798

My true feelings have come out

Jang Song-taek's voice coming from the other end of the receiver sounded quite tired.

"I was just watching the news. It's unusual for the trial to be open to the public."

- Yes. Because I decided to completely wipe him out.

"I heard that this is the first time since Park Heon-yeong that a person has been arrested and tried publicly. There has been a lot of talk about this issue in Korea as well."

In North Korea, purges have always taken place whenever the regime changes.

After the Korean War, Kim Il-sung reorganized the various factions within the North Korean Communist Party one by one to consolidate his power.

The person who started the purge was Park Heon-yeong, the representative of the South Korean Labor Party.

He was the only person whose entire story from his arrest to his trial was made public and subjected to humiliation.

Both China and the Soviet Union tried to stop him from being killed, but Kim Il-sung ignored their demands and dragged him into the mountains and executed him.

Since then, neither Kim Il-sung nor Kim Jong-il have made it public when they purged someone.

And now, 50 years later, Choe Ryong-hae has been arrested in the same manner as Pak Hon-yong, and his trial has been held in public.

"Do you plan to release the execution scene as well?"

- No. I just plan to gather all the high-ranking officials together and execute them. Now, his picture and whereabouts will not be seen anywhere.

"You've thought it through well. It's time to enter the international community, but it wouldn't be a good look to put on. I've roughly explained the situation to the President."

Jang Song-taek asked subtly, as if he was very curious.

- I see. Is there a lot of talk about it in South Korea too?

"Because it's an unusual situation. Even now, it's being covered in the major news. It's funny to me that so-called experts are coming out and making diagnoses."

― Hahaha. That would be understandable. Who would know the situation of our republic better than President Kim? He probably knows it better than my close associates.

Jang Song-taek, who had been laughing for a long time, stopped laughing and continued speaking.

- Mr. Kim. Actually, I am contacting you because of General Kim Jong Il.

I had expected that word to come out. Now that Choe Ryong Hae and his followers had been wiped out, the only problem left was Kim Jong Il.

- He said he wanted to go to Switzerland.

"Switzerland?"

- Yes. It seems like it would be better for Jeong-cheol and Jeong-eun to spend the rest of their lives quietly, considering the school issues. What do you think, President Kim?

Switzerland wasn't a bad choice either. By the way, didn't Kim Jong-un study in Switzerland?

"If it's okay with you, Chairman, then go ahead and do that. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

- No. This is a problem that must be resolved in our republic. It is even more strange for Chairman Kim to interfere in the middle.

"Do you plan to manage it directly from the Pyongyang embassy in Switzerland?"

- Yes. I think that would make me feel more at ease.

"Then let's do that."

Since Jang Song-taek said he would personally inspect Kim Jong-il, I decided not to say anything more.

"Oh, did you know that there is a general meeting of China today?"

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- Yes. The Republic is also watching.

"What do you plan to do about China's involvement in this situation?"

- I would also like to hear President Kim's opinion on that.

Jang Song-taek came out in a very humble manner. Perhaps it was because I was under real threat in North Korea.

"Then, let's look at the results today and decide. If Hu Jintao wins, I think it would be okay to open the border again on the condition of an apology and economic aid. However, if by some very unlikely chance Jiang Zemin wins… In that case, it would be a good idea to consider extreme measures."

- An extreme method? No way······.

Jang Song-taek hesitated, unable to continue speaking.

"No, I'm not saying to mobilize the military. That's crazy. There are several bridges built on the border between China and North Korea. Blow them up."

- Yes? What did you say?

"This is a call to demonstrate North Korea's will."

There were several bridges connecting the borders of North Korea and China.

―······That is an action without consequences.

If that collapses, the link with China will be broken.

For North Korea to blow it up with its own hands is a declaration of firm will.

"With Russia, Japan and South Korea, we can do more business with them than we do with China. This is happening because China still thinks that North Korea is in their hands."

- still······.

"Don't worry too much. Let's make a plan just in case. If Hu Jintao is pushed out at the previous plenary session, he has no future. A person who can't use the sword of justification is not qualified to hold power. Are you one of those people, Chairman?"

When I asked in a cold voice, Jang Song-taek quickly continued.

- No, I'm not that kind of person.

"So, if something like that happens, you have to take strong action. Russia and South Korea will support you."

―······I'll think about it.

Jang Song-taek avoided answering the question, saying he would think about it, whether it was because he was timid or cautious.

I didn't press him any further and just continued talking.

"Okay. I don't know if there's a better way to warn China, but for now, this seems like the best option."

― I understand. I plan to execute Choe Ryong Hae tomorrow. I plan to send the General out as soon as preparations are complete. I will contact you again. In the meantime, take care.

The phone call with Jang Song-taek has ended.

I put down the satellite phone and smiled.

"It's not that he has no weaknesses, but he still managed to make every effort to exile Kim Jong-il abroad."

Director Ma, who was handed the satellite phone, answered.

"Jang Song-taek made a good choice."

"But we should also send separate personnel to monitor Kim Jong-il. As soon as we find a mansion for Kim Jong-il to stay in, we should purchase buildings around it."

"Yes, boss. I will prepare it that way."

I had a long conversation with Jang Song-taek, but the talk about Choe Ryong-hae's purge was still on TV.

I turned up the volume which was down because of the call.

― Choe Ryong-hae's purge was planned. Unlike Kim Jong-il, Jang Song-taek is not of the Baekdu bloodline. Although he is treated as a minor branch by marrying into the Baekdu bloodline, he is a person without legitimacy. That is why it is not at all strange for Choe Ryong-hae to replace Jang Song-taek.

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The host asked a question in response to the remarks of the representative of the North Korean defector group.

― It sounds like you're saying this isn't the end. Is that right?

- Yes. That's right. In the end, Kim Jong-il will be executed. Isn't it ridiculous to pretend to be a normal country when they are constantly carrying out bloody purges? No matter who takes power, North Korea will not change.

― But aren't you currently working to improve relations with Russia and Japan as well as inter-Korean economic cooperation?

In response to the host's question, the representative of the defector group slammed the table.

― It's all a show, a show! Jang Song-taek is no different from Kim Jong-il. He is a person who can break his promises at any time, just like Kim Jong-il. He is an untrustworthy author!

The announcer seemed taken aback by such a strong statement.

The announcer spoke urgently while looking at the camera.

― The statement just now was only the personal opinion of Representative Han and has nothing to do with our broadcast.

- You are all being deceived!

- Yes, yes. So far, I have talked with the representative of the North Korean Refugee Association about this purge.

The announcer quickly ended the conversation with him. I laughed out loud and turned off the TV.

"It's not wrong, but since I only looked at the surface without knowing the inside story, there are many errors."

I stood up from my seat and wiped every trace of smile off my face.

* * *

"Welcome. It's my first time seeing you."

As I arrived at a hanok on the outskirts of Gyeonggi-do, a woman I had never seen before reached out to me.

It's just like the picture. The woman in front of me was the wife of KS Group Chairman Choi Woo-shik.

"Hello. This is Kim Mu-hyeok."

I shook her hand briefly and took my seat.

"I didn't know the manager would ask to see me first."

She nodded with a bright smile on her face.

She sat across from me and spoke to me with a cheerful face.

"I wanted to see you sometime. You're not uncomfortable, are you? But······. Are you married?"

I shook my head and laughed. Every adult I met said that, so I couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, the person I like never appears in front of me."

"He's handsome, tall, and has a good body… I wonder who will take the richest man in South Korea. Should I introduce you to a good person?"

"It's okay. I just want to meet naturally. Let's stop small talk and tell me why we met today."

When I brought the conversation back on track, she let out a small sigh of regret.

"You're just as impatient as I heard."

Meanwhile, a woman who appeared to be an employee put down the teacup she had prepared in advance and left.

She lifted the teacup, smelled the aroma, and closed her eyes.

"As you know, sir, I am quite busy. If I have nothing to say, I will leave now."

"Why are you so impatient? Just wait."

"Then tell me what your business is."

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She hesitated and then opened her mouth.

"I have to get my hands on the KS Group."

"······Are you in your right mind?"

I blurted it out and thought, "Oh no." What I was thinking inside just came out of my mouth.

As expected, the woman in front of me opened her eyes wide.

"What did you say?"

"I'm sorry. I was surprised to hear such unexpected words, so I let out my true feelings. So, are you saying that you'll kick out Chairman Choi Woo-shik and have the director take his place?"

She rolled her eyes, sighed, and shook her head.

"No. Just take the group away from those Choi guys."

"Isn't your son also Choi? In the end, your son will inherit it."

"······."

"I don't know the reason for now. And I don't know if I can take the management rights of KS Group away from Chairman Choi Woo-shik."

As I continued to speak, pretending not to know, the woman's gaze became fierce again.

"I already know. You can control the sovereign fund. If the borrowed shares I have and the sovereign fund join hands, you will be able to easily take over the management."

"Even if that were possible, would there be any reason for me to help you, sir? Isn't this the first time we're meeting each other?"

"If we have the same goal, can't we join hands? I'm quite close with my senior. When I was young, I went to Myeongdong with my father a few times."

Her father was a powerful figure in the military regime during that time.

The reason KS Group was able to enter the top 10 in the business world was because those in power pushed it.

If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have been able to grow so quickly.

"Really? That's the first time I've heard of that."

"Chairman Myeongdong liked me quite a bit. I haven't seen him since my father retired."

Suddenly, my grandfather's face flashed through my mind.

But even if I were close to my grandfather, that wouldn't be a reason for me to join hands with her.

"Grandpa is Grandpa and I am me. So what does it mean that the director and I have the same goal?"

"I heard that he rejected the president's offer this time. So I heard that he is going ahead with the business with Korea Telecom."

As she said, Korea Telecom was chosen as the exclusive carrier to supply iPhones domestically.

"Well, from the beginning, it was planned and brought by Korea Telecom to be distributed. The suggestion to Chairman Choi Woo-shik was just an act of courtesy. But I made the suggestion first because it was the KS Group that protected management rights as a white knight before. In fact, Apple's demands were too absurd for the number one company to accept."

When I answered as if it was no big deal, she put down her glass and looked straight at me.

"But still. Wouldn't it be bad for Apple or the CEO to choose second place over first place? And······. I heard that you purchased a factory in Korea to produce mobile devices. I'll help you with that."

"The manager will help you with that?"

"Yes. I heard that he offered to take over the factory owned by KS Teletech. He turned it down though."

There is no way Choi Woo-shik would have told his wife everything in detail.

Perhaps one of Choi Woo-shik's secretaries was listening to her.

"It seems that you are more interested in company affairs than I thought."

"You······. told him that I was increasing my stake in someone else's name."

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Oh, so that's why you wanted to meet me. She continued talking as I smiled awkwardly.

"Because of that, there's no time left. I have to move before that guy Choi Woo-shik moves first. If there's anything you want, I'll do it. So, please delegate to me the shares that Sovereign has and the shares that the CEO has."

It was quite an attractive offer, as KS Teletech needed a manufacturing plant owned by them.

It was something that had to be done to contract-produce iPhones in Korea.

I thought about it for a moment and then slowly opened my mouth.

< My true feelings are revealed > End

< I don't plan on cutting even a single penny off >