The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 165

165. No Compensation

Gwanghwa Intersection.

A level-A alert was issued, and police from all over the country were summoned to maintain a tight security perimeter.

To prevent any unexpected actions by far-right individuals with strong animosity towards North Korea, the sidewalks were lined with police officers, forming a human barricade.

Citizens who came to watch mostly held South Korean flags, with only a few carrying North Korean flags.

Hundreds of journalists from around the world were camped out in front of the Presidential Office Building, eager to cover the historic scene.

*

Panmunjom Southern Area.

Reporters who had been stationed in the southern area of Panmunjom since dawn craned their necks, looking north.

This was because the media had been informed that North Korea’s No. 1 vehicle would depart from Panmunjom and head to Gwanghwamun.

The relay vehicles were ready to follow from Panmunjom and broadcast live.

The reporter looked at his watch and frowned.

“It should be appearing around now to get to Gwanghwamun on time. Why isn’t it coming?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Is it delayed?”

However, the published schedule was a feint, part of a security measure.

*

Seongnam Air Base.

Whoosh~

North Korea’s No. 1 aircraft landed on the runway.

Screech!

The door of the aircraft, painted with the North Korean flag, opened.

North Korean bodyguards disembarked first to ensure safety, followed by the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission [North Korea’s highest leader] and his entourage, including Jang Song-thaek.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission looked around nervously.

There was only a red carpet, with no flower girls or military band.

As it was prepared in utmost secrecy for security reasons, the military airport was closed, and the number of personnel involved was minimized.

As agreed in advance between the two Koreas, the official welcoming ceremony would be held in Gwanghwamun, and only the Director of the National Intelligence Service [South Korea’s top intelligence agency] came to greet them.

“Welcome, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.”

“Pleased to see you. Coming by plane makes it seem like no time at all.”

“The distance in our hearts is far, but the actual distance is just a neighboring town.”

The eight vehicles, including the No. 1 vehicle and escort cars, had secretly arrived and been waiting overnight.

“Please get in the car. We’ll arrive in 20 minutes.”

“Let’s do that.”

The road from Seongnam to Gwanghwamun was closed, and they sped along without traffic signals.

The North Korean cameraman selectively filmed citizens waving North Korean flags at the Gwanghwamun intersection in Seoul, compiling a fabricated video.

Meanwhile, the press corps, who were waiting eagerly at Panmunjom, were bewildered by a phone call.

“What? Seongnam Air Base?”

*

Presidential Office Building.

At the entrance of the building, surrounded by bulletproof glass, the President and the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission stood side by side, posing for photos for the press.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission wore makeup to make him look older.

It was his first foreign visit, and he was stiff with tension, his movements unnatural.

Click! Click!

The reporters shouted.

“Chairman, a word on your visit!”

In accordance with the request to minimize public exposure for security reasons, the speech was scheduled only as a joint statement after the summit.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission hesitated, then said a word as if he couldn’t resist.

“I came to get along well with South Korea. To explain that North Korea’s will for peace is firm.”

“Are you going to abandon nuclear weapons?”

“Oh, these reporters are very mischievous. I can’t say what I’m going to say at the summit here.”

With that, he gave only an implication that he would deal with the peace offensive propaganda and nuclear issues, waved his hand a few times for the cameras, and entered the building.

The North Korean propaganda camera filmed the enthusiastic coverage of the foreign press.

The President and the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission immediately headed to the conference room.

Because it was a day trip, they had to hurry.

*

Conference Room.

A closed-door meeting was held.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission said to the President.

“Nuclear weapons are for self-defense against the threat of the U.S. South Korea need not worry at all.”

The President said.

“Nuclear weapons are not a means of defense or a means of retaliation. The moment you fire a nuclear weapon, you will be subjected to nuclear retaliation. Then the Korean Peninsula will be annihilated. Is that a means of self-defense?”

“…….”

“If North Korea does not provoke, no one will provoke North Korea. Nuclear weapons rather give justification for a preemptive strike or nuclear retaliation.”

“All right. If you want to abandon nuclear weapons as you say, there are conditions.”

“Tell me.”

“Our Republic has spent a lot of money developing nuclear weapons. Economic compensation must follow. We will reduce them in stages depending on the compensation.”

He spoke according to the prepared scenario, pretending to concede generously.

“Compensation, compensation, you say, but compensation implies an agreement on the benefits. Chairman, who in South Korea told you to develop nuclear weapons?”

“…….”

“Why should we compensate for North Korea’s wrong choice?”

“…….”

“Do you think no one else can’t make nuclear weapons because they don’t have the technology? Don’t you know that plutonium is produced every day in South Korea’s nuclear reactors?”

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission was quite embarrassed by the unexpected reaction.

“Er, well, what I mean is, the Republic’s economy has become very difficult due to economic sanctions. I’m asking you to lift the closure of the Kaesong [Paju] industrial complex first, instead of gradually reducing nuclear weapons.”

“How many nuclear warheads do you have?”

“Er, there are 10.”

“If you immediately dismantle half of them and dispose of them in a verifiable way, we will operate the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Oil supply and the Cheorwon Industrial Complex will be resumed in conjunction with the completion of the reduction.”

“…….”

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission was confused.

Clearly, the prior coordination was for gradual reduction and gradual compensation, but when he looked at the details, it was only a partial resumption of suspended economic cooperation.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission could not decide on his own, so he stalled for time.

“I’d like to take a break and consult with my staff.”

At the same time, the Director of the National Intelligence Service was secretly entertaining Jang Song-thaek, a key figure in North Korea.

*

VIP Room.

Jang Song-thaek, who had brought the summit to fruition as requested by the South, was confidently recounting his heroic deeds.

“There were many opponents, but I pushed ahead despite the opposition, Director.”

It was a signal to ask for a success fee, now that he had done his part.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service smiled and said.

“Since Vice Chairman is dedicated to the role of bridge between the two Koreas, we must give you a great gift.”

“Hahaha, I don’t expect much. I’ll be grateful if you give it to me.”

“Isn’t life more precious than money?”

“…….”

He was slightly embarrassed by the unexpected words.

“I’ll give you a secret and valuable piece of information for Vice Chairman.”

“Hmm, what is it that you’re being so coy about? Is there a surprise proposal at the meeting?”

“I’ll tell you a story about your personal affairs rather than national affairs.”

“Personal affairs? What personal affairs are there when what I do is national affairs?”

“It’s information I got from a high-ranking official in North Korea. Have you ever thought that someone in North Korea is monitoring your every move?”

“Monitoring? Dare they monitor me?”

“That’s right.”

“Huh, who packaged such a bizarre rumor as information? Is South Korea’s intelligence network so weak, or is the Director’s information wrong?”

His expectant expression disappeared, and he became furious, as if he was about to swear.

“Evidence is needed more than words.”

“…….”

“When you return, search your office once.”

“My office?”

“Who knows if there are invisible ears?”

“Are you talking about a wiretapping device?”

“That’s right.”

“Who dares to wiretap me, Director! Isn’t this going too far? Is South Korea’s intelligence network so lax, or is the Director’s information wrong?”

“The 10 nuclear warheads were not developed independently, but were brought in from the Soviet Union and deployed in secret, right?”

Jang Song-thaek flinched as if he had been stabbed in the stomach by the Director of the National Intelligence Service’s revelation.

“Wha, what are you talking about? The Soviet Union!”

Like a guilty person getting angry, he raised his voice even louder.

“The U.S. knows that it crossed the Yalu River [border between North Korea and China] disguised as food on such and such a day. The Soviet Union secretly deployed nuclear weapons in North Korea.”

“Oh, Director!”

“With this level of intelligence, isn’t it enough for me to worry about Vice Chairman’s safety?”

“…….”

Jang Song-thaek fell into confusion.

Wh, what’s going on? How did they know about the introduction of nuclear weapons? No, why did they pretend not to know even though they knew? And what is this summit for nuclear reduction?

Since the Director of the National Intelligence Service, who heard from the President, knows Jang Song-thaek’s inside story, he said.

“You must be wondering why South Korea held this summit even though it knew about the introduction of nuclear weapons, right?”

“Hmm, hmm. I don’t even want to know!”

He was being wiretapped, but the state of affairs did not register with him.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service pushed on.

“It would be a big deal if your political enemies found out that you received a bag of money from my office at the Workers’ Party office and money from the industrial complex from time to time.”

“…….”

“You underestimated the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission because he was young. There is no age in power. In Joseon [historical Korean kingdom], brothers slaughtered each other and even fathers and sons fought with swords to take the throne.”

“That’s not possible, but who on earth is monitoring me?”

Unlike before, when he was jumping up and down, he was now eager to get information.

“In North Korea, it’s impossible to be number 1, but there are many powerful people who aim to be number 2. It’s a kind of loyalty competition. The Juche faction [North Korea’s official ideology], which opposes reform and opening, will be looking for an opportunity to counterattack.”

“Juche faction… Director, you know one thing but not two. I’m the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission’s brother-in-law. Blood is thicker than water.”

“Because people around you are whispering that you’re the brother-in-law’s puppet, the current Chairman of the State Affairs Commission will be hurt. If you purge your brother-in-law, it will be enough leverage to stand on your own. If you frame him as a South Korean spy, can even number 2 keep his head?”

“Stop those grim imaginations! I didn’t see you that way, Director, you’re very rude!”

“I and South Korea fully support Vice Chairman Jang. Because you are practical and open-minded. That’s why I dare to disclose this information.”

“…….”

Giving medicine after giving disease, coaxing and appeasing him, Jang Song-thaek’s mind was in a mess and he didn’t know what to say.

Knock, knock!

At this time, the President’s Chief of Staff came in.

“The first meeting is over and you’re taking a break. The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission is looking for Vice Chairman Jang.”

Jang Song-thaek straightened his clothes and went to the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.

As he walked, he had all sorts of thoughts.

If his political enemies were thinking of stabbing him in the back as the Director of the National Intelligence Service said, his abuse of power and the huge bribes he received from the South were a time bomb.

Surely….

He swallowed hard and entered the room where the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission was resting.

The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission was smoking a cigarette to relieve his tension.

“Welcome, brother-in-law. You don’t look good.”

“Ah, I think I’m having a change of water. I’ve been in and out of the bathroom a few times, so I have no strength.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Is the meeting going well?”

“This is very different from what I expected.”

“Really? What’s different?”

“They say that we have to reduce half of our nuclear weapons to operate one industrial complex, and normalize oil and industrial complexes only when all of them are abolished. Easing sanctions first doesn’t work at all.”

Jang Song-thaek felt a pang in his heart. He quickly calculated in his head.

Should I tell the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission that the South already knows about the deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles…? Then what happens to this meeting? The Chairman of the State Affairs Commission will be humiliated and have to return empty-handed. Then what happens to me, who pushed for the meeting? The fact that the Director of the National Intelligence Service only told me about the introduction of nuclear weapons means that he has no intention of exposing it… Am I going to be purged for taking money and forcing the meeting, and for insulting the Supreme Leader?