States. His influence in Northeast Asia will only keep growing.”
That was already the case.
A sudden upheaval had occurred in North Korea, long the troublemaker of Northeast Asia.
Back when Kissinger himself was crafting foreign policy, Kim Ilsung held absolute power. An internal coup was unthinkable.
That was why Kissinger had sided with the neocons who advocated toppling the North Korean regime by force.
But Kim Muhyuk resolved it by moving Jang Songthaek.
Without a civil war or major bloodshed, he simply pushed Kim Jongil aside and had Jang Songthaek take over power—a peaceful solution.
“Well now... I must be getting old. These foolish thoughts keep creeping in.”
At that moment, the sound of a doorbell rang. Kissinger stood up and opened the door.
“Kissinger. It’s been a while.”
“Well, look who it is! What brings you here?”
“If you entered Korea, you should have contacted me. What’s all this?”
Standing at the door was Thomas, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea.
Beside him was Chris, the head of the Korean branch of the CIA.
“Chris. So you were in Korea too?”
“It’s been a while, Kissinger.”
“Don’t just stand there—come in.”
Kissinger welcomed the two warmly and led them inside.
Once seated, the three continued their conversation.
“Chris. You’re the Korea station chief now? What kind of trouble did you get into?”
“...You’re good with jokes. Where else in Northeast Asia is as important as Korea right now? I requested this posting myself.”
“Is that so? That does sound like you.”
Nodding, Kissinger turned to the ambassador.
“Thomas. To think you’ve risen high enough to serve as ambassador. Has that much time already passed? Time really does fly.”
“Yes, it does. And you’ve aged quite a bit yourself, Kissinger.”
“What? This brat is making fun of an old man!”
The three were clearly close, and a warm, friendly atmosphere filled the room.
“But still, Kissinger. If you entered Korea, shouldn’t the first place you visited have been the embassy? This is a bit much. The embassy went on high alert yesterday. We knew you’d entered the country, but you vanished like smoke. We only figured out you were here by digging into Kim Muhyuk, who entered with you.”
Despite Thomas’s reproach, Kissinger merely shrugged. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
“There’s still time before any official visit. This time I came privately. No reason to go to the embassy.”
“You could have stayed with me.”
“Don’t bother. I’d rather not deal with your wife’s nagging. I find her more intimidating than you. So—why did you come? I’d have contacted you myself when the time was right.”
With seasoned ease, Kissinger asked their purpose without souring the mood.
“We were curious why you entered without notice, and we also found it strange that you came in with Kim Muhyuk.”
“Simple curiosity. I’d only heard stories, but after meeting Charlie in person, I found him oddly compelling. I decided to watch him up close for myself.”
“That much? Enough for you to personally keep an eye on him? Both you and Chris seem to be overestimating Kim Muhyuk.”
At the ambassador’s words, Kissinger’s eyes gleamed.
“Chris, you’re interested in him too? I see.”
“Yes. But my interest is from a different angle than yours. We’re watching Charlie as a potential threat. He hasn’t harmed U.S. national interests yet, but... no one knows what the future holds.”
The Chris Kissinger knew was someone who could take a key position at CIA headquarters at any time.
Yet here he was, having volunteered to come all this way just to monitor one man.
Adjusting his glasses, Kissinger looked at Chris.
“Is he really a threat? Or is this a White House directive?”
“No. It’s the Director’s opinion.”
“Hm. The current CIA Director wasn’t promoted internally but planted from outside, if I recall. Yes... that could explain it.”
The materials Kissinger had reviewed recorded both the light and dark sides of Kim Muhyuk.
If it served his purpose, Kim Muhyuk did not hesitate to use force.
In fact, since he was an individual rather than a state, using force might have been even easier.
After all, he was effectively the owner of the PMC known as Black Bear.
“So that’s why you came to Korea—to watch Charlie.”
“That’s one of the reasons.”
“And if you decide he interferes with U.S. national interests, what then?”
“......”
Chris didn’t answer, but Kissinger understood the meaning of his silence.
Clicking his tongue, Kissinger shook his head.
“The times have changed. Operations like the old days will only backfire. Better to make friends than enemies.”
Chris’s eyes widened. Standing before him was Kissinger, the man who had used the CIA more effectively than anyone.
Seeing his reaction, Kissinger curled one corner of his mouth.
“I’ll keep an eye on things for now. So don’t worry—go back and focus on this summit.”
The U.S. ambassador asked,
“Kissinger, how long do you plan to stay in Korea? No matter what, security should be handled by U.S. forces—”
“That’s enough. Where’s safer than Korea? It’s not like people are shooting guns or terrorists are running rampant like in the U.S. Do you think I’ll die? Having guards around just makes it inconvenient to move. I’ll behave myself, so don’t even think about assigning a security team.”
“But still—”
“I said that’s enough. You should go.”
Kissinger waved his hand dismissively.
In the end, the two had no choice but to stand up.
“Then we’ll visit again next time.”
They bowed and left the hotel room.
Even after they were gone, Kissinger remained seated for a long while.
Staring intently in the direction they had left, lost in thought, he finally rose to his feet.
* * *
I arrived at the Myeongdong Hotel to have dinner with Kissinger.
He was waiting for me at the entrance.
When the car stopped near where Kissinger stood, Manager Ma got out and opened the door.
“Please get in.”
Kissinger nodded and climbed into the car. Dressed casually rather than in a suit, he looked like nothing more than a kindly old man.
“To anyone who doesn’t know you, you’d look like a tourist.”
“Heh heh. Wouldn’t I?”
While we exchanged small talk, we arrived at the restaurant I’d reserved.
Inside, a staff member guided us to a private, standalone room.
A large table was set, and the food had already been prepared.
“Since you’ve come to Korea, shouldn’t you try a Korean-style meal?”
“Oh, thank you.”
With exaggerated politeness, Kissinger responded. We sat facing each other and began to eat.
As we ate, Kissinger chatted casually, keeping the atmosphere light.
Then, when the meal was nearly over, he spoke as if it were nothing.
“Earlier today, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea and the CIA station chief came to see me.”
