Capítulo 582: Chapter 582: The Game of Jang Seong-taek
After a three-day visit to Pyongyang, I returned to Korea.
Following a day's rest, I promptly called together Song Chan-woo, the chairman of Daehyeon Group, Kim Byung-woo, chairman of Jungwoo Group, and Lee Sang-geun, chairman of Jungwoo Construction to Pyeongchang-dong.
While I waited for them, I contacted the U.S.
"Secretary of State, this is Kim Mu-hyeok speaking."
—"Charlie! I was waiting for your call. I heard you returned yesterday. So, what are Jang Seong-taek's thoughts?"
Colin Powell, Secretary of State, jumped straight to the point as soon as he confirmed my identity.
I answered with a faint smile on my face.
"What's the hurry?"
—"The elections have started. The President doesn't have much time to work."
The candidates for the U.S. presidential election had both been decided.
As expected, the Republican Party confirmed Bush as its presidential candidate and Dick Cheney as the vice-presidential nominee. The Democratic Party settled on John Kerry and John Edwards as their respective candidates for president and vice president.
This marked the official start of the election race. As Powell had stated, it was a time when the sitting President, Bush, couldn't focus entirely on governance.
"Jang Seong-taek is scheduled to visit Seoul soon. I think it would be best if you came to Korea for negotiations then, Secretary of State."
—"Wait… are you saying there will be a summit between the leaders of South and North Korea in Seoul?"
"That's right. Jang Seong-taek's commitment to reform is firm. He showed a willingness to completely abandon nuclear weapons if sufficient rewards are provided."
—"Did you say a complete abandonment of nuclear weapons?"
"Yes. He expressed readiness to dismantle all nuclear facilities and rejoin the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the U.S. desires.
The NPT, also known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, is a rather unreasonable agreement that simultaneously prohibits non-nuclear countries from developing or acquiring nuclear weapons.
Our country joined in 1975, and North Korea was forced to join in 1985 under pressure from the Soviet Union. However, they unilaterally declared their withdrawal from the NPT in 1993.
They returned through the Geneva Agreement with the U.S. in 1994, but withdrew again.
'It's an unfair treaty that aims to prevent non-nuclear countries from possessing nuclear weapons.'
Though it's one-sided and unreasonable conditions favoring powerful nations, the NPT is akin to the basic agreement of the current international community.
The danger of nuclear weapons is acknowledged by all nations. What the international community fears most is the possibility of terrorist organizations thriving or a country embroiled in civil war possessing nuclear weapons.
However, international agreements have their limits. There have been instances where countries sneaked nuclear development while being NPT members or delayed their membership until they finished development.
The U.S. inadvertently provided justification for Pakistan to develop nuclear weapons by tolerating India's nuclear development.
—"Joining the NPT is not a negotiation condition."
"He also stated he would accept IAEA inspections of all nuclear facilities in North Korea. The essence of the proposal is to continue the Geneva talks. It seems he wants various economic supports through them."
Powell, who had been silent, finally asked in a heavy tone.
—"Is there a definite will to abandon nuclear development?"
"It seems he intends to follow China's model of reform and opening up."
Upon hearing my assurance, he replied with a sense of relief.
—"So he's made a significant decision following the model of China's reform openings."
"It would be wise for the U.S. to prepare various support measures while engaging in negotiations. Depending on the U.S.'s support, China and Russia are likely to act differently as well. Given the lengthy process to reach this conclusion, solid support is necessary. If things go wrong, we could lose this opportunity. That would be unacceptable, wouldn't it?"
—"I understand what you mean. I will conduct direct negotiations with North Korea. Charlie, thank you very much. You've helped me grasp Jang Seong-taek's intentions accurately."
"I hope for a positive outcome. I will do my utmost in this negotiation, just as Korea will do theirs."
—"I will try my best. Then, Charlie, see you in Korea."
I stared down at the disconnected phone, deep in thought.
The U.S. wouldn't miss this opportunity. Iran and North Korea's nuclear developments were Achilles' heels for the U.S.
Nuclear weapons are not only powerful due to existence but also by initiating development, making them the deadliest weapons on earth.
Certainly, among the countries possessing nuclear arms, few would genuinely use them.
However, Iran and North Korea were genuine threats capable of using nuclear weapons.
If North Korea were to declare a complete surrender of its nuclear arms and its return to the international community, it would represent the biggest achievement for the Bush administration.
'Once they understand the power of capitalism, North Korea won't be able to go back.'
Once the economy opens up and starts to grow, it cannot revert to a closed state.
No matter how much the dictator pushes, the people who have experienced a market economy will resist.
Kim Jong-il's insistence on self-reliance and tightly controlling foreign trade had its reasons.
However, the age has changed, and even the government cannot fully block all information.
While I was lost in thought, I heard a knock at the study door.
"Boss, Chairman Song Chan-woo of Daehyeon Group has arrived."
"Come in."
As the door opened, Manager Ma stepped aside, allowing Song Chan-woo to enter.
I took the initiative to approach and extend my hand.
"Chairman Song Chan-woo. It's been a while."
"It's been a long time since we last met."
I guided him to a seat, noticing he appeared slightly tense.
"I've also called Chairman Kim from Jungwoo Group and Chairman Lee from Jungwoo Construction. We have a lot to discuss today."
I poured tea into the glass placed on the table and slid it toward Chairman Song.
"This is tea brewed from the leaves I received as a gift. Please try it."
Chairman Song, holding the teacup, took a sip and nodded.
"These seem to be good tea leaves."
"They say it's more expensive than gold of the same weight. At least it tastes better than gold."
As I made a light-hearted comment, a smile spread across the previously tense face of Chairman Song Chan-woo.
"I apologize for asking you to come here directly when you're busy. The reason is related to our North Korean projects."
Chairman Song froze for a moment while still holding the teacup.
Well, that didn't ease the atmosphere at all.
"As you may already know, the government has dispatched a special envoy this time."
"Yes, I've heard about that too."
"Though the media suggested it was for negotiations on family reunions, there are more pressing issues. I also made an unofficial visit."
Chairman Song's serious expression made him set down the teacup entirely.
"More pressing issues?"
"There are plans to hold a summit between the North and South leaders in Seoul."
"What? Is that for real? Are you saying that negotiations for the summit have already taken place?"
I nodded and lifted the teacup before me.
"Yes. The agreement has been successfully concluded. You are aware that Kim Jong-il has been ousted and Jang Seong-taek has taken power, right?"
"Who among South Koreans doesn't know about that?"
Even now, various broadcasting stations and media outlets were broadcasting special reports on the rapidly changing situation in North Korea.
A documentary producer from one station had even been caught trying to defect to North Korea from China.
For South Korea, North Korea was an inseparable country, tying us tightly.
While Jang Seong-taek is known as a moderate and reformist figure, he is still part of North Korea's elite.
Had it not been for Jang Seong-taek, the situation would probably be similar. North Korean news always stirred up more concern than eagerness in our citizens.
"I thought Jang Seong-taek would attempt to reform North Korea, but he's moving quicker than I expected."
"Don't we have significant political events happening in Korea and the U.S.? It means he intends to seize any opportunity he can."
Relations with North Korea have always been one of the crucial issues in Korean elections. Numerous news pieces from North Korea have shaken the election landscape.
It's no wonder that there have been instances where money was offered to provoke North Korea.
"So, what's the status of the negotiations? Did Jang Seong-taek confirm his visit to Seoul?"
"What I'm about to say must not be shared with anyone else. If this information leaks, I will never work with you again. Do you understand?"
Chairman Song shuddered at my cold gaze and nodded.
"At this point, it's confirmed he will visit Seoul before the National Assembly elections. There will be a trilateral meeting involving President Yoon Chang-ho following the summit, with the attendance of the U.S. Secretary of State. The future of the Korean Peninsula will be decided in that meeting."
Surprise crossed Chairman Song's face.
"Negotiations have already begun underground among various countries."
At that moment, a knock at the door accompanied Manager Ma's voice.
"Chairman Kim Byung-woo and Chairman Lee Sang-geun have arrived."
"Tell them to come in."
Chairman Song quickly stood up following my lead.
"Welcome, Chairman Kim."
As I shook hands with Chairman Kim Byung-woo, Lee Sang-geun stood patiently beside him, maintaining a calm demeanor.
I greeted him with a smile.
"It's been a while, Chairman Lee."
"Yes, Boss. How have you been?"
Chairman Lee Sang-geun seemed to have loosened up a bit.
Even though he was now out in the open, he used to have a cold demeanor but now his expression indicated some ease.
Chairman Song also shook hands with them following my lead.
"I've heard that Daehyeon Construction and Jungwoo Construction are forming a consortium to undertake reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. You will be leading that initiative, Chairman Lee. The chairman of Daehyeon Construction had high praise for you."
"I am grateful for the kind words."
Chairman Lee Sang-geun gave a shy smile.
"Chairman Han Dong-seok of Daehyeon Construction is someone with substantial experience in the field. He is a person who built Daehyeon Construction alongside Chairman Wang. But I've never witnessed him praising someone this enthusiastically before."
Indeed, Chairman Lee is a decent person.
I summarized what I had told Chairman Song to the other two.
Up to the greetings, the atmosphere was amicable, but given the gravity of the subject, everyone quickly took on heavy expressions.
"It's astounding how suddenly progress has been made. Jang Seong-taek seizing power means North Korea is changing."
The reactions of both men were no different from Chairman Song's.
It was time to explain the real reason I had called them together.
"Sanctions against North Korea will be lifted, and we will resume economic cooperation. I called you here to prepare for that."
Cooperation with North Korea could be a significant venture.
South Korean conglomerates build new factories in China not only for new market opportunities but also due to labor costs being ten times cheaper, along with various tax benefits.
However, imagine if we could build factories in North Korea that speaks the same language and uses the same script. Labor costs would also be considerably lower than in China.
For companies, that would be enticing.
The primary reason major corporations hesitate to engage with North Korea stems from a lack of trust in the North Korean government.
China is equally an unreliable country, but unlike North Korea, it still has to tread carefully under the international community's gaze.
"Daehyeon Group will have plenty of significant projects, starting with the construction of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and the road connecting Korea and Kaesong. Jungwoo Group is involved, but we can't handle all the projects ourselves."
"Don't worry about that."
The discussion continued for a considerable time afterward.
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