The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 168

168. Land the First Blow

Office of the Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

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

“The Paju Industrial Complex will reopen next week. The list of workers for the complex has been finalized.”

“Miss Kim (Kim Kyung-hee, Head of the Light Industry Department) will handle it. By the way, we need to strengthen the ideological education for those entering from the South this time. There are reports that many have been influenced by capitalism, weakening their Party spirit and harboring disrespectful thoughts.”

Jang Song-taek felt a pang, as if the remark was directed at him.

“We will increase the personnel in Room 35 [an intelligence unit specializing in South Korean affairs] and double the time for ideological education.”

“Rather than that, dispatch the State Security Department. Relying solely on the Workers’ Party has made things lax.”

Jang Song-taek had been entrusted with affairs concerning South Korea, but the sudden dispatch of the State Security Department implied a check on him, which was definitely not a good sign for Jang Song-taek.

“Is it really necessary to involve the State Security Department and make things so complicated?”

“Paju is South Korean territory, but the State Security Department’s control is necessary where our Republic’s people are present.”

He could no longer argue with the Chairman of the National Defense Commission’s firm decision.

He sensed a change in the Chairman’s attitude, who had always been receptive to Jang Song-taek’s reports and suggestions.

Jang Song-taek felt uneasy.

‘Hmm, did this guy become bolder after the inter-Korean summit? Or did he sense my scheme and take preemptive measures?’

Jang Song-taek asked,

“The appointment of the Director of the Escort Bureau hasn’t been approved yet, has it?”

“Ah, the Director! But the person you recommended, Lee Seong-ho, isn’t from military intelligence or a spy agency, but from Kim Il-sung University.”

“That’s why he’s suitable.”

“…”

“Isn’t the purpose of establishing the Escort Bureau to check the State Security Department? If someone from the same background as the State Security Command is appointed as the director, there’s no need for the Escort Bureau. To keep them in check, their background must be different.”

“Hmm…”

“And Director Lee is the head of Room 35, a South Korean intelligence agency. He’s not lacking in intelligence experience. As international trade becomes more active, there will be an increasing demand for someone with international perspective and external intelligence capabilities.”

“Okay, I understand. Since checks are necessary, I’ll approve it immediately.”

Jang Song-taek was greatly relieved inside.

The Escort Bureau held the key to this operation.

*

Jang Song-taek’s private residence.

Jang Song-taek was holding a barbecue party in the yard with the new Director of the Escort Bureau, Lee Seong-ho, a classmate from Kim Il-sung University, to celebrate his appointment.

Jang Song-taek boasted.

“You have no idea how much the State Security Department tried to keep me in check, using all sorts of means to install their subordinate as the Director of the Escort Bureau. But they were pushed back by the justification for creating the Escort Bureau—to keep them in check.”

“Thank you. I will be loyal to you.”

“The State Security Department will be desperate to find fault. Be especially careful of wiretapping.”

“Wiretapping? Are you saying they’ll wiretap the Director of the Escort Bureau?”

“Those guys will stop at nothing to dig up dirt. That’s why we’re having this drinking party in the yard instead of indoors.”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant.”

“There are no rules in power struggles. If a new intelligence agency wants to beat an existing one, it has to use unconventional methods. Otherwise, it’ll be defeated.”

“That’s true. There’s no way the State Security Department will share the information they’ve stored.”

“That’s why the first operation for the Escort Bureau should start with extracting information from the State Security Department’s data.”

“…”

*

Private residence of the Head of the State Security Department.

A luxurious detached house accumulated with bribes received in exchange for condoning others’ weaknesses.

Although there was an official residence, the Head of the State Security Department spent most of his time at his private residence with his mistress.

As the highest supervisor, there was no one in North Korea to monitor him, so security was rather lax.

The Head of the State Security Department got into the waiting car and headed to headquarters.

Vroom~

As the Head of the State Security Department left, the attendants relaxed and enjoyed their rest.

At that moment, a black shadow crossed the fence and entered.

What he was after was documents.

The Head of the State Security Department often brought top-secret documents that should have been kept in the headquarters to his private residence for processing, and some materials were kept in a personal safe.

*

Escort Bureau, Director’s office.

Director Lee said to Jung Sung-taek.

“I’m checking for eavesdropping devices every morning and evening, and I’m running this Japanese-made eavesdropping detector, so you can rest assured here.”

He showed a small radio-shaped eavesdropping detector.

“Oh, there’s such a thing as an eavesdropping detector?”

“Yes. It works by detecting eavesdropping frequencies and sounding an alarm. I smuggled in a few, so I’ll give you one as a gift.”

“One isn’t enough. I need at least three. I’ll give you enough money to buy them, so buy several.”

“Okay.”

Director Lee handed over a bundle of developed photos.

“These are the information documents taken from the Head of the State Security Department’s private residence.”

“Ah, you did a great job!”

“There’s all sorts of stuff. All the movements of the high-ranking officials are there.”

Jang Song-taek’s eyes lit up.

“Is mine there too?”

“Of course. There’s even the National Defense Chairman’s inspection trends. But why are there so many negative reviews in your report? Just looking at the documents, you’re as good as being sent to a concentration camp [North Korean prison camp].”

“Let me see.”

Jang Song-taek read his own trend report.

As expected, it contained information about bribes received from South Korea, the date of secret talks with the Director of the National Intelligence Service [South Korean intelligence agency], and so on.

In particular, his disrespectful attitude and remarks toward the National Defense Chairman were described in detail.

“These guys are determined to purge me.”

“Well, that’s probably because you spearheaded the establishment of the Escort Bureau to check the State Security Department.”

“Of course. Once the National Defense Chairman opens his eyes to state affairs and understands how things work, I’ll probably be discarded like a worn-out shoe. There will be a massive bloodbath of purges for those from Kim Il-sung University.”

Jang Song-taek framed it as a factional power struggle.

The Head of the Escort Bureau readily agreed.

“Those jackals!”

Jang Song-taek, having set the mood, said,

“We have to strike first before we get hit.”

“Strike first? How?”

“There’s classified information about the deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles in this document.”

It was a document titled ‘Management of Trends of Security Handlers of Classified Information on the Deployment of Soviet Nuclear Missiles.’

It was a document monitoring security leaks by those handling top-secret state secrets.

“Is this enough to strike first?”

“This is enough to take down the Head of the State Security Department. We’re linked to Room 35, after all.”

“…”

The success or failure of this operation depended on the preemptive strike.

Jang Song-taek explained the plan to Director Lee and handed him a bag full of dollars as operational funds.

He shared the bribe to make him an accomplice.

*

Paju Industrial Complex.

Tuktuktuktuk!

North Korean female workers were diligently sewing in front of sewing machines.

The Head of the State Security Department, with his hands behind his back, sharply scanned the female workers.

Around him, North Korean industrial complex managers followed, bowing their heads with their hands clasped.

They lowered themselves more than if the head of state had arrived.

If he found fault with them, they would not only be kicked out of the industrial complex but also dragged to a concentration camp, ruining their families and lives.

*

Industrial Complex VIP room.

The Head of the State Security Department, sitting arrogantly with his legs crossed on the sofa, said to the factory manager who was standing and taking notes.

“Now, the State Security Department will be in charge of ideological education at the industrial complex. Those who have been tainted by rotten capitalism will be mercilessly weeded out!”

“Yes! I will keep that in mind.”

A female employee brought tea.

“This is wild ginseng tea. You must be tired from coming all the way here, so please relieve your fatigue.”

It was the best treatment.

But what the Head of the State Security Department wanted was not wild ginseng but dollars.

He was visiting to establish a regular line of tribute.

He said to the factory manager,

“I heard the earnings here are considerable.”

“The treatment is good, Director.”

“Dollar earnings are not only for industrial workers but also for the intelligence department. There’s no place that needs operational funds as much as we do.”

“Of course, you’ll need operational funds.”

The factory manager handed over an envelope of money he had prepared, saying,

“The Prime Minister of South Korea is visiting today. Would you like to meet him?”

“The Prime Minister? There’s no meeting scheduled, is there?”

“Of course, it’s unofficial. It’s an unofficial inter-Korean summit, so if you meet and convey the State Security Department’s policy to establish discipline, there will be many good things. Dollars come from the South, after all.”

“Is that so? Hmm, let’s meet. But will the South accept it?”

“I’ll make the connection.”

Some time later.

The Prime Minister of South Korea and the Head of the State Security Department shook hands.

The Prime Minister said,

“Please take good care of us, Director. The industrial complex has been reopened with great difficulty, so please ensure its smooth operation.”

It was a common courtesy in South Korea.

But the Head of the State Security Department, as was his habit in North Korea, puffed up his shoulders as if he held the key to the operation of the industrial complex.

“As long as the ideological security rules are followed, there will be no reason for it to be suspended.”

They had a formal conversation for about 10 minutes.

As the Prime Minister left, the Prime Minister’s secretary handed a heavy bag to the Head of the State Security Department.

“This is a gift from the Prime Minister.”

The Head of the State Security Department’s ears perked up at the bag of hundred-dollar bills of enormous volume.

“South Korean officials are generous, as expected.”

But the man called the Prime Minister’s secretary was an agent of the National Intelligence Service.

When Jang Song-taek provided information that the Head of the State Security Department was visiting the Paju Industrial Complex, the South Korean side mobilized even the Prime Minister to prepare a bribe in advance.

The Head of the State Security Department had no idea that the bundle of dollars was a deadly poison.

*

Office of the Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

The Chairman of the National Defense Commission was furious after receiving a report from the Head of the Escort Bureau.

“Who does the Head of the State Security Department think he is, meeting with the South Korean Prime Minister! And he even received hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes?”

“That’s right. The exact amount is unknown, but judging from the volume and weight of the hundred-dollar bundles, it’s estimated to be about 300,000 dollars.”

The Chairman of the National Defense Commission’s eyes widened.

“300,000 dollars!”

“It could be more.”

“Isn’t this guy’s liver sticking out of his stomach [idiom meaning ‘being extremely audacious’]?”

His face turned red.

The Head of the Escort Bureau fanned the flames.

“It’s because we haven’t been checking and monitoring the State Security Department. This anti-republican behavior is just the tip of the iceberg.”

“I don’t even need to see it! How much has he been embezzling all this time! That’s why I created the Escort Bureau!”

“The State Security Department, which should be monitoring and leading the foundation of the Republic, is taking the lead in treasonous acts.”

“I’m going to kill the Head of the State Security Department right now!”

He stomped around like an angry wild boar.

“Director, go back to your post!”

“Yes! Comrade Chairman of the National Defense Commission!”

As the Director left the room, the Chairman of the National Defense Commission shouted into the intercom receiver.

“Tell the Head of the State Security Department to come in! Find him, quickly, quickly!”

A moment later, the Head of the State Security Department entered.

He was very embarrassed by the Chairman of the National Defense Commission’s first-ever fierce look.

The Chairman of the National Defense Commission shouted without hesitation.

“Hey, who do you think you are, meeting with the South Korean Prime Minister!”

“…”

From the first word, he was in a state of dizziness and semi-consciousness from the powerful blow.

“How many tens of thousands of dollars did you receive!”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking how much bribe you received from the South Korean bastards!”

“Th, that’s…”

“Are you trying to hide it from me now?”

“It’s 350,000 dollars. Th, that’s… I’m keeping it as a gift to give to the Chairman of the National Defense Commission on his birthday, Comrade Chairman of the National Defense Commission!”

“A gift? Don’t give me that crap!”

The Head of the State Security Department fell to his knees.

“I bitterly self-criticize myself for unofficially contacting South Korean politicians, Comrade Chairman of the National Defense Commission!”

“Cut it out! Stay in the office under house arrest!”

His duties were suspended until disciplinary action was taken.