บท 598: Chapter 598: I’m Not Interested in Such Things
Most of the agenda items reached a consensus behind the scenes, but discussions about the North-South summit agenda continued for quite some time.
I heard updates from Myeong-su for about two more days after that.
Now, I felt like there was nothing left for me to do here, so I decided to return to Korea.
"But why do you come here every day?"
The problem was this man in front of me who was sipping coffee and reading the newspaper.
"Heh, come on, it's just a bored old man trying to pass the time by bothering you a bit. No need to be so harsh about it."
Kissinger visited me every day for two days straight after the agreement was reached.
Whether he was drinking coffee or watching the news… he just came to where I was and spent time there.
"I'm going back to Korea now."
"Oh? Then I'll go with you. It should be easy to get to Korea together."
"…"
I was momentarily speechless. Just how brazen could this person be?
I glanced at Kissinger with disbelief, but he merely smiled mischievously and set down his newspaper.
"No need to show how much you dislike it. There's no need to be on guard either. I'm just curious about you. After all, it's the first time since President Kennedy that someone as young as you has amassed such wealth and political influence."
"President Kennedy?"
Suddenly, the name of a U.S. president who died decades ago popped up.
I remained silent as I looked at Kissinger, and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, he came from a prestigious family, so that's understandable. But you, a young Asian, find yourself in this position. You're not from a famous family like Kennedy, nor do you hold American citizenship… yet you have connections with the masters of Russia and are on friendly terms with Premier Wen Jiabao of China, right? Plus, you can even sway Jang Seong-taek of North Korea. It's impressive, no matter how I think about it."
"That's an overestimation."
"Whether it's an overestimation or not is for me to decide. So, I want to keep an eye on you. It's amusing that someone like you hasn't gained wider recognition. Though there are quite a few who know about you in Washington and Wall Street, it seems they haven't fully grasped who you are."
Kissinger adjusted his glasses. The middle-aged gentleman was looking at me with an expression full of curiosity.
"Charlie, do you wish to be a puppet master who governs the world?"
Puppet master, huh? I chuckled softly and replied.
"That's an interesting thought. I'm not interested in such things. I've met politicians for business reasons, and we've just become friends through that. That's all."
"Then why do you hide behind the curtain? There are few who know you even in Korea, right?"
"I'm not hiding. I just don't particularly enjoy being in the spotlight."
I wasn't lying.
There was no need to reveal myself intentionally, nor did I have any intention of hiding behind the scenes.
Kissinger nodded at my response and replied.
"I thought you were dreaming of doing something noble in Europe, like the Valtiche. I guess not."
"…You even know about that organization?"
Not meaning to, I asked back, and Kissinger burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! My friend, I used to be responsible for American diplomacy. How could I not know about it? I just don't know exactly who and how many are involved, but I have a rough idea."
"Is that so? Do you know who the leader of that organization is?"
"I do know that. I guess you know as well?"
Kissinger raised an eyebrow as he made eye contact with me.
There was no need to lie about it. I simply nodded.
"Yes. I'm aware of the leader and a few members. We've crossed paths a few times."
"That's right. You inevitably have to cross paths with them. They are an organization that needs to manipulate things as they wish. But in East Asia, your influence has grown too strong. You've done what they couldn't accomplish at a young age. Oh, and wasn't your first appearance during the Asian financial crisis? I heard the Wall Street hyenas feasted on the leftovers you left behind."
Just thinking about it brought a smile to Kissinger's face.
"Isn't it funny? Those who orchestrated everything were the Wall Street hyenas, yet the large pieces of meat were consumed by your Dream High. Moreover, you used that to grow your influence in Korea. One could say they helped you rise. The world is truly unpredictable. It's fascinating, I must say."
Kissinger, who was talking to himself, stood up and asked.
"So, when do you plan to enter Korea? I need to prepare as well. Is there space for me to stay at your place?"
I couldn't hide my expression and grimaced.
What is this person saying? He plans to stay at my house?
I replied bluntly as if it wasn't worth considering.
"There isn't. You should stay at a hotel."
"How cold-hearted. What if this old man gets lost in a foreign land with no connections?"
"Kissinger, if it were you, I wouldn't be surprised if you hosted the U.S. military commander in Korea. So why do you insist on relying on me?"
I spoke coldly, but Kissinger merely responded smoothly.
"Didn't you say you were curious about me? I just want to keep an eye on you."
"I'll get you a hotel nearby. Stay there."
"How unreasonable. Well, let's do that. Oh, and please don't inform the Korean government. If I go in and people start contacting me to meet here and there, it'll just tire me out. Now, I have to prepare as well."
After Kissinger left the hotel room, I called Manager Ma, feeling drained.
"Haa, Manager, please prepare a nice room at the Myeong-dong Hotel. Make sure there are no mistakes in serving him."
"Understood."
"As soon as Kissinger arrives at Incheon Airport, send him to the hotel, and I need to go straight to the Blue House. Have two cars ready at the airport."
Once I finished instructing Manager Ma, I got up from my seat.
"Let's head back to Korea now."
* * *
After six hours of flying from Singapore, I arrived at Incheon Airport.
It was already late, with the sun setting in Korea and the moon rising.
Despite claiming to be a civilian, Kissinger held a diplomatic passport.
Thanks to that, we quickly went through the simple entry procedures and soon exited Incheon Airport.
"Then, I'll see you here. Go in and rest well. These friends will take care of you."
"Got it. How about we have dinner together tomorrow evening?"
"Sure. Let's do that."
After sending Kissinger off in the prepared car, I got into another vehicle.
"Straight to the Blue House."
The car carrying me left Incheon Airport and headed to the Blue House.
The roads seemed unusually quiet late at night. Watching the scenery quickly change outside the window, I asked Manager Ma.
"No news has come in, right?"
"I received a call from Representative Eva."
"Is that so? I should call her."
Taking out my phone, I dialed Eva.
Before the phone rang more than twice, Eva answered.
— Boss!!
"Where are you? You said you would contact me."
— So you're in Korea now. I'm in Switzerland.
Eva had taken a vacation again after my orders.
She had been worried before leaving, but thankfully it seemed she was enjoying her vacation.
"Good. Well done. Enjoy your vacation too."
— I have to! By the way, about that journalist from New Fact. Did you get a report on that?
"No. I just got into Korea. For now, I'm postponing that matter to a later date."
Eva chuckled softly on the other end of the line.
— Then can I go ahead and say something? I received a report that funds were funneled from a paper company on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten to that company. They said tracking would be difficult.
"Hmm. Sint Maarten?"
— It's a small island next to the Virgin Islands. Generally, it's more common to use the Virgin Islands rather than this side from Asia. So it was a bit concerning when hearing that funds were moved through there.
Since she mentioned it wasn't a common place for Asia, does that mean it was used in Europe or the U.S.?
I sighed deeply as I pieced it together.
"Is that so? I can handle it, so you just enjoy the rest of your vacation. Switzerland must be nice?"
— Of course. I've been wondering why I didn't come here earlier. You should come visit too and enjoy some sightseeing.
"If Eva says it's nice, I'm curious too. I'll check it out next time. Alright, I'll hang up. Let's talk later."
— Okay, Boss!
After ending the call with Eva, I spoke to Manager Ma.
"Manager, please send everything we've learned about New Fact from Black Secret to Pyeongchang-dong. And… have Chairman Yoo of Heavenly Group contact the journalist who raised suspicions."
"I will relay that."
Once I finished speaking, I sank deep into my seat and closed my eyes.
My head was throbbing, but I needed a moment to gather my thoughts.
'I'm already swamped with work, and now all these issues are getting on my nerves. I need to drop by the Blue House, then head straight to Pyeongchang-dong for the materials…'
How much time had passed; I opened my eyes at Manager Ma's call.
"Boss. We have arrived."
Maybe I had unknowingly dozed off from the fatigue of the flight.
Before I knew it, we were in front of the Blue House. Immediately after opening my eyes, I checked the time and spoke to Manager Ma.
"Let's go in."
After going through identity verification at the entrance, we drove straight into the Blue House.
Yoon Chang-ho called me to the President's Office located in the main building, not the residence.
A moment later, the car stopped in front of the main building, and I got out and tidied my clothes.
"The President is waiting for you on the second floor."
The Chief Secretary was waiting for me at the entrance of the main building.
I followed him up the stairs, arriving in front of the President's Office located on the second floor.
"You may enter now."
The Chief Secretary bowed deeply and opened the door to the President's Office.
"Mr. President, Kim Mu-hyeok is here."
As I stepped inside, I saw Yoon Chang-ho leaning back against the sofa.
He perked up as my voice broke through his brief nap while he waited.
"Mr. Kim, I've been waiting. Please, come in and sit here."
I took a seat where Yoon Chang-ho gestured without replying back.
"You look quite tired."
"Hah… Don't even get me started. I've been constantly tormented over the reduction of U.S. troops. The chief secretaries have been taking turns bothering me."
Yoon Chang-ho shifted his back from the sofa, leaning forward.
His fatigue was evident, pressing his eyes tightly as he spoke first.
"So, you came in with Kissinger, huh?"
Kissinger asked me not to tell the Korean government, but there's no way the Blue House wouldn't be informed when a figure like him came in through Incheon Airport.
Well, Kissinger couldn't possibly not know that, so I guess he was just saying that.
"Yes. I sent him to the Myeong-dong Hotel."
"But why is Kissinger following you around?"
At Yoon Chang-ho's question, I sighed deeply and replied.
"I don't know either. It's quite bothersome. He claims to be curious about me. Given his status, I can't just kick him out, and I figured it might be better to leave him nearby than deal without him around."
"What? Hahaha!"
Yoon Chang-ho burst out laughing, clearly not expecting such a response.
"You're the only one who can talk about Kissinger like that. People welcome him with open arms wherever he goes."
"It would be easier if he just had something he wanted. He keeps saying he wants to know more about me…"
"Be nice to him. There isn't anyone as influential in American politics as he is. They may talk trash and call him washed-up, but Kissinger's faction still exists throughout Washington."
"I know that. That's exactly why I can't just push him away. Well, he hasn't interfered with my work. If he starts to get in the way of what I'm doing, then I won't hesitate to kick him out, regardless of who he is."
Yoon Chang-ho nodded. Since it didn't seem like such an important matter, he swiftly changed the topic.
"Now, let's talk about something else. How to engage in economic cooperation after the North-South summit, shall we?"
"Isn't that something to discuss when the chairmen of large corporations gather?"
"Without your permission, they can't even lift a spoon regarding economic cooperation with North Korea. How long do you plan to keep pretending?"
At Yoon Chang-ho's direct remark, I shrugged and chuckled.
"I've heard you asked the chairmen of large corporations to prepare companies to enter the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Is that true?"
"Yes. I don't think we can find all the companies to enter just with the power of Daehyeon Group and the government. This is our first economic cooperation with North Korea, isn't it? If there's a mistake from the start, it won't look good."
"Well done. The chaebols are rather sluggish in responding to the Blue House's orders. The old folks used to flinch even at the sound of a cough…"
Not liking that fact, Yoon Chang-ho frowned.
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