Capítulo 599: Chapter 599: It Seems We Can Shout
Yoon Chang-ho's brows were tightly knitted, showing no signs of relaxing anytime soon.
"Isn't the situation different from before?"
"True enough… But at least I'm not swayed by the chaebols since I don't take their campaign funds. If it weren't for you, I would have been at their mercy too."
"I doubt you would have let them have their way. You would have dealt with them head-on."
Hearing this seemed to lighten Yoon Chang-ho's mood, as his expression finally softened.
"Haha, I appreciate that, even if it's just flattery. So, did those stubborn chaebols accept your proposal?"
"Would they turn it down? In order to have any stake in the North Korean business, they'll have to accept it. If there's anyone among them who doesn't realize how sweet the pot in North Korea is… they'll soon find themselves out of the game."
"Hmm… Then it sounds like I can make some noise at the upcoming summit. Is that alright?"
Yoon Chang-ho's question seemed to outwardly seek permission, but his underlying tone urged for swift action.
I shrugged my shoulders and replied.
"Daehyeon Construction is set to complete the Kaesong Industrial Complex as quickly as possible. We'll also need to improve the road leading to it since the current condition isn't great. That'll probably have to be handled by the Korean government."
"Well, that seems reasonable. The previous administration had planned something similar, so it shouldn't be a significant issue. There's a budget proposal that's been thoroughly reviewed and discussed already."
Even though there had been a cold breeze in the middle of negotiations, there had been some support when the inter-Korean relations were warmed up. This budget was likely part of that.
To be fair, Kim Hak-gwon had done his job well given his ambitions.
"Then it seems we can indeed make some noise. Since we're already at it, let's put on a show. We need a performance to draw everyone's attention. When Jang Seong-taek arrives at Panmunjom, Mr. President, you should cross the military demarcation line yourself and theatrically bring him over. This will undoubtedly make headlines, both domestically and internationally."
Excitement flickered across Yoon Chang-ho's face.
"That sounds good! I'm looking forward to it!"
"You should be able to. Expect great things from this."
More discussions followed between President Yoon Chang-ho and me, and after a long while, I finally left the Blue House.
Early in the morning, as soon as I returned to Pyeongchang-dong, I headed straight for the bathroom.
After washing away the fatigue and weariness, I changed into comfortable clothes and headed to my study.
In there hung my grandfather's portrait.
He had a stern and stubborn look. After briefly gazing at the portrait, I took a seat.
On the desk lay data about New Fact. I opened the envelope and started reading.
"It's a small media company with only twelve staff members. But the shareholding structure is unclear, and as Eva said, the actual owner is a corporation overseas…"
The documents were quite thick. I murmured to myself as I read through the papers.
New Fact was a media company that had only been established for a year.
The head of the company was from Goryeo Daily, and several employees also came from prominent daily newspapers.
While I was checking the documents, Manager Ma entered the study holding a cup of coffee.
He placed the coffee cup next to me and asked.
"Boss, aren't you tired?"
His concerned question made me smile as I briefly paused my reading to look at him.
"I'm just trying to verify a few things. Have you seen it yet, Manager Ma?"
"Not yet, I haven't had the chance to check it out."
Manager Ma was busy due to the numerous directives I had given him, after all.
Maybe I should add another secretary to help him out?
Taking a sip of the coffee he brought, I returned my gaze to the documents.
"Well, you should read it later. It's quite interesting. It's surprising how they manage to stay afloat without a solid revenue model. Laundering money through a paper company as well… It feels strangely like a media company set up to attack me."
I set down the documents after finishing my review.
"First off, we need to dig into this Haji-sung, the CEO. Since he's from Goryeo Daily, check with them about why he left and what kind of person he is. Oh, and dig into his bank accounts too."
"I will do that."
I finished the last of my coffee and stood up from my seat.
"I need to rest now. If there's no urgent matter, don't wake me up."
I walked out of the study and went straight to bed.
Feeling the fatigue pile up, I watched the ceiling draw closer and then fade away repeatedly.
Ultimately, I had no choice but to close my eyes and get lost in thought.
'First, I'll need to cut off the news partnership with the portals I can influence.'
After much contemplation on how to deal with New Fact, I slipped into a deep sleep.
* * *
It was early morning, but Kissinger was already awake.
The Myeong-dong Hotel, where Kim Mu-hyeok had booked for him, had excellent service.
Sipping the coffee that was tailored to his preferences without him even asking, Kissinger chuckled.
"Hmm."
His gaze was fixed on the laptop.
The emails on the monitor were packed with data about Kim Mu-hyeok.
While he read through the neatly organized records of Kim Mu-hyeok's life, from childhood to present, he let out intermittent exclamations of surprise.
"Fascinating. Where on earth did such a person come from?"
The details about Kim Mu-hyeok were astounding.
While he had wandered a bit in his childhood, the path he carved as an adult was nothing short of miraculous.
"Not a single mistake up to now…"
Even for someone who had navigated the U.S. political and economic landscape for decades, Kim Mu-hyeok's trajectory was extraordinary.
"This can't be explained without him having foreknowledge of the future."
His actions in Russia, in particular, were the most intriguing.
At a time when no one was interested in the owner of the Kremlin, he established relationships, and even when Kim Il-sung held indisputable power, he didn't hold back on political advice when Kim became the Tsar of Russia.
"No way. That can't be true. Knowing the future? What kind of thoughts are running through my head?"
Kissinger chuckled softly and closed his laptop.
"This guy could be key to improving relations between Russia and the U.S. His influence in Northeast Asia will only grow stronger from here on out."
And that perspective held true even now.
North Korea, once a headache for Northeast Asia, experienced rapid changes.
When he was formulating foreign policy, Kim Il-sung was holding absolute power. Hence, there would never be a coup from within.
Therefore, Kissinger was in favor of overthrowing the North Korean regime through military action, as Neocons suggested.
But Kim Mu-hyeok orchestrated Jang Seong-taek to resolve it.
Without a bloody civil war, he peacefully removed Kim Jong-il, transferring power to Jang Seong-taek.
"Goodness, am I getting old? I seem to be having more far-fetched thoughts lately."
Just then, someone rang the bell. Kissinger stood up and opened the door.
"Kissinger. It's been a while."
"Who's this! What brings you here?"
"You should've contacted me once you entered South Korea. What's going on?"
Standing at the door was Thomas, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.
Chris, the head of the CIA branch in Korea, was also with him.
"Chris! I didn't know you were in Korea too!"
"It's been a long time, Kissinger."
"Don't stand outside, come on in!"
Welcome by Kissinger, the two were ushered inside.
Seated, they continued their conversation.
"Chris! You're the head of the Korea branch now? What kind of trouble did you cause?"
"…You have a good sense of humor. What country is as significant as South Korea in Northeast Asia? I insisted that I come here personally."
"Really? I could see you doing that."
Kissinger nodded as he turned to the U.S. Ambassador this time.
"Thomas! You've risen to a high position to the point where you can serve as an ambassador. Has time flown by that fast?"
"Yes, time really does fly. Kissinger, you've aged quite a lot since we last met."
"What? This guy is teasing the old man!"
The atmosphere was quite friendly as the three engaged in conversation.
"But Kissinger, shouldn't the first place you visit upon entering Korea be the embassy? This isn't right! There was an alert at the embassy yesterday. You clearly entered but disappeared like smoke! If it weren't for digging into Kim Mu-hyeok, we wouldn't have found out you were here!"
Despite Thomas's reproach, Kissinger shrugged it off nonchalantly.
"I still have time until my official visit, right? I'm here personally. So I'm not heading to the embassy."
"You could stay with me instead."
"No thanks. I'd prefer to avoid any trouble your wife might stir up. I find your wife more troublesome than you. So why did you come? I'd have been informed at the right time, after all."
Kissinger skillfully asked without ruining the atmosphere while still inquiring about their purpose for visiting.
"I was curious about what's going on since you entered suddenly without notifying anyone, and coming in together with Kim Mu-hyeok is also unusual, so I came to ask you about it."
"It's a simple curiosity. I've only heard stories about Charlie, so I wanted to meet him in person. I plan to keep an eye on him for now."
"Is that so? You're placing such significance on him that you need to check him out personally? Both you and Chris seem to think very highly of Kim Mu-hyeok."
Kissinger's eyes lit up at the U.S. Ambassador's words.
"Oh, Chris, are you interested in him too? Really?"
"Yes, but my interest lies in a different direction. We consider Charlie to be a potential threat. So far, he hasn't acted against U.S. interests, but… we can't predict how things will unfold in the future."
The Chris Kissinger knew was an agent who could secure a significant position at CIA headquarters at any time.
And here he was, volunteering to keep an eye on just one person.
Adjusting his glasses, Kissinger looked at Chris.
"Is he truly a threat? Or is this a directive from the White House?"
"It's not. It's the Director's opinion."
"Hmm… So the CIA director wasn't promoted from within but was an external appointment. That makes sense."
The materials Kissinger received documented both Kim Mu-hyeok's light and shadow.
Kim Mu-hyeok had no qualms about using force if it meant achieving his goals.
No, perhaps it was even easier to resort to violence as an individual than as a state.
After all, he was the effective owner of the PMC known as Black Bear.
"So that's why you came to Korea? To keep an eye on that friend Charlie?"
"That's one of the reasons, yes."
"If you assess that he is a hindrance to national interest, what do you plan to do?"
"…"
Chris didn't respond, but Kissinger understood the meaning of his silence.
Kissinger clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"Times have changed. Such operations will only backfire like before. It's better to create friends than enemies."
Chris's eyes widened. Before him stood Kissinger, who had expertly utilized the CIA like no one else.
At Kissinger's reaction, Chris raised one side of his mouth in a smirk.
"I'll keep an eye on things for a while. So don't worry, just focus on this upcoming summit."
The U.S. Ambassador inquired.
"Kissinger, how long do you plan on staying in Korea? No matter what, you need military protection…"
"It's fine. Is there anywhere safer than Korea? There's no gunfights like in the U.S., nor any terror incidents. Will I die? If I have security, it just becomes inconvenient to move. I'll just sit tight and not concern myself with unnecessary security teams."
"Still…"
"I said no. Just go on back."
Kissinger waved his hand as if he were dismissing an annoyance.
Thus, the two had no choice but to get up from their seats.
"I'll drop by again next time."
The two bowed their heads in farewell and left the hotel room.
For a while after they departed, Kissinger remained seated.
Staring intently in the direction they had left, deep in thought, Kissinger finally rose.
* * *
I arrived at the Myeong-dong Hotel to have dinner with Kissinger.
He was waiting for me at the hotel entrance.
As Manager Ma parked the car near where Kissinger was standing, he got out and opened the door for me.
"Please, hop in."
Kissinger nodded and climbed into the car. Dressed casually instead of in his usual suit, he only looked like a friendly old man.
"Anyone who doesn't know would think you're a tourist visiting the country."
"Hahaha, indeed?"
While having such light conversations, we arrived at the restaurant where reservations were made.
Entering the restaurant, we were led by the staff to a private room inside.
Inside the room, a large table was set up, and the food was already prepared.
"Since you've come to Korea, you should try a traditional Korean meal."
"Oh, thank you."
Kissinger, who joked, exaggeratedly expressed his gratitude. We sat across from each other and began our meal.
Throughout the meal, Kissinger shared various stories to lighten the mood.
As we neared the end of our meal, Kissinger casually brought up a topic.
"Today, Thomas, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, and the CIA head in Korea visited me."
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