“Deputy Director Jang Songthaek’s slush funds?”
Inside, I was startled, but I didn’t let it show. I looked Bae Hoon straight in the eyes and answered.
“Deputy Director Jang Songthaek oversaw most of the mass-appeal projects. When you handle rice cakes, of course the crumbs stick. But the whereabouts of those slush funds can’t be found.”
Bae Hoon studied with sharp eyes.
His gaze irritated , so my voice naturally carried an edge.
“Why are you asking that?”
“Coincidentally, when we traced the flow of the money Deputy Director Jang had, the trail disappeared after President Kim t him in China. Then isn’t it only natural to suspect you as the cause?”
“I know nothing of it.”
I cut him off firmly, but of course he didn’t believe .
“Is that so? I believe President Kim is involved. I’d like you to tell what you know.”
“I told you I don’t know.”
Bae Hoon slamd the table in front of him.
“Don’t just say you don’t know. If you know sothing, speak! You’re aware of our Republic’s current hardships, aren’t you? That money could feed the starving people!”
I sneered inwardly. Feed the people? More like fill their own bellies.
“I have no knowledge.”
That wasn’t even a lie. I truly didn’t know.
I had only introduced a broker. After that, I lost all interest.
I had never t the broker again, nor contacted him.
Even if soone did, all records would surely have been destroyed.
Now, only Jang Songthaek himself could have known where the money was.
“Shouldn’t you be asking Deputy Director Jang himself, not ? Why ask soone who knows nothing?”
“Because he can no longer be asked.”
“What? What do you an by that?”
Can’t be asked? Did that an he was dead? Or imprisoned sowhere even Bae Hoon couldn’t reach?
“Has sothing happened to Deputy Director Jang?”
“I am certain President Kim is involved in the whereabouts of his funds. So speak.”
He kept trying to steer into giving sothing up, but I wouldn’t bite.
Why was he so desperate to know about Jang’s slush funds?
There was no way Kim Jongil would abandon his own money to go chasing Jang’s.
“Why exactly are you so curious about his slush funds? Is this Chairman Kim Jongil’s order?”
At «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» that na, Bae Hoon’s face changed for the first ti.
“Don’t toss around the Great Leader’s na carelessly. A businessman like you has no right.”
Bullshit. My brow furrowed in irritation.
“And who exactly are you, to co here interrogating ? Even your revered Chairman Kim Jongil has never treated like this. Am I to take your behavior as his will, then?”
“...Even a stone idol would burst out laughing at such nonsense.”
Did he even know who he was talking to? I said exactly what crossed my mind.
“Ha... unbelievable.”
But despite my mockery, Bae Hoon kept pressing.
“Tell where Jang’s funds are. If you do, I’ll grant you whatever you want.”
“I’ve said I don’t know. Ask a hundred more tis, and the answer won’t change.”
The conversation spun in circles. I made it clear I didn’t want to talk about those slush funds anymore.
“...Haa.”
He let out a long sigh.
“Our people are starving. The Yankees are trying to strangle our Republic... With that money—”
Emotional appeals rot reason. I raised my hand and cut him off.
“Discuss politics with the Blue House politicians. Tell the real reason you ca to .”
After Kim Jongil halted secret talks with the U.S. and also stopped economic cooperation with the South, North Korea’s economy had collapsed rapidly.
Recently, rumors spread that the March of Suffering had begun again.
Defectors willing to risk death by crossing the border multiplied.
But unlike Kim Ilsung, Kim Jongil showed no friendliness to China or Russia.
Even during the original March of Suffering, he hadn’t reached out to them.
“Tell the real reason. If you’ve nothing more to say, then leave. I’m just a businessman, and I’m busy.”
“...”
He only glared in silence. I ignored him and stood.
“Since there’s nothing, I’ll be leaving now.”
“This conversation isn’t over.”
I didn’t sit back down. Looking down at him coldly, I said,
“If you’re only going to spout nonsense, don’t bother opening your mouth. You ca here to pay respects to Chairman Song Youngjoo—focus on that.”
“You’ll regret this.”
“Regret?”
I smirked. That smirk clearly displeased him.
So n, once they suddenly taste power, act like everyone else is beneath them.
“I don’t regret. Haven’t you ever heard the saying—don’t speak recklessly just because you have a mouth? Doesn’t that exist in the North?”
“The Great Leader sent a ssage. So sit back down.”
The way he kept invoking Kim Jongil made snort.
“Hiding behind authority. If you’re a ssenger, then act like one. Deliver only what you were told. That’s your role.”
He clenched his jaw, glaring like he wanted to tear apart. But he held back.
“Fine. Let’s hear it. What exactly did Chairman Kim Jongil want you to say?”
Recently, all external communication had been cut—no satellite phones, no channels to Kim Jongil.
“First, take this.”
He pulled a neatly folded paper from his inner pocket and handed it over. I accepted and looked at him.
“A new satellite phone number. He told to give this to you.”
I unfolded it. Numbers were written. I morized them and asked,
“Is that all?”
“No. He said to finish the job he entrusted to you before.”
“Really?”
“He said you would understand if I put it that way.”
“I see.”
I nodded. But clearly Kim Jongil had forgotten what he had asked of .
If he rembered, he couldn’t possibly say such a thing. Truly a tenacious man.
“Can you tell what exactly he entrusted?”
As I was thinking about Kim Jongil, Bae Hoon foolishly asked about it.
“Let give you so advice. If you want to stay by Kim Jongil’s side for long, then just do what you’re told. Don’t try to think above your station.”
I tapped my temple with a finger.
“Don’t use that head of yours. That’s how you live longer.”
By now, Kim Jongil surely trusted no one. He had strengthened the military through Songun politics, and what ca back was a coup attempt.
“And about Jang Songthaek’s funds—if soone newly risen to the core of power is already eyeing the scraps, he won’t last long. Whatever’s happened to him, erase those funds from your mind.”
I rose from my seat.
“Don’t forget my advice. Don’t regret it later. Let’s go—Daehyeon Group has probably reached a decision by now.”
His twisted expression made it clear how furious he was.
But he was too blinded by power to hear my warning.
‘No need to look into him further. He’ll be purged soon enough.’
Even Jang Songthaek, married to Kim Jongil’s sister, kept his head low.
Others called him the second-in-command, both abroad and within the Party, but he never let power go to his head.
That was why he could stay at Kim Jongil’s side until the very end.
But the coup had changed Jang’s future as well. Surely Kim Jongil wouldn’t kill him...?
“Shall I leave first? It won’t look proper otherwise.”
I looked at Bae Hoon, still frowning in his seat.
At that, he stood, opened the door, and left without a glance back.
What a temper. Shaking my head, I followed.
“They haven’t decided yet, have they.”
The bereaved family still hadn’t co out.
“Have those people been standing the whole ti?”
Looking at the condolence delegation, still standing without sitting, I asked Manager Ma.
“Yes. Even when Ministry of Unification staff urged them to sit, they ignored it.”
“Ridiculous.”
They could rest comfortably, but instead chose needless hardship.
Well, before coming to Seoul, they must have gone through rigid ideological screening.
More than half the n in suits looked like State Security officers, there to watch over the delegation.
You could tell from their sturdy builds, cropped hair, and vigilant eyes.
The Minister of Unification returned from his phone call.
“Phew... The Blue House says this must be discussed further.”
“So the South’s President can’t even decide a matter like this on his own?”
“Everything has order and procedure.”
“Tch. Why are they still not out...”
It seed he wanted to vent the humiliation I had given him on the ministry officials, scolding them with a sour face.
But when they only kept their heads low, he seed to lose interest, sitting down and muttering to a companion,
“South Korean businessn are cowards. When the Great Leader makes a grand decision, they should just accept it, no?”
“You’re right, Comrade Director.”
Just then, the waiting room door opened. Chairman Song Chanwoo appeared with a grave face.
“If Father’s remains are brought to the Republic, will we be allowed to visit?”
“Of course. The Beloved Leader permits everything.”
Hearing that, Song Chanwoo turned to Song Youngjae, who nodded firmly.
“If the governnt approves, we’ll proceed that way. Minister.”
“Yes, Chairman Song?”
“What did the President say?”
“Well... nothing is decided yet. As you know, the procedure—”
“I sincerely hope he permits it. My father’s reason for his Northern projects was to set foot once again in his holand. If he can rest there, he’ll be at peace.”
“Yes, we’ll strive for a good result.”
Only then did Song Chanwoo’s face soften. He turned to Bae Hoon.
“Director Bae, please join us for a al.”
“Very well.”
“Everyone, eat. I’ll speak with Director Bae separately.”
“You all eat as well,” Bae Hoon added, rising.
“Yes, Comrade Director.”
He and Song Chanwoo went into a separate room.
The rest of the Pyongyang delegation finally grouped together and sat down.
“Let’s leave now.”
“Boss.”
I was about to walk out of the hall when Manager Ma stopped .
Leaning close, he whispered just for ,
“One of the delegation mbers wants to speak privately with you.”
“Who?”
Instead of answering, he tilted his head slightly.
I followed his gaze—and spotted a man at the very rear of the delegation, standing quietly, almost invisible.
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