Capítulo 564: Chapter 564: Things Don’t Go as Desired
A week had passed since the situation in North Korea took a sudden turn, reaching peak tension among the countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
During this time, various nations scrambled their intelligence agencies and diplomats to unearth information from within North Korea.
However, since I've gotten rid of my satellite phone, I haven't contacted Jang Seong-taek or Igor.
Actually, to be precise, no one has contacted me.
They say no news is good news.
If it were a situation where Kim Jong-il needed to be eliminated, then he would have been killed and Igor would have escaped, subsequently reaching out to me.
So, for now, it's somewhat of a relief that there's been no contact.
The domestic situation was no less dire.
Three days after, the Combined Forces Command of South Korea and the U.S. downgraded the DEFCON level from 3 to 2.
But the South Korean government maintained a watchful state, akin to a Jindo dog.
This was due to the information that the 1st Corps of the North Korean People's Army was mobilizing, which raised alarms in both the Blue House and the Defense Ministry.
However, they soon sighed in relief upon learning that the North Korean troops were heading north instead of south.
A week had gone by, but Central Korean TV had yet to broadcast any reports or opinions regarding the ongoing situation.
Then came news that the Central Committee of the Workers' Party would convene its 23rd plenary meeting in Pyongyang for the first time in six years.
It remained to be seen if this was a victory for Jang Seong-taek or for some other reason.
I had entered the Blue House at Yoon Chang-ho's behest and was having a conversation with him.
"If Jang Seong-taek has indeed succeeded… then at this plenary session, he'll take control, and Kim Jong-il will step down."
"That's likely. Boss Kim, this might be a good thing for us, right?"
Meeting Yoon Chang-ho after a week, I noticed that his complexion had darkened considerably.
Perhaps he had been through a lot; his lips were dry, and deep lines marred his face.
The frequent National Security Council meetings were a problem, but the domestic situation must have heightened his anxiety.
Amid fears of a potential war, panic buying occurred in supermarkets, leading to a deterioration of public safety.
Pro-North Korean groups masquerading as progressive organizations held rallies in Gwanghwamun, and they still demanded the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Moreover, various civic groups were holding rallies to condemn the government.
I smiled to reassure Yoon Chang-ho as I replied.
"Of course, a party congress needs to be convened. However, North Korea hasn't held one since 1980. Given the long preparation period, just as before, they will first hold a plenary meeting of the Central Committee to take power, and then thoroughly prepare for the congress."
Most communist countries, including China and the Soviet Union, operated under a one-party dictatorship.
They held party congresses every five years to form their leadership.
China did that, and so did the Soviet Union. But North Korea was different.
North Korea was supposed to have held a total of six party congresses, but this rule was only adhered to between the 3rd and 4th congresses.
Each time, they made excuses to avoid convening the congress, instead passing resolutions through plenary meetings.
"After the results of this plenary meeting, we will know if Jang Seong-taek has consolidated power or if he has been pushed out. Perhaps someone new may emerge as well."
Yoon Chang-ho sighed deeply and nodded.
"The domestic sentiment isn't good right now."
"Yes, I understand that."
"The longer the state of tension lasts, the worse South Korea's economic growth will inevitably be. On top of that, public safety has also significantly worsened…"
I was well aware of what worried Yoon Chang-ho.
"Nevertheless, you must respond harshly to illegal protests. You need to show that the public power is alive to maintain order."
"That's easier said than done. The general elections are right around the corner. Yet, attacking civic groups? That's a suicidal act. Even the party would strongly oppose it."
The 17th National Assembly elections were approaching fast.
Yeah, there's never been a time when politicians were more concerned about public opinion than now.
"I understand that. However, if left unchecked, it could lead to bigger problems down the line. Allowing a small issue to grow into a larger one is a recipe for disaster."
"As of now, these protests aren't violent. For now, let's leave that be. Right now, North Korea's movements are what matter. If Jang Seong-taek takes power as Boss Kim said, it would be advantageous for us if concrete results emerge before the general election, wouldn't it?"
Yoon Chang-ho was being overly complacent.
The discussions in cyber space, the rising fervor of the Red Devils, and the subsequent anti-American candlelight protests had significantly heightened public participation.
Therefore, tolerating illegal protests wouldn't benefit either the ruling party or the Blue House.
"The very perceptions of people have changed. The more you let it grow, the larger it will become. If that happens, it would create a massive wave that wouldn't be manageable even by public power."
"I'll think about it."
Yoon Chang-ho offered a noncommittal response.
That would suffice for now. Ultimately, the decision lay with Yoon Chang-ho, and my role was to offer a gentle nudge.
"And even if Jang Seong-taek does consolidate power, he'll likely prioritize internal issues over external ones. He'll probably run out of time to reveal results to the public before the general election."
"Hmm… that's unfortunate."
"Jang Seong-taek has said that even if he takes power, he intends to keep Kim Jong-il alive instead of killing him."
Yoon Chang-ho's eyes widened at my words, understandably surprised.
Each time there's a shift in power in North Korea, a bloody purge has usually accompanied it.
Or rather, that was their everyday occurrence.
If someone suddenly vanishes from the center of power, they were most likely purged.
Well, if luck favored them, they might end up being sent to a labor camp and suffering through physical hard labor.
"Really? That's unexpected. Was there actually someone like that in North Korea?"
"It's not that Jang Seong-taek is weak, but rather that he seems to be considering the unique situation of North Korea. It's like a monarchy. Changing that in a short time is impossible. If he wanted to change it rapidly, he would have to resort to a bloody purge, but Jang Seong-taek hopes to seize power without killing as many people as possible."
"That's strange. If you were planning it, you wouldn't suggest a moderate approach?"
I found myself smiling without realizing it. Yoon Chang-ho knew me far too well.
"That's true. But things aren't unfolding as I desire. Still, if I can pull it off, that method would be better. It would look nice to the international community too."
Jang Seong-taek desires openness over isolation. And I too want North Korea to open up.
To accomplish that, not only the U.S. but also Europe and China needed to step in.
Yet, I should be the one to reap the most significant benefits from that. And South Korea should be the one to take those crumbs.
"For now, let's just observe how Jang Seong-taek acts."
What choices will Jang Seong-taek make?
All eyes, not just from Korea, but from around the world, were focused on the Central Committee meeting of the Workers' Party taking place in Pyongyang.
* * *
Pyongyang.
People were slowly gathering in the conference hall of the Central Committee headquarters.
"What's today's agenda?"
"How am I supposed to know?"
People whispered in hushed tones.
Unusually, there had been no information about the agenda, only a summons to attend.
Typically, they would disclose the agenda beforehand through the Labor newspaper or Central Korean TV when calling for a meeting.
"Could that rumor be true? The one about Ri Ul-sul instigating a rebellion?"
"How would someone like us know… be quiet. If you keep talking, you might find yourself taken away without anyone noticing."
A man with anxious eyes scanned the surroundings and continued speaking.
"We are just here to clap; let's not concern ourselves with unnecessary matters, alright?"
Most of the people gathered in the conference hall were those who had strayed far from the centers of power.
Especially those seated in the back had no voice and merely filled the observers' seats, far removed from power.
This included officials from cities and counties, as well as heads of significant factories and enterprises.
However, those seated in the front were different.
In the front were members of the Central Committee and candidate committee members.
The closer one sat to them, the closer they were to power.
Before long, the Central Committee members and candidate committee members arrived and took their seats.
Now, only two chairs and a desk remained on the platform.
One was for Kim Jong-il, and the identity of the person next to him was unknown to most.
Meanwhile, at that moment.
In Kim Jong-il's office in the Central Committee headquarters, Kim Jong-il and Jang Seong-taek were seated and conversing.
Jang Seong-taek handed over a sheet of paper and said,
"Chairman, this is the personnel restructuring plan for today."
In just a week, Kim Jong-il's face had aged considerably.
"Really? If I do this one thing, can I finally take a break?"
"Yes. You can spend your remaining days with your family wherever you wish."
"…"
"Are you still attached to them? Or are you having other thoughts?"
At Jang Seong-taek's question, Kim Jong-il smiled weakly.
"Listen, Jang Seong-taek."
"Yes."
"What would I do if I have other thoughts?"
"If that happens, I can't guarantee the safety of your family at Yeohori. Of course, I won't just let this go either. I've already taken control of the Guard Headquarters and Security Bureau. The troops protecting this headquarters are already following my orders."
What Jang Seong-taek had done before Kim Jong-il arrived in Pyongyang was seize control of the city.
Then he had summoned the plenary meeting of the Central Committee.
Only after Jang Seong-taek had prepared everything did Kim Jong-il finally arrive in Pyongyang.
"You bastard. You aren't even trying to hide it now?"
"It's already over. You know very well that all this is merely a formality right? I prefer to shed as little blood as possible. I want to use that time for the Republic."
"What do you mean you want to sell out the Republic? Why are you rambling? Are you saying you will give this Republic to the wolf cubs?"
"Whether it's the U.S., China, or Russia, I won't be controlled by anyone. The status of the Republic will become even more solidified in the international community. I will make that happen."
Jang Seong-taek's resolute words elicited a smile from Kim Jong-il.
"Is that so? I'll be watching to see if that conviction wavers or not."
Kim Jong-il picked up the paper placed in front of him.
It detailed the restructuring plan that removed all of his close aides from their positions, replaced by Jang Seong-taek's people.
"The First Secretary? What's this?"
The name written at the very top was Jang Seong-taek.
"The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party will retain his title, however, a new title of First Secretary will be created below it…"
Jang Seong-taek proceeded to explain his plan.
He couldn't eliminate all of Kim Jong-il's titles in a short amount of time.
So, he chose this method.
After hearing all of the plans, Kim Jong-il looked at Jang Seong-taek with a look of resignation.
"You've found the best way to make me a puppet while taking all the power for yourself. This isn't something that can happen overnight. When did this all start?"
"The Republic I envision is one of collective leadership. The circumstances of the Republic aren't favorable enough to endure such a dramatic change. So for now…"
Kim Jong-il interrupted Jang Seong-taek.
"Enough. I raised a tiger cub. What good does it do to reflect on that now? Let's go with this. But keep your promise. Understood?"
"Yes, Chairman."
Kim Jong-il continued to review the list. After a while, he finally stood up.
"Let's go."
"Yes. I will assist you."
Jang Seong-taek supported Kim Jong-il, but Kim Jong-il swatted him away.
"I can walk on my own."
Kim Jong-il opened the door and exited, followed by Jang Seong-taek.
Moments later.
Kim Jong-il and Jang Seong-taek entered the conference hall together.
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