George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 147

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Initially, everyone dismissed Afghanistan’s condemnation of Saudi Arabia, knowing full well who was pulling their strings. A slightly louder voice wouldn’t be a problem; in fact, silence until now would have been more surprising.

It wasn’t that Afghanistan hadn’t wanted to speak up earlier, but their initial statement, accusing Saudi Arabia of oil collusion without evidence, was unfortunate. It put them in a bad light.

In reality, the groundwork for collusion was vaguely known. Several countries, including Afghanistan, with strained relations with Saudi Arabia or concerned about rising oil prices, joined the chorus of denunciation.

Up to that point, it was a simple war of nerves, but the denunciation quickly escalated into fierce criticism.

「The world situation is getting more interesting by the day!」

This series of events was perfect fodder for gossip, and some journalists were naturally ecstatic. Conspiracy theories in international politics were ideal for sensationalized stories.

‘Interesting? More like a pain in the ass.’

On the other hand, most level-headed people couldn’t help but frown. Just as one war ended, another seemed to be brewing. Of course, it wouldn’t necessarily happen, but wars rarely start for logical reasons. History is full of absurd justifications for conflict.

The unfortunate consequence for Afghanistan was gaining the reputation of ‘stirring things up again just as the Middle East was stabilizing.’

Regardless of global opinions, newspapers worldwide were experiencing a golden age. News articles flooded in effortlessly. While the United States was in a recovery phase from its recession, its newspaper industry was comparatively dull compared to other countries.

However, the incoming news was often so absurd and embarrassing that the media’s overall quality remained questionable.

Some, however, bothered to dig deeper.

「Last time, you were talking about presidential dictatorship, and this time, it’s a conspiracy theory? Are you planning to become a tabloid journalist?」

“Conspiracy theory? It’s definitely happening. They must be threatening Kim Jong-il.”

「You know this was approved because of your contribution to bringing in the big case from Russia, right?」

“Yeah, Russia was right in the end. So, I’ll be right this time too.”

Oliver’s resourcefulness in securing news from Russia had boosted circulation. While hasty judgments could lead to unsold inventory, Oliver’s scoops were worth the risk.

For example, scandals involving the current Russian president or photos of a drug-fueled party showcasing the twisted desires of a high-ranking official. These weren’t what Oliver initially expected, but they were a ‘jackpot’.

「If, and only if, you’re right, it’s like we called a doctor and got a funeral director instead.」

“That’s right.”

「We’ll get a lot of flak right now, but it will be the glory of our newspaper in the future.」

Publishing negative, even conspiratorial, articles about President Bush meant risking being seen as near-traitors. In an era cracking down on sensationalist fake news, tabloids faced fines and a growing aversion from readers who felt mocked and deceived. Newspapers could suffer severe damage.

So, their current investigation focused on an article that could be published when the current government was in turmoil. Any media person would relish the chance to strike a blow against the government.

“The glory of the newspaper is bullshit. It’ll be the glory of your bank account.”

「Was I found out?」

He chuckled. It was true. He wasn’t planning on doing this for another 10 or 20 years; retirement was near. He figured he should grab as much as he could before then.

「You’re the same anyway. No matter how much you hate money-making stories, this world is all about money. Money. Anyway, if you bring another one, you’ll get a promotion.」

For Oliver and the editor-in-chief, the harsh realities of life made prioritizing justice alone impossible. Even if they were willing, what could they say to their families?

Could they tell their wives there would be no bread tomorrow? Could they tell their sons there was no money for school tuition? Could they tell their daughters they couldn’t confidently provide for their weddings?

“Promotion? Give me more money. I still prefer working in the field. Or create a new position for me. I hate office work.”

So, what Oliver received for his work was a right. At least, the right to live like a human being.

“I’ll hang up now. There are too many eyes watching if I speak English here.”

In North Korea, Americans might be targeted. Not necessarily killed for speaking English, but who knew? A crazy antisocial personality might use it as an excuse to crack Oliver’s skull open and display it like a trophy.

So, Oliver cleared his throat and spoke in ‘Russian’. It was the most familiar foreign language in North Korea. Oliver was convinced Russian would work, given North Korea’s communist history.

Oliver not only spoke Russian well but also held Russian citizenship, making him safer than other Americans.

Of course, there was a problem: North Korean residents couldn’t understand Russian. But that wasn’t a concern. He had a guide.

“Hello?”

“Hello.”

“Ah, is it Russian today?”

The man chuckled in Russian. His name was Kim Yong-sik, a South Korean. He had wanted a local partner, but finding one wasn’t easy. Oliver successfully recruited and persuaded a construction company employee friend dispatched to North Korea.

Even though he was South Korean, he was a friend who had spent time in the United States and was now in North Korea chasing a money-making opportunity. He was recruited out of necessity, as Oliver didn’t particularly like him. It wasn’t racism or personal animosity, but something he said every time they met.

“Wow, even in America, hair loss is inevitable!”

“Haha, this friend is very funny. You’ve lost a lot too.”

Oliver and Kim Yong-sik were the same age, despite their different backgrounds. Oliver was, admittedly, balding slightly more. The difference between ‘abundant’ and ‘sparse’ was a hair’s breadth, but that difference defined the line between bald and not-bald.

“I’m going to get a transplant?”

“Ah, you’re not confident in the hair you have now?”

The two men laughed.

“That’s not true.”

North Korean society is based on collectivism. Juche [self-reliance] ideology is fundamentally collectivist. Simply put, the daily life of North Korean residents revolves around ‘daily labor to practice the militant revolutionary tasks and Juche ideology of Comrade Kim Jong-il, the supreme incarnation of revolutionary comradeship’. That’s the essence of it.

In short, North Koreans were akin to soldiers who could never be discharged. They worked tirelessly day and night and had to participate in organizational activities. In South Korea, even soldiers in harsh conditions and with limited freedom could rest after work, but North Koreans were too busy surviving to even do that.

However, this was North Korea before the opening. The story is different now that marketplaces are formalized and imports are allowed. Even after the economic crisis, individualism and materialism were rampant. As Master Do said, the omnipotent religion of money was flourishing. North Koreans’ obsession with money was almost comparable to China’s.

Such thoughts were natural, given their experience of widespread family starvation during the economic crisis and food shortages. The only people who didn’t share these thoughts were foreigners staying in North Korea.

Anyway, North Koreans were changing. For example:

「Why again? What are you dissatisfied with? If you have something to say, tell me~.」

“It doesn’t sound like a North Korean song?”

“Well, that’s right. It’s a South Korean song.”

“Ah, South Korean?”

Honestly, almost nothing remained that distinctly defined North Korea. Young people wore miniskirts and jeans, and newly installed electronic billboards displayed provocative advertisements from South Korean companies.

The noisy streetcars and rusty buses were gone, replaced by South Korea’s latest natural gas buses with air conditioning. People used cards instead of money, and cell phones were no longer exclusive to a select few.

North Korea was undergoing rapid changes, both materially and mentally.

“What is this?”

「Billie Jean is not my lover.」

“Billie Jean? Why is this playing? Aren’t North Korean kids supposed to freak out at the mere mention of ‘America’?”

“Ah, that? I was curious, so I asked, and you know what? They said, ‘There’s no sin in songs!’”

Oliver clicked his tongue, thinking, ‘What kind of double-thinking is this?’ but he realized cultural infiltration was happening. If it continued, North Korea would soon be absorbed and merged into South Korea, willingly or not. Whether violent or peaceful, the first step in annexation was always cultural assimilation.

On the surface, it was barely noticeable, but they were already moving towards annexation.

“Well, this is also a news story in its own way.”

Oliver diligently took pictures.

“So, the key is ‘I want to meet Kim Jong-il.’ Isn’t that why you came to me?”

How could Kim Yong-sik, a South Korean, not even a high-ranking official, just a well-connected construction company official, make that possible?

“To be exact, I was just thinking of asking for a guide, but is there any way?”

“That’s it. There is a way.”