บท 576: Chapter 576: I Understood What You Meant
After returning to the hotel, I had a simple meal and took some time to relax.
It was nearly dinner time when Myeong-su finally found his way to my room.
He grumbled for a while about his meeting with Jang Seong-taek, and I listened with a smile.
"Really? Jang Seong-taek said that?",
Myeong-su nodded vigorously, venting his frustration.
"A summit in Seoul? Sure, that sounds great. But the Kaesong Industrial Complex isn't a decision our government can make on its own! He keeps insisting."
Jang Seong-taek had been the second-in-command under Kim Jong-il for decades.
In politics, you give one thing to gain another.
So, he was boldly making demands, even knowing they were excessive.
"Should I just meet with Jang Seong-taek and ask him to postpone the Kaesong Complex? We should have the North-South talks first, and then…"
Before I could finish, Myeong-su shook his head.
"No, we can't keep relying on you for everything. Do you really think Jang Seong-taek made that proposal without knowing that you and I are friends? He knows we're friends and spoke to me separately without including you. If you step in to manage this, I'm the only one who will look like a fool. Just leave it alone. I'll figure it out. I need to convince the U.S. somehow."
His newfound confidence was quite pleasing to see.
Feeling proud, I looked at Myeong-su, but he frowned back.
"What's with that look? Do I have something on my face?"
"No, it's just that I'm impressed you want to handle this on your own. You've really grown up, Myeong-su."
"Shut up. Someone's got a headache over here."
Myeong-su pouted, picked up his glass, downed it in one go, and slammed it back down.
I asked him, noticing his preoccupied expression.
"What's bothering you so much? The opposition party really doesn't have a reason to object, right?"
"That's true. They don't have a reason to object."
The Kaesong Complex had been initiated by the previous administration.
Though everything ground to a halt suddenly during the latter part of that administration due to a cooling of inter-Korean relations, the Kaesong project had been a policy pushed by the Progressive Party.
The opposition party had no reason to oppose it.
"But then again, that's how politics works. They might oppose just for the sake of it."
A fleeting bitter smile crossed Myeong-su's face.
Not wanting to continue the conversation, he subtly changed the subject.
"Oh right, weren't you supposed to meet Chairman Kim Jong-il? How did that go? Is he still alive? I can't imagine he's living well."
"Surprisingly calm, actually. I expected him to be plotting revenge, but he surprisingly has a lot of love for his family."
"Really? That's unexpected. I thought he was a cold-blooded monster, but it seems he has a softer side."
"I was surprised too. It seems like I don't need to worry about North Korea so much anymore. Just move accordingly."
Myeong-su nodded and glanced at the time, his face tightening.
"Aren't things getting hectic? I need to eat with the special envoy and the negotiation team over there, and what about you?"
"I need to meet with Vice Chairman Jang Seong-taek."
"Don't even mention the Kaesong Complex. I'll handle that myself. If it seems like it's going off the rails, I'll ask for your help then."
After his insistence, Myeong-su stood up.
"I'm off. See you later."
"Yeah, catch you later."
Waving goodbye, Myeong-su left. A moment later, I got up too.
As I opened the front door, Jang Seong-taek was the first to greet me.
"Welcome, CEO Kim Mu-hyeok."
He smiled amiably as he extended his hand, giving me a light handshake.
"It's hard to find time to meet in Pyongyang. I'm quite apologetic about it."
"Haha. I know you're a busy man, but please come in."
Surprisingly, his home was quite modest compared to the office. Without time to look around, Jang Seong-taek led me straight to the dining room.
"Please, have a seat."
The table was set with what looked like some thoughtfully prepared dishes.
As I sat in the spot he indicated, I surveyed my surroundings.
"Are you living alone?"
"No, I had everyone leave on purpose."
No wonder it felt off. Jang Seong-taek had sent everyone away for a private conversation with me.
"Go ahead and eat. This dish is prepared by the chef who exclusively cooks for Comrade Chairman. You'll find it quite delicious."
So, the chef for Kim Jong-il was already working with Jang Seong-taek.
It was amusing to see how he was erasing every trace of Kim Jong-il, one by one.
Lost in thought, I picked up my chopsticks and grabbed the nearest sushi piece, popping it into my mouth.
I smiled as the caviar burst delightfully between my teeth.
'"Definitely delicious. To say he cares for the people while enjoying such luxuries is just hilarious to think about."'
Jang Seong-taek poured cognac into my glass and asked me.
"How is it?"
"It's tasty. The sweetness and saltiness blend perfectly, making it quite appetizing."
"I'm glad it suits your palate. This is Chairman Kim Jong-il's favorite sushi, by the way. Of course, I like it too."
Jang Seong-taek laughed lightly as he raised his glass.
"Well, let's have a toast."
We clinked our glasses lightly before drinking the cognac.
It was a drink with notable flavor. I savored it as I swirled the glass.
"It's a wonderful cognac."
"It's my favorite drink, so I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed it, CEO Kim."
Jang Seong-taek responded with a smile. I wondered what he was so eager to say.
I set down my drink and grabbed a snack.
As I chewed and swallowed, I looked at Jang Seong-taek.
"I heard you spoke with the special envoy sent by the South Korean government."
Jang Seong-taek, who had been smiling the whole time, flinched slightly.
Although Myeong-su had told me not to mention the Kaesong Complex, I had to use the information when it counted.
"So you suggested speeding up the construction of the Kaesong Complex, did you?"
"CEO Kim, that's…"
I didn't want to hear any unnecessary excuses. I raised my hand to signal him to stop.
"I'm not blaming you. It's perfectly fine for you to negotiate with the South Korean government. I just need my construction company, Jungwoo Construction, to handle that project. I have no issue with when the project starts."
Jang Seong-taek emptied his glass with a nervous expression and set it down.
Seeing him like that made me smile even wider.
"You know, the Nampo City project is actually more important to me than the Kaesong Complex. So, have you thought it over?"
Jang Seong-taek, fiddling with his utensils, let out a deep sigh before responding.
"There was quite a strong opposition."
"Is that so?"
Strong opposition to what Jang Seong-taek wanted to do?
I couldn't have imagined that happening while Kim Jong-il was still in power. If it had happened, he'd have faced purging.
"After the party meeting, we'll deal with all the matters. We've agreed to designate Nampo City and various other regions as special economic zones, allowing free entry and exit as well as various benefits."
"Simultaneously at multiple locations?"
"Yes. It's necessary for economic development. Essentially, all we have are the labor of the people and the undeveloped mines right now."
North Korea's economy had been utterly devastated during the Arduous March.
They had to rebuild the shattered economy using whatever resources were left.
"After designating multiple regions as special economic zones, we will attract foreign capital. However, we'll add a condition that they must hire our people first."
For quite a while, Jang Seong-taek explained to me how he intended to manage the special economic zones.
"I understood what you meant. So, are you saying you'll give me the rights for development in Nampo City?"
"Dream High will be granted the development rights in Nampo City."
Finally, I received a solid response. But I still had more to ask.
"When?"
"It should be feasible within this year. However, please employ our people. Additionally, I'd like Dream High to be responsible for building all the infrastructure in Nampo City."
"Of course. We plan to invest in the basic infrastructures. Just know that we expect to maintain operating rights over those facilities, so they can't be forcibly taken by the North Korean government."
"I can promise that. As long as I'm in this position, I'll keep my word."
He promised to uphold his word while he remained in power, not the North Korean government.
In other words, he meant I should help him hold onto power for as long as possible.
He's definitely sharp in that regard. I couldn't help but smirk internally as I spoke.
"That's all I need to hear."
Jang Seong-taek nodded and refilled my glass, asking,
"By the way, why did you suddenly visit the Russian Embassy? Did the Chairman say something strange?"
"Well, I heard that the diplomat from the Russian Embassy approached him."
"What? When? I knew that since the incident of the coup in Pyongyang, Chairman has been refusing to meet even the ambassador from the Russian Embassy."
"I thought so too. But it turns out the second secretary rather than the ambassador met with Kim Jong-il…"
I briefly explained the situation.
Jang Seong-taek let out an incredulous laugh after hearing everything.
"If the Chairman had accepted that proposal, our plans would have ended before they even began. Even if we secured Kim Jong-il, it would have been difficult to easily take power without internal dissent."
Although Jang Seong-taek positioned Kim Jong-il at the forefront, the senior officials were all aware.
They knew Jang Seong-taek had usurped power from Kim Jong-il.
All of Kim Jong-il's inner circle had been purged and sent off to regional farms or factories.
Those seats had been filled by people aligned with Jang Seong-taek.
"So, did Russia plot something behind our backs?"
I shook my head at the question filled with urgency.
"No. The Russian government isn't aware of this situation."
"Then who could possibly have made such an offer to the Chairman?"
"I'm not sure. There are some anticipated forces, but I can't be certain."
"There are anticipated forces?"
As I raised my glass without responding, Jang Seong-taek asked again.
"And just where are these forces located? Those that can overturn agreements made between the U.S., Russia, and China?"
"I prefer not to speak on uncertain matters… but since the Russians are looking into it, we'll have to wait and see."
Jang Seong-taek furrowed his brow as he spoke.
"We need to prevent anyone from approaching the Chairman again."
"That's something you should handle, Vice Chairman. How can I possibly stop it? You're the one who decided to keep Kim Jong-il alive, and you're the person who's protecting him. If you can't handle it, just get rid of him."
"I promised not to kill him. I'm not the kind of person who breaks promises."
"If that's the case, there's no reason to be anxious. Take responsibility for your actions."
His emphasis on keeping promises made me chuckle internally.
He must want to show he's different from Kim Jong-il.
"From what I've seen, Kim Jong-il doesn't seem to have any desires for power. He seems to love his family. I doubt he'd take any reckless actions that could endanger their lives."
"The Chairman is deeply attached to his family. After all, my wife, Kim Kyung-hee, has always helped him cover up any scandals."
I nodded in agreement. Speaking of which, I wondered how Kim Kyung-hee was doing.
"So, how's your wife these days? I've heard things aren't going too well between you two. And coupled with the fact that you've banished your brother-in-law, the emotions probably aren't good between you."
Jang Seong-taek looked lost in thought as he recalled his wife.
"Yeah, well… we've been in a state of separation for a long time. I've kept her locked up in our home."
It was widely known in South Korea that Jang Seong-taek and Kim Kyung-hee's relationship was not good.
Even in official settings, Jang Seong-taek was often disrespected, belittled, and sometimes even cursed at.
"Are you planning to divorce?"
He shook his head, a bitter smile on his face.
"Not a chance. I can't do that for my daughter's sake. I plan to send her somewhere safe. Maybe that will help soothe her feelings a bit."
"Ah, you have a daughter. Her name is… was it Jang Geum-song? I heard she's studying abroad in France."
Jang Seong-taek's face stiffened. His daughter was his weakness.
He was so attached that he even went as far as creating a fake passport to sneak into Norway just to meet her.
I had been monitoring Jang Geum-song's every move, fearing he might have other plans in mind.
"…How the hell do you know that, CEO Kim?"
The name Jang Geum-song had only become known in Korea after she committed suicide.
Jang Seong-taek had kept her identity tightly under wraps.
I raised an eyebrow and replied with a smirk.
"You can't be in the dark about your partner. I know quite a bit about Vice Chairman Jang."
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง