Free Web NovelLee Myungsoo was flustered. He knew full well that Kim Muhyuk was an extraordinary man.
But no matter how he thought about it, this was insane.
What the hell did this lunatic just say?
“Hey...... Muhyuk. I didn’t hear that wrong, did I? You told Chairman Jang Songthaek to pay compensation right there on the spot? Have you completely lost your mind?! Do you have any idea how favorable public opinion is going to turn just from an expression of regret alone? Do you even know how good the reaction is right now?!”
The meeting of the two leaders of hostile states was being broadcast live nationwide.
Just before the reporters withdrew, Jang Songthaek’s expression of regret, broadcast live, was—regardless of his true intentions—the best possible hand for South Korea.
“Even the conservatives in our own party have shut their mouths and can’t say a word against this summit anymore, and now what? A proper apology? Compensation? In international politics, it’s almost unheard of for the head of one country to bow his head and apologize to another country. No—honestly, you could say it never happens at all!”
Despite Lee Myungsoo’s extreme reaction, Kim Muhyuk merely let out a small chuckle.
As Kim Muhyuk started walking, Lee Myungsoo hurried after him.
“Hey, where are you going? At least explain yourself before you go.”
“Let’s talk while we walk. It was a situation where it made sense to say it, that’s all. So don’t worry too much.”
At that nonchalant response, Lee Myungsoo thumped his chest repeatedly.
Kim Muhyuk glanced at him and continued.
“I didn’t just demand an apology unconditionally......”
Until they reached the state guesthouse, Kim Muhyuk explained in detail everything that had happened in the meeting room.
“Hmm...... Even so, you went too far.”
After hearing the full explanation, Lee Myungsoo muttered in a subdued voice.
Now that he knew the circumstances, he could understand—but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that it had been excessive.
With a worried tone, Lee Myungsoo said,
“Even now, people inside Pyongyang are saying there’s a lot of discontent because the North Korean government is bowing low just to get UN sanctions lifted. If we keep pressing them, won’t they change their attitude?”
“That could happen. Any radical change is bound to provoke backlash from the vested interests. But who’s going to openly voice dissatisfaction in front of Jang Songthaek? And /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ in the end, every problem can be solved with money. If money starts circulating inside North Korea, the people will live better—but the ones who benefit the most will be them. Once they realize that, they’ll probably tell him to apologize even if they have to force Jang Songthaek to his knees.”
When Kim Muhyuk said this with a smile, Lee Myungsoo scowled deeply.
“You crazy bastard. Say something that actually makes sense.”
“Just watch. Money is a truly terrifying thing. Why do you think Kim Jongil loosened his massive slush funds and scattered money among his close aides and the top ranks of the Party? Because there’s nothing better than money when it comes to buying loyalty.”
For a while, Lee Myungsoo walked quickly without saying a word.
Matching his pace, Kim Muhyuk fell into thought.
No matter that it was North Korea—there was no resisting money in the end.
You could see that just by looking at China and Russia. In the end, all you had to do was let people eat well and live well.
Pride? That was something you worried about only after you had enough to eat. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
For North Korea as it was now, filling empty stomachs mattered more than pride.
“I didn’t force anything. I just made a suggestion. President Yoon also added some negative opinions about my proposal, but......”
“Of course he did! Do you even need to ask? Right now, all he’s doing is praying that this summit ends without incident. He’s not even hoping that Chairman Jang sincerely bows his head.”
Glaring daggers at Kim Muhyuk, Lee Myungsoo let out a deep sigh.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t picture it. Would Jang Songthaek really accept Kim Muhyuk’s proposal?
“So you really think Jang Songthaek will bow his head? You think he’ll actually bring up compensation?”
“I don’t know. The Jang Songthaek I know is someone who’ll bow his head willingly if the gains from doing so are big enough. But the backlash from the people around him will be fierce. Still, he’s the supreme leader. In the end, doesn’t it all depend on what kind of resolve he makes?”
As Kim Muhyuk shrugged and answered, a vehicle passing by them slowed to a stop.
Through the window rolling down slowly, Jang Songthaek appeared, smiling.
“President Kim. Would you like a ride together?”
“No, thank you. We’re almost there anyway. I’ll walk a bit more and finish talking with my friend here.”
Jang Songthaek nodded readily.
“Alright. Then I’ll see you at the banquet hall.”
Jang Songthaek rolled the window back up. At the same time, the car carrying him pulled away.
“......He doesn’t seem offended, at least?”
Watching the car disappear, Lee Myungsoo asked.
“His pride was hurt, for sure. Which is exactly why he’s determined to get everything he can out of this. That’s how he secures the legitimacy of his power. And...... Jang Songthaek knows better than anyone that picking a fight with me won’t do him any good.”
While talking like that, they arrived at the state guesthouse.
Many people were already gathered in small groups.
After straightening his clothes once, Lee Myungsoo waved his hand.
“I’m heading in first. See you later.”
Lee Myungsoo walked off toward where the Centrist Party leadership was gathered.
Kim Muhyuk returned the wave and stayed where he was for a moment, scanning his surroundings.
* * *
After parting with Myungsoo, I looked around and spotted Chairman Ha Myeonghun, then moved toward his table.
“What were you talking about that had you all smiling, Chairman Ha Myeonghun?”
Ha Myeonghun, who had been conversing with the people seated next to him, stood up at the sound of my voice.
“President.”
“If you bow here, it makes me uncomfortable. Let’s just shake hands, Chairman Ha.”
I quickly stopped him from bowing and extended my hand instead.
This man really doesn’t change. Or maybe he has? He does seem to have changed a lot.
His face, once always expressionless, now showed clear emotion. Smiling smoothly, he introduced me to the bank presidents.
After finishing handshakes with the bankers Ha Myeonghun introduced, I took my seat.
While we were talking, the state guesthouse began to fill as the invited guests entered. In an instant, the hall was packed.
The list of attendees was dazzling across the board.
Leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties, and chaebol chairmen within the top twenty of the business rankings were, of course, present......
From the religious world, there were monks, pastors, even cardinals.
On top of that, ambassadors from various countries—including the United States, China, Russia, and Japan—were all in attendance.
“Huh...... She came too.”
Seeing Cheon Jiyoung seated among people from the entertainment industry, chatting amiably, I let out an involuntary chuckle.
“I heard she’s performing in the congratulatory show today.”
Ha Myeonghun explained after hearing my mutter.
Celebrities did perform at summits from time to time, but I wondered if Jiyoung would be okay.
Seeing my expression, Ha Myeonghun smiled and said,
“Isn’t Miss Jiyoung someone who carries herself confidently even before large crowds? She’ll do just fine.”
As if he’d read my thoughts and given me exactly the answer I wanted, I smiled softly.
“What’s there to worry about? She’ll handle it on her own.”
Seeing Cheon Jiyoung’s bright smile, a smile naturally settled on my own lips.
“President Yoon Changho and Chairman Jang Songthaek will be arriving shortly. All honored guests, please be seated and wait.”
No sooner had the announcement finished than the doors to the banquet hall opened.
Jang Songthaek and Yoon Changho entered the state guesthouse, walking side by side.
Everyone seated at the tables stood up and began applauding.
They crossed the center of the hall, shaking hands with those they were scheduled to greet.
Standing side by side at the table, the two men received applause from the attendees for quite some time.
Jang Songthaek took his seat, and President Yoon Changho walked toward the prepared podium.
Then he began reading the prepared welcoming address.
“Chairman Jang Songthaek and our northern guests. The bitterly cold winter has passed, and spring—when flowers bloom—has arrived. First, I extend a warm welcome to Chairman Jang Songthaek and his delegation for making this difficult visit. ......I believe that today’s historic first step is the beginning of a journey toward peace on the Korean Peninsula. This powerful current cannot be stopped by anyone. I express my deep gratitude to Chairman Jang Songthaek, who must have given this decision much thought before coming here.”
President Yoon Changho’s welcoming speech, delivered over a short time, concluded with a toast.
“To Chairman Jang Songthaek’s health. And wishing good health to our northern guests and to all of you present here today, I propose that we raise our glasses.”
Yoon Changho raised his glass, and Jang Songthaek stood up and raised his as well.
At the same time, everyone in attendance stood and raised their glasses.
Yoon Changho clinked glasses one by one with Jang Songthaek and the northern attendees, drained his glass, and brought the welcoming address to a close.
Next, Jang Songthaek walked up to the podium.
Standing there, he paused and looked around, as if searching for someone.
Soon, our eyes met, and I could see the corners of Jang Songthaek’s eyes trembling slightly.
‘He’s nervous.’
Having watched Jang Songthaek for a long time, I could tell he was extremely tense.
After taking a brief breath, Jang Songthaek began reading his return address.
“President Yoon Changho. And honored guests. I extend my deep gratitude to our southern compatriots who welcomed us so warmly on our way here. Touring Seoul today, I was truly struck by its remarkable development. Along the Han River, the towering high-rise buildings, and the bright faces of Seoul’s citizens......”
At intervals, he paused and looked around at the people.
“If North and South move freely and develop together, the whole world will be astonished. We are advancing toward a future no one has ever experienced and no one has ever predicted. Cooperation between North and South is only beginning. Military, economy, society, culture...... If we can achieve substantial cooperation in all fields and escape the long-standing military tensions and threats of war between North and South, we will be able to develop even further.”
His long address also concluded with a toast.
“I propose a toast. When I say it, I ask that you respond with ‘To it.’ To the health of President Yoon Changho and his spouse, and to the future of the eighty million people of North and South!”
Jang Songthaek raised his glass and called out the toast, and everyone stood and raised their glasses, shouting,
“To it!”
“To it!!”
With the welcoming and return addresses opening the proceedings, the banquet officially began.
First came the congratulatory performance by the artistic troupe Jang Songthaek had brought from Pyongyang, followed by the performance prepared by the South.
Watching Cheon Jiyoung sing at center stage made me feel inexplicably proud, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
After all the prepared performances ended and the press was escorted out, the formal banquet began in earnest.
Jang Songthaek and Yoon Changho moved toward the tables where the chaebol chairmen were gathered.
All the chairmen seated across the three tables stood up.
Jang Songthaek shook hands with each of them.
“I have great expectations of the chairmen gathered here. I know better than anyone that economic cooperation between North and South cannot be achieved without your help. I ask for your generous investment.”
While Jang Songthaek and Yoon Changho chatted with the chaebol chairmen, I talked with Cheon Jiyoung.
Because our eyes had met during her performance, she ran straight to my table as soon as it ended.
“Oppa! You should’ve told me you were coming if you were going to be here.”
Cheon Jiyoung shot me a look and lightly punched my arm with her fist.
“Sorry. But I didn’t know you were coming either, Jiyoung.”
“Well, the Blue House contacted me out of the blue and asked me to attend, so I had to cancel my China schedule and rush over. I guess you wouldn’t have known either.”
“Really?”
At my indifferent reaction, Cheon Jiyoung narrowed her eyes and glanced toward Jang Songthaek.
“What’s with that reaction? Chairman Jang Songthaek requested my attendance. He said he’s my fan or something.”
I burst out laughing without realizing it.
“A fan? Chairman Jang Songthaek is your fan?”
“What? Why are you laughing so hard? Is that funny?”
Looking at Cheon Jiyoung’s prim reply, I barely managed to stop laughing.
A fan, my ass. He probably knew she was someone I cared about and asked directly.
Her misunderstanding was funny enough that I didn’t bother correcting her.
“No, it’s just...... surprising. That the Chairman of North Korea would be a fan of a South Korean singer......”
“What’s wrong with that? When I perform in China, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia, I get treated like a state guest, you know?”
“Sure, let’s go with that. But why are you so thin? Are you eating properly?”
“What am I, a kid? Sometimes you really act like such an old man. Always telling me to eat well, sleep well—just nagging all the time.”
“You’re just so skinny. I kind of miss the old chubby Cheon Jiyoung.”
“Ah, oppa! How long ago was that?”
While I was talking with Cheon Jiyoung, I saw Yoon Changho and Jang Songthaek head into a room at the back of the banquet hall together with Chairman Song Chanwoo of Daehyeon Group.
“Chairman Ha Myeonghun. Please keep Jiyoung company for a bit. I have somewhere I need to go urgently.”
I stood up as I spoke, and Cheon Jiyoung and Ha Myeonghun rose with me.
“What? You’re leaving, oppa? Stay a bit longer and let’s go together.”
“No, something urgent came up. I’ll be back soon. Talk with Chairman Ha Myeonghun for a bit.”
I gave Cheon Jiyoung a small reassuring smile.
Then I turned and headed toward the room where Yoon Changho, Jang Songthaek, and Song Chanwoo had gone.
