Chapter 250: Chapter 250: My Mind is in a Frenzy
Mr. Kim, have there been any updates?
"Yes. It's hard to share the details over the phone, so I'd prefer to discuss it in person. I will reach out to President Kim Hak-gwon about a visit to North Korea, but it would be better if it's an official visit rather than just a casual trip."
I could faintly hear Kim Jong-il searching for a cigarette on the other end of the line.
— "So… just tell me. Does this mean the Americans accepted my proposal?"
"It's not that they accepted my proposal… instead, we received a counter-proposal. It's confidential and not something I can discuss over the phone."
— "Alright, let's meet to talk. I'll also reach out to President Kim Hak-gwon."
"I'll schedule the visit to Pyongyang as quickly as possible. And Chairman, you mustn't provoke the Americans right now."
Even if a peace agreement were reached, earning the Americans' trust completely would take a considerable amount of time.
Hence, even one wrong word or action could be detrimental.
As I set the phone down, I lifted my glass. Manager Ma, who had taken the satellite phone I'd handed him, asked.
"Boss, are you going to Pyongyang?"
I nodded slightly. Since Manager Ma wasn't aware of my conversation with Dick Cheney, I gave a brief explanation.
"The Americans seem inclined to pursue a peace agreement with North Korea. While I can't be sure of their true intentions, at least it's not a bad offer for Kim Jong-il."
"That's surprising. I assumed the Americans would completely isolate hostile nations during this opportunity. Didn't you think so too, Boss?"
He was right. I'd heard that they intended to re-designate certain terror-supporting nations.
Still, Dick Cheney had come to me, expressing a willingness to negotiate with North Korea.
"Exactly. That's why my mind is in such a muddle. Lately, there have been too many unexpected developments."
Things had indeed changed significantly since I intervened, but this situation turned history itself on its head.
There was no chance to undo what happened. I had to guide things in the direction I wanted.
I slowly turned my glass, attempting to sort through the jumble in my head.
* * *
After finishing his call, Kim Jong-il sunk into thought, smoking one cigarette after another.
"Cheolsu."
"Did you call for me?"
Kim Jong-il, perched on the edge of his bed and deep in thought, beckoned Baek Cheol-soo, who stood stiffly like a statue.
"Do you think the Americans will truly agree to a peace agreement?"
"Didn't you say you'll just throw it out there without any expectations, General? But it seems President Kim Mu-hyeok has achieved unexpetedly good results."
"Yes, true… Heh…"
Baek Cheol-soo silently watched as Kim Jong-il exhaled a long stream of smoke.
After giving a deep sigh, Kim Jong-il spoke again.
"Cheolsu, you still haven't figured out the identities of the bastards who attacked me, have you?"
"No, General. I'm sorry."
Baek Cheol-soo bowed his head deeply. Seeing this, Kim Jong-il burst out laughing, extinguishing his cigarette in the ashtray.
"I'm not blaming you. They dared to assault me in Pyongyang. It's not exactly easy to track them down, is it? Plus, trying to find out secretly makes it even tougher."
Kim Jong-il pulled out another cigarette, and Baek Cheol-soo swiftly lit it for him with a lighter.
"What time is it?"
"The sun hasn't risen yet. It's just past 6 o'clock."
Nodding at Baek Cheol-soo's answer, Kim Jong-il got up from his bed, cigarette still in mouth.
As Baek Cheol-soo subtly moved aside, he cautiously asked.
"Aren't you going to sleep any longer?"
"Tell Manager Jang to come in. And… No, I need to speak with Manager Jang first."
"Yes, General."
Having issued his orders, Kim Jong-il made his way to his office and sat down in a chair.
With his eyes closed, deep in thought, only the smoke from his cigarette wafted up in his office.
How much time had passed? Just as the morning sun gradually began to rise, Jang Seong-taek entered the room.
"Chairman, you called for me?"
"Manager Jang, you're here. Please sit down."
Since Kim Jong-il had never called him so early in the morning, Jang Seong-taek was incredibly tense and stiff.
"Why are you so nervous, Manager Jang? Did you do something wrong to me?"
"No, Chairman."
Despite Kim Jong-il's playful question, Jang Seong-taek replied stiffly.
To this, Kim Jong-il offered him a cigarette.
"Smoke one."
"Thank you."
Accepting the cigarette, Jang Seong-taek lit it without hesitation.
Just sharing a smoke with Kim Jong-il, the highest power in North Korea, hinted at the weight of his power.
"Manager Jang, you'll need to make a trip to Seoul."
"Seoul?"
Taken aback by the sudden command, Jang Seong-taek could only ask for clarification.
"The Republic is in chaos due to the recent terrorist attacks in the U.S. You need to go to Seoul and help restore the atmosphere."
"…I'll follow your orders."
"Park Nam-ki will be the head of the economic inspection team, but you have a separate task to take care of."
Kim Jong-il outlined in detail what Jang Seong-taek needed to do in Seoul.
Confusion gradually clouded Jang Seong-taek's features upon hearing all these plans.
Kim Jong-il did not miss Jang Seong-taek's change in expression.
"What's wrong? Can't you handle it?"
"No, I can do it."
"Good. I'll speak with President Kim Hak-gwon to ensure Baek Sang-wi can move freely in Seoul, so don't worry about what he's doing."
"Yes?"
"Don't make me repeat myself, Jang."
The atmosphere suddenly grew chill as Kim Jong-il's tone turned icy.
As the mood shifted, Jang Seong-taek kneeled down immediately.
"…I'm sorry, Chairman."
"Get up. If you do that, it's just disrespectful to me. We're like family, right?"
However, Jang Seong-taek didn't believe the word 'family' coming from Kim Jong-il.
Instead of getting up, he knelt there, bowing his head even lower.
"I said to get up, Manager Jang."
When the second command was issued, Jang Seong-taek finally lifted his head.
The moment he looked up, he flinched at the icy glare from Kim Jong-il.
"Whatever thoughts you have are your business. Just don't question my orders. Understood?"
"Understood, Chairman."
Kim Jong-il tossed the remnants of his cigarette into the ashtray, producing a new one to smoke.
"Though this is an earlier visit than planned, I trust you'll handle it well."
"Yes."
"Get out of here. And remember, don't share my orders with anyone. If you do, even you won't escape unscathed."
With that, Kim Jong-il delivered a chilling warning.
To avoid revealing his back to Kim Jong-il, Jang Seong-taek slowly backed away before exiting.
After Jang Seong-taek left the office, Kim Jong-il called for Baek Cheol-soo, who had been standing nearby.
"Hey, Cheolsu."
"Yes, General."
"I have something for you to do."
"Just give the order."
Blowing out a puff of smoke, Kim Jong-il began detailing the task he had for Baek Cheol-soo.
* * *
After a fourteen-hour flight, I arrived at Gimpo Airport. Eva was waiting there.
"Boss, you must be exhausted."
Eva ran up to me and said, flashing a smile that made me grin back.
"Am I really the one who's exhausted? You've been working hard all this time, Eva. Let's talk while we head out."
We both climbed into the vehicle prepared for our trip to Pyeongchang-dong and started our journey after leaving the airport.
"The KOSPI and KOSDAQ have both completely collapsed, haven't they?"
"Yep. It was a fear like no other."
With that, Eva began recounting the disastrous decline of the KOSPI and KOSDAQ from the past week.
"The KOSPI held somewhat steady, but the KOSDAQ, still reeling from the IT bubble burst, completely crashed. The first day was pure panic, with most registered stocks hitting their lower limit."
In case of stock market volatility, the KOSDAQ lower limit was set to 12%.
The KOSPI was higher at 15%, but due to the KOSDAQ's need for stability, it was held at the lower figure of 12%.
Still, it's clear that the bulk of registered stocks plummeting created utter chaos.
"We took some damage too, but since you told me not to sell, we left things as they were."
"What about Il-seong Group's stock?"
"After our management dispute with Il-seong Materials, the shares on the market are drying up. There haven't been any significant changes."
I nodded as this was something I had expected.
"Even if stock volume was dwindling, it would resurface with a little effort."
"Make sure you buy up any shares that become available, even if it's just one."
"That's what I've been doing. But they're accumulating Ilseong Electronics stocks too…"
"Since most of the stocks are already in the hands of foreign banks, they won't part with them easily. It'll likely be quicker to bring down Il-seong Electronics than to seize control of its management."
Most of Il-seong Electronics stocks are held by foreign banks.
They would never let go of their Il-seong Electronics shares.
Han Gyeong-yeong tried negotiating with them multiple times to buy their stocks, but for some reason, they were unwilling to sell.
"Let's trust Jungwoo Electronics."
While I was conversing with Eva, we finally arrived in Pyeongchang-dong.
"Come to the Myeong-dong office tomorrow. You should rest today."
"Sure, Boss. Don't overdo it and get some good rest."
Seeing the fatigue on my face, Eva cheered me on softly before heading back to the office.
Even if I said I'd rest, there was a mountain of work waiting for me the moment I returned to Korea.
With a deep sigh, I entered my study.
It had been a few days since I arrived in Korea.
As I quickly wrapped up a few important tasks, I set out for Busan to attend Hyeon-seong's wedding.
I arrived a day early and gathered with friends for a long-awaited drink.
Me, Hyeon-seong, and Myeong-su shared a drink while reminiscing about old times in a makeshift tent at Jagalchi.
"I never thought that this punk Hyeon-seong would be the first of us to get married."
It may have just been soju and grilled eel, but this drink with friends was sweeter and better than any expensive liquor.
Perhaps tipsy, Myeong-su kept bringing up tales from the past.
"Remember back in high school when I got totally beaten in that music room? It was right when Mu-hyeok walked in, and I swear…"
"Cut it out. Why are we dragging up old times?"
I interrupted Myeong-su, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Back then, I was just determined not to repeat those same mistakes.
Like when Myeong-su's leg got broken, leaving him to leave school.
"C'mon, don't be ridiculous. Do you know how moved I was back then? That's when I decided I'd die before you die. Hyeon-seong, you knew that, right?"
Listening quietly, Hyeon-seong nodded with a mouthful of alcohol.
"I'm going to do whatever Mu-hyeok says."
"You're drunk, Myeong-su. Stop talking."
Even though there were no other customers at the tent, Myeong-su's face was still recognized by many.
Politicians always had to tread carefully with their words.
"I'm not drunk. Oh, right! I ran into Hong Jin-pyo in Seoul not long ago. Didn't I mention that?"
Hearing Hong Jin-pyo's name after so long piqued my interest.
Nodding, Myeong-su continued.
"Recently, I went on a site visit with the Moderate Party lawmakers due to the redevelopment issue. But can you believe he's the head of the redevelopment committee?"
"Head of the reconstruction committee?"
"Yeah, that's it. I was surprised, and when he saw me, he looked startled. Back then, he always acted so high and mighty…"
Myeong-su appeared bitter as he raised his glass and downed the soju in one shot. Filling his empty glass, I asked.
"So what happened?"
"You know how big the monetary interests are for the committee chair, right? Everyone's out to get that position. So, to make a good impression on me, he was all over me. Like, seriously…"
The authority of a reconstruction committee chair was immense.
They held significant power in selecting contractors during the project process, making that position as competitive as a national assembly election.
"Well, I'm sure he thinks he's scored a victory in being near me. Anyway, after our meeting, we met separately. He offered me cash, asking for a quick approval on the redevelopment business. Damn… that left such a bad taste."
"So he offered cash?"
Of course, since Myeong-su was receiving financial support from me, he wouldn't have accepted the money.
His subsequent words echoed my own thoughts.
"Yeah, he was saying he wanted to push for the redevelopment permit quickly. When he offered me cash, I threw it back at his face. His expression turned sour, but I just ignored him and turned away."
"Hmm… I'll look into that. As long as you didn't accept any money, that's what matters."
Some inexplicable discomfort made me decide to dig into it.
If he was the head of the redevelopment committee, there would likely be gangsters involved, so I could easily find out more about it.
"Let's call it a night. We should wrap it up for now."
Though it was still just past midnight, I had to end the drinking session in preparation for Hyeon-seong's wedding the next day.
The following morning, I woke up early to head to the wedding venue.
Just as I finished my preparations, I received a call from the Blue House.
"This is Kim Mu-hyeok."
— "This is the Blue House. The President would like to speak with you."
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