章 532: Chapter 532: Opportunities Await Korean Companies
At the airport entrance, a secretary from the Blue House was waiting.
"President Kim Mu-hyeok!"
"Ah, Secretary. What brings you here?"
"The President asked me to bring you upon hearing you were arriving."
"If you just waited, I would have come to you… Alright. Can I go now?"
"Yes. I'll escort you."
"That's even less presentable. I'll head into the Blue House on my own."
"I was told to have you enter immediately."
As I moved slightly, the secretary grew increasingly anxious.
He looked apprehensive, as if worried I might stop somewhere else.
What on earth could be so urgent to rush me like this?
"Understood. I'll head right there."
"Then I'll set off first."
Only then did the secretary seem relieved, bowing his head as he led the way.
"Ha. I was hoping to take a day off, but no one's helping. Manager Ma, please schedule a meeting tomorrow with the president of JC Entertainment. Oh, it would be nice to meet with the Heavenly Group too. Chairman Yoo should set up a lunch appointment, and JC Entertainment can arrange a separate dinner meeting."
I gave instructions to Manager Ma and got into the prepared car.
"Let's head to the Blue House first."
We quickly reached the main building after passing through the entry of the Blue House. The secretary I'd seen at the airport greeted me as I got out of the car.
"The attendants will wait here; just follow me, sir."
I nodded and instructed Manager Ma.
"Stay on standby while coordinating the schedule as I mentioned earlier."
I confirmed Manager Ma's bow and followed the secretary into the main building of the Blue House.
I glanced at the massive central staircase and couldn't help but click my tongue in disapproval.
'No matter how I think about it, this is excessive.'
Though it might seem shabby compared to the Kremlin, the Blue House's main building was quite large.
Dictators often construct their living spaces extravagantly to showcase their authority.
The Blue House was no exception.
This space was a remnant of Korea's modern history.
Lost in such useless thoughts, I climbed the stairs and arrived in front of the President's Office.
"You may enter. He's waiting for you inside. This is where I stop."
As the secretary opened the door, he stepped aside.
Upon entering the President's Office, Yoon Chang-ho, seated at his desk reviewing documents, looked up.
"President Kim! Long time no see!"
I slightly bowed my head in greeting at his bright smile.
"Yes, Mr. President. I'm back."
Yoon Chang-ho rose and strode toward me, firmly grabbing my shoulder.
"I heard you've had a tough time."
"It wasn't that hard."
"Let's discuss the details while seated."
Yoon Chang-ho patted my shoulder proudly and guided me to the sofa in the center of the office.
He turned to the secretary standing outside.
"Have you canceled all afternoon schedules?"
"Yes, all of them have been canceled."
"Understood. Don't let anyone else into this office."
"Yes. I shall take my leave then."
The secretary bent at the waist to bow before closing the door quietly.
The door shut silently, and I turned to the closed door and asked.
"Was it Secretary Han Jung-ho? He has been beside the President for quite a while now. It seems he has been by your side since the beginning of your political career."
"Who? Jung-ho? I keep him close because I can trust him. He left the Prosecutor's Office and has been with me ever since. He knows me—politician Yoon Chang-ho—better than I do myself. If he betrays me, it would be the end for me."
Yoon Chang-ho chuckled.
"If he were a betrayer, would I keep him beside me? He's not that type, which is why I can be open about my relationship with him."
Han Jung-ho was the one managing Yoon Chang-ho's political funds.
Therefore, Yoon Chang-ho's joke sounded all the more amusing.
"Anyway, I plan to give him a seat in the upcoming general elections, at least to wear a badge. Reward loyalty as it's said. Isn't that something you always say?"
"That's true, but… isn't the position of General Affairs Secretary more powerful than being a lawmaker?"
The General Affairs Secretary at the Blue House managed finances, which meant he was someone that the President trusted.
Moreover, it was one of the best positions that was not publicly disclosed.
"Still, it's about time I prepare for independence. I won't be here forever."
"Hmm… I'll let Myeong-su know. He'll probably secure a good district for them."
"I'd appreciate that. After all, I don't want to meddle in nominations, or it would cause an uproar."
Now that I think about it, the historical president attempting to intervene in the elections led to a backlash resulting in his impeachment.
While I pondered over the events that might never happen again, I found myself smiling slightly.
Yoon Chang-ho spoke bluntly.
"Why are you smiling? If I look at the state of affairs in the party, I want to dance a knife dance. But if I do that, it will cause chaos… I thought that once seated here, I could do anything, yet my actions have become more limited. Honestly, it was far easier when I was party leader."
Despite his words, Yoon Chang-ho's demeanor was even more relaxed than before.
One could say it was the calmness of someone in power. A president with a 60% approval rating could achieve anything he set his mind to, which was a natural response.
"You're being too humble. Oh, may I bring up the main topic? I'm feeling a bit tired after the long flight."
At my words, Yoon Chang-ho quickly nodded.
"Sure, let's hear it. I've gotten an explanation from the Chief, but it was lacking in details."
He appeared relaxed but was also genuinely curious. Watching him, I slowly began to speak.
"It all started with the U.S."
I spent quite a while detailing the occurrences in the U.S., China, and Russia.
I shared what was necessary in great detail while keeping certain information tightly under wraps.
"Oh, I see!"
Yoon Chang-ho exclaimed softly after listening to my story.
"Those stiff-necked Chinese suddenly blocking the border with North Korea, I wondered why… So it's linked to the oil pipeline project connecting Russia and China? Now it all makes sense."
"China is prioritizing stable crude oil imports right now."
"And you say you're tasked with that project?"
"Yes, and there may be opportunities for Korean companies as well."
"That's great news to hear."
Yoon Chang-ho smiled with satisfaction. He seemed to be calculating the potential value in his mind.
"Additionally, I'm thinking of promoting the construction of a pipeline connecting Russia and Korea, as well as gas pipelines. If completed, it would greatly benefit our economy."
"Will North Korea accept that? And even if they did, who knows what they might demand in return? Plus, shipping via the seabed wouldn't be worth the costs involved. Isn't it something the previous administration wanted to pursue? Still, it concluded that the economic benefits weren't significant."
Russia ranked fifth in the world for proven oil reserves. It's anticipated many undiscovered oilfields remain.
Entering the 2000s, they slowly increased production, now rising to become the second largest producer, following the U.S.
With reserves and steady production, Russia maintained its status as number one in natural gas reserves and output.
On the other hand, South Korea depended entirely on imports for its oil, as it produced none.
Yet, politically and geopolitically, we relied on the Middle East and the U.S. instead of neighboring Russia for energy.
"Regardless, we must proceed. Relying too heavily on one side for energy will eventually lead to problems. Of course, I'm ruling out the seabed pipeline option. From the standpoint of management and safety, there's no comparison between seabed and overland options."
"Hmm, North Korea will be an issue. Given the current atmosphere, they won't agree. You must have plans, right? There's no way you would casually mention it without a thought. So what's your strategy?"
Yoon Chang-ho knew me well enough.
It seemed he guessed I had some plan, but I couldn't share it with him.
"As for the plan, I'm just praying and hoping something happens in North Korea."
"What? You expect me to believe that?"
"One way or another, the sanctions will pass, and as a result, North Korea will turn into an isolated island. Both our countries, North and South, primarily depend on imports for oil and raw materials. Besides, North Korea can't even sustain its food supply."
Yoon Chang-ho, looking skeptical, nodded.
"Well, under those circumstances, it makes sense that turmoil might arise in North Korea. Another period of suffering may soon be upon us, known as the Arduous March."
"But there's another aspect to consider. During the Arduous March, it was the powerless citizens who suffered, yet this time, the upper-class's luxury imports will completely stop. Once their lives are ruined, they'll start thinking differently."
When countless people starved during the Arduous March, Pyongyang felt no impact.
They continued their lives as usual, eating and drinking with no concerns.
But all of that ends with these sanctions. This will be Jang Seong-taek's greatest weapon.
"So, you're not going to say anything?"
Interpreting the refusal gently, Yoon Chang-ho smiled faintly.
"I hope this doesn't lead to any problems for me?"
"No. Only good things will happen during your presidency."
"I hope so too."
I couldn't openly tell the nation's leader I was sending mercenaries to capture Kim Jong-il. It's best if he doesn't know.
"But won't North Korea make even bolder provocations when cornered? It's only been a year since the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong. If another incident occurs…"
Before Yoon Chang-ho could finish his thought, the office door suddenly swung open.
He stopped speaking and furrowed his brow.
"What? I told you no one was to enter. What's going on?"
The person who rushed in through the door was security chief Lim Dong-hyun.
"Mr. President! We have an emergency. There was a skirmish between vessels in the West Sea."
Yoon Chang-ho's face turned pale as he shot up from his seat.
"What do you mean! Explain properly."
"Thirty minutes ago, our patrol boat fired warning shots at an intruding patrol boat that violated maritime boundaries. Under normal circumstances, they would have retreated, but strangely, they started targeting our vessel instead, prompting the firefight…"
As Lim Dong-hyun reported, I watched Yoon Chang-ho's face go from pale to red in rapid succession.
Trying to hide my own shock, I listened to the security chief's report and gathered my thoughts.
'North Korea has pulled such stunts before, but… would they dare provoke us like this just before the ROK-U.S. joint exercises?'
In a trembling voice, Yoon Chang-ho suppressed his anxiety as he asked.
"… So what's the damage on our side?"
"Fortunately, no one was injured."
"That's a relief."
Upon hearing there were no casualties, Yoon Chang-ho let out a sigh of relief and sat back down.
"What's the situation with the North Korean forces?"
"Fortunately, the engagement rules established after the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong allowed for a quick response, and they've suffered significant losses. The number of casualties among their ranks is still unconfirmed."
Yoon Chang-ho nodded again and then turned to me with eyes wide open.
"What's your take on this? What do you think these bastards are plotting?"
Hearing a civilian like me being asked for an opinion in front of the security chief, I felt the sensitivity of the issue.
I opened my eyes slightly and gazed at him.
"What weight does my opinion carry?"
"Who knows North Korea's situation better than you?"
"…"
I cast a quick glance at the security chief before replying.
"They are probably trying to protest against the ROK-U.S. military exercises. If they intended to provoke us, this would not be the extent of their actions."
"Hmm."
Seeing Yoon Chang-ho deep in thought, I stood up.
"I should take my leave for now. It seems you will be busy from now on, Mr. President."
"That's right. I'll call you again later."
I walked past the security chief and left the Blue House, making a beeline for my home.
As soon as I arrived home and turned on the television, breaking news about the naval engagement in the West Sea switched on.
'Although it's a provocation now, who knows what actions they will take as time passes…'
As soon as I returned to Korea, my mind became muddled.
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