Chapter 772: The Naval Base Agreement

The military alliance card Medvedev brought up was completely new to me. He had never mentioned it in our previous conversations.

I believed that building a naval base in Rajin was sufficient, and that’s what I proposed.

However, Russia went further, pulling out a military alliance card that had been previously discarded.

“Chairman, you might see a great immediate benefit in a military alliance.”

Jang Seong-taek nodded in agreement. I looked directly at him and spoke firmly again.

“But in the long term, it absolutely won’t be a good choice. Not for North Korea, and not for Russia either.”

My confident words made Jang Seong-taek tilt his head, asking.

“Why are you so sure?”

“Unless national power is equal, you’ll inevitably be led around by Russia. Don’t you see what China is doing?”

When Jang Seong-taek staged his coup, his biggest concern had been China using the Sino-North Korean treaty to intervene.

Moreover, China continuously destabilized the North Korean regime under the guise of aid.

Kim Jong-il had even suffered the humiliation of going to China and kneeling before them.

“I agree with breaking the treaty with China, but forging a new military alliance with Russia is absolutely not a good choice.”

At that moment, Medvedev, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

“That’s unexpected, Kim Mu-hyeok. I thought you’d be happy about it, I’m a little disappointed.”

Disappointed. Knowing he chose his words carefully, I chuckled.

“Don’t take it so badly. I am a friend to Russia. I’m saying this because it’s not a good choice for Russia either. A military alliance with North Korea is sure to provoke the U.S.”

“Well, but…”

“Stationing the Pacific Fleet in Rajin is the best option. A military alliance is too early.”

If North Korea allied with Russia, there was a high chance that economic plans would be immediately tied up.

North Korea’s growth was only possible with the U.S.’s tacit approval.

The U.S. wouldn’t just sit back and watch an enemy nation grow.

And in time, when Russia went berserk, North Korea would likely be trapped by the shackles of alliance and face sanctions.

“I agree to some extent with Kim Mu-hyeok’s opinion. Alright, let’s discuss the alliance between Russia and our Republic further before making a decision.”

Medvedev showed his disappointment at Jang Seong-taek’s words.

“Then, do you permit the establishment of the Pacific Fleet’s base in Rajin?”

Jang Seong-taek looked at me, and I gave a small nod.

Russia would never give up on building a naval base in the ice-free port of Rajin, and North Korea couldn’t easily refuse.

If the construction of a naval base was announced as a measure against Chinese provocations, then North Korea could sufficiently quell internal dissatisfaction and international backlash.

“However, once the lease period expires, you must promise that the naval base built will be handed over to our Republic free of charge. Also, the development of Rajin Port and Sonbong Port should be completed quickly.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make them the best ports within a few years.”

Although it was a verbal promise, Medvedev seemed satisfied with just that.

It seemed he thought there was no need to continue mentioning the military alliance part and gain resistance.

‘He’s practically getting the ice-free port he’s always wanted, so it makes sense he’d be happy.’

Russia had several ports in the Primorsky Krai, but they were not completely ice-free.

Medvedev looked at me and said.

“Construction companies from South Korea who are skilled in building large ports could speed up the process. Do you have any construction companies to recommend, Kim Mu-hyeok?”

This was an unexpected gift.

It was a given that securing the port development project would bring great benefits.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I spoke immediately.

“Then I recommend Daehyeon Construction.”

“Excellent. I’ll report that to the President. He’ll be pleased. But I didn’t expect you to recommend Daehyeon Construction instead of Jungwoo Construction.”

Rajin was a strategically important location.

With the Russian navy stationed in Rajin, bordering both China and Russia, China couldn’t risk provocations.

Therefore, it was necessary to secure a position quickly, but Jungwoo had a lot on their plate right now.

“Right now, Jungwoo Construction needs to focus all its efforts on the development of Nampo City, so I recommended Daehyeon Construction.”

“All its efforts, you say. It’s just a matter of time then.”

Medvedev, having read the hidden meaning in my explanation, gave a small nod.

I nodded along with him and continued.

“Yes, that’s right. It would be best to announce Russia’s construction of a naval base in Rajin as soon as possible.”

The moment the agreement between North Korea and Russia was announced, China would be forced to react.

It was already a pity that the development of Rajin had fallen into Russia’s hands, but the declaration of building a naval base would be unbearable.

“If the development of Sinuiju is halted, and the construction of the Russian naval base in Rajin is announced, the hardliners will take a big hit.”

Medvedev picked up on my words.

“If China protests, we can use that as an excuse to halt the construction of the gas pipeline and oil pipeline currently underway.”

“That’s not the only card we hold. The Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in northeastern China depend solely on the ports in Rajin. They’ll have a hard time cutting ties with Russia.”

Northeastern China was a region without ports.

Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces were home to over 50 million people, and for them, Rajin was like a lifeline.

Severing ties with Rajin would be like holding their lives in our hands. China would definitely be under immense pressure.

Medvedev looked at Jang Seong-taek and said.

“Chairman, even if not a military alliance, if China crosses North Korea’s border and the North Korean government requests aid from Russia, we will do our best to help.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

For North Korea, which needed Russia’s help, it was a proposal they couldn’t refuse.

To ensure Jang Seong-taek didn’t feel pressured, I chimed in as well.

“It’s a nice sight. I’ll also do everything I can to help.”

The lengthy conversation continued in a friendly atmosphere.

* * *

As soon as the news broke that Russia and North Korea had agreed to build a Russian naval base in Rajin, China immediately reacted.

“What? That crazy Jang Seong-taek… is he trying to pick a fight with us?!”

Jiang Zemin picked up the ashtray on the table and threw it at the TV broadcasting the breaking news.

The TV shattered from the impact of the heavy ashtray.

“Contact the army and tell them to cross the border. Occupy Rajin immediately!”

Jiang Zemin yelled, and everyone around him lowered their heads.

“That Jang Seong-taek! He can’t even be like Kim Jong-il and stay quiet, how dare he bare his teeth at us? Bring me his head right now!”

“Chairman, please calm down. If we mobilize the army, we might actually end up at war with Russia. That’s not what we’re planning, is it?”

Wu Bangguo hurriedly stopped Jiang Zemin, but Jiang Zemin glared at him and shouted.

“Then what are we supposed to do? Just watch them set up a naval base? Do you not know how important Rajin is?”

Of course, Wu Bangguo knew the importance of Rajin.

“Even if that area is important, Chairman Hu Jintao already conceded the development of Rajin in exchange for the development of Sinuiju. We don’t have the grounds to stop them.”

China had agreed to lease Rajin to Russia for 50 years in exchange for leasing Sinuiju. But Jang Seong-taek had unilaterally stopped that.

“What about Hu Jintao? Have you still not found Hu Jintao’s whereabouts? Luo Gan, have you still not found him?”

At Jiang Zemin’s call, Luo Gan lowered his head even further.

“I’m sorry. We haven’t confirmed it yet. It’s certain he’s alive, but…”

“Nothing is going as planned. I don’t even know where things went wrong.”

Only negative news was coming in. Jiang Zemin pressed his temples and sighed.

Once he calmed down to some extent, Jiang Zemin looked around at the people with narrowed eyes and spoke.

“If Hu Jintao returns to Beijing, everything we’ve done will come back to bite us. Does anyone have a solution? Anyone, speak up. We can’t just let this happen, right?”

The people gathered here were at the core of power.

Six out of the nine members of the Politburo Standing Committee were gathered, as well as other members of the Shanghai faction.

“What about stopping him from returning at all?”

Jiang Zemin frowned at Wu Bangguo’s comment.

“Wu Bangguo, do you think that’s possible? If we go any further, we won’t be safe either. Do you know what that means?”

“But if Chairman Hu Jintao returns, he will retaliate. There are already reports that the Central Discipline Inspection Commission is taking action.”

“…Still, no more.”

The Central Discipline Inspection Commission was the highest anti-corruption body in China. And currently, it was completely controlled by Hu Jintao’s Communist Youth League.

Jiang Zemin asked Luo Gan.

“Luo Gan, what about finding Hu Jintao’s weakness?”

“I’m sorry. Yoo Sung-jin won’t talk. We planned to arrest Hao Xun, so we raided his base, but he had already escaped.”

Though the Central Discipline Inspection Commission was handed over to Hu Jintao, he had taken the position of secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee, which oversaw the Ministry of Public Security and the State Security Department.

And by forcing it, he increased the number of Standing Committee members from seven to nine and placed Luo Gan in the last position.

“So you’re saying there’s absolutely no way to tie him down?”

“…There is no evidence. We have enough suspicion, but we need definite proof that Hao Xun is connected to Hu Jintao to strike at him.”

“Nothing is going the way I want.”

When the Shanghai faction’s power weakened due to the handling of SARS, they devised a plan.

The plan was to kill Hu Jintao and have Wu Bangguo, currently second in power, take his place.

However, after all plans had been made and were about to be executed, another opinion emerged.

When Yoo Sung-jin entered China to corner Hao Xun, Hu Jintao’s Achilles heel, they would arrest and pressure him to reveal the connection between Hao Xun and Hu Jintao.

In other words, instead of killing Hu Jintao, they would control him by grabbing him by the throat and turn him into a puppet.

Jiang Zemin liked that plan.

It was not only a way to put a leash on Hu Jintao, but also a good opportunity to make Kim Mu-hyeok, the president who always stood up to him, kneel before him.

‘But it all ended in failure.’

Kim Mu-hyeok refused the proposition, and Yoo Sung-jin remained silent.

Having no other choice, they decided to go with the original plan: assassinate Hu Jintao and mobilize the army to receive North Korea’s surrender.

“The plan to use Yoo Sung-jin to catch Hu Jintao and Kim Mu-hyeok failed, and the backup plan to kill Hu Jintao also failed.”

Jiang Zemin looked around at the people and continued to speak.

“We’re going to lose a lot.”

His voice was unusually cold.

Hu Jintao’s rise to power would ultimately lead to the decline of the Shanghai faction’s power.

“If you want to keep your heads, come up with a plan. No one knows where Hu Jintao’s blade will point.”

If things continued this way, all power would be handed over to Hu Jintao within a few years.

Jiang Zemin couldn’t just sit back and watch that happen.

“Everyone leave, except for the Vice Chairman.”

At Jiang Zemin’s order, people quickly left, and only Zheng Qinghong remained.

Zheng Qinghong was like Jiang Zemin’s Zhang Liang.

Having a foot in both the Shanghai faction and the Princelings, he wielded enough power to be called Jiang Zemin’s successor.

That’s why Jiang Zemin always consulted with Zheng Qinghong on important matters.

“What do you think is the best course of action?”

“It seems we need to compromise with Hu Jintao and give up some things.”

“What do we need to give him to satisfy Hu Jintao?”

“How about we give up on having a member of the Shanghai faction succeed Hu Jintao? That would be his biggest concern.”

At Zheng Qinghong’s words, Jiang Zemin raised his voice.

“What? What nonsense is that! It’s our turn next. Why would we give that up!”

“Or we could lose everything. This time, you pushed things too far.”

Zheng Qinghong had consistently opposed the assassination of Hu Jintao.

However, Jiang Zemin shook his head, looking displeased, and said.

“What’s done is done. That’s not an option. Tian Liangyu has to be next.”

“Then, how about asking Kim Mu-hyeok to mediate? Medvedev, Jang Seong-taek, and Kim Mu-hyeok are all gathered in Pyongyang. Is that just a coincidence?”

“If it’s not a coincidence, then what is it?”

“Perhaps Kim Mu-hyeok is behind all of this.”

“That’s absurd!”

Jiang Zemin slammed the table and shouted. He couldn’t accept those words coming from Zheng Qinghong, who was like his right hand man.

“Are you saying that a mere businessman is manipulating both North Korea and Russia?”

“You may not like to admit it, but that’s the truth.”

Unlike Jiang Zemin, Zheng Qinghong acknowledged Kim Mu-hyeok.

Zheng Qinghong spoke with a serious expression.

“If I were him, I would move Russia to halt the construction of the gas and oil pipelines. There’s no weapon that can hurt us more than that.”

No sooner had Zheng Qinghong finished speaking than the door opened, and Jiang Zemin’s secretary entered.

The secretary, with a pale face, reported in a trembling voice.

“Chairman, Russia has informed us that they will be suspending the construction of the gas and oil pipelines.”