Chapter 254: What Does He Plan to Do?

“Why are you curious about that?”

What’s the reason behind asking me that?

What on earth is this man thinking?

It felt like he read the doubt flashing across my face, but Kim Sung-jin continued without a hint of concern.

“I hope you won’t come to Pyongyang.”

“You’re telling me not to go?”

“Yes. I don’t know why you plan to visit, but it won’t end well. I don’t want a young businessman like you getting hurt, just like Boss Kim.”

He doesn’t want me to get hurt…

I glared at him, even though Kim Jong-il himself had summoned me. This guy is warning me that I might be in danger?

Kim Sung-jin was staring at me directly. His eyes didn’t lie.

That made me even more suspicious.

‘What kind of plot could warrant such words?’

As we locked eyes in silence, Kim Sung-jin spoke again.

“You might be surprised to hear this from someone meeting you for the first time. Still, please don’t misunderstand, I mean it well.”

“I’m not misunderstanding. But it’s unsettling, as you said.”

“I understand completely. But I truly worry for you. I’d like to build a friendly relationship with you, Boss Kim. Plus, if something unfortunate happens while you’re in Pyongyang, it could provoke Putin’s wrath. I’m just trying to help you consider that.”

His words weren’t wrong, so I nodded slightly.

Right now, my biggest political ally was Putin. Before, even other countries, including the U.S., viewed me as just a businessman close to him.

But after his recent move to mobilize troops in the conflict with Japan, world leaders must have figured out the nature of my relationship with Putin.

Even though the Soviet Union’s power diminished after its collapse, it once divided the world with the U.S., and now, Putin remains the second most powerful military leader after America.

If something shady happens to me in Pyongyang as Kim Sung-jin warned, North Korea would certainly bear the consequences of his wrath.

But I couldn’t shake the suspicion that he was still certain I would be harmed.

“Due to the Chairman’s sudden change of heart, the Seoul visit schedule was moved up, and the unexpected return of Kim Mu-hyeok and other South Koran businessmen was decided. I think there’s something going on between you and the Chairman. Am I wrong?”

It seemed Kim Sung-jin had already figured out I arranged to meet with Kim Jong-il.

It wasn’t just a simple guess; his confident tone suggested a connection around Kim Jong-il.

“Well, since the Chairman called for me, I had to come. I can’t fathom why my visit to North Korea would cause such a fuss. Why are you insisting on stopping me?”

Kim Sung-jin shook his head.

“If you visit, it would be good for our Republic and your investment. But this time, I hope you won’t go.”

“Please tell me the reason. Then I’ll consider it. If all you say is not to come because it might be risky, I might interpret it as a threat.”

Regardless of his polite delivery, what he said could easily be seen as exerting pressure depending on how one interpreted it.

“It’s difficult to explain the reasons. But soon, you’ll understand why I said this to you, Boss Kim.”

Yet, Kim Sung-jin repeated the same line without revealing any reasons.

Given North Korea’s notoriously secretive internal circumstances, it was hard to grasp what was truly happening.

What if this man was somehow behind the assassination attempt of Kim Jong-il?

My mind spun with thoughts, but I kept a calm expression.

“That’s all I can say.”

“If you don’t provide a reasonable explanation, I’m going to Pyongyang.”

If there was a valid reason, I was open to reconsidering the trip to North Korea, but Kim Sung-jin didn’t seem willing to say more.

Then I had no reason to miss out on this hard-won opportunity. No, I didn’t want to lose it.

“Understood. I won’t stop you anymore. But I surely advised Kim Mu-hyeok, so don’t regret itlater.”

With those parting words, Kim Sung-jin stood up. His confident demeanor stirred irritation in me rather than any lingering regret.

“But… is it truly alright for you to say such things to me? I could convey this to someone else.”

“If that’s the case, I simply misjudged your character.”

His hearty laughter sapped my energy, and I stood up as well.

“If Boss Kim were so loose-lipped like that, would he have been able to befriend President Putin? And would he have had a private meeting with a Chairman that nobody trusts?”

Kim Sung-jin smiled as he looked at me while standing up.

Instead of responding, I extended my hand to him.

“Let’s meet in Pyongyang. Thank you for your advice. So, I’ll offer you some advice too. Excessive confidence can be a double-edged sword.”

Kim Sung-jin merely laughed at my piece of advice.

Well, given that he hadn’t encountered failure yet, he’d likely brush it off as nonsense.

“Now, let’s get going. Thanks for your valuable time.”

Kim Sung-jin opened the door first and stepped outside.

“Then I’ll see you in Pyongyang. I need to head to where my group is.”

With that last remark, Kim Sung-jin walked toward the place where his group was gathered.

He headed in the direction of a table particularly bustling with young members of the inspection team.

‘So those must be the young talents who will lead North Korea’s economy.’

Seeing several men, including Kim Sung-jin, engage in serious discussion made me turn away.

“Haha, Boss Kim, you’re here?”

“Yes, Leader.”

Upon returning to my seat, Baek Nam-gi, who had been conversing with Han Gyeong-yeong, greeted me.

“Did you have a good discussion with the young folks?”

“Thanks to you, I had a valuable time. Thank you.”

It was a polite remark, but Baek Nam-gi’s expression brightened genuinely. He nodded in satisfaction and then spoke.

“It would be great if the young people from both North and South could exchange ideas. Boss Kim, those are the young talents who will lead the Republic in the future.”

Baek Nam-gi just chuckled heartily.

It seemed he was unaware of what Kim Sung-jin was plotting. I smiled in response instead of commenting further and took my seat.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Leader.”

“Of course! With Representative Han, Representative Eva, and Chairman Kim all here, they’re all experts in economics, right? They shared a lot of good advice. Although the journey to South Korea was tough, it feels wonderful to be here.”

Seeing Baek Nam-gi speak so earnestly made it seem he was genuinely happy.

“I feel proud. I hope you achieve excellent results.”

“Of course. The reason I involved many young people in this Seoul visit is precisely for this purpose. But didn’t South Korea recently lack young entrepreneurs?”

“To operate a large company, you need to have a certain age and experience. Even Kim Byung-woo of Jungwoo Group, who’s here, is younger compared to most chairpersons from large enterprises.”

Baek Nam-gi nodded again after glancing around the banquet hall.

“That seems to be true. There are similarities between South Korea and our Republic.”

Both the hereditary transfer of state power and the reign of large business conglomerates vary only in scale but share similar underlying principles.

“I think it’s about time to wrap up the banquet. It was a good time. I’ll be saying my last goodbyes to the Prime Minister and then head to my lodging.”

“Yes, Leader. It’s been a pleasure. I’ll see you when you return to Pyongyang.”

“Haha, let’s do that.”

Baek Nam-gi stood up and extended his hand. After shaking hands, he walked toward the table where the Prime Minister, Chairman Yoon, and Jang Seong-taek were engaged in conversation.

“What did you talk about with him?”

I asked Han Gyeong-yeong next to me. Once Baek Nam-gi strayed far enough, he replied.

“Oh, just a bit of this and that.”

“Was communication smooth?”

“He was surprisingly knowledgeable about the economy.”

After praising Baek Nam-gi for a while, Han Gyeong-yeong turned serious.

“But there is one thing that’s a bit disappointing. He seems to misunderstand the focus. Trying to overlay communism with capitalism is causing a strange disconnection. He advocated for currency reform.”

Currency reform sounds familiar.

I recall it had once surfaced during our military regime. Dictators in Africa also invoked currency reform during economic crises.

It seemed there was some commonality in dictators’ thoughts that made me smirk involuntarily.

“Successful cases of currency reform are rare.”

“But it’s true it’s the best approach. North Korea’s currency already holds no utility value. Isn’t it natural that North Korean high-ranking officials prefer dollars?”

Nodding slightly, he continued speaking.

“While currency reform is an issue for later, we must open up first. But it shouldn’t be a clumsy opening. Since we don’t have a populous market like China, we must act more decisively than China.”

Han Gyeong-yeong was indeed hitting the nail on the head. Eva chimed in alongside him.

“Exactly. China lured investors by presenting itself as the world’s factory with its vast domestic market and population. But North Korea has only its underground resources. Complete opening is the only way to save North Korea’s economy.”

I wondered if complete openness was actually possible. A negative thought of impossibility trailed through my mind, but I didn’t feel the need to voice it.

“Well, let’s just keep an eye on things. After I return from North Korea, let’s all take a vacation to an island in Greece. For about a month.”

At those words, Eva and Han Gyeong-yeong’s faces lit up instantly.

“Let’s really take a break. We haven’t had a proper vacation and have only been working.”

Like Han Gyeong-yeong lamented, we’d rushed without rest for too long. It was time for some much-needed rejuvenation.

Even horses that are spurred on will eventually throw off their riders.

After the banquet concluded, everyone from the inspection team returned to their lodging.

After sending Eva and Han Gyeong-yeong off first, I waited for Jang Seong-taek in the underground parking lot.

I don’t know how long I waited, but at last, Jang Seong-taek appeared in the underground parking lot.

“Boss, it’s Jang Seong-taek.”

I stepped out of the car upon hearing Manager Ma’s report. Jang Seong-taek approached without any associates, coming to where I stood.

As he drew near, he flashed a charming smile.

“I left the bodyguards behind to make things comfortable for you. You remember the fine drink we promised, right?”

“Of course. Let’s get in the car first.”

I let him in first and followed behind into the vehicle. Our car slowly exited the underground parking lot.

“What if the location we’re going to doesn’t suit the Deputy Manager’s taste? I’m a bit concerned.”

“How could I insist on only my preferences? Since I’m in Seoul, I should enjoy its nightlife. Who knows when I’ll be back? Whenever I visit a new city, I seek out the nightlife there.”

“Why’s that?”

“There’s no better place to reveal the true face of a country. That’s why I always make it a point to check it out.”

His words resonated with me, as the nightlife was indeed where people’s desires converged.

“The place we’re visiting is somewhat different from such desires.”

“Haha, that’s fine. I plan to explore the complete nightlife alone tomorrow, quietly.”

“Nightlife might be dangerous. Are you sure it’s safe to go alone?”

“Today, I now walk with Boss Kim. Tomorrow, the bodyguards will follow closely for personal protection.”

If those protecting Jang Seong-taek were top special forces trained for assassination, then I had no worries.

Plus, they were allowed to carry firearms. It was an unnecessary concern.

While we had various conversations, we arrived at the secret club.

“This is the last remaining club where all decisions concerning the Republic of Korea’s affairs are made. That’s why it hasn’t been emptied out. I want to show you how it is.”

“Oh… Are there still places like this in South Korea?”

“This is the only one left. Please, come in.”

Guided by the attendants, we entered the innermost room.

As I took a seat, Jang Seong-taek asked.

“Is it alright to come in like this? I’m a bit worried since you said it wasn’t empty.”

“It’s a meeting place for influential figures in our country. They arrange pathways so that they can’t meet. So it’s fine. The attendants here also have tight lips.”

Jang Seong-taek nodded at my explanation, a look of relief spreading across his face.

“I see. Well, I’d like to speak solely among ourselves, is that alright?”

“Of course.”

I dismissed the attendant behind me, and silence settled in the room.

“We are now alone. Deputy Manager, I want to hear the reasons for this private meeting.”

I didn’t believe that Jang Seong-taek just asked to meet for the sake of entertainment.

He likely had something important to discuss. Adjusting my posture, I met his gaze.