The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 167

167. Putting a Bell on the Cat

Jang Song-taek’s private residence.

Jang Song-taek spread out the government organization chart and began marking each name after careful review.

In North Korea, the three core power departments are the General Political Bureau, the General Staff Department, and the Security Command, collectively known as the ‘Military Force Department.’

The General Political Bureau oversees party organization and ideological work within the military, while the General Staff Department effectively commands and controls the military operations of the army, navy, and air force.

Under the command system of the General Staff Department are nine ground army corps, four mechanized corps, one tank corps, one artillery corps, the Pyongyang Defense Command, the Naval Command, and the Air Force Command.

The Security Command is an agency that monitors and controls the military.

Its primary mission is to identify and eliminate anti-system figures within the Korean People’s Army, and it purges those deemed to have a poor class background or are ideologically unsound.

Jang Song-taek’s political enemies were mainly stationed in the Security Command.

“As expected, the only ones watching me are in the Security Command. How do I confront these guys?”

The three major public security and intelligence agencies in North Korea are the State Security Department, the Ministry of Social Security, and the Security Command (Security Department).

These three agencies possess immense power to arrest, imprison in political prison camps, or execute individuals without any legal procedures. They are extrajudicial bodies directly under the control of the supreme leader, with a secret police and intelligence network of 100,000 personnel infiltrating even the lowest levels of local areas for surveillance.

Due to concerns about the immense unilateral power of the Security Department, the Guard Command (Guard Department), an equal-ranking agency, was recently established for mutual checks and balances.

Jang Song-taek had complete control over the party, and the military was so-so.

The problem was this intelligence agency.

He was being monitored because he couldn’t even control his own staff.

As long as these guys were watching, any coup attempts would be exposed.

However, Jang Song-taek, driven to the edge, couldn’t afford to be picky.

He was in the same predicament as during Chairman Wang’s era, but the difference was that he clearly recognized the signs thanks to information from the South.

In the end, he had to make the decision to change his fate himself.

He slapped his knee while looking at the organization chart.

“Ah, I had an intelligence agency too! I forgot about it!”

In addition to the three major intelligence agencies, the Korean Workers’ Party’s External Intelligence Investigation Department (Room 35) and the United Front Department, which are in charge of external affairs, were also collecting overseas and South Korean information and conducting operations. As intelligence agencies focused on South Korean information and under the party’s umbrella, they were under Jang Song-taek’s command.

“Hmm, the Director of the National Intelligence Service clearly said he would help! It’s always darkest under the lamp [meaning the solution is often overlooked because it’s too close at hand].”

Jang Song-taek began a life-or-death operation.

*

Kim Il-sung University, banquet hall.

Kim Il-sung University (Kim University) was the most prestigious higher education institution in North Korea, gathering the best and brightest among the country’s 100 universities, 500 vocational colleges, and advanced vocational schools.

Kim University graduates advanced to key positions throughout North Korea, intertwined as seniors and juniors.

Jang Song-taek was a graduate of this university, which was also why he was chosen as a son-in-law of the Kim family.

In other words, it was a strategic combination of the Baekdu bloodline [referring to the Kim family’s lineage] and academic ties.

The source of Jang Song-taek’s power and connections was these university alumni.

Today was the day of the alumni association meeting.

It wasn’t a gathering of all graduates, but rather an exclusive event where influential figures from the party, military, and academia were invited to socialize, exchange information, and support each other’s interests.

The highest-ranking alumnus was Jang Song-taek, the second-in-command.

All eyes, regardless of seniority, were focused on Jang Song-taek.

That’s because getting on his good side could lead to a good position.

The success of Kim University graduates depended on Jang Song-taek’s grasp.

The banquet was Western-style, with light music played by a live band, small tables set up, and people standing around in groups of three or five, enjoying conversations with drinks in hand.

However, the scene around him was nothing short of a ‘Jang Song-taek Show,’ with about twenty people gathered in a circle, listening to his words.

Questions about the inter-Korean summit poured in.

Since the Rodong Sinmun [the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea] reports were always masked with propaganda and agitation, they wanted to confirm the facts through their connections.

“Vice-Chairman, South Korea is said to be resuming operations at the Paju Industrial Complex. Isn’t that too small of a compensation for nuclear disarmament?”

“Not at all. By maintaining nuclear weapons while engaging in exchanges with both the Soviet Union and South Korea, we’re securing enormous practical benefits. Frankly, you all know that we can only get our hands on dollars through exchanges with South Korea, right?”

“That’s right! We were suffering from a dollar drought, but now we can breathe a little.”

“Vice-Chairman, if the Paju Industrial Complex reopens, who is expected to be in charge this time?”

This was what they most wanted to ask.

Even being a low-level manager at the Paju Industrial Complex was the most coveted position, earning ten times the salary in North Korea, so everyone was desperate to pull strings, using all their connections.

“Well, since the Minister of Light Industry is Kim Kyung-hee (his wife), the selection of female workers is entrusted to her, and there are only a few management positions, but I will do my best for our alumni.”

Wow! Wow!

Clap! Clap! Clap!

“But Kim Il-sung University graduates can’t just go to the lowest-level management positions, can they?”

“There’s an enormous waiting list even for low-level positions, Vice-Chairman. More important than the level of the position is getting it.”

“Are you going to ask for a seamstress position next?”

Wahaha!

After the first banquet, the second banquet that Jang Song-taek had been waiting for began.

*

University President’s office.

The second round was a private gathering only for VIP alumni, including the university president, who was the host, the head of the United Front Department, professional department heads, the Air Force Commander, and the head of Room 35 (Korean Workers’ Party’s External Intelligence Investigation Department).

The president spoke.

Although he was senior to the Vice-Chairman, he used respectful language.

“Since you are effectively governing North Korea, your responsibilities must be immense.”

Jang Song-taek’s neck stiffened with pride.

“I’m in charge of domestic and foreign economy, defense, and diplomacy, so even if I had ten bodies, it wouldn’t be enough.”

The Organizational Director said.

“Wouldn’t it be right to ascend to the premiership instead? Separating the party and the military, with the Chairman in charge of military power and the Premier in charge of the economy, a dual system.”

In a one-man dictatorship ruled by the supreme leader, the word dualization was tantamount to treason.

It was a statement only possible in an alumni association setting.

Jang Song-taek said.

“If the Security Department heard that, you’d be dragged away immediately, Organizational Director, hahaha!”

“Isn’t that the truth? We’re just talking among ourselves, but what does that young punk know? At least Jang would have to carry him on his back for 20 years before he could do his job properly.”

The audience burst into laughter.

Wahaha!

Feeling even more elated, Jang Song-taek cautiously tested the waters.

“The position of a guardian is usually quite cumbersome. I do all the work, but the Number One gets all the applause, so it’s quite a hassle. It’s inefficient for the country too.”

The Air Force Commander said.

“That’s right. I don’t know why the Chairman handed down such instructions before he passed away. If he had just taken the top spot from the beginning and ruled for 20 years, then passed it on to his son, it would have been very natural. A regency in the 21st century? How long must Kim University graduates remain as servants of the Military Force Department?”

In a meritocratic society, Kim University graduates should have taken over the upper echelons, but in a totalitarian society, the upper ranks were dominated by loyalty and military force rather than ability.

Security Department members with an academic inferiority complex subtly harassed Kim University graduates, and sometimes they suffered humiliation if they were disliked.

Kim University graduates had a common grievance: they were always second-in-command, having to be mindful of the Military Force Department no matter where they went.

Jang Song-taek got to the main point.

“While I was at the North-South summit this time, I realized how desperately the Chairman of the National Defense Commission needed me for diplomatic talks. I decided this wouldn’t work. Instead of being a Number Two who’s like a Number One, I thought it would be better to be Number One directly.”

The audience suddenly became quiet.

The flattery of Jang Song-taek’s close aides was largely out of courtesy.

But when the person in question actually mentioned the top spot, the atmosphere became awkward.

The scent of a coup was in the air.

However, those gathered here knew the power dynamics of North Korea all too well.

The Military Force Department was filled only with loyalists, excluding capable Kim University graduates, and the Chairman of the National Defense Commission had a firm grip on it, making a coup impossible.

Jang Song-taek also knew what this silence meant.

So he slightly changed his dangerous statement.

“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is a monolithic system with the Supreme Leader at its apex, so we must always prepare contingency plans in case of the Number One’s vacancy. Don’t misunderstand!”

Only then did everyone’s faces relax.

But what Jang Song-taek wanted to say was this.

“The People’s Armed Forces have become blindly loyal to the Number One. But if the Number One suddenly dies without leaving instructions, and the Number Two inherits power, the People’s Armed Forces will be loyal to the Number Two.”

The president said.

“That’s a very reasonable succession procedure. Even if the Number One passes away, we must support the country without wavering.”

“That’s right!”

In other words, a coup was impossible as long as the Number One was alive, but if the Number One suddenly died, Jang Song-taek could take over the People’s Armed Forces entirely.

The attendees understood why Jang Song-taek was saying such things and what the message was.

But the core issue was this.

Who would bell the cat [take the risk]?

This was why Kim University graduates had to swallow their resentment as servants of the People’s Armed Forces.

But the one who was desperate enough to bell the cat was Jang Song-taek.

Jang Song-taek said to the head of Room 35 (Korean Workers’ Party’s External Intelligence Investigation Department).

“I recommended Director Lee as the head of the newly established Guard General Bureau.”

“Really? Thank you!”

His classmate stood up and bowed deeply.

Jang Song-taek said.

“We’ve been trampled on by those Security Department guys every day. It’s our turn to beat them up this time, so be prepared.”

“Of course. I will follow the Vice-Chairman’s orders with my life on the line!”

The president lectured Director Lee.

“Director Lee must do well so that our Kim University graduates can hold their heads high. Understand well the meaning of the Vice-Chairman’s recommendation for that important position.”

“I will engrave it in my bones.”

As the meeting was ending, Jang Song-taek approached his classmate, the Air Force Commander, and said quietly.

“Commander Sung, I need to have a private talk with you.”

The two were not only alumni but also close friends from the same hometown.

As Jang Song-taek rose to prominence, he also rose with Jang Song-taek’s influence.

*

Daedong River.

The two parked their car by the darkened riverside and sat on chairs, having a private conversation.

They chose an open space to avoid eavesdropping in public places such as offices and residences.

Jang Song-taek said.

“Actually, I wanted to recommend you for the Guard Department, but you were excluded because you only had military experience without intelligence experience. Don’t feel disappointed.”

“Ah, I understand. If the alumni do well, I do well too.”

“Do you also want to escape from being a servant of the Military Force Department?”

“Of course. I’m really sick of those ignorant guys threatening us like mad dogs with only loyalty.”

Graduating from the Kim Il-sung University Military Academy was the last career step for the Air Force Commander.

Personal ability was secondary in the Military Force Department’s recruitment criteria.

Only those with special connections or achievements like Jang Song-taek could rise to the Party Central Committee.

Jang Song-taek tested the waters.

“You look like a Grand Marshal or Chief of the General Staff to me no matter how I look at it.”

“Hmm, hmm, you flatter me.”

He was filled with anticipation at the assessment of the powerful figure.

In fact, from the moment he heard that they would have a private meeting, his heart had been pounding, thinking it was a good sign.

Promotion always followed a private meeting.

“If I become the Number One, I’ll put you in that position right away.”

“…….”

It was a tempting offer, but the premise that Jang Song-taek would be the Number One sent a chill down his spine.

“Unfortunately, under the current system, you can’t promote yourself. You have to create the position yourself.”

“…….”

“So, I’m asking, shouldn’t we bell the cat ourselves [take the risk]?”

“W, we?”

“If you decide, it’s very simple.”

“…….”

“Just lend me one explosives expert from your subordinates who is as fast as the wind and as silent as a rock. A special soldier with a background that wouldn’t be strange if they disappeared from this world.”

“You, ah, do you mean assassination?”

“We can’t wait until that brat dies of old age, can we?”

Finally, the curtain has risen on the North Korean coup.