Chapter 586: Chapter 586: I Intend to Walk with Him Until the End
Jang Seong-taek visited Kim Jong-il's villa to meet with him a day before the party congress.
As soon as he entered, he felt the piercing gazes of Kim Jong-il's family on the first floor.
Ignoring their stares, Seong-taek moved towards Kim Jong-il's room on this floor.
Standing before the door, he took a deep breath and knocked.
"Comrade Chairman, this is Jang Seong-taek."
Soon, Kim Jong-il's voice came from inside.
"Come in."
As Jang Seong-taek stepped inside, he unknowingly furrowed his brows.
The room was thick with swirling cigarette smoke.
Empty liquor bottles cluttered the table, a testament to how long the drinking had gone on.
As if that wasn't enough, Kim Jong-il greeted Seong-taek with a cigarette in one hand and a glass in the other.
"So, Jang Seong-taek. What brings you here?"
Seong-taek bowed slightly to Kim Jong-il before striding toward the window.
Then, he yanked the curtains open and flung the window wide.
A warm breeze swept in through the open window.
"What are you doing right now?"
"The cigarette smoke is everywhere. It's not good for your health, General."
"Who's worried about whom here? It's not like I'm a cat thinking about a mouse. Anyway, that bastard…"
Despite his words, Kim Jong-il extinguished the cigarette forcefully in the ashtray.
Seeing that, a smile crept onto Seong-taek's face as he approached and took a seat.
"You've lost quite a bit of weight, General. Just one drink, please."
Kim Jong-il poured cognac into a new glass and pushed it toward Seong-taek.
Seong-taek accepted the glass, emptied half of it, and set it down.
"So, why did you come?"
"The party congress is happening tomorrow."
"I know. Is that all you came to say?"
"Will you be attending the party congress tomorrow?"
Kim Jong-il, who had been swirling his drink, suddenly stopped and stared at Seong-taek intently.
Seong-taek met Kim Jong-il's gaze without flinching and continued speaking.
"At the congress tomorrow, we'll be announcing the new rules of the Workers' Party. Much will change in the Republic from that point onward."
"…"
"How about making an appearance to grace the occasion one last time?"
Kim Jong-il, visibly irritated by the suggestion, downed his drink in one go and slammed the glass onto the table.
"Are you telling me to play the role of a mere figurehead?"
"Not at all. This is my goodwill to ensure the General's finale is grand. If you prefer, just give your inaugural address and leave. That's fine too."
The congress was something the entire nation already knew about.
Major party officials across the country were already gathering in Pyongyang.
If Kim Jong-il was absent, everyone would find it strange.
Seong-taek did not want chaos; he wanted a peaceful transfer of power.
Although he had already created the new role of Vice Chairman to seize actual power, he planned to fully ascend as the supreme leader through this congress.
"So you want me to publicly concede my position to you? Must it be done this way? The party and army are already firmly in your grasp, aren't they, Seong-taek?"
"That's correct. The General's position no longer exists within the Workers' Party or the Korean People's Army. But the people are different, aren't they? All that matters to them is what they can see."
Kim Jong-il shook his head after a moment of silence.
"I have no intention of playing supporter. So just go back. I'll be fine sitting here like a dead mouse."
As Kim Jong-il rejected him, the smile faded from Seong-taek's face.
"General. Those comrades who joined me in this venture are all clamoring for you to be eliminated. They visit several times a day, urging it on."
Kim Jong-il furrowed his brow, realizing what Seong-taek's words implied.
"I'm not planning to kill you. But if you refuse to cooperate, I can't justify stopping my comrades either."
"…Are you trying to threaten me? I've done everything you asked! I even asked Kim Mu-hyeok to help you! How can you do this to me?!"
Overcome with anger, Kim Jong-il trembled and raised his voice.
Seong-taek sighed softly, then calmly continued.
"This will be the last time. If you help with this, I'll ensure your nephews can live comfortably abroad. I'll take care to provide you with a better place, helping you enjoy your fishing hobby while you spend the rest of your life in peace."
After finishing his words, Seong-taek raised the glass and emptied it.
Watching him, Kim Jong-il took a cigarette, lit it, and took a drag.
After quickly finishing one cigarette, Kim Jong-il lit another.
Seong-taek remained silent, patiently waiting for Kim Jong-il to speak.
How long had it been? Finally exhaling a deep sigh and a cloud of smoke, Kim Jong-il began to speak.
"I understand. Do it the way you want. Just keep your promises."
"Thank you, General."
Seong-taek lowered his head, thanking him reflexively.
"Stop it. Don't say things you don't mean."
"We will prepare the inaugural address. Just attend the first day, and afterward, you don't need to attend anymore."
Kim Jong-il just nodded without a word.
"I'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow. Make sure not to drink too much, and try to cut back on smoking. You ought to live long enough to witness the Republic's development, don't you think?"
With that, Seong-taek got up from his seat.
"Then I'll be on my way now. See you tomorrow."
At that moment, Kim Jong-il called out to him as he turned to leave.
"Jang Seong-taek."
Stopping in his tracks, Seong-taek turned back.
"Don't trust Kim Mu-hyeok too much, and look into other options. Even the Chinese and Russians can't be fully trusted either, but it's better to have multiple avenues available. That bastard is too greedy, and his unreasonable greed could ruin this Republic. Don't get dragged around too much."
Whether it was heartfelt advice or a ploy to hinder him, Seong-taek couldn't tell.
However, upon meeting Kim Jong-il's gaze, he decided not to dismiss his words lightly.
"I know Kim Mu-hyeok is a greedy person. But for the sake of developing the Republic, he is truly an invaluable partner."
"A good partner, is it…?"
"I intend to walk with him until the end. For the Republic, and for myself as well, that's what I plan to do."
"If that's what you want, so be it. Understood. You can go now."
Once more, Jang Seong-taek bowed before turning around.
At last, the door creaked shut, enveloping the room in silence.
Left alone, Kim Jong-il poured himself another drink and murmured softly.
"For the Republic, huh…?"
On the first floor, Jang Seong-taek found himself waiting for Kim Jong-chul and Kim Jeong-un, the brothers.
Kim Jeong-un called out for Seong-taek.
"Uncle."
Seong-taek silently turned to look at the two brothers.
"How much longer do we need to stay here?"
"Just a little longer, alright? Once things settle down, I'll ensure you'll be sent overseas."
"Will our whole family be sent?"
"Not likely. I'll send along Jeong-chul, Jeong-un, and even Yeo-jung."
Kim Jong-chul mumbled in a dejected voice.
"What about our father and mother…?"
"The General remains in the Republic. And that woman will have to remain by his side too. He can't spend his later years alone, can he?"
Kim Jeong-un bit his lip in frustration. Kim Jong-chul merely glanced at Seong-taek.
"I'll ensure you have enough money to live comfortably abroad. But don't think about doing anything foolish. If you do, I'll take everything I've provided you back."
Kim Jong-chul nodded, while Kim Jeong-un didn't respond at all.
Seong-taek regarded Kim Jeong-un with a cold glare.
"Jeong-un and Jeong-chul, listen closely to what I say. The reason I'm keeping you alive is one: because I made a promise to the General. So don't harbor any ill intentions. My patience isn't infinite."
With those words, Seong-taek turned his back on the two brothers and walked away.
Kim Jeong-un glared at Seong-taek's retreating figure for quite some time.
* * *
In the grand banquet hall of the Baekje Hotel.
The large hall began to fill with the heavyweights of South Korea's business world, one by one.
Chairpersons from top 20 companies gathered in one place.
"Hahaha, Chairman Song! Congratulations! You can fulfill Chairman Wang's wishes!"
The individuals present exchanged pleasantries with Chairman Song Chan-woo, creating a cheerful atmosphere.
Song Chan-woo listened to their words with an impassive smile.
"Nothing is set in stone yet, but thank you for the kind words."
"Isn't it obvious? North Korea is changing. Once Kim Jong-il steps down and Jang Seong-taek takes power, a wind of change will sweep through. The outcome will be the upcoming summit announced by President Yoon Chang-ho. Much will change, I assure you. And most likely, it will lead to economic cooperation. I've heard that the Blue House is already drafting a roadmap for economic collaboration. Once cooperation resumes with North Korea after the summit, who do you think will reap the benefits? It'll all fall into Daehyeon Group's lap, won't it?"
Yeo Seung-jin from Geumsung Group flashed a smile at Song Chan-woo.
"I don't know where you heard that, but I still haven't received anything from the Blue House."
"You've gotten rather sly since we last met. Chairman Wang has always been blunt."
Yeo Seung-jin shook his head and clicked his tongue.
"Chairman Song, this is too much for you to handle alone. If it were during Chairman Wang's time, I could understand. But how about sharing the business rights with the rest of the chairpersons here?"
"…"
"Overindulgence leads to overcomplication. Let's all make a living together, shall we? Don't you think so, dear chairpersons?"
Except for Kim Byung-woo from Jungwoo Group and Kim Seong-hyeok from Hyeonhwa Group, everyone nodded in agreement.
Yeo Seung-jin took charge of the atmosphere while Seo Jae-sang from JC Group lent his backing with support.
Other chairpersons chimed in, applying pressure on Chairman Song Chan-woo.
"Chairman, I believe there are a total of seven SOC projects that Daehyeon Group had previously secured with North Korea. Wouldn't it be burdensome for you to handle them all alone?"
Chairman Song Chan-woo was left speechless, incredulous.
What a laughable sight. Here they are, pouncing like hyenas, even before it's confirmed whether business with North Korea will resume or not.
Kim Byung-woo stepped in to cool the heated atmosphere.
"Alright, now that we are all gathered, let's move on to the main agenda. Chairman Kang Ho-seok, it's your turn to start."
The meeting officially commenced as Kang Ho-seok, Chairman of Dongseong Group and now head of the Korean Economic Association, rose from his seat.
The association was a forum for over 400 top-tier and mid-sized business executives, but it was rare for everyone to gather in one place.
Aside from the biannual chair elections, they routinely convened as company rankings fluctuated between the top 20 and 50.
Originally established under the leadership of Il-seong Group, that group had now faded into history.
"The agenda to be discussed this time is…"
Chairman Kang introduced various topics one at a time, most passing without significant dissent.
Lastly, he broached the topic of the summit.
"The government has invited all us executives to the welcoming banquet for the summit. So, please keep that in mind and adjust your schedules accordingly."
Yeo Seung-jin raised a question.
"Chairman Kang, is there anything besides the invitation?"
"No, they merely requested our presence at the welcoming banquet."
"It sounds like they're treating us like underlings. It seems they think it's still an era where we come and go at their beck and call. Chairman Kang, don't you feel we're being disrespected?"
In response to Yeo Seung-jin's probing question, Kang Ho-seok chuckled.
"The Blue House has behaved that way numerous times; we ought to understand that. After all, the outcomes of the summit will leave us with a lot to handle commercially."
However, feeling disrespected, Yeo Seung-jin shook his head and clicked his tongue in frustration.
In spite of his complaints, there was little else he could do but go along with it.
Kang Ho-seok, thinking this through, scanned the assembly in order to close the meeting.
"So, I will bring this meeting to a close…"
At that moment, the grand banquet hall's doors swung open. Everyone turned their gazes toward the door.
"Hello, esteemed chairpersons. It's been a while."
It was Kim Mu-hyeok who entered.
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