Free Web NovelJang Songthaek said it with a faint smile on his face.
“This isn’t exactly a comfortable seat either. I haven’t been sleeping properly from the stress. I finally understand the General’s state of mind, at least to some extent.”
“You must be under a great deal of strain.”
“Please, sit. If I tried to explain everything that’s happened over the past few months, we wouldn’t finish even if we stayed up all night.”
I sat where Jang Songthaek guided me and took a closer look at him.
His face was smiling, but behind that smile were deep exhaustion and countless worries.
“Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, what exactly has happened?”
At my question, Jang Songthaek, who had been smiling wearily the entire time, erased his expression and let out a sigh.
“President Kim. Do you know how many attempts there have been to kill me so far? Three in total.”
“What? There were assassination attempts?”
“We caught all of them before they could be carried out.”
“......Who on earth would do such a thing? Don’t tell me it’s forces trying to restore Kim Jongil?”
Was Choi Ryonghae’s concern not unfounded after all?
Kim Jongil had lost his reason because of repeated assassination attempts.
If Jang Songthaek were to become that sensitive as well, the atmosphere of thaw spreading between North and South could easily be disrupted.
“No. Frankly, I wish it were that. It would put my mind at ease.”
So it wasn’t forces seeking Kim Jongil’s restoration.
Then who exactly was trying to assassinate Jang Songthaek?
“Who’s behind it?”
“Hardliners within the military who take a hardline stance against the South.”
“Ah, they’re unhappy with the conciliatory policy toward the South that you’re pursuing.” freewebnovёl.ƈom
Jang Songthaek nodded heavily.
“This is all for the sake of North Korea. Do they truly not understand that?”
“They understand it perfectly well. They just don’t want to lose control of the military. They probably think that if I die, the military can seize the initiative again.”
So this is why legitimacy can’t be ignored.
Even when Kim Jongil took power, there were assassination attempts and rebellions.
But their frequency was significantly lower. Three attempts in just a few months meant they were questioning the legitimacy of Jang Songthaek, who had come to power through a coup.
Because Jang Songthaek had seized power through force, they believed they could also drive him out through force.
“What do you plan to do?”
“We’re already in the middle of a purge. I intend to eliminate all of the hardliners.”
“Will that be all right?”
Weakening the military’s power was not a good option if one thought about the future.
However, for him, who needed to solidify his authority immediately through economic policy, purging the hardliners opposed to engagement with the South was probably the best available option.
“Even if it isn’t all right, it has to be done. That’s why I wanted to ask...... have you reconciled with Choi Ryonghae?”
Sharp as expected. He must have deliberately sent Choi Ryonghae after sensing that our relationship wasn’t good.
“There’s nothing to reconcile. I have no interest in that man. I don’t care if you choose to use him. But I won’t tolerate him trying to stick his spoon into the things I’m doing.”
“What exactly did Choi Ryonghae do? This is the first time I’ve heard you speak so strongly.”
“There wasn’t anything in particular. I just don’t like him. He’s not the kind of person I favor.”
“Is that really the only reason?”
I quietly nodded. How could I possibly say that I had seen a future where Choi Ryonghae betrays you?
It’s a future that won’t come anymore because I changed North Korea.
And it would be ridiculous to tattle about him asking me to kill Kim Jongil.
“Yes. But is Choi Ryonghae that important?”
“He does have legitimacy. He’s the son of a comrade who fought alongside Kim Il Sung, and he was exiled by Kim Jongil as well. There are quite a few elders who pity him for that.”
It was an atmosphere I couldn’t quite understand.
But Pyongyang has its own rules, and they couldn’t simply be ignored.
“To fully control the military, we need Choi Ryonghae. For now.”
So once he’s used up, he’ll be discarded. The added remark, clearly made while watching my reaction, made me let out a small laugh.
“What would you like me to do?”
“Can you get along with him?”
I shook my head.
“I told him to keep his distance. To stay out of the things I’m doing.”
Jang Songthaek sighed regretfully and nodded.
“Understood. Then I’ll make sure he doesn’t interfere with your business. You have a good eye for people, President Kim, so you must have seen something in Ryonghae. Still, for now, I can’t push him aside. Please understand.”
“I have no intention of interfering in your governance. I’m a businessman, after all. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my business, I have no reason to care. More importantly, I’m worried about you. Three assassination attempts is no small matter. Shall I send Black Bear?” fгeewebnovёl.com
“Haha! No. Entrusting my personal safety to mercenaries would be a humiliation to the military. It would only provoke greater backlash.”
When the military came up, a brief silence fell. Jang Songthaek seemed deep in thought.
To change the mood, I asked about Kim Jongil.
“How is Chairman Kim Jongil doing?”
“The General? He looks much better. The hysteria has almost disappeared. He spends his days fishing and letting time pass.”
“Really? That’s unexpected. I thought he’d be drowning himself in alcohol.”
“He says his mind is at ease. He was someone who always suspected others. Now he says he just wants to spend the rest of his life fishing.”
An unexpected answer. I couldn’t tell whether he was biding his time or had truly given up power.
“Still, never let your guard down. I don’t believe Kim Jongil has abandoned his desire for power.”
“That’s true. He won’t be able to leave where he is now. At least in that regard, you don’t need to worry.”
Jang Songthaek said firmly, then checked the time.
“That should cover North Korea’s situation. President Kim, let’s get to the main point.”
“Very well. Once my schedule in Pyongyang is finished, I plan to enter Japan. I’ll lead the negotiations, but please send a special envoy from Pyongyang to Tokyo.”
“So we’re finally proceeding with the compensation-rights negotiations?”
The fatigue lingering on Jang Songthaek’s face gave way to a bright expression.
“Yes. This isn’t something that can be dragged out forever. This time, when I go to Japan, I intend to settle everything.”
“Then I just need to trust you and wait.”
“Please send someone with the authority to Japan. In the end, North Korea must be the one to draft the agreement. Prime Minister Koizumi has promised, so it should be a matter of adjusting the terms.”
Jang Songthaek nodded repeatedly, looking satisfied.
“I’ll send someone trustworthy. Someone who can play a supporting role while you lead the negotiations.”
“That would be ideal. And we probably won’t write the word ‘reparations’ into the agreement. Choosing substance over justification is better for North Korea at this stage.”
“Yes. We already confirmed that over the phone from Seoul. As long as the amount is large enough, we won’t concern ourselves with whether it’s called compensation or consolation money.”
As expected, Jang Songthaek was easy to talk to. It was nice not having to waste time on pointless arguments.
“Thank you. Then coordination shouldn’t be too difficult. Japan is in a hurry right now. You’ve heard about the pipeline construction through the news, haven’t you?”
I smoothly shifted the topic to the pipeline project. Seeing Jang Songthaek nod, I continued.
“It’s a major project involving Russia, South Korea, and North Korea. Through that pipeline, North Korea would receive gas and crude oil as well. It would significantly reduce dependence on China.”
“That’s certainly what we’re hoping for.”
“Medvedev, the Chief of Staff, is visiting Pyongyang tomorrow, correct? Let’s all gather then and discuss it properly.”
“So the Chief of Staff’s sudden visit was scheduled around your itinerary, President Kim.”
I replied with a smile.
“Pipeline construction is indeed beneficial for our Republic. However, there are many bureaucrats who oppose it.”
“That’s understandable. Most of the profits will go to Russia and South Korea. But like Ukraine’s case, even receiving oil and gas at low prices and collecting transit fees alone would greatly help government finances. Look to the distant future rather than immediate gains. Let’s discuss the details tomorrow.”
The biggest beneficiary of this project was me, followed by the Russian and South Korean governments.
North Korea’s share was smaller than those of the other two countries.
It was natural for them to want a larger share, but at the same time, it was difficult to include a North Korea with no real technological capabilities directly in the project.
In the end, the best revenue model was supplying oil and gas cheaply and collecting usage fees for pipelines and gas lines passing through North Korea.
“Tomorrow, I plan to tour Nampo City and conduct a final review of the development plan. Then I’ll return to Pyongyang in the evening.”
“So it’s finally beginning?”
“The National Assembly will pass a special bill next month. I need to make a final inspection and eliminate variables.”
Perhaps he liked the gifts I had brought, because Jang Songthaek’s face grew brighter and brighter.
He’s been having a hard time lately. Maybe I should give him one more gift to lift his spirits.
“And about the Ryugyong Hotel. The design should be coming out soon.”
“The Ryugyong Hotel?”
“Yes. I promised to build it, didn’t I? To commemorate Chairman Jang Songthaek becoming the ruler of North Korea. We’ll completely demolish the eyesore that Ryugyong Hotel has become and build a proper hotel with the same name on that site. Of course, we’ll handle the operation. As North Korea develops, the number of foreigners visiting Pyongyang will increase. Leaving the Ryugyong Hotel as it is would be a waste.”
When Jang Songthaek took power, I had advised him to blow up the Ryugyong Hotel.
It was a symbolic show meant to demonstrate a break from the past and the image of a changing North Korea.
But they had only blown it up, not carried out a proper demolition.
“Once the relevant legislation passes, a team will enter first to demolish the Ryugyong Hotel. We’ll likely employ Pyongyang citizens for that work.”
“Excellent. Very good. Every time you visit Pyongyang, President Kim, you bring such enormous gifts. How could I not welcome you?”
Jang Songthaek was genuinely pleased. More than the hotel construction itself, the mention of employing Pyongyang citizens seemed to delight him even more.
“As development in Nampo City begins and construction °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° of the Ryugyong Hotel starts, jobs for Pyongyang residents will increase. Of course, as promised, you’ll need to mobilize soldiers as well.”
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll mobilize soldiers to make up for any manpower shortages.”
There would be no shortage of labor for construction. With the largest expense—labor costs—being reduced, receiving North Korea’s cooperation was a good thing.
“Let’s stop talking business. How about taking it easy today? I’d like to have a drink and catch up with you, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, for the first time in a while.”
Jang Songthaek glanced toward his desk and let out a sigh.
“If I put it off today, tomorrow will be even harder. Well, if it’s drinking with you, President Kim, then I’ll just suffer tomorrow. Please wait a moment.”
He stood up and began organizing the documents on his desk.
Then he placed them in the safe embedded in the wall. Watching him carefully check that the safe was locked, I asked,
“You keep your documents in a safe?”
After finishing his check, he smiled awkwardly and replied,
“You need someone you can trust. This is a position where you can’t trust anyone.”
“Well, Kim Jongil said something similar. But...... if you keep that up, you’ll lose your hair.”
“What did you say? Hahaha!”
At my joke, Jang Songthaek burst out laughing.
“It’s not ideal to go far. I’ll host you at my house.”
“That sounds great to me.”
As we prepared to leave, Jang Songthaek slid aside the bookshelf behind his office.
When the bookshelf moved, a door leading underground was revealed.
“If we walk a bit, we’ll be at my house. Let’s go.”
“Is it all right to show me a place like this?”
Jang Songthaek replied with a smile.
“President Kim is someone I trust. I need you for what I intend to do, and you need me for what you intend to do. If we need each other, there’s no reason for betrayal, is there?”
I stood up, smiling along with him. Seeing someone who was always so tense crack a joke like that wasn’t a bad sight.
“That’s right. Trust is strongest when people need each other. As long as our objectives don’t disappear, we’ll have no choice but to walk the same path.”
As Jang Songthaek and I entered, the secret passage closed behind us.
Passing through the underground corridor, we soon arrived at his house.
Perhaps he had contacted them in advance, because food was already prepared inside.
“Please stay the night here today. I’ll send someone to inform Manager Ma separately.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll arrange lodging for Manager Ma in the adjacent building. If he’s too far away, he’ll get anxious.”
From then until late into the night, Jang Songthaek and I drank while discussing pending issues.
The next day.
After finishing matters at Jang Songthaek’s residence in the morning, I headed toward Nampo City.
In the seat beside me sat a man Jang Songthaek had assigned to me.
“I’ve heard a great deal about you from Chairman of the State Affairs Commission. My name is Mun Gyeongdeok.”
Hearing the man’s name, I couldn’t help but feel slightly surprised. No matter how much he trusted me, assigning someone this close to him was unexpected.
