Capítulo 571: Chapter 571: My Shares Exceed Half
At the mention of Nampo City, Jang Seong-taek's eyes flinched.
He quickly composed himself, trying not to reveal his discomfort, but I noticed.
Jang Seong-taek, forcing a smile, lifted the teapot and poured tea into my cup.
"Ha ha, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. Let's discuss something else for now. We have plenty of time."
With that, Jang Seong-taek changed the subject. It was obvious he didn't want to talk about Nampo City.
How infuriating. I maintained a smooth smile, not letting up on the pressure.
"Have you perhaps changed your mind? I don't see my request as unreasonable. I am merely asking for my fair share."
Jang Seong-taek's lips trembled, yet he continued without acknowledging me.
"I know the saying that one's feelings change between going to and coming back from the restroom. It's natural for people to feel differently. But you, Vice Chairman, shouldn't do that."
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. Handing over Nampo City to an individual is more than I can bear right now. Perhaps once I've solidified my base, it might be different. But at this moment, it's impossible."
"Ha ha!"
Uncontrollably, I laughed loudly, making Jang Seong-taek narrow his eyes.
The laughter faded quickly, and I wiped my smile away, leaning back.
With my legs crossed, I looked directly at Jang Seong-taek.
"Nampo is just the first condition. I need to receive a return on my investment. If we start off this way… how can I trust you, Vice Chairman?"
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok."
Jang Seong-taek called my name with a stiff voice.
"Do you perhaps think this? That if North Korea relinquishes its nuclear program and opens up, the U.S., China, and Russia will welcome us with open arms and invest in us? If I'm not there, you believe you can converse with them directly?"
His sarcastic tone made Jang Seong-taek slam the table. His gaze was quite sharp.
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok, show some respect. What's this about?"
Jang Seong-taek glared at me as if displeased, but he merely shrugged.
"I'm telling you to keep your promises. Isn't there quite a debt that I owe to you, Vice Chairman?"
"Wasn't this done for our mutual benefit? Why do you call it a debt?"
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have even attempted it. The way the Vice Chairman is acting now, it's as if I'm only putting in money while you're reaping all the benefits!"
I tapped my fingers on the table, not shying away from his piercing gaze.
"Listen here! My stake in making you the owner of this office is well over half. Don't deny it. Plus, I brought you a gift to celebrate my visit—a news piece on lifting the border blockade. I'm visiting Pyongyang, after all, and I should bring a decent offering."
"Is that true?"
Jang Seong-taek looked at me with a doubtful expression.
"Haven't you received the word yet? Yes, I discussed it with the Chinese and Russian governments. They also found it unreasonable to maintain the blockade. I provided them with the justification. The blockade is likely lifted by now. Although, due to the UN sanctions, you won't be able to cross the border easily for now. Of course, I'm referring to legal routes; smuggling channels are still wide open. At least that will ease matters somewhat."
Upon hearing my words, Jang Seong-taek urgently pressed the intercom beside him.
Moments later, a man entered the office. He saluted Jang Seong-taek and stood at attention by the door.
Jang Seong-taek gave him instructions.
"Check the border situation with China and Russia right now."
"Yes, Vice Chairman."
"Find out immediately and report back."
Once the instructed man left, I picked up the teacup in front of me.
"A relationship without trust can no longer continue. If I withdraw my hands from North Korea, I wonder if everything you plan will turn out right, Vice Chairman."
This was my strategic bluff.
It was only natural that the U.S., China, Russia, and even Japan would invest if North Korea opened up and ensured safety.
They could create obstacles, but they couldn't completely sever the flow.
The changes in North Korea were unprecedented in my previous life.
I had stirred Jang Seong-taek's ambitions, leading him to become Kim Jong-il's puppet and rise to the top of North Korea.
I didn't know what future this change would bring, but one thing was clear.
Some would resist this change, but most would welcome it and act for their own benefit.
While I sorted my thoughts over tea, the man returned and whispered a report to Jang Seong-taek.
Nodding, Jang Seong-taek gestured for him to leave after a salute.
"According to Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok, it seems the troops that were blocking the border have retreated."
Jang Seong-taek's tone had become more courteous. I set down my teacup and smiled.
"I came with a gift. Yet, Vice Chairman, you're attempting to withhold what I rightfully deserve."
"No, you must have misunderstood…"
"No matter how you say it, my stance won't change. Designate Nampo City as an economic special zone and grant me the authority to develop it."
Jang Seong-taek was left speechless, merely stammering.
I deliberately lowered my voice to stir his desire once more.
"If this endeavor succeeds, it will set a solid example for foreign investors. North Korea is still not fully trustworthy. But for a businessman from South Korea to develop an economic special zone, build factories there, and conduct business—that alone will instill considerable confidence."
"But…"
"You can lease it to us for 50 years. Dream High holds quite a bit of North Korean bonds. I can erase half of those. Doing this is already a significant concession on my part, and I'm prepared to pay taxes properly."
Mentioning the bonds made Jang Seong-taek flinch. Being one of Kim Jong-il's closest aides, he surely understood their significance.
"I've heard that you owe a considerable amount to several countries due to loans that haven't been repaid? The national bonds held by Russia and China are beyond what I can touch. However, the bonds scattered among other countries are mostly ones I bought. After China and Russia, Dream High holds the largest amount of North Korean bonds. You need to resolve this to regain credibility in the international community."
Jang Seong-taek's face turned pale. After the 1980s default declaration, North Korea's credit rating plummeted in the international community.
"If you can transfer Nampo City to Dream High, I'll erase half of the bonds I hold. As for the other half, I'll consider it later."
"That bond is…"
Jang Seong-taek stuttered, seemingly flustered.
He probably never imagined the conversation would turn to bonds.
To bolster the pressure, I pressed it on him again.
"Despite the economic chaos from the sanctions, you absolutely must restore credit. If you can't recover external credibility, the economic growth you dream of, Vice Chairman, will remain distant. Luckily, I've bought most of those bonds, which means all you have to do is negotiate with China and Russia."
Currently, North Korea's national credit rating was lower than that of Africa; it was virtually nonexistent.
Even after declaring default, it was common for them to rip off trade payments whenever they had the chance.
"If you agree to manage Nampo City for 50 years, will you erase half of the bonds Dream High holds?"
"Yes. That should alleviate your burden, Vice Chairman. Trust is fundamental to capitalism, isn't it? Without it, no one will ever enter North Korea, no matter how much you call for opening up. While China and Russia may be indifferent, you do desire investments from the Western world, don't you?"
Jang Seong-taek nodded.
"I'm no longer relying solely on China and Russia like before."
"Exactly. You can't bring about change in North Korea solely through trade with China and Russia. Investments from the Western world are crucial. I'm here to show you the way forward."
China and Russia were turning a blind eye to North Korea ripping off payments from Chinese businessmen for political reasons.
But the limit for that tolerance was clear. Now they wouldn't ship goods to North Korea unless they received advance payments.
They had been scammed so many times that they had built a tolerance to it.
"What will you do?"
At my question, Jang Seong-taek inquired back.
"Does it have to be Nampo City?"
"Yes. It absolutely must be Nampo City. No other location has the geographic advantage it does."
"That place is too close to Pyongyang. A drastic change could collapse the North Korean regime."
"If a country can fall so easily, it ought to fall."
"Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok."
Jang Seong-taek called my name softly. I looked straight into his eyes and replied.
"If you fear change, how are you any different from Kim Jong-il? Controlling it is your ability, Vice Chairman. The biggest threat to the North Korean regime isn't military strength anymore; now, it will be economic power. Despite the markets clearly being opened, you aren't stopping it, are you? If you can't keep it under control, allowing some release is the right approach."
"Huh… I understand what you're saying for now. I'll discuss this in a meeting. However, I can't guarantee anything immediately."
At his response, I held up three fingers.
"Three days. Give me your answer within three days while you're in Pyongyang."
Jang Seong-taek's words of 'I'll consult' were just nonsense.
In Pyongyang currently, going against Jang Seong-taek meant asking for death.
Even if there was discontent inside, he couldn't voice it.
"…Understood. I will get back to you in three days."
Once I heard Jang Seong-taek's resigned answer, I smiled broadly.
"Good. Now, how about another cup of tea?"
As I pushed the cup, Jang Seong-taek picked up the pot to pour more.
"I heard you opened a dialogue channel with the U.S. How far has that progressed?"
"Right now, we've just made the proposal for a meeting. But they haven't responded at all."
Taking a sip of the now-cool tea, I opened my mouth.
"Not long ago, I spoke with the U.S. Secretary of State. He asked me to find out your intentions to visit Pyongyang."
"…"
"Are you willing to abandon nuclear development? As I mentioned before, that's a prerequisite for the White House to engage in negotiations."
"Yes. I intend to do so. But I won't be foolish enough to reveal that without gaining something first."
I'll get something in return before abandoning anything. It was a sound approach.
However, the U.S. didn't seem willing to concede easily.
"As I've already mentioned, the official U.S. position is that we cannot formalize any assurances on regime security."
"Isn't that contradictory to what Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok promised?"
"I never promised assurances on regime security. I said I'd lift the economic sanctions."
"The Republic. No, Chairman Kim Jong-il's desire for nuclear power was to protect the Republic. If you abandon that, how can you proceed without guarantees?"
Jang Seong-taek raised his voice, getting agitated. Even the smartest people often lose their point when furious.
"Calm down and let me finish my point."
I tried to soothe Jang Seong-taek's agitation.
"I said it can't be formalized. I never said we would not provide assurances. Do you not see the difference?"
The U.S., which champions human rights and democracy, couldn't officially endorse North Korea's regime.
However, the U.S. would unofficially ally with dictators and dictatorial nations.
"While it cannot be formalized, the White House is ready to support you, Vice Chairman Jang Seong-taek. If you can manage a complete and verifiable abandonment of nuclear arms, that is."
What the U.S. wanted was North Korea's total and verifiable nuclear disarmament.
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