Chapter 776: A Visit Before Leaving

Before returning to Korea I went to see Kim Jong-il.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has been quite some time, indeed.”

Kim Jong-il looked at me with displeasure, but he didn’t refuse the meeting.

“You look healthy.”

It wasn’t an empty compliment, he looked much better than before.

“It’s all thanks to Boss Kim, isn’t that right?”

Kim Jong-il replied in a sarcastic tone, but I simply responded with a smile.

“Aren’t you even going to offer me a cup of tea?”

“Why would I offer you tea? You’re not that cute.”

“Hahaha. Are you still upset?”

I laughed and joked, which caused Kim Jong-il to click his tongue.

“Ok! Bring two cups of coffee.”

“Yes, General.”

Kim Jong-il shouted and his secretary and mistress, Kim Ok, who had been standing far away, entered the villa.

I watched her disappear and then asked.

“Is your wife still unwell?”

Kim Jong-il’s wife, Ko Yong-hui, had become seriously ill and was receiving treatment in France.

I already knew about her health, but I asked anyway as if I didn’t.

“Why are you asking when you know everything?”

Kim Jong-il spoke curtly, thinking that I was already monitoring Ko Yong-hui.

This was another difference from my previous life. Ko Yong-hui should have already died.

I wasn’t sure if it was because Kim Jong-il was no longer in power or some other reason, but she was still alive.

Although she wasn’t in the best of health.

“Health is the most important thing, Chairman.”

“Enough with the nonsense. Why have you come? There’s no reason for you to seek me out, you who never paid me any attention.”

Kim Jong-il narrowed his eyes as he stared at me.

His gaze was filled with undisguised distrust and suspicion.

“I just came to see your face before returning to Korea.”

“We are not on good terms to just look at each other without a reason.”

At that moment, Kim Ok brought two cups of coffee and placed them on the round table before stepping back again.

Kim Jong-il lightly gestured with his chin and brought a coffee cup to his lips.

“Drink up. My brother-in-law gifted me some good beans. The aroma is quite nice, isn’t it?”

I picked up a cup too, following his example. Just like he had said a fragrant coffee scent arose from the good beans.

I took a sip of the hot coffee and opened my mouth to speak.

“Don’t go thinking any unnecessary thoughts, Chairman.”

Kim Jong-il’s hand which held the cup paused.

“The reason Jang Seong-taek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, didn’t kill you is because he doesn’t think you are a threat to him anymore.”

“……”

“If you become a threat, not only you, but your entire family will be in danger.”

“Boss Kim, what are you talking about?”

“I already know that Choi Ryong-hae and Kim Young-chun have already visited you. Jang Seong-taek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, knows it too.”

Kim Jong-il remained silent and simply looked into my eyes.

“I don’t know what kind of proposal you received, but they probably enticed you by promising to restore you to your former position. Am I wrong?”

Kim Jong-il’s expression didn’t change. Instead of answering he moved his hand again and took a sip of his coffee.

I hadn’t expected an answer, so I continued.

“I already know you are plotting to oust Jang Seong-taek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission with Choi Ryong-hae and Kim Young-chun. And that they’re thinking of re-establishing you to legitimize their actions.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Boss Kim.”

“Yes, continue not knowing. If you give them a definitive answer, it will be hard to get out of it. Just close your ears and spend your time fishing. That’s the way to live a long life.”

I finished my coffee and put the cup down.

“This is a warning. I haven’t forgotten what you did to my people. I’m only leaving you alone because Jang Seong-taek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, wants you to live. So, don’t cross the line.”

Even if Jang Seong-taek was preparing, the moment Kim Jong-il moved, the military might not follow Jang Seong-taek’s orders.

The results of the brainwashing that Kim Jong-il had carried out since Kim Il-sung’s time were still present throughout North Korea.

That’s why I came to warn him directly.

“Think about your son in Switzerland, and the lives of your children here. You’ve already lived long enough, but your children haven’t.”

“Boss Kim…”

Kim Jong-il’s voice trembled slightly as he called out to me.

He seemed to have guessed what would happen if an unexpected situation arose.

“Do you think Jang Seong-taek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission will fight with me if I kill them? No. He can’t abandon me. I will make Jiang Zemin who made you kneel, kneel before me.”

“Why are you doing this to me? I don’t have any more desires.”

“Even if you don’t have any desires, the others won’t leave you alone. If you don’t like that, there is only one way…”

I intentionally left my words unfinished. Kim Jong-il would know well enough what I was trying to say.

‘It’ll only end when you die.’

Unlike other communist countries North Korea was more like a monarchy ruled by the Kim Il-sung family.

Because of that, there would always be people trying to use him until the day he died.

It was also the reason why those who usurped power killed their predecessors.

“Don’t take advantage of Jang Seong-taek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission’s good intentions. I chose him as my partner and I will do everything I can if he is in danger. Even if a coup is successful and you return to power, nothing good will come of it. At that time, Russia, China, and even Korea will all move against North Korea.”

Kim Jong-il’s hand, holding the coffee cup, trembled, whether it was from anger or a sense of insult from my words.

No, it was neither. Kim Jong-il opened his mouth with fear filling his eyes.

“Boss Kim, please protect Jong-nam. That guy is in the grasp of those vile bastards.”

“……”

“I haven’t said anything. But those bastards, they wouldn’t have tried to use Jong-nam, would they?”

It seemed they had taken Kim Jong-nam as a hostage since he wouldn’t agree. I had already expected as much.

“Even if I protect Kim Jong-nam, this vicious cycle will not end.”

“If he leaves the Republic, he will live. So please protect my family. If things continue like this, we will all die.”

Kim Jong-il shuddered as the trembling that had started in his hand spread through his body.

The dictator who had killed so many people was trembling with fear.

‘Even this man who has killed so many people, cares so much for his bloodline.’

I pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“They won’t be able to kill Kim Jong-nam. I will make sure of it.”

I already knew where Kim Jong-nam was.

It wasn’t like he was locked up, rather he was being monitored under the pretext of protection so it was easy to take him away.

“So, promise me just one thing. Do not seek power anymore, no matter who tries to sway you. Once everything is settled, I will provide you with every convenience. I will help you purchase a good mansion in Europe where you can live.”

If he left North Korea, there would be no need to kill him.

“And if the military moves, please step forward and support Jang Seong-taek, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.”

Kim Jong-il nodded with difficulty.

His appearance which seemed unusually weak today, made me feel quite uneasy.

“I will be leaving now. I will meet your children before I go. I need to warn them too.”

“……”

No answer came.

I got up from my seat and walked toward the villa.

“Take good care of the Chairman. Kim Jong-chul and Kim Yeo-jong are inside, right?”

“……”

I asked Kim Ok who was standing in front of the villa, but she didn’t answer.

Ignoring her, I entered the villa.

I could hear the sound of Kim Ok’s dress shoes as she ran towards Kim Jong-il.

As soon as I entered the villa, I saw the living room, and Kim Jong-chul and Kim Yeo-jong were sitting on a large sofa.

I could see Kim Yeo-jong, still showing signs of her youth, looking at me nervously while tightly gripping Kim Jong-chul’s hand.

“We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

Kim Jong-chul, who was tightly holding Kim Yeo-jong’s hand, nodded.

“Do you know who I am?”

“……”

“Don’t be too scared. I’ve come to tell you not to be fooled by anyone who tries to tempt you. You need to know that every single action you take can end the lives of not only you but everyone related to you. Do you understand?”

Kim Jong-chul nodded and avoided my eyes.

Kim Yeo-jong seemed quite frightened of me and hid half her body behind Kim Jong-chul.

Suddenly I was reminded of the Kim Yeo-jong from my previous life. Her sharp tongue and harsh words overlapped with her youthful appearance now.

‘That crazy woman was pretty innocent when she was young.’

“If you don’t become greedy, your uncle will help you live comfortably. But that’s as far as it goes.”

As I slowly walked towards them, I could see Kim Jong-chul gulping.

I walked up to him, who had tensed up, and whispered in his ear.

“Never be greedy. Or you’ll die. You won’t be able to live the way you did before. Your father doesn’t have that kind of power anymore. And neither do you. So just live like a mouse.”

I lightly patted Kim Jong-chul’s stiff shoulder and stood up.

I smiled as I saw him unable to move with his head hung low.

“But I can let you do what you want. Aren’t you an Eric Clapton fan? Should I arrange for you to meet him?”

At those words Kim Jong-chul lifted his head and looked at me.

“Come to the UK after this is all over. I will arrange for you to meet him. I will make an appointment.”

“Really… you will?”

As if he was not used to formal speech Kim Jong-chul belatedly raised his tone.

I thought he was all grown up, but he’s still quite young.

“Of course. It’s not difficult, so I can easily do that much. Your father can’t do it, but I can.”

I knew he liked that guitarist.

And that he was quite close with Murdoch.

It was great if I could gain favor with something so trivial.

“So, you must listen to me. Even if someone comes and tries to sway you… No, even if your uncle dies, don’t be greedy. Understood?”

Kim Jong-chul nodded.

“Good. I’ll keep an eye on you. I hope we can meet next time with smiles.”

I gave a deep smile as I looked at Kim Yeo-jong, still hiding behind Kim Jong-chul.

Then I turned around and left.

This much warning should be enough to stop them from doing anything foolish.

I trusted Jang Seong-taek, but he seemed weak when it came to Kim Jong-il and his family.

‘Jang Seong-taek will take care of the rest.’

It was time to return to Korea.

* * *

After returning to Beijing, Hu Jintao continued his intense activities.

He summoned all nine members of the Standing Committee, including himself, and notified them that a plenary session would be held.

No one could object. After deciding to convene a plenary session within fifteen days, Hu Jintao warned Luo Gan.

“Luo Gan, stop monitoring my surroundings. This is not a request, it is a warning. Otherwise, you may be implicated in this recent assassination attempt.”

“… I understand.”

Luo Gan answered obediently. He knew well that now was the time to bow his head.

It was clear that the moment he opposed Hu Jintao, who had the justification, he would be the first one to be purged.

“Also, I have already instructed the Military Central Discipline Inspection Commission to arrest everyone involved in this assassination attempt in the People’s Liberation Army.”

Hu Jintao sent a look to his secretary who was standing behind him.

The secretary, receiving the signal, approached Luo Gan and handed him a document.

“Arrest all the people listed there.”

Luo Gan’s face turned pale as he checked the list.

The paper listed the names and crimes of high-ranking officials.

“There will be strong resistance during the arrests.”

“Arrest them anyway. This is an order.”

Luo Gan looked at the other Shanghai faction members of the Standing Committee but they all turned away from him.

Whether they all got arrested without any problems or if they resisted, all the aftereffects would be Luo Gan’s responsibility.

“… I understand, Chairman.”

Luo Gan put the paper in his pocket planning to visit Jiang Zemin separately.

“Don’t even think about visiting Chairman Jang separately.”

Hu Jintao warned first as if he had already guessed Luo Gan’s thoughts.

“Think about who holds the justification. Do you understand? What I’m saying is, be faithful to your position as the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee in charge of the Public Security Bureau.”

Hu Jintao was giving Luo Gan a chance.

“I understand. But I cannot stop others from spreading the news.”

“Don’t worry about that. No one will know except the people gathered here.”

Hu Jintao made eye contact with each of the remaining Standing Committee members with a cold gaze.

After that, various other agenda items came up, but no one could object.

“Everyone, leave now. Don’t tell anyone about what happened here today until the plenary session is convened.”

One by one, people got up from their seats and left the conference room. However, Zheng Qinghong remained in his seat without leaving.

“Vice Chairman, it seems you have something to say. Why are you not leaving?”

“Chairman, I have something to say to you privately.”

“I have nothing to say. Let’s do it later.”

Hu Jintao finished coldly and stood up from his seat first.

It was Zheng Qinghong’s words that stopped him as he was about to enter his office.

“It is about Boss Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Hu Jintao, who had been holding the door handle, turned around.

“Boss Kim Mu-hyeok? Come to think of it, I heard that you went to Pyongyang to meet Boss Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“It is something that will help you with what you are trying to do, Chairman.”

Hu Jintao stroked his chin for a moment as he thought then nodded.

“Come with me.”

Hu Jintao went in first, and Zheng Qinghong followed behind him.

Soon the door closed.