Chương 324: Chapter 324: Who the Hell Are They?
Inside the private jet heading to Russia, I reviewed the investigation materials handed over by Manager Kim Woong-rae.
"There's no way President Kim Hak-gwon isn't aware of this incident. So many people are involved. The corruption cases that popped up before seem minor in comparison. The moment this blows up, it will spread like wildfire."
It was a case involving nearly all the chaebols in Korea and political funding.
They tightened the screws on loans, using sweet talks to receive political donations, and there were even indications that the president's son had participated in stock manipulation.
This felt like a comprehensive gift set. There was a high likelihood that the scandal would involve not just the president's secretary but also the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs.
"How on earth do we use this?"
My worries deepened over the larger scale than I anticipated. I set down the case file with a sigh.
"What do you think, Manager?"
I asked Manager Ma, who was organizing the documents beside me. He paused briefly before responding.
"Using it right now carries too much risk. It might be better to deploy it after President Kim Hak-gwon steps down."
"That's true, isn't it?"
"Yes."
Despite being at the end of his presidency, he was still a formidable opponent when motivated. There was no reason to provoke Kim Hak-gwon unnecessarily.
Our relationship wasn't bad, and for now, it seemed best to keep watching.
"President Bush is visiting next week, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Busy times. I was going to stop by the UK, but I guess that will have to wait."
"Yes, understood. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld have contacted us for separate meetings. They should arrive in Korea in time for the visit."
The upcoming visit of the Bush Administration was to lay the groundwork for the Iraq War.
Unlike the war in Afghanistan, the justification for the Iraq War was flimsy.
The Bush Administration decided to engage based solely on the testimonies of Iraqi people who chose political asylum in Iraq.
The Iraq War stemmed purely from greed.
"Things are getting interesting."
After a while of dealing with paperwork, I finally managed to set it aside.
Finishing my urgent tasks, I put on my blindfold and said to Manager Ma,
"Manager, I'll take a rest. Please wake me when we arrive in Moscow."
We still had over five hours of flight before reaching Moscow.
I needed enough rest to work hard once I arrived. I fell asleep soon after putting on the blindfold.
"Boss, we'll be arriving shortly."
I woke up to Manager Ma's voice. I removed my blindfold and opened the tightly closed window curtains.
In the distance, the lights of the airport began to appear.
"How long did I sleep?"
"About five hours, Boss."
"I slept for a while, then."
I raised my arms for a grand stretch and loosened up before asking,
"What's the schedule for today?"
"No schedule today. Tomorrow night, you have an appointment with Semyon Mogilevich, and the following day, there's an appointment with President Putin. Other than that, there are no plans."
This would be my first meeting with Putin since the coup attempt in Pyongyang.
I had heard excuses through a phone call with Medvedev, but I hadn't heard directly from Putin. I was curious what he would say about it.
While chatting with Manager Ma, the jet carrying me safely landed at the airport.
After a quick immigration process, I exited the airport.
However, armed police officers were waiting around the car designated for me.
"Find out what's going on."
Manager Ma instructed a bodyguard behind him, and the bodyguard ran off.
After a moment, the bodyguard approached with a man who seemed to represent the police.
"Are you Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok?"
"That's correct."
"I'm Colonel Morozov, in charge of security at Domodedovo International Airport. At your service!"
Colonel Morozov saluted dramatically, drawing the attention of the surrounding people toward us.
"Pleasure to meet you, Colonel. But what's all this about?"
"Administrative Secretary Medvedev ordered security arrangements for your arrival, ensuring there is no chance of any problems."
"Secretary Medvedev, you say?"
"Yes, that's right."
I had my own mercenaries ready to secure me, so why the need for such measures?
"I appreciate the thought, but please disband them. Our security team is already on standby; this is uncomfortable."
Colonel Morozov hesitated, looking troubled.
"Why is that?"
"I'm sorry, but we are just following orders."
"Ah, hold on. Manager, please contact Medvedev for me."
As Manager Ma made the call, I smiled at the stiffly standing Colonel Morozov.
"You've had a tough time."
"Not at all, it's our duty."
"Boss, you're connected."
As I reached for the phone, Manager Ma passed it to me. I heard a familiar voice on the other end.
― Mr. Kim, long time no see.
"Secretary Medvedev. Congratulations on becoming Administrative Secretary."
― Ha ha, it's all thanks to you, Mr. Kim.
Medvedev's appointment as Administrative Secretary had come a full year earlier due to the advice I had given to Putin.
I understood his gratitude, but this felt a bit excessive.
"There are police waiting to escort me, and I hear this is by Secretary Medvedev's order. What's going on?"
― It appears you've already met someone. The order was given to ensure your safety, Mr. Kim.
"You know I have mercenaries protecting me, and Secretary Medvedev should be aware of that. Is this really necessary?"
After a moment of hesitation, Medvedev's voice lowered as he said,
― Mr. Kim, I will come to your residence.
"Understood. But first, please get these people away from me. It's unsettling."
― I understand your feelings, but please accept security this time.
Medvedev must have a valid reason for being so adamant.
Though I felt displeased, I had no choice but to concede.
"Fine, I'll allow it for now."
― Thank you. Let's meet in about two hours.
After ending the call with Medvedev, I turned to Colonel Morozov.
"It seems I have to accept the security. I will rely on you."
"I'll escort you safely to your residence."
As I started walking, the armed police surrounding our car parted like the Red Sea.
Once I got in the car, the police and security team took off first, followed by my car.
After an hour of driving, we arrived at my mansion on the outskirts of Moscow.
The police didn't follow inside the mansion but stood on each side of the road, making loud siren noises as I passed. I finally reached the mansion.
While waiting for the door to open, Colonel Morozov approached my car.
I rolled down the window and flashed him a warm smile.
"Thanks to you, I arrived comfortably. I appreciate it."
"At your service! It's an honor for my family."
As Morozov saluted loudly, I closed the window. My reflection in the glass showed a cold expression.
The thick iron gate opened, allowing the car to move into the mansion.
"Boss, it's been a while."
The first person to greet me was Igor, in charge of the Black Bear's Russian branch.
"Igor, long time no see."
"Yes, Boss."
"How's everything running in the Russian branch? No issues?"
"Thanks to you, there are no major problems. A PMC like us has to watch our backs, but perhaps due to your connection with Putin, the Russian government has been friendly with us."
"That's good to hear. Let's head inside."
I patted Igor's shoulder, smiling. As soon as we entered, I made my way to my office.
While discussing Russian affairs with Igor and Manager Ma, I received word that Medvedev had arrived.
I left my office and went to the entrance of the mansion to greet Medvedev.
He spotted me and came forward, smiling as he embraced me.
"Mr. Kim!"
"Long time no see, Secretary. Please come in."
Medvedev smiled warmly as he stepped back.
We couldn't chat outside, so I led him inside.
I brought him into the reception room.
"Would you like a quick drink of vodka?"
"Ha ha, that sounds great."
As expected of a Russian, his smile broadened at the mention of vodka.
I signaled to Manager Ma, and soon, high-end vodka and simple appetizers were prepared.
"How are you handling the Administrative Secretary position?"
"It's at the core of power, but the checks and balances are no joke."
"That's the fate of those close to power. Like I told you before, there's no way to avoid the second-in-command's scrutiny, and you'll have to endure envy and schemes from below."
"Indeed. Power can indeed be frightening."
Even during Yeltsin's era, he was merely a figurehead while the Administrative Secretary and Yeltsin's family held the real power.
Hence, the position of Administrative Secretary was at the heart of power.
But Putin was different.
His thirst for power was greater than anyone else's, so he didn't grant much authority to the Administrative Secretary.
While the powers he could wield decreased, the position remained formidable.
Now, maintaining that position was entirely dependent on Medvedev's ability.
"But isn't it easier to act now than before? As the Russian Administrative Secretary and Chairman of Gazprom, you've got both power and money, right?"
"That's true."
Gazprom, which underwent privatization during Yeltsin's time, served as Yeltsin's cash cow, but it was still a private company.
However, Putin did not leave Gazprom as a private enterprise.
With the government controlling 40% of the shares originally, this time he purged oligarchs like Berezovsky, transferring their holdings in Gazprom to other state-owned companies.
Now Gazprom was essentially a state-owned enterprise, with the Russian government holding over 50% of the shares.
I also held a significant 21% stake, making it the second largest after the Russian government.
Yet not a single board member was added from my side.
All the high-ranking officials from the Russian government filled the board, so there was no way they would give a board seat to a foreigner.
"That could only happen if Putin allowed it. But many people fear me more than before."
I could sense confidence radiating from Medvedev's voice.
I smiled at his changed demeanor.
"Power doesn't arise from fear, but it is easier to control others when you become a fearful presence. Anyway, let's stop chatting and get to the bottom of why armed police were sent here."
As I slowly swirled the glass filled with ice and vodka, I asked.
After scanning the room, Medvedev downed his vodka in one go before speaking.
"Actually… we received tips that some Mafia members in Russia are targeting you."
I stopped swirling the glass upon hearing that. How did the Mafia get this intel to target me?
"Is it true that the Mafia is after me?"
"Yes. I heard you were scheduled to meet Semyon Mogilevich this time. An opposing organization got the information and is planning a hit on you. That's why the armed police were dispatched quickly."
I let out a sigh of disbelief. At a loss for words, I gazed at my glass for a moment before asking.
"So, the Russian Mafia is after me? Not just anywhere but right in the heart of Moscow?"
"Based on the intel we received, it's highly likely to be true."
Manager Ma, who had been silently listening, looked stern. I ordered him,
"Have Igor come in."
"Yes, Boss."
I turned my gaze back to Medvedev and downed the vodka in hand.
As I set the glass down, I asked,
"Who the hell are they?"
"Most of the Mafia organizations that are beyond Mogilevich's influence have united for this operation."
"From what I know, Mogilevich has the highest influence in Russia. They say he's known as the godfather of Russian Mafia."
"That's true, but there are several others with similar levels of influence. Figures like Vyacheslav Ivanov and Aslan Usoyan alo hold significant sway. We've at least confirmed that those two have allied together."
Ivanov and Usoyan—names I ouldn't recall.
"Their power seems quite substantial if they can rival Mogilevich."
"Of course, even allied, they still fall short compared to Mogilevich's influence. However, many of their active members have backgrounds in the KGB and police. Unlike Mogilevich, a Ukrainian, they are leveraging the notion of being true Russians to expand their power."
"Damn. Are they even framing their criminal organization with nationalism?"
Dealing with criminals lately had made me a bit coarse in my speech.
I couldn't help but curse in Korean out loud.
"Ah, I'm sorry."
I quickly apologized to Medvedev, even though he couldn't understand my words. I couldn't risk making a scene in front of a powerful figure.
"Ha ha. Not at all."
Fortunately, he seemed to understand my feelings, smiling gently as he shook his head.
At that moment, the door opened and Igor walked in.
"Did you call for me, Boss?"
"Igor, did you know that the Mafia is targeting me?"
"Is that true?"
"Secretary Medvedev said it, so it must be true. You weren't aware?"
"I'm sorry. Other than contacting Mogilevich on your orders, I'm not well informed about the Mafia."
"…If you were unaware, that's quite incompetent. Right?"
I asked with a cold smile, and I could clearly see beads of sweat trickling down Igor's face.
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