Chapter 575: Chapter 575: Everything Was Twisted from the Start
What do you mean by that? Are you saying we proposed negotiations to Kim Jong-il separately? What on earth are you talking about?"
I sighed shortly at his words as if he couldn't grasp the situation at all.
It seemed that the Kremlin wasn't up to any funny business after all.
To be honest, I didn't suspect much. I just wanted to confirm that the Kremlin wasn't involved.
Since collaborating with me would yield greater benefits than negotiating behind my back with Kim Jong-il, Russia likely wouldn't harbor any ulterior motives.
"I met with Kim Jong-il today. He had an interesting story to share. Someone from the Russian Embassy requested a private meeting with him."
"What do you mean…? Please explain clearly. I need to understand this."
"It seems that a second secretary named Andrei Solomatin, dispatched to Pyongyang, proposed negotiations to Kim Jong-il."
"Andrei Solomatin? Who's that? I don't know anyone by that name."
Well, it would indeed be strange if Medvedev knew the name of a second secretary.
"Who he is isn't the important part. What matters is that he met with Kim Jong-il and made a clandestine proposal."
"What proposal could that possibly be? Regardless, I find it hard to believe that a second secretary would meet with Kim Jong-il. Is that really plausible? If Alexei had met him, I could understand this better…"
Medvedev muttered in disbelief, clearly struggling with the idea that a low-ranking official like a second secretary could meet with Kim Jong-il.
"Perhaps Kim Jong-il is trying to sow discord between us and Boss Kim."
Initially, I might have thought that could be the case.
However, in Kim Jong-il's demeanor and words, I saw no intention to deceive me.
For a moment, I recalled Kim Jong-il saying he would watch us with a puff of cigarette smoke.
He was probably telling me the truth.
"There was no reason for him to do that. From my encounters, I've seen that Kim Jong-il seemed to have given up on everything."
"Boss Kim, power is a strange creature. It's not something you can easily shake off."
The way Russia's second-in-command spoke so bitterly almost made me chuckle.
"At first, I thought the same. But, surprisingly, Kim Jong-il's love for his family is quite strong. He told me he wouldn't risk his family's lives."
"If that's how you see it, then it must be the truth. Still, we can't let our guard down. That's the nature of power."
"I'll be careful, but that's something for Vice Chairman Jang Seong-taek to handle."
I answered casually, and perhaps feeling awkward, Medvedev cleared his throat softly.
For a moment, the off-topic conversation found its way back.
"So, what exactly did he say?"
"He claimed that if we partnered with them, they'd prevent the passage of a Security Council resolution."
Silence fell over the line. It felt as if the shocking news left him speechless.
"This is a resolution that the U.S., Russia, and China have already agreed upon. He suggested they'd block it. Even uttered by a low-ranking official from the Russian Embassy. This is why I questioned the Administrative Director, to see if the Kremlin approached me without my knowledge."
"No, that's not the case. The President knows nothing of this, and neither do I. We certainly have no reason to do so. We've committed our forces enough that we won't take this lightly."
"Yes, I know that, which is why I find it puzzling. Who would propose such a thing to Kim Jong-il and for what purpose?"
"Hmm… One moment."
Medvedev called someone.
"Contact the Foreign Ministry immediately and bring in a man named Andrei Solomatin!"
I could hear Medvedev's stern voice through the receiver.
Finishing his words, Medvedev turned to me again.
"Boss Kim, I've just ordered them to capture that diplomat named Andrei. Once we interrogate him, won't we find out who he was working for?"
If we could capture him, things might get easier. But I didn't think we could capture him.
"He probably left Russia a while ago. Given that it failed, he likely realized the conversation would leak out."
"That could be. However, even if he has left Russia, he won't be safe. We never forgive a traitor. We'll find him no matter where he is."
Medvedev's calm tone was laced with a subtle anger.
Looking at Alexei before me, I spoke.
"I may not know much about the diplomatic workings here, but this isn't something a second secretary could do alone. He must have an accomplice."
Alexei flinched at my words.
"…Accomplice, you say?"
"The ambassador currently denies knowing anything. He also mentioned that only two people, including him, could have arranged a meeting with Kim Jong-il."
"The ambassador doesn't know? …I'll look into that."
"Good. I trust you to handle it."
"Of course. I can't just let this go. I'll find out who orchestrated this and for what purpose."
"If Kim Jong-il accepted that proposal, everything we prepared from the start would have unraveled."
The beginning of this plan was to isolate North Korea.
If it was derailed from the start, every plan would have failed and we wouldn't have even been able to attempt it.
"Yes, indeed. It's fortunate that Kim Jong-il didn't accept it. Oh, by the way, Boss Kim, how's the situation in Pyongyang? I haven't heard anything in a while."
Medvedev skillfully changed the subject.
"I don't have much information to share just yet. We're still in the early stages."
"I see. I too plan to visit Pyongyang soon."
"Directly from the Administrative Director?"
"Yes. We have plenty to discuss, don't we?"
Russia seemed to have its own agenda.
"I understand for now."
"Aren't you curious? If you wish, I can share our outlined plan."
"Well, if it were something I needed to know, I'd expect you would have informed me in advance."
"Haha, that's true."
I glanced at the clock on the wall and said to Medvedev.
"Contact me if there's any new information."
"Understood. Please hand the ambassador back to me."
"Certainly. I'll pass him over."
I handed the receiver to Alexei.
As Alexei took the receiver, bowing his head politely, I drifted off into thought.
It's easier to persuade one of the permanent members of the Security Council than to sway all seven non-permanent member countries. Not China, Russia, or the U.S.
If China was behind this, they would have acted through the Chinese Embassy.
There would be no reason to involve anyone at the Russian Embassy otherwise.
Unless it was meant to disrupt things…
Then it must involve some forces capable of moving either the UK or France.
A short while later, Alexei urgently called out to me.
"Kim Mu-hyeok!"
"Is the call finished?"
"Yes. He instructed me to help you with whatever you need."
"I don't think there'll be much need for help."
"Still…"
Ignoring Alexei, who trailed off, I stood up.
"I appreciate the offer, but I suppose I'll see you next time if the opportunity arises."
While I may not see the ambassador again, I smiled, shook hands, and left the embassy.
"Have you finished everything?"
A man waiting outside asked. I nodded, and he politely opened the car door for me.
"I'll take you to the hotel. Vice Chairman Jang said to escort you there."
"Aren't you going to meet Vice Chairman Jang?"
"He's currently meeting with a special envoy from Korea. He wants to speak with you separately in the evening."
It seemed he was still in talks. I nodded and got into the car.
The man who carefully closed the door took the driver's seat.
"Then I'll get going now."
As his stiff words faded away, I fell back into my thoughts.
* * *
"Are you saying we should quickly commence construction at the Kaesong Industrial Complex?"
Lee Myeong-su asked back awkwardly. Jang Seong-taek nodded as if it were a given.
"That's right."
"That is only possible if the economic sanctions are lifted. We can't proceed with the Kaesong Industrial Complex without the U.S. agreeing."
"Who doesn't know that? That's why I'm here asking you."
As Lee Myeong-su's lips fidgeted uncomfortably, Jang Seong-taek spoke again.
"Even if the U.S. opposes it, it's something we can achieve if we set our minds to it, isn't it?"
"It's just… politically too risky."
Establishing a complex in North Korea under sanctions?
That was a burdensome thing even if we had the U.S.'s permission.
"I know. But we can't just concede to the Republic, can we? The South Korean government must expedite the process and persuade the U.S. to allow the Kaesong Industrial Complex to be built swiftly."
Noticing the distressed expression on Lee Myeong-su's face, Jang Seong-taek spoke firmly.
"This is the minimum necessary step for dialogue. I have to show something to the people too, you know?"
"Then let's start with the food aid proposal I mentioned earlier. We can quell immediate concerns with that, can't we?"
Since the Geneva negotiations, the U.S. has provided over 100,000 tons of food aid to North Korea annually.
South Korea had also been providing a significant amount of food aid.
However, due to North Korea's nuclear tests and subsequent provocations, food aid that had been delivered humanely by the U.S. and other countries had completely ceased.
With all support cut off, North Korea suffered from extreme food shortages.
Knowing this, the South Korean government brought food aid to the negotiation table.
However, Jang Seong-taek was not satisfied with just that.
While food aid was urgent, starting construction on the Kaesong Industrial Complex was far more crucial for him.
"We can negotiate food aid with the U.S. on our own terms."
"The South Korean government can provide an immediate food supply starting tomorrow."
"I completely understand your reluctance to bear political burdens. But please consider my situation as well. Moving at such a slow pace isn't going to work. I plan to do much for the peace between the Republic and South Korea, so the South Korean government needs to persuade the U.S. to create the Kaesong Industrial Complex by any means necessary."
"Hmm."
Lee Myeong-su swallowed hard. It was an incredibly awkward position to be in.
Instead of progressing with the negotiations, they kept going in circles discussing the Kaesong Industrial Complex. This was beyond his authority.
"If we could, we'd do it right away. But I don't think the U.S. will ever allow it."
"I've lost track of whether I'm talking to a U.S. special envoy or a South Korean one. You say we can't do this or that. What exactly can we do?"
"…"
As Lee Myeong-su struggled to respond, Jang Seong-taek let out a deep sigh and spoke again.
"Let's be honest. Right now, I'm wielding the real power in place of Comrade Chairman. However, I'm standing at the edge of a cliff. If I don't produce results in the short term, who knows what will happen? The special envoy knows that Kim Mu-hyeok is a friend, don't you?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Then our conversation will flow smoothly. Kim is never one to lose out. You know that better than anyone as his friend."
Lee Myeong-su nodded slightly.
"That's why I've called you in. Let's speak frankly. Kim Mu-hyeok has proposed for us to hold a North-South summit in Seoul first. I'm considering accepting that proposal. South Korea has a major election coming up soon, right? I'd like to visit Seoul personally before that."
Lee Myeong-su's eyes widened. The top leader of North Korea suddenly visiting Seoul?
That had never happened since the division.
"Are you saying you want to hold a summit?"
Jang Seong-taek nodded.
A summit between the North and South ahead of a general election. Lee scratched his eyes suspiciously.
"There's less than three months until the election."
"I already know. Kim Mu-hyeok brought that up too."
"For the top leader of North Korea to visit Seoul… Coordinating the schedule and routes, and negotiating security issues will take at least half a year. By the time we're done, the election will already be over."
"I'm aware of that. Let's cut that down to two months. Wouldn't that greatly assist the National Assembly elections?"
Jang Seong-taek smiled as if he was savoring the proposal.
Though he had to visit Seoul upon Kim Mu-hyeok's request, he intended to extract as much as possible from the South Korean government.
'Kim Mu-hyeok is one thing; the South Korean government is another.'
The smile on Jang Seong-taek's face grew broader.
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