George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 89

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February 8, 2002. The opening ceremony of the first Winter Olympics of the 21st century began in Salt Lake City.

The first thing on the TV screen was the Olympic flame, a symbol steeped in tradition. It showed the relay of the sacred flame, burning continuously.

Next, scenes of various winter sports played, followed by Daniel Rodriguez, a tenor opera singer known as the “singing policeman,” passionately singing ‘God Bless America,’ practically a second national anthem, stirring patriotism and pride in the American people.

After the performance, fueled by a massive amount of American investment, athletes from each country began their procession. As each country entered, its name was announced, accompanied by music representing the nation. Initially, it was a simple medley of marches, but President Bush had made some changes.

Athletes from countries with less international prominence often wore uniforms emphasizing their national identity, while those from powerful countries wore more casual attire and waved their national flags enthusiastically.

However, the emphasis on national recognition seemed inconsistent, as the national organizations seemed to dress them as they pleased. Switzerland, for example, entered wearing outfits resembling silverfish cloaks, certainly an eye-catching choice, regardless of the impression it made on viewers.

‘Ah, they’re finally coming out.’

“Korea!”

Korea was listed under ‘K’ in English, placing them after Kenya. The appearance of the Korean team was noticeably different from what Bush remembered. Both North and South Korea waved their respective national flags, while a light sky-blue banner depicting the Korean Peninsula on thick white padding, symbolizing peace, was also present.

Therefore, the Korean Peninsula flag led the procession, followed by the North and South Korean flags side by side. The music was a Western orchestral arrangement of Arirang [a traditional Korean folk song often considered the unofficial national anthem].

“Peace is walking in. It’s a beautiful sight, isn’t it?”

Behind Bush stood a highly skilled interpreter, fluent in numerous languages. This interpreter had been specially prepared for the event. He was said to be proficient in 27 languages beyond basic conversation, capable of using them effectively in professional settings, surpassing even native speakers.

‘And I’m the one who employs him.’

Bush straightened his back triumphantly, enjoying a sense of power he hadn’t felt in a while. At least, the current Bush was competent enough to relish this moment. But who was Bush addressing?

“That is correct. Peace is better than war.”

“It’s good that peace has come to the Korean Peninsula.”

“Peace is good.”

The speakers, in order, were Jang Song-taek, Li Keqiang, and Vladimir Putin.

Jang Song-taek’s presence was not particularly surprising. The erratic Kim Jong-il had sent him along with Kim Yong-nam, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly. The Chairman held a position similar to the Speaker of the National Assembly in South Korea, or simply, a ‘symbolic head of state.’

Jang Song-taek also held the position of ‘Director of the Youth and Three Revolutions Squad Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea,’ and was publicly known as ‘Director of the First Department’ in North Korea, effectively holding a position close to the second-in-command alongside Kim Yong-nam. Not quite the second-in-command, but extremely close.

In short, North Korea was demonstrating as much sincerity as possible. The intention was also to have Jang Song-taek and Kim Yong-nam observe and analyze the unpredictable fighter jet president before them.

What motivated North Korea, which seemed unyielding, was merely ’15 tons’ of rice. After the light-water reactor incident [a dispute over North Korea’s nuclear program], aid to North Korea had been suspended for a time, but this was to open the first channel for renewed assistance. A few trucks to provide rice aid in the tens of thousands in the future.

If it were only about the rice, Kim Jong-il would have readily accepted the proposal without much thought, but the problem was the subsequent phrase: ‘joint entry at the US Winter Olympics.’

On the surface, one might issue a statement declaring, ‘This is an attempt to make a fool of me, Kim Jong-il, and all of North Korea!’ However, Kim Jong-il was remarkably astute in these matters. Initially furious at the mention of ’15 tons,’ he stubbornly sensed a deeper meaning behind the joint entry.

Kim Jong-il utilized his exceptional talent and instincts to prevent a large-scale US military presence in North Korea at a critical juncture. And his judgment proved accurate. Even the chief of staff, considered somewhat moderate, had been contemplating using this as an excuse to deploy the military.

Of course, the South Korean government felt the same way.

15 tons. Even after double-checking, the South Korean government was taken aback by the unusual measure, reminiscent of some obscure law, and repeatedly contacted the US Embassy to confirm the unit of measurement, but the only response was, ‘It’s 15 tons of rice.’

Initially, the South Korean government was doubly embarrassed, thinking, ‘That fighter jet can’t be serious! Is he really going to give even 1 gram of rice to North Korea?’ and ‘Is that president only giving 15 tons?’ But they complied with the US request.

The US had achieved positive results thus far, and the situation was so unusual that they assumed, ‘The details must have been discussed in advance.’

The result was as follows: with just 15 tons of rice, they orchestrated the ‘miracle of 15 tons of rice,’ bringing two of Kim Jong-il’s close associates from North Korea to American soil.

“It seems that unification is already within sight on the Korean Peninsula.”

Li Keqiang was the successor that Hu Jintao had designated. Li Keqiang was a truly exceptional talent, and among the few moderates within the Chinese Communist Party, he was closest to the core power. Hu Jintao had marked him, but he had been an aide to Zhao Ziyang before that, and Zhao Ziyang was a true Chinese who supported Tiananmen [referring to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 and Zhao Ziyang’s sympathetic stance].

Of course, Zhao Ziyang himself had been completely removed from the Communist Party and was living off his pension, spending time on golf courses, but he remained a symbolic figure for those who desired democratization in China.

Vladimir Putin needs no introduction. He came in person because he wanted to speak with Bush, specifically to discuss the situation in North Korea.

He wouldn’t ask directly, of course, but he believed he could gauge Bush’s intentions enough to justify flying to the United States. As a former KGB agent, he was skilled at understanding people’s minds, and Putin preferred to make judgments himself rather than relying on his subordinates.

“I hope Korea will be unified as soon as possible, like our Germany.”

In fact, those near Bush were not the only ones present. From countries participating in the Winter Olympics to those that were not, the heads of each country or their delegations were gathered around Bush, the President of the United States.

As a result, the area became an extremely high-security VIP zone, and the bodyguards were more vigilant than ever. They were wary of potential gun violence and the possibility of someone throwing a bomb in their direction.

“Report of suspected terrorism in seat A-23.”

“Suspicious person found in seat D-1.”

They were scrutinizing even the slightest noises, movements, and whispers with hawk-like eyes, protecting the VIP zone by utilizing military satellites and all kinds of high-tech equipment. Because the world’s leaders were gathered here, there were also many people guarding those leaders.

There was some initial confusion regarding the security arrangements, but ultimately, the United States assumed all security responsibilities. Disjointed security measures could potentially lead to unforeseen accidents.

Bush spoke, observing the usually composed security team looking unusually stressed.

“Mr. Jang, was it?”

He was referring to Jang Song-taek. The interpreter initially faced numerous challenges. With multiple people speaking but only one interpreter and one listener, Bush, it was difficult to determine which words to translate and which to ignore. Even when people spoke from a distance, they couldn’t understand what was being said, forcing them to run back and forth, which was mentally and physically exhausting.

However, after Bush instructed them to only interpret for the people he specified, the interpreter’s aimless wandering ceased.

“Yes?”

“I understand you are the second-in-command. Is that correct?”

Jang Song-taek felt as if he had been struck in the head with a baseball bat. He instinctively grabbed the back of his head, wondering if he had actually been hit. Fortunately, there were no visible injuries, but the internal shock Jang Song-taek experienced was immense.

Whether Bush knew it or not, there was no official second-in-command in North Korea, even though there were individuals close to that position. Kim Jong-il, who ruled North Korea, was a rare and twisted individual who enjoyed fostering rivalry among his allies. Therefore, everyone was unconditionally subordinate to Kim Jong-il, and there was no clear hierarchy beneath him.

If one had to choose, the criterion for hierarchy was the degree of Kim Jong-il’s favor.

Why was this person speaking so directly? Was he truly the leader of the US?

Various hypotheses raced through Jang Song-taek’s mind, and after a moment of stunned silence, he realized that a president of the United States wouldn’t be ignorant of this fact, and concluded that he was being baited.

Fueled by anger, Jang Song-taek cleared his mind, regained his composure, and delivered a carefully crafted, politically nuanced response.

“All decisions of the Party are made by Comrade Kim Jong-il, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, the great leader of our Party and our people.”

He indirectly conveyed that his own remarks held no authority. However, the interpreter summarized this lengthy title as Chairman Kim Jong-il of the National Defense Commission.

“No, I asked if you were the second-in-command, but what nonsense is this? Hey, did you translate that correctly?”

As a result, only the interpreter was suffering. The interpreter himself was now questioning whether he was accurately conveying the meaning. The situation was too complex, both physically and politically.

In fact, it was only because he was such a skilled interpreter that he was managing to maintain his composure and interpret this much. A less experienced interpreter would have already been overwhelmed and requested additional personnel or a replacement. Bush was also feeling slightly apologetic, realizing the difficulty of the situation.

‘I just assumed he was a genius and knew everything without thinking.’

And Jang Song-taek was even more agitated than the interpreter.

‘Is this American dog, whom I wouldn’t even want to scrub on a washboard, trying to kill me today? Why are you asking this question!’

He wanted to stand up and return to North Korea immediately. Or, if not North Korea, at least back to his accommodation. But that was impossible. Kim Jong-il’s order was ‘Assess what kind of person he is!’

Of course, he could ignore the order, lie that the US president had kicked him out, and flee, but Jang Song-taek wasn’t alone.

‘Kim Yong-nam! Why did you send me with this old hag!’

That’s right, there was a witness. His subordinates, whom he controlled, were irrelevant, but Kim Yong-nam was an unavoidable presence for Jang Song-taek.

“Well, that’s good. Then, does North Korea have sufficient intention to ‘peacefully unify’ with South Korea?”

This was an easier question. There was already a prepared answer that General Kim Jong-il had provided. Jang Song-taek felt relieved and reassured.

“Our North Korea is always filled with the will to unify with South Korea through reconciliation.”

“Hahaha, that’s a very pleasing statement!”

Indeed. While such trivial conversations from Bush’s perspective and agonizing exchanges from Jang Song-taek’s point of view were taking place, fireworks continued to explode in the stadium’s sky, and music flowed continuously.

Finally, the sacred flame, the highlight of the Olympics, was brought in. Everyone shouted “USA,” and the sacred flame, safely transported from Olympia, Greece, to Salt Lake City, USA, ascended a gas-fueled track by the hand of an American athlete, illuminating the world from the top of the spiral tower, signaling the start of the Olympics.

“The start of the first Winter Olympics in 2002. Only the opening declaration remains.”

It was time for Bush’s opening declaration.

“Go and come back.”

‘I’m finally free from this devilish bastard!’

Jang Song-taek cheered silently in his heart. It might seem childish, but when people gather, masks tend to slip, revealing colorful and immature sides.

Unbeknownst to him, Bush’s lips were slowly curving into a smile as he watched.

“Hahaha! What are you talking about?”

“Yes?”

“You’re coming with me too.”

“Yes?”

‘What is this crazy Satan’s spawn saying?’