章 595: Chapter 595: I Won’t Deny It
The next day.
Among the U.S., China, and Russia, the first to arrange a meeting was the chief representative from the U.S.
"Hello. Director Christopher Hill."
Christopher Hill smiled as he shook my outstretched hand.
"I've heard so much about you, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. You're the one who managed to bring about reform and opening in North Korea. It's something diplomats like me have found difficult to achieve. Truly remarkable!"
As expected from a seasoned diplomat, his knack for flattering others was impressive.
After all, easily weaving compliments into conversation is a skill in itself.
I laughed heartily and waved my hand dismissively.
"It wasn't anything difficult. Isn't it all because the U.S. has isolated North Korea?"
If there's a gain, there must be a loss.
With a warm smile, Christopher nodded in satisfaction at my response.
"Let's sit down first. We can continue the conversation over a light breakfast."
I faced Christopher and sat down.
On the table were freshly baked bread and coffee.
As we enjoyed our bread and coffee, we spoke about trivial matters, passing the time.
"I heard you were dispatched as a special envoy during the Kosovo crisis, working towards peace in the Balkans."
"You know that? At the time, I truly thought I was going to die. Ah, speaking of which, I recall that Black Bear provided significant assistance to the U.S. military during the Kosovo crisis."
As the coffee began to cool, Christopher got to the point.
"The Secretary of State has instructed me to negotiate with you. He believes we can draw concessions from China and Russia."
I placed my coffee cup down and smiled.
"Does he really say that? But you know, concessions don't come from one side alone."
"The U.S. has no intention of conceding anything regarding the North Korean issue."
Well, they're really greedy. I swallowed a sarcastic laugh as I responded.
"If you had no intention to concede, Colin Powell wouldn't have called me to Singapore. If you insist on going tit for tat, this negotiation will end with nothing gained. The inter-Korean summit will happen regardless, and the U.S. may not even have a seat at the table. Are you okay with that?"
"Do you think Korea can independently lift sanctions against North Korea without the U.S.'s approval?"
"It seems there's some misunderstanding. I'm not here on behalf of the Korean government. I'm here for my business. Even if I hold Korea in my hands, I won't care."
People need to wake up. What matters to me is my business and my people.
"…Are you not Korean?"
"That's correct. But I'm neither a patriot nor anything special, just a greedy individual. Everyone talks about peace, but… even you and the chief representative know that those discussions are nonsense. People act based on their own interests."
Peace on the Korean Peninsula? Peace in East Asia?
The U.S. isn't a superhero that will abolish North Korea's nuclear capabilities based solely on that.
They've intervened for their own interests.
"The reason China and Russia support the U.S. is simple. They don't like North Korea having nuclear weapons. However, they also wouldn't be pleased with the U.S. exerting excessive influence over North Korea. We have to make concessions to some extent, don't you think?"
The U.S. can't completely exclude China and Russia from the North Korean issue.
From the previous life, I'd seen that negotiations were held with them in the Six-Party Talks.
"…What do you think China and Russia truly want?"
"The common statement from both countries is this: 'The U.S. military must not set foot on North Korean soil.'"
Christopher nodded subtly at my words.
Then he hesitated, as if preparing to say something, and suddenly shot up, standing upright.
His gaze was fixed on the restaurant entrance. I merely turned my head to look.
An elderly man with gray hair and glasses walked in through the door.
'Henry Kissinger?'
I recognized him instantly.
In the U.S., opinions about him are sharply divided.
Some call him the greatest diplomat in U.S. history, while others condemn him as a war criminal.
But regardless of opinions, it was undeniable that he held significant influence over America's foreign policy.
"Christopher. It's been a while."
Christopher slightly bowed his head in greeting to Kissinger.
I also stood up and stared at him. Kissinger, who was walking slowly, came to a halt before me.
"So you're Kim Mu-hyeok? Or should I call you Charlie?"
I nodded and extended my hand.
"Yes, I'm Kim Mu-hyeok. You're welcome to call me Charlie."
"A figure has emerged from that small peninsula. I've never seen Colin Powell praise someone so fervently before."
He smiled as he shook my hand. After finishing the handshake, Kissinger turned to Christopher.
"Am I interrupting your conversation by coming here suddenly?"
"Not at all, Kissinger."
"Then please make some room. I have some matters to discuss privately with this young man."
"Sure. Understood."
Christopher complied with Kissinger's request and left the restaurant without objection.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to have a chat with this old man."
Kissinger took the seat where Christopher had been sitting.
While Christopher was an experienced figure, compared to this veteran, he was like a fledgling.
Suppressing the tension running down my spine, I sat down again and asked.
"You wanted to talk to me?"
"That's right. You might not know this, but I was invited by President Yoon Chang-ho to visit Korea, just a week before the inter-Korean summit."
I had seen the article in the newspaper. As I remained silent, Kissinger continued.
"However, I was more curious about you than President Yoon. You're the one who made him president, correct?"
"…I'm just a businessman. I don't have that kind of capability."
Kissinger smiled at my answer.
"Well, you can't be blamed for that."
This slippery fox. He's clearly testing me.
It seemed he had known exactly how I would respond from the beginning.
He changed the subject again.
"I have quite good relations with the top brass in China. They've been contacting me a lot lately."
Kissinger was the first to visit Beijing among America's top leaders, helping Nixon in his historic visit to China.
Since then, he has been known as an expert on China in the U.S.
"You wouldn't believe how much they complain to me about the U.S. ignoring China and pushing forward in such a manner. I thought my ears might bleed."
I silently watched him as he bantered.
Feeling my piercing glare, he cleared his throat and spoke again.
"Listen, Charlie. Instead of meeting separately with various individuals and dragging out negotiations, how about gathering the chief representatives from China and Russia in one place so we can settle things at once?"
"…"
He wants to gather them here? What on earth is he thinking?
And does he even have the authority to do that?
How did he know what I was thinking? He continued speaking right after.
"Officially, I have no authority in this negotiation. However, issues like these are resolved much more swiftly when handled beneath the surface rather than in formal negotiations. So I'm suggesting we meet informally. I've already received unofficial negotiation rights from President Bush. I can guarantee that I'm more competent than Christopher, who spoke with you."
Now that I think about it, wasn't this person known as the intellectual leader of the Neocons?
Is it possible that the Neocons want to disrupt this negotiation?
"Did the Neocons send you here to create turmoil in the negotiations?"
"What are you talking about? The Neocons sent me? Are you trying to insult me?"
"Kissinger, let me be candid. You're well-known as the intellectual mentor of the Neocons. How could I not be suspicious?"
For a brief moment, Kissinger stiffened, then suddenly burst into laughter.
But that didn't last. Soon, he glared at me with fierce eyes.
"Don't insult me again. I'm one of those who detest the Neocons. You know I'm Jewish, right?"
"Yes, I'm aware."
"Do you think of me as a war criminal?"
"I won't deny it."
As I answered decisively, Kissinger seemed momentarily speechless, biting his lip.
"Considering the actions in South America and Africa, that's not an exaggerated expression, I believe."
"That's…"
"The main reason the U.S. is being criticized right now is that it has allied with dictators for its own interests and turned a blind eye to human rights abuses in pro-U.S. nations. You were the one who established that stance, weren't you?"
"I admit that. But at that time, I had no choice. I couldn't allow a communist regime to thrive right in America's backyard."
The U.S. executed operations to overthrow any regime that leaned towards communism on the American continent.
The fear that South America could fall under Soviet influence led U.S. officials to make that choice.
Most were successful, which resulted in more authoritarian regimes than democratic ones in South America.
"I don't want to overstep on something that should be judged by history. But the Neocons' actions and what you did are not much different. The U.S. has no eternal enemies or eternal friends, only interests. You've done anything for America's benefit, haven't you?"
Kissinger, who had fallen silent, nodded thoughtfully.
"That's true. However, do not misunderstand. I believe peace can be achieved through mutual cooperation among nations. That's why I involved China in the negotiations and led the U.S.-China summit. I'm different from the Neocons. I despise those who prioritize military force over dialogue to enforce American values."
Is that self-hate? It's still the same; they would stop at nothing if negotiations fail.
I couldn't see much difference, but I didn't push the point any further.
"The Neocons have completely withdrawn from this negotiation. They are not pleased with North Korea's changes. Hence, President Bush is proceeding with this matter excluding them. So don't worry about the Neocons."
If the hardliners like the Neocons are out of the picture…
I had only one answer.
"Sure, let's do it that way."
"Great. You call the Russian chief representative. I'll call the Chinese chief representative. How about tonight?"
"Just the U.S., China, and Russia? Only these three will meet for negotiations?"
Kissinger nodded. He seemed to imply that nobody else was needed.
"Korea and North Korea don't belong in this discussion. Do they? They need to focus on the inter-Korean summit, after all."
"That may be true, but is it really okay to exclude the parties involved?"
"In front of me, you don't need to be careful. You know you can manipulate the South Korean government and Jang Seong-taek if you set your mind to it. And don't you think the North and South are more desperate for this negotiation than the U.S.? Let's reach an agreement amongst ourselves first and then negotiate separately with them."
He suggested that the major powers would reach an agreement and then inform South and North Korea.
I didn't like it, but there was no other option. I wasn't about to choose a difficult path when an easy one lay ahead.
"Let's do that then. Let's meet tonight at the place where I'm staying."
"Your lodging?"
"Yes. I think it would be the best place for a discreet negotiation."
"Understood. I'll make arrangements accordingly."
Kissinger was the first to stand up.
"Then let's meet tonight to discuss further. About you as well."
After finishing the pleasantries, Kissinger turned away. It was impressive that at over seventy years old, he walked so straight and confidently.
Once he disappeared from view, I picked up the phone and called Moscow.
Time passed and night fell.
Kissinger and Christopher arrived first, and we sipped coffee while waiting for the others.
After a while, the chief representatives from China and Russia entered together, possibly having met outside.
"Li Zaoxing speaking."
China's Foreign Minister introduced himself.
"Sergey Lavrov."
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister followed suit.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Mu-hyeok."
I shook hands with them one by one and guided them to their seats.
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