The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 164

164. Arrogance and a Recipe for Disaster

The Foreign Minister inquired,

“What if the Soviets reclaim the nuclear missiles?”

“They won’t be able to retrieve them easily. If we threaten to expose that they are Soviet-made and create a diplomatic incident, the Soviet Union will be in a difficult position.”

“Hmm…”

“Even if they do manage to take them back, it would have to be done discreetly, without drawing attention. Even then, our status remains unchanged.”

“But we won’t actually possess the nukes, will we?”

“If we remain silent, who will know we don’t? To the outside world, North Korea will maintain its image as a nuclear power. Either way, we gain both 명분 [myungbun – reputation or justification] and 실리 [shilli – practical benefits].”

Everyone nodded, expressing their admiration.

The Foreign Minister pressed further,

“I doubt South Korea will resume trade so quickly. It seems like a significant cooling-off period will be necessary.”

“That’s likely true. However, if I intervene, I can normalize the situation within a few months.”

He was clearly trying to impress the Chairman of the National Defense Commission with his capabilities.

Pyong-il, having successfully navigated his first meeting thanks to Jang Song-taek’s guidance, expressed his gratitude.

“As expected, your strategic acumen is a national treasure. Please also draft the blueprint for next year’s economic plan.”

“Of course. We will gradually transition from a closed economy to an open one, similar to China.”

“Ah, like China!”

“China is developing at an astonishing pace. There is no prosperity without trade.”

“I’d like you to oversee politics, defense, the economy, and diplomacy, 겸임 [gyeomim – concurrently holding] the position of Minister of Economy.”

“I will do my best, Chairman of the National Defense Commission!”

While Jang Song-taek’s official rank was below the top-ranked officials, he held a greater number of concurrent positions, wielding considerable influence.

Jang Song-taek abruptly shifted towards an open-economy, pro-China policy.

The Juche faction, staunch advocates of self-reliance, viewed this shift with disapproval.

This foreshadowed a looming power struggle.

*

Paju Industrial Complex.

The industrial complex, deserted of workers, was shrouded in darkness. Cobwebs clung heavily to the window frames, creating a desolate scene.

Suddenly, a sound broke the silence.

Vroom~

A limousine, accompanied by three escort vehicles, entered the complex from the north entrance.

Although the industrial complex remained officially closed, Jang Song-taek had requested a meeting, so the South Koreans had specially opened the VIP room for the occasion.

Jang Song-taek emerged from the vehicle.

“Welcome, Vice Chairman of the National Defense Commission.”

“Haha, it’s been a while. Now I’m also a Director, Director.”

The two men shook hands.

Once inside and seated, Jang Song-taek began,

“Coming here, I couldn’t help but notice how this place has become a completely abandoned factory. Machines will rust and decay if left unused.”

“The machines aren’t to blame. It’s entirely the fault of people.”

“That’s precisely my point. What if we ease tensions between North and South and resume economic cooperation?”

“I’d like that, but there’s been no change in the political situation, has there? The nuclear arsenal that caused this situation is still in place.”

“No change in the political situation? A new leader has ascended in our republic! New wine must be put in new bottles. We can only resolve problems through dialogue, can’t we?”

“The nuclear issue isn’t just a matter between North and South; it’s a matter at the UN level. The entire world is watching, so South Korea can’t act alone. Meaningful progress is only possible if measures to lift sanctions are taken first.”

“What does South Korea desire most?”

“Of course, it’s North Korea’s abandonment of nuclear warheads.”

“Oh, aside from that! North Korea’s nuclear weapons are aimed at the U.S. imperialists, who are engaged in nuclear madness, not at South Korea. The South has no need to worry. Surely we wouldn’t fire nuclear missiles at our own people, would we?”

It was a truly absurd excuse.

It was ridiculous to suggest that they would confront the United States with a few medium-range missiles, not intercontinental ballistic missiles, and a handful of nuclear warheads.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service retorted,

“If a medium-range nuclear warhead missile is launched, the origin point will be targeted. How do you intend to confront the United States across the Pacific?”

“Hmm, hmm, we can gradually develop the missiles to increase their range.”

After a lengthy war of nerves, the Director of the National Intelligence Service got to the main point.

“If you are serious about talks, I believe the best approach is for the leaders of North and South to meet and talk directly, rather than conducting these behind-the-scenes meetings.”

He was taken aback.

“A summit meeting?”

“That’s the only way the world will recognize that we are engaged in sincere discussions, isn’t it? We can discuss issues such as nuclear disarmament at the summit meeting.”

“That all sounds good, but let’s exclude nuclear disarmament.”

“If you dismantle your nuclear weapons, inter-Korean economic cooperation will resume immediately. If you want to talk, the only way is to hold a summit. We’re not suggesting we’ll resolve everything in one meeting, but can’t we initiate a dialogue to build trust?”

“Hmm, building trust…”

*

Chairman of the National Defense Commission’s office.

Jang Song-taek reported to the Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

In public, Jang Song-taek addressed the Chairman of the National Defense Commission with respect, but when they were alone, his role as a mentor and family seniority took precedence, and he quickly shifted into a mode where a teacher instructs a student.

Jang Song-taek placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.

“Hoo~ It would be beneficial for the North and South leaders to meet directly and de-escalate tensions.”

“They say they’re demanding nuclear disarmament. There’s no point in meeting if they make such an absurd demand, is there?”

“That’s because you only see one side of the coin.”

“……”

Jang Song-taek placed his hands behind his back and circled around the Chairman of the National Defense Commission, lecturing him.

“You can’t conduct politics in such a black-and-white manner. You must be skilled at tightrope walking, maintaining a gray area in the middle, to gain 실리 [shilli – practical benefits] without creating winners or losers.”

“……”

“When you begin negotiations, you create the impression that nuclear disarmament is the first step towards their ultimate goal. Then our republic takes the lead. There is no time limit for negotiations. It’s up to the leader to control the pace.”

“……”

“If you offer bait like phased disarmament, and then withdraw the offer after they’ve taken it, they’ll only get the bait, and that’s it. Who benefits, and who loses?”

“Ah, you mean we should use the negotiation period to gain 실리 [shilli – practical benefits], brother-in-law?”

Pointing at the Chairman of the National Defense Commission with his finger, he praised him.

“That’s right. All the Chairman has to do is shake hands with the South Korean president. And the follow-up working-level negotiations will drag on for several years. In the meantime, we can develop nuclear weapons in secret and gain 실리 [shilli – practical benefits] through trade. That negotiation period will create a thawing atmosphere.”

“Ah, as expected, you’re a political mastermind, brother-in-law. No one in North Korea can match your strategic skills.”

“Hmm, hmm, what else would I be as a mentor?”

Jang Song-taek was walking on air, feeling proud.

He was unaware that such arrogance was hastening his own downfall.

*

Presidential Office.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service reported.

“We have received notification that they agree to a summit meeting, Your Excellency.”

The President smiled.

“Oh, very good!”

“I anticipated they would play hard to get, arguing about whether the meeting should be held in Pyongyang or Seoul, but they didn’t object at all.”

“That confirms that Jang Song-taek is the true power holder.”

“If they come to Seoul from the North, doesn’t that create an obligation to provide gifts? We can’t send them back empty-handed, can we?”

“They’re coming because they want to convince the world that North Korea’s nuclear weapons don’t threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula. It’s a scheme to undermine sanctions against North Korea with a peace offensive and buy time.”

“So, ultimately, the message is that they will live in peace if we recognize their nuclear weapons.”

During Chairman Wang’s tenure, diplomatic efforts such as 2+2 talks, six-party talks, and top-down approaches were employed to achieve the phased disarmament of North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

However, they demanded aid and compensation in exchange for negotiations, prolonged the process, and ultimately reneged on their commitments, repeatedly taking the money and running.

The President, well aware of this history, was determined to see this through to the end this time.

“That’s right. The inter-Korean summit is a strategically disadvantageous move in terms of diplomacy and military affairs. But we have a carefully crafted operation, don’t we!”

“To think it’s come this far, I feel a heavy burden on my shoulders, Your Excellency!”

“When you push, you have to push hard. Intimidate them so that they feel fear, not persuasion.”

“Understood.”

“The inter-Korean summit should not be a mere one-time show. We must never engage in a losing game.”

The fate of the nation hinged on the success or failure of a certain operation.