章 642: Chapter 642: If You Plan to Use Me
Are those two really in cahoots? I sighed inwardly, walking toward the two people who seemed unusually eager to see me today.
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, just loud enough for them to hear, I muttered my frustration.
"What's going on with you two today?"
Instead of answering, they just laughed. Avoiding my suspicions, Yoon Chang-ho looked at Jang Seong-taek and said,
"Now that Boss Kim is here, let's move quickly. It seems like we can start digging the first shovel soon, Prime Minister."
Jang Seong-taek nodded, agreeing with him.
"Let's do that. Kim Mu-hyeok, what are you waiting for? You need to start digging the first shovel right away."
With so many eyes on us, I felt reluctant to scold them properly. Reluctantly, I picked up the golden shovel in front of me.
"It wouldn't be right for me to do this alone… I think it's best if both of you join me for the first scoop as well."
Fortunately, neither of them rejected my suggestion.
As I watched Jang Seong-taek and Yoon Chang-ho lift their shovels, I turned to Chairman Song, who was standing next to Yoon Chang-ho, and said,
"Chairman Song, you should join in too. After all, you're going to be the one directly responsible for the Kaesong Industrial Complex."
"Of course. Chairman Song, you should also pick up a shovel."
Yoon Chang-ho called out to Song Chan-woo. He glanced around before finally picking up the shovel in front of him.
On cue, the four of us—including me—scooped the sand at the same time.
With the sound of thunderous applause, the prepared fireworks and smoke bombs erupted into a spectacular display.
Flashbulbs went off all at once.
I stood in the middle next to Chairman Song, while on either side stood President Yoon Chang-ho and Prime Minister Jang Seong-taek.
There was no way I could let this photo get out to the public.
"Mr. President, Prime Minister, shouldn't I step back? You both should stand in the center and gather the others for a photo. Having me in it won't do you any favors," I suggested.
This was enough of a show for appearances' sake. This should be convincing enough for both the North Korean officials and the South Koreans.
For the international photos and videos, it would be more visually stable to have the leaders from both Koreas at the center, flanked by politicians and businesspeople.
With me stepping back, they proceeded again with the groundbreaking ceremony to capture the right image.
Watching the scene unfold, I leaned closer to Manager Ma, just loud enough for him to hear, and gave my instructions.
I told him to erase all photos and videos featuring me.
"Manager, please delete all photos and videos that I appear in," I instructed.
"Understood, Boss. What about the footage from the North?"
"Leave that alone. From what I can tell today's showmanship looks like they plan to use me for propaganda. Just take care of the South Korean footage. Coordinate with the broadcasting companies, and if they refuse, let them know I'll pull all the advertisements from businesses related to me."
"Yes, I'll take care of it."
If I can't erase the memory of my presence from the people here, I can at least remove it from the records.
After all, records tend to outweigh memories.
Soon after the groundbreaking ceremony ended, a single excavator arrived at the empty lot.
The excavator lifted a flag planted in the ground that read 'Kaesong Industrial Complex' in a spectacular performance.
With that, the groundbreaking ceremony finally wrapped up.
The celebration party was held at a restaurant next to the ceremony site.
Chefs from the Myeong-dong Hotel prepared the banquet meal.
At the round table where President Yoon Chang-ho and Prime Minister Jang Seong-taek were seated, I joined Chairman Song, Representative Han Ji-ho, and Kim Sung-keen from the emergency response committee.
"Ha ha! On such a joyous day, we can't do without a drink, right? I'll pour everyone a glass, so don't be shy," Jang Seong-taek declared.
Seemingly in high spirits, he personally poured wine for those around him.
"Everyone here has met before… Ah, you must be the leader of the Progressive Party," he said, looking at the newly arrived Kim Sung-keen.
Kim Sung-keen smiled as he accepted the wine.
"I'm not the leader. After our Progressive Party's defeat in the election, we formed an emergency response committee for reform, and I was appointed as its chairman."
Jang Seong-taek raised one eyebrow at Kim Sung-keen's response.
He realized that his performance had benefited both President Yoon Chang-ho and me.
"Oh, I see. But even so, you represent the Progressive Party right now, don't you?"
"That's correct, Prime Minister."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Please help facilitate reconciliation between South Korea and our Republic. I've heard that in South Korea, the ruling party faces opposition from the opposition party, making it hard to implement policy changes. Is that right?"
"Well…"
Kim Sung-keen hesitated, likely surprised that Jang Seong-taek would ask such a question.
"I don't think President Kim Hak-gwon anticipated this, either. The merging of North and South into a new era, that is. Speaking of which, I believe President Kim Hak-gwon also comes from the Progressive Party, doesn't he?"
"That's right."
"Then the Progressive Party must welcome arrangements with our Republic, right?"
It was evident that Kim Sung-keen was struggling to control his expression as he suppressed perspiration.
Yoon Chang-ho and Han Ji-ho beside him also bit their lips.
They appeared to be holding back laughter, and honestly, it was quite amusing.
Requesting cooperation from the North Korean regime while pointing out the Progressive Party's past actions was not something they could easily refute.
"Why is there no response? I might not be well informed about South Korean politics, but surely you wouldn't change your colors based on your interests? Beliefs and ideologies are crucial in politics, aren't they? Surely, that wouldn't happen in South Korea, would it?"
Clearly, there was a hundred-year-old serpent inside him.
Jang Seong-taek acted humble while expressing everything he wanted to say.
Kim Sung-keen, forcing a smile, cautiously opened his mouth.
"That's not the case. It's just that I don't have the authority to answer that. I'm not a politician, but merely an external figure appointed to manage the party."
Seemingly intrigued, Jang Seong-taek turned to me.
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Yes, Prime Minister."
"The leader of the Progressive Party claims he cannot take responsibility. What are your thoughts on this?"
The intention behind asking me, rather than Yoon Chang-ho or Han Ji-ho, was transparent.
It was a request for me to respond without political bias.
"While the title of emergency response committee chairman does represent the party, it's also true that his actual authority is limited. And as for Professor Kim Sung-keen… I mean, Chairman Kim Sung-keen, he's not a political figure; he used to teach political science at Korea University. He seems quite troubled, so let's leave it at that."
"Hmm… If Mr. Kim says so, then it must be true. South Korea is complicated too."
"Politics is originally a history of conflict, isn't it? Engaging in intense clashes is what politics is about. It's never helpful if power is concentrated in one side."
Despite Jang Seong-taek dreaming of a collective leadership system, North Korea's power structure has historically been focused on a single leader.
Whether my blunt words irked him or not, Jang Seong-taek cleared his throat softly.
"Now, now. On such a joyous day, let's set aside complex issues and enjoy ourselves. The fact that we can raise wine glasses together here in Kaesong shows how far we've come. Isn't that right, Prime Minister?"
In an effort to lighten the mood, President Yoon Chang-ho raised his wine glass.
Jang Seong-taek nodded, feigning delight, and raised his glass as well.
Everyone followed their lead, lifting their glasses and tilting them.
As soon as Yoon Chang-ho set his wine glass down, he turned to Jang Seong-taek.
"So, there's a monetary reform happening in North Korea, right? I was quite surprised. What prompted that, Prime Minister?"
"It's not a big deal. To facilitate economic openness, it's crucial to get economic activities fully functioning within the Republic, isn't it?"
"But I never imagined you'd completely change the money without any restrictions. Given North Korea's economic characteristics, that must have been a tough decision."
"Ha ha! It's a decision made solely based on economics and for the people, not for political reasons. What's the response from South Korea? I'm curious, President."
It seemed Jang Seong-taek was interested in the reaction from South Korea.
"The response isn't bad. However, it has initiated discussions about monetary reform in South Korea as well. It caught us off guard, and it's a bit uneasy."
"So the economy in South Korea isn't doing well enough that you have to consider implementing monetary reform?"
Jang Seong-taek furrowed his brows at Yoon Chang-ho's remark.
"Ha ha ha! That's not the case. In fact, the economy is doing so well that there's a claim that the monetary unit is too large."
"That's a relief. A strong South Korean economy is vital for us to share various endeavors, right?"
"Don't worry about that. It's like riding a tiger. Even if the regime changes, this agreement won't be broken. The public's response is overwhelmingly positive, after all. Now, it seems only the Japanese would welcome any division between the North and South."
As Yoon Chang-ho jested, Jang Seong-taek burst out laughing.
"Exactly! The only ones wanting our people to be divided are the Japanese!"
They were surprisingly well-matched. As Yoon Chang-ho and Jang Seong-taek engaged in conversation, I turned to Kim Sung-keen.
"Professor, it's been a while since we last met."
Having taken classes during my school years, I shared a brief connection with him.
I had assumed he wouldn't get involved in politics, but was surprised to hear about him taking on the role of chairman for the Progressive Party's emergency response committee.
"Mu-hyeok. It's been a long time."
"Hearing you call me Mu-hyeok feels nostalgic. You still seem the same, Professor. May I ask why you accepted the chairmanship of the Progressive Party's emergency response committee?"
"…Why would you want to know?"
Unlike before, there was a hint of wariness in his eyes as he looked at me.
"I thought you were disinterested in politics, Professor. That's why you refused President Kim Hak-gwon's repeated requests to take on the prime minister's role during the IMF crisis, right?"
He had a long career of over 30 years teaching diplomacy and politics at Korea University.
Among Kim Sung-keen's students were many high-ranking public officials as well as members of the National Assembly.
However, he never revealed any political color, even to his students.
"I judged that if the Moderate Party continued its dominance, it wouldn't be good for the country. So I accepted the position to try and reform the Progressive Party."
To be wary of one party's dominance was a reasonable response, both as a scholar and as a politician.
"You truly are a professor."
"But why does a businessman like you care so much about politics?"
"Business and politics are interlinked, aren't they? To protect my wealth, I have no choice but to pay attention to politics."
"A complete dominance isn't politics; it's dictatorship. I cannot just sit and watch that happen."
Even an excellent professor can't hide the fact that they see politics only through books.
Once you step into the field, those theories become barely relevant.
"Dictatorship, huh… Professor, is a government receiving popular support truly a dictatorship?"
"Mu-hyeok, do you have any idea how dangerous that statement is?"
"Well, let's see. The Republic of Korea is a democratic nation. And all power derives from the people. However, calling a government that has the support of a majority of its citizens a dictatorship is nothing but arrogance, don't you think? Or perhaps you view the public as too foolish?"
"Listen, Mu-hyeok!"
Kim Sung-keen's voice rose sharply.
His voice was so loud that even Yoon Chang-ho and Jang Seong-taek momentarily stopped talking and turned to look at us.
Realizing he had gone too far, Kim Sung-keen hurriedly apologized.
"I'm sorry! That was rude of me."
"It's alright. There are many eyes on us, so please keep yourself calm, Chairman Kim Sung-keen."
After Yoon Chang-ho's low warning, Jang Seong-taek seemed curious and asked,
"I'm okay. But what's going on? It seems like you were raising your voice against Kim Mu-hyeok."
"No. I was simply catching up with an old student after a long time."
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok was your student?"
A student? It seems he was willing to extend that title to anyone who took even one semester of class.
I quickly refuted Kim Sung-keen's claim.
"That's not right. I just took one brief class in school."
"Ah, I recall that Kim Mu-hyeok graduated from South Korea's top university. I heard you were quite a good student back then…"
Yoon Chang-ho noted this.
"He was more than just a good student. He scored first in the national college entrance exam."
Wait, I was the one who ranked first. Why does Yoon Chang-ho feel so proud about it?
"That's too flattering. Weren't you both engaged in a conversation? Please, continue talking. I have things I want to discuss with the chairman."
The two men nodded at my warning eyes.
They seemed to have been discussing something quite significant before, as they quickly redirected their focus back to their conversation.
I should find out what they were discussing later. With that thought, I turned my attention back to Kim Sung-keen.
Kim Sung-keen glared at me as if he held a grudge for being sidelined.
This wasn't characteristic of him. Without realizing it, I smirked and provocatively said,
"Professor, I assure you, reforming the Progressive Party won't be an easy task."
"That's because I plan to exacerbate the internal discord within the Progressive Party even further."
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