บท 593: Chapter 593: Why Are You Telling Me This?
It was the final day of the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
This day was the most significant of the three-day congress.
Jang Seong-taek prepared to attend the congress alone in his deserted mansion.
"Comrade Vice Chairman, it's time to leave now."
"Alright. I understand."
Jang Seong-taek left his home and headed to the 4.25 Cultural Center, where the congress was being held.
As the luxurious car he was in reached its destination, traffic police controlled the roads, allowing them to pass through Pyongyang without stopping once.
Upon getting out of the car, he was greeted by a throng of people waiting for him.
They were the delegates of the Supreme People's Assembly. During the congress, the assembly served as the highest authority.
It also played a role in electing key officials of the Workers' Party.
The fact that the symbolic head of state in North Korea was the Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly showed just how significant this institution was.
Despite such crucial roles and powers, during the eras of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, it had been reduced to a mere rubber stamp, unable to exercise any authority.
They kept their heads bowed until Jang Seong-taek passed.
As he walked past, Jang Seong-taek called out to Choi Ryong-hae, who was following closely behind.
"Director of the General Political Bureau."
"Yes, Comrade Vice Chairman."
"This is excessive."
Jang Seong-taek frowned at the excessive ceremony of the delegates.
Choi Ryong-hae quickly responded,
"No, Comrade Vice Chairman. We must still suppress them with authority. They'll eventually adapt to our reform and opening policies, but for now, we need to showcase our authority."
Jang Seong-taek halted in his tracks, turning to look at Choi Ryong-hae.
As Jang Seong-taek stopped, everyone following him came to a standstill.
Feeling the cold gaze of Jang Seong-taek upon him, Choi Ryong-hae flinched.
"We?"
"...…"
"Director of the General Political Bureau, don't mistake things."
"I-I'm sorry!"
Choi Ryong-hae hurriedly lowered his head.
Jang Seong-taek looked at the top of Choi Ryong-hae's head for a moment before turning away and continuing on.
With his head still bowed, Choi Ryong-hae stood still as others walked past him, following Jang Seong-taek.
'"What an arrogant brat. Since when did he have the audacity to speak to me like that?"'
With his head lowered, Choi Ryong-hae simply bit his lip.
Deep within, it was hard to bear the wave of contempt surging through him.
"Comrade Director of the General Political Bureau has entered, Comrade Vice Chairman has entered," a subordinate announced.
Only then did Choi Ryong-hae lift his head.
His shiny eyes were fixed on the entrance Jang Seong-taek had just gone through.
"The voting results of the Supreme People's Assembly have reached a consensus to establish the Council of Ministers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and transfer all the authority held by the National Defense Commission to this newly established council, while simultaneously abolishing the National Defense Commission. Members who oppose this decision, please raise your hands and voicing your dissent."
The shocking proposal to abolish the National Defense Commission, once the highest military and ruling institution of Kim Jong-il's regime, left all gathered at the congress in shock.
The National Defense Commission was evidence of the hereditary succession from Kim Il-sung to Kim Jong-il.
During Kim Jong-il's rule, known as the Songun policy, its authority had gradually increased.
Abolishing it essentially represented a determination to erase the Kim Il-sung clan from the republic.
"We have reached a consensus to appoint Comrade Jang Seong-taek, Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission, as the Chairman of the newly established Council of Ministers. If anyone opposes, please raise your hands."
Not a single person raised a hand.
Thus, Jang Seong-taek's appointment as head of the Council of Ministers was confirmed.
Kim Yong-nam, the Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, bowed his head towards Jang Seong-taek as he presided over the proceedings.
Jang Seong-taek stood up to acknowledge Kim Yong-nam's respect.
At that moment, thunderous applause erupted in the grand auditorium.
As Jang Seong-taek rose, over 6,000 people began clapping their hands.
When Jang Seong-taek lifted his hand, the applause suddenly stopped.
"In accepting the will of the delegates, led by Chairman Kim Yong-nam of the Supreme People's Assembly, I hereby promise in front of all comrades present in this room and the entire people of the Republic that I, Jang Seong-taek, will diligently fulfill the responsibilities of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers from this moment forward."
It was the moment Jang Seong-taek officially ascended to the pinnacle of North Korean leadership.
He was appointed during the congress, gaining legitimacy and authority.
He did not stop speaking, continuing with his address.
"Now, the Republic must change. I will dedicate my life to the economic development that was promised by our Great Leader, ensuring that all the people can enjoy a prosperous life in tiled houses, dressed in silk, and having meat soup at every meal."
Applause echoed through the grand theater. Jang Seong-taek watched the spectacle with a satisfied expression.
Once Jang Seong-taek resumed his seat, Kim Yong-nam took the microphone again to continue the congress.
"We will now proceed with the elections for the central leading institutions."
As Jang Seong-taek announced the list, the party members would raise their hands to vote in an open ballot.
"The members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee are Jang Seong-taek, Kim Yong-nam, O Geum-cheol, Choi Ryong-hae, and Ri Yong-ho."
As the list of standing committee members was announced, Jang Seong-taek continued.
"All representatives who agree with the list, please raise your hands."
Starting with Jang Seong-taek, everyone raised their hands, holding red party membership cards.
"Any representatives who oppose, please raise your hands."
Not a single hand was raised. An eerie silence fell, where even the sound of someone breathing could be heard.
Then suddenly, someone shouted loudly.
"No one!"
That shout prompted about ten others to echo the same.
"No one's here!"
"No one!!"
It was a pre-arranged charade.
Jang Seong-taek nodded with satisfaction as he pulled the microphone closer and said,
"No one! Passed!"
Again, applause erupted.
The election proceeded in the same manner.
The selection of the Inspection Commission of the Central Committee marked the end of the elections.
Jang Seong-taek rose from his seat and began calling out names one by one.
"Kim Yong-nam."
"Yes, Chairman!"
Kim Yong-nam rose from his seat and bowed to Jang Seong-taek.
"O Geum-cheol."
"Yes, Chairman!"
Jang Seong-taek called out each newly appointed individual, receiving their pledges of loyalty.
Thus concluded the three-day 7th Congress, marking the beginning of Jang Seong-taek's era.
On this day, Jang Seong-taek was appointed to a total of six positions.
— General Secretary of the Workers' Party.
— Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
— Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party.
— Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.
— Standing Committee Member of the Political Bureau of the Workers' Party.
— Member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party.
He inherited all the titles and powers held by Kim Jong-il.
That night, Jang Seong-taek secretly summoned Choi Ryong-hae.
"Did you call for me, Director of the General Political Bureau?"
"Yes, Chairman!"
"You need to go to Singapore soon."
Choi Ryong-hae questioned Jang Seong-taek's directive with confusion.
"To Singapore?"
Jang Seong-taek nodded.
"Yes. You need to go and handle the negotiations. You're the only one in the Republic who can contest with the representatives from the U.S., China, and Russia. Can you do it?"
"If you entrust it to me, I will do my best."
Choi Ryong-hae lowered his head. Seeing the sparkle in Choi Ryong-hae's eyes, Jang Seong-taek patted his shoulder.
"I believe in you as the Director of the General Political Bureau."
* * *
Suddenly, the person who visited the hotel room was Choi Ryong-hae.
"Hello. This is Choi Ryong-hae."
Choi Ryong-hae greeted with a bow, and I stood up to extend my hand to him.
"I am Kim Mu-hyeok. What brings the Director of the General Political Bureau here?"
As Choi Ryong-hae took my hand, he replied.
"I am leading the preliminary negotiation team for the North-South summit being held in Seoul. Upon hearing that you, Kim Mu-hyeok, would be coming to Singapore, I came to discuss things with you."
"How did you know?"
Few people knew of my visit to Singapore.
"I heard it from someone in the Singapore government."
"Really?"
If it were from the Singapore government, it wouldn't be strange for him to know, but was there a reason to pass that information to Choi Ryong-hae?
"Yes. Am I being a bother by dropping in without an appointment? I apologize if it was rude."
Choi Ryong-hae was unusually deferential, which only raised my suspicion.
There was no need for him to bow so much; what was he trying to say?
"No, it's fine. It happens. Let's sit down and talk for a bit."
I led Choi Ryong-hae to my seat. I engaged in light conversation to ease the mood.
Once the stiff, icy atmosphere thawed, I got to the point.
"So… what brings you here, Director of the General Political Bureau? I have a feeling this is our first meeting."
With Jang Seong-taek now at the helm, Choi Ryong-hae too had moved closer to the center of power.
The National Intelligence Service viewed Choi Ryong-hae as third in the current hierarchy of power in North Korea.
There was ample evidence to suggest this. His position on the podium during the 7th Congress bore witness to that.
The nearer one sat to the center of the podium, the higher the power ranking; the farther away, the lower.
Jang Seong-taek occupied the center, with Choi Ryong-hae sitting in the first place on the right.
The first place on the left was occupied by Kim Yong-nam, indicating that Choi Ryong-hae at least held third in the power order.
"I came to discuss the treatment of Kim Jong-il with you, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok."
Hearing Kim Jong-il's name from Choi Ryong-hae raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"Why are you discussing Kim Jong-il's treatment with me?"
"Mr. Kim, we believe that Kim Jong-il must be eliminated."
"Eliminated?" I thought the same; however, Jang Seong-taek had decided to spare him. Wouldn't that be the conclusion?
"Why are you telling me this? You should talk to Chairman Jang Seong-taek about whether to kill or spare him."
"…Chairman has decided he will spare Kim Jong-il. We have tried convincing him multiple times, but he remains steadfast in his decision."
"Hmm…"
As I fell silent, Choi Ryong-hae continued speaking, his voice earnest as if trying to persuade me.
"Right now, there is no one in the Republic who can convince the Chairman. Just mentioning Kim Jong-il's name can change his expression entirely."
"Although he is publicly the former Supreme Leader ousted by the Chairman, privately, he is still family."
"Kim Kyung-hee and the Chairman's relationship has already broken down. That alone is not a reason to spare Kim Jong-il's life."
Choi Ryong-hae then went on to explain in detail why Kim Jong-il must be eliminated.
Hearing that reminded me of the event in my previous life when Jang Seong-taek had been purged and executed.
Just as Kim Jong-il had done, Kim Jeong-un could also decide to eliminate Jang Seong-taek and chase him off to some provincial farm.
It could have been as simple as distancing him from power and letting him live, but several testimonies claimed he had been shot to death with machine guns.
Jang Seong-taek's body had been disfigured beyond recognition by dozens of bullets, and it was even said that a flamethrower had been used to eliminate the remains.
'"Could it be that this bastard has persuaded Kim Jeong-un to eliminate Jang Seong-taek?"'
Just witnessing his actions made that suspicion come quite naturally.
Perhaps he had been prodding Kim Jeong-un from the side.
Regardless, Jang Seong-taek was Kim Jeong-un's uncle.
In North Korea, it's customary not to kill those from the Baekdu bloodline.
Although he had strayed, killing Jang Seong-taek, who had sustained his marriage with Kim Kyung-hee, would also weigh heavily on Kim Jeong-un.
As I pondered, Choi Ryong-hae concluded explaining why Kim Jong-il must be eliminated.
"Right now, the only person who can sway Chairman Jang Seong-taek is you, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok. So please step in for the Republic."
I couldn't help but let out a laugh, utterly bewildered. So this was the argument, after all.
"To do it for the Republic? Have you come to the wrong person? I'm from Korea, not the Republic."
"However, I know that you played a major role in Kim Jong-il's removal. So this time as well…"
I cut him off.
"Director of the General Political Bureau, do you think I take commands from you? If you want to persuade me, you should've brought conditional incentives for me; throwing around some nonsense about the Republic isn't going to work. Chairman Jang Seong-taek doesn't even offer me proposals like that."
What a fool he was to regard me as an easy target. I glared at Choi Ryong-hae with cold eyes.
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