Kapitel 601: Chapter 601: The Meeting at Panmunjom
Shall we go in?
I walked with Kissinger towards the military demarcation line at Panmunjom.
'Fortunately, it seems he doesn't know that Russia has reclaimed its nuclear weapons.'
If he did, Kissinger would have tried to probe me for more information.
Instead, he merely lamented that I had received help from the Russian government.
As we conversed and walked, we soon arrived near the military demarcation line.
Numerous soldiers and guards were tightly controlling access at the entrance.
Kissinger and I halted at a distance from the military demarcation line.
"How do you feel? This is your achievement, isn't it?"
Suddenly, Kissinger poked me in the side, inquiring.
I chuckled lightly and replied nonchalantly.
"It's just okay. It's only the beginning after all."
"How boring. You can be happy, you know. I'm still feeling great. Remember when President Nixon visited China? What an era that was. The peak of tension between the free world and the communist bloc. Yet, I organized the American president's visit to China, the only nation that could stand up to the Soviet Union in the communist camp."
Thinking back to that time, Kissinger seemed elated, his shoulders lifted high.
"At that time, it felt like we held the world in our hands, creating a foothold to contain the Soviet Union using China."
The meeting between Nixon and Mao Zedong was a precursor to a decade-long period of reconciliation.
At a time when China and the Soviet Union were at odds due to border disputes, the U.S. skillfully inserted itself between the two nations.
The U.S. not only facilitated the Moscow Treaty of non-aggression between the Soviet Union and West Germany but also sparked numerous agreements and treaties that created an illusion of smooth sailing between the two camps.
However, the U.S. was not satisfied with just that.
Through the summit with China, it delivered a heavy blow to the Soviet Union's prestige.
"This event we are witnessing is no small matter either. In fact, it might be even bigger. It's a crucial meeting that marks a pivotal return of the reclusive North Korea to the international community. So take pride in it."
"I appreciate the kind words, but… I'm still hungry. I'm not satisfied with just this."
"Ha! What's that? You're quite greedy. Well, aiming high is what targets are for, isn't it?"
At that moment, President Yoon Chang-ho emerged from the House of Freedom, located on the South Korean side of Panmunjom.
The North Korean press had already crossed the demarcation line to capture shots of President Yoon.
Yoon Chang-ho's nervousness was evident on his face—his shoulders were tense even from a distance.
I glanced at Yoon and turned to Kissinger.
"Is it just me, or does President Yoon look nervous?"
"No, I think he looks quite tense as well."
Yoon walked alone, leaving his aides behind.
He approached between the T-2 and T-3 camps established by neutral country monitors.
Then he stopped exactly in front of the military demarcation line.
At that point, I checked my watch. The vehicle carrying Jang Seong-taek should have arrived by now.
However, contrary to my expectations, Jang Seong-taek stepped out not from a car, but through the Panmungak door.
Bodyguards in suits stepped out first to lead the way, while Jang Seong-taek followed, slowly descending the steps surrounded by them.
Next to him were Kim Yong-nam, Choi Ryong-hae, and other senior North Korean officials participating in this meeting.
Most were in suits, but a few were dressed in traditional people's clothing.
"The man in the middle is Jang Seong-taek. Have you met him?"
Kissinger shook his head, his gaze fixed on Jang Seong-taek.
"No, I've seen him in photos but never spoken to him directly."
"Before becoming the ultimate power in North Korea, Jang Seong-taek was already in the upper echelons. He was quite progressive, which is why I chose him to help."
"Is that so? I've heard from the Chinese side as well that he's pro-China."
"Well, rather than calling him pro-China… it's more appropriate to say he's pragmatic."
As Kissinger and I conversed, the guards and aides around Jang Seong-taek parted ways.
Jang Seong-taek walked into the space between Yoon Chang-ho standing at T-2 and T-3.
I couldn't see Yoon's face from where I stood, but Jang Seong-taek's was clearly visible.
He walked up with a broad smile on his face.
At last, the two leaders of South and North Korea faced each other.
Jang Seong-taek gladly shook Yoon Chang-ho's outstretched hand.
From a distance, I couldn't hear them, but the shape of their lips suggested they were having a brief discussion.
Then, President Yoon suddenly crossed the military demarcation line.
His sudden action drew stirred reactions from both the Blue House aides and the press corps.
"Oh, it seems President Yoon is quite determined. He knows how to put on a show."
"Really?"
"Why such a reaction? You already knew, huh?"
Of course. I had already anticipated that President Yoon would cross the military demarcation line.
It was a strategy I proposed, so it was impossible not to know.
"Yes, I was aware."
Kissinger nodded. It seemed no longer surprising to him.
"You know, as you can imagine, politics is a show. This level of showmanship is necessary. President Yoon's popularity in South Korea isn't for nothing."
As Kissinger said, every one of these actions deeply etched themselves in the public's mind.
I imagined a news headline scrolling at the bottom of the live broadcast.
[President Yoon Chang-ho crosses the military demarcation line.]
[Two leaders holding hands, taking steps to create a new history.]
Without backing down, Jang Seong-taek embraced Yoon Chang-ho who crossed the military demarcation line.
They lifted their clasped hands up and smiled for a moment, posing for the cameras facing the House of Freedom.
Both of their faces radiated joy.
This time, Yoon Chang-ho led Jang Seong-taek across to the southern side.
He raised his hand while looking at Panmungak on the North Korean side.
Engaged in conversation, the two men broke into hearty laughs, continuing to hold hands as they crossed into South Korea.
The two leaders turned their steps toward the House of Peace, where the first meeting would take place.
They then stopped in front of the red carpet that had been laid out in advance.
As they got closer, I could hear snippets of their conversation.
"This is the traditional honor guard prepared for Chairman Jang. What do you think?"
"While our Republic's honor guard is magnificent, the South Korean's is impressive as well."
Walking down the red carpet, the two leaders halted in front of the traditional honor guard.
Dressed in traditional Joseon era garments, the honor guard played ceremonial music, leading the way, followed by Yoon Chang-ho and Jang Seong-taek.
The two men walked slowly, chatting as they approached the House of Peace.
Upon arriving, Jang Seong-taek and Yoon Chang-ho were greeted with an honor guard ceremony.
Typically, there would be cannon salutes and national anthems, but due to the unique nature of the inter-Korean summit, those ceremonies were abbreviated.
Nonetheless, a tingling excitement filled the air.
Kissinger and I stood by watching, engaged in conversation.
"Isn't it fascinating? The highest leader of North Korea receiving a salute from the South Korean military."
"It's a historic scene. I never thought I would witness something like this before I die."
The inter-Korean summit held in North Korea had not received much publicity due to the country's secretive nature.
However, this time, nearly every aspect was broadcast live.
More than a thousand foreign correspondents from over 50 countries, excluding South Korean media, registered to cover this event.
At the main press center in KINTEX, around 3,000 journalists gathered to report breaking news back to their respective nations.
Around the world, this historic scene was being transmitted live in real time.
After the honor ceremony, the two leaders shook hands with each national representative one by one.
Concluding the outer event, they led their entourage into the House of Peace.
"Are you going to go in too, Kissinger?"
I asked Kissinger, and he looked back at me, surprised.
"The House of Peace? Can we really go in?"
In response to Kissinger's inquiry, I raised one side of my mouth.
Access to the House of Peace was strictly controlled, aside from the appointed South Korean and North Korean representatives along with a few journalists.
"Yes. Since we've come this far, shouldn't we explore instead of just spectating? You'd better speak to Jang Seong-taek directly."
"Hmm. I could do so at the welcome dinner at the Blue House tonight…"
The conversations in a public space and those in a private one couldn't be treated the same.
Seeing Kissinger hesitate to respond, I purposely turned my body away.
"If you don't want to, we can head back now."
"Hey, come on!"
Kissinger hurriedly grabbed me, nearly holding back his laughter as he complied.
"When did I say I didn't want to? I'm just deliberating. I want to go in as well; it's a historical site like no other."
Anyway, he's an interesting character. Reluctantly following Kissinger's lead, I said, "Let's head in."
In fact, I had already informed Yoon Chang-ho.
After all the journalists had left, I planned to bring Kissinger to the meeting.
Yoon welcomed my attendance with open arms.
Perhaps it was because no one knew Jang Seong-taek better than I did, but I took no offense at his reaction.
I moved with Kissinger towards the back door. Entering through the front where all the journalists gathered would be out of the question.
Naturally, the back door was also secured by North and South Korean guards.
"You all are doing a great job."
I greeted the guards standing solemnly at their posts.
Just then, a North Korean guard blocked our way.
"You can't enter."
This sudden obstruction caught the South Korean guard off guard as he rushed over to explain.
"They're already part of the agreement."
"I haven't heard of that. You can't enter."
The North Korean guard's gaze was fixed on Kissinger rather than on me.
Due to North Korea's lingering resentment towards the U.S., they seemed determined to obstruct us without question.
"Then, please ask Chairman Jang Seong-taek. Tell him that a man named Kim Mu-hyeok is trying to bring Kissinger in."
I had no intention of blaming the guard. He was merely fulfilling his duty.
After all, they were in the heart of their adversary's territory with their leader present. It was only natural for them to be cautious.
"Please wait."
The guard spoke briefly before picking up his radio.
A short while later.
"I'm terribly sorry."
The guard bowed his head to me and Kissinger. It seemed he received a satisfactory answer, his demeanor turning courteous.
I patted the guard on the shoulder and said, "No worries. You were just doing your job. Are we good to go in now?"
"Yes. Please proceed."
As we stepped inside, a familiar face appeared. It was a staff member from the Blue House's secretarial office.
"I will guide you. Please follow me this way."
A tall staff member stood in front to lead us.
We walked slowly in his wake, arriving at what appeared to be a waiting room.
"The journalists are still waiting. Once everything concludes, I will take you in again."
As the staff opened the door, I nodded, and once again, the staff exited, closing the door behind him.
As soon as the door shut, Kissinger threw away his stern expression and walked toward the table.
He poured himself some water and gulped half of it down in one go, letting out a deep sigh.
"Ah, I guess I'm getting old. It's exhausting standing for so long."
Kissinger set the water bottle down and slumped into a chair, closing his eyes as he sank into the seat.
I too felt drained after reviewing documents late into the night and coming out early in the morning. Following Kissinger's lead, I sank back into a chair for a brief moment of rest.
"You may enter now."
How long had it been? The sudden voice startled me awake.
I must have dozed off.
The staff member who had guided us earlier entered the room, calling out to us.
Kissinger appeared to have dozed off briefly as well, evident in the sleepiness etched on his face.
I rubbed my stiff neck and checked my wristwatch. The hour hand was brushing past 11 o'clock.
It had already been an hour since the meeting began.
"Kissinger, it's time to go in."
Nodding, Kissinger stood up from his seat.
We entered the meeting room where representatives from both sides had gathered.
At a large table, three individuals including President Yoon Chang-ho sat on one side, while three others including Jang Seong-taek sat on the opposite.
As the door opened and we stepped inside, six pairs of eyes focused on us.
Receiving that attention, I broke into a warm smile.
"Hello. I am Kim Mu-hyeok."
As soon as I finished greeting, smiles spread across the faces of Yoon Chang-ho and Jang Seong-taek.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein