Most of the agenda items had been settled through backchannel agreents, but discussions over the agenda for the inter-Korean summit dragged on for quite so ti.
For another two days after that, Myungsoo kept updated on the progress.
Feeling that there was nothing more for to do here, I decided to return to Korea.
“But why do you keep coming every single day, anyway?”
The problem was the man sitting in front of right now, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.
“Heh heh, honestly. What a person you are. This old man has nothing to do anymore and just wanted to pass the ti, and you scold just for being a little botherso.”
From the day after the agreent was reached, Kissinger had co to see every day for two straight days.
Whether to drink coffee or read the news... in any case, he always ca wherever I was and spent ti there.
“I’m going back to Korea now.”
“Oh? Then I’ll go with you. It’ll be convenient to get to Korea.”
“.......”
I was montarily at a loss for words. Just how shaless was this man planning to be?
I looked at Kissinger with a stunned expression, but he rely smiled slyly and folded his newspaper.
“There’s no need to show such open dislike. And there’s no need to be overly wary, either. I’ve simply taken an interest in you. Soone who’s amassed that much wealth and secured such political footing at such a young age—I haven’t seen anyone like that since President Kennedy.”
“President Kennedy?”
Out of nowhere, the na of a U.S. president who’d died decades ago ca up.
When I remained silent and looked at him, Kissinger shrugged.
“Well, he was from an illustrious family, so that explains him. But you—here you are, a young Asian man, having reached that position. Not from a prestigious lineage, not even holding U.S. citizenship... yet you’re friends with Russia’s ruler, on familiar terms with China’s Premier Wen Jiabao, and you can even move Jang Songthaek of North Korea. No matter how I look at it, it’s impressive.”
“That’s an overreach.”
“Whether it’s an overreach or not is for to decide. That’s why I want to watch you. What’s interesting is that soone like you isn’t widely known to the public. In Washington or on Wall Street, quite a few people know of you—but even they don’t seem to have a clear grasp of who you really are.”
Kissinger lifted his glasses. The elderly gentleman looked at with eyes full of curiosity.
“Charlie, do you want to beco the shadow that manipulates the world?”
A shadowy mastermind. I let out a small chuckle and replied.
“That’s an interesting thing to say. I have no interest in that. I happen to et politicians often through business, and we beca acquainted, that’s all.”
“Then why do you hide so carefully behind the curtain? Even in Korea, there aren’t many people who know you, are there?”
“I’ve never hidden. I just don’t particularly like putting myself out there.”
That wasn’t a lie.
There was no need to deliberately reveal myself, nor any need to hide in the shadows.
At my answer, Kissinger nodded.
“I thought you might be dreaming of becoming so aloof Baltiche figure moving gracefully across Europe. If that’s not the case, then all’s well.”
“......You know that organization as well?”
I asked reflexively, and Kissinger burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! My friend, I did once oversee Arican diplomacy. How could I not know of that organization? I may not know exactly who, or how many, belong to it—but I have a general idea.”
“Is that so? Do you also know who leads it?”
“That I do. You seem to know as well?”
Kissinger t my eyes and cocked one eyebrow.
There was no need to lie here. I nodded frankly.
“Yes. I know the leader and a few of its mbers. We’ve crossed paths a few tis.”
“Of course. You couldn’t help but clash with them. They’re the kind of group that only feels satisfied when they can mold everything to their liking. But your influence in East Asia has grown too large. You accomplished, at such a young age, what even Baltiche couldn’t. Ah, co to think of it, your first appearance was during the Asian financial crisis, wasn’t it? I’ve heard that the hyenas of Wall Street were left gnawing on scraps after you’d taken the real at.”
Amused by the thought, the corners of Kissinger’s mouth lifted.
“Isn’t it funny? The people who planned and executed it were the Wall Street hyenas, yet the biggest prize went entirely to Dream High under your control. On top of that, you used it to expand your influence in Korea. In a way, you could say they raised you into what you are now. The world works in mysterious ways. Fascinating. Truly fascinating.”
After talking to himself and answering his own questions, Kissinger stood up and asked,
“So when are you planning to enter Korea? I’ll need to prepare as well. Do you have space for to stay at your place?”
I couldn’t even bother hiding my expression—my face twisted in disbelief.
What was this man talking about? Staying at my house?
Without giving it a second thought, I replied curtly.
“No. Go stay at a hotel.”
“My, how cold. What if this old man gets lost on Korean soil with no connections at all?”
“Kissinger. With your stature, I’d expect even the commander of U.S. Forces Korea to personally escort you. Why insist on imposing on ?”
I spoke coldly, but Kissinger only replied smoothly.
“Didn’t you say you were curious? I simply want to observe.”
“I’ll book you a nearby hotel. Stay there.”
“So heartless. Well, I suppose that’ll do. Ah—there’s no need to inform the Korean governnt. If word gets out that I arrived early, I’ll just be flooded with eting requests, and that’s tireso. Then I’ll go make my preparations.”
After Kissinger left the hotel room, I called Manager Ma, feeling completely drained.
“Haa... Manager. Please reserve a good room at the Myeongdong Hotel. Make sure they understand there can’t be a single mistake in hosting him.”
“Understood.”
“As soon as we arrive at Incheon Airport, send Kissinger straight to the hotel, and I’ll head directly to the Blue House. Have two cars waiting at the airport.”
After finishing my instructions, I stood up.
“Let’s return to Korea.”
* * *
After a six-hour flight from Singapore, we arrived at Incheon Airport.
In Korea, the sun had long set—it was late at night, with the moon already in the sky.
Despite insisting he was just an ordinary traveler, Kissinger held a diplomatic passport.
Thanks to that, we went through a simple entry process and exited Incheon Airport quickly.
“Then we’ll part ways here. Go in and get so good rest. These gentlen will escort you.”
“Very well. Shall we have dinner together tomorrow evening?”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
After sending Kissinger off in the prepared car, I got into the other one.
“Straight to the Blue House.”
The car carrying left Incheon Airport and headed toward the Blue House.
Perhaps because it was so late, the roads were quiet. Watching the scenery blur past the window, I asked Manager Ma,
“No other calls, right?”
“There was a call from Representative Eva.”
“Oh? I should call her back.”
I took out my phone and called Eva.
Before the ringtone even played twice, she picked up.
—Boss!!
“Where are you? You said you called.”
—Looks like you’re back in Korea. I’m in Switzerland right now.
Eva had gone back on vacation at my order.
She’d been worried up until the mont she left, but it seed she was enjoying her ti off properly now.
“Good. Enjoy your vacation.”
—That’s the plan. By the way, about New Fact—the outlet that reporter belongs to. You got the report, right?
“No. I just got back to Korea. That issue’s been pushed down the priority list for now.”
Eva chuckled softly on the other end and continued.
—Then can I ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) tell you first? We received a report that funds flowed into that company from a paper company on an island called Sint Maarten in the Caribbean—Dutch territory. They said tracing it would be difficult.
“Sint Maarten?”
—It’s a small island next to the Virgin Islands. In Asia, people usually use the Virgin Islands more, so they don’t really use that place. So if money was moved through there... I thought it might be risky, so I called.
If it wasn’t commonly used in Asia, did that an Europe or the U.S. was involved?
I had a rough idea and let out a deep sigh.
“Is that so? I’ll handle it. You just enjoy the rest of your vacation. Switzerland’s nice, isn’t it?”
—Of course. Makes wonder why I didn’t co sooner. You should co soti too and take your ti sightseeing.
“If Eva says it’s good, now I’m curious. I’ll visit next ti. I’ll hang up for now—we’ll talk again later.”
—Okay, boss!
After ending the call with Eva, I spoke to Manager Ma.
“Manager, have Black Secret send everything they’ve found so far on New Fact to Pyeongchang-dong. And... contact Chairman Yoo of the Cheonha Group and have him et the reporter who raised the suspicions.”
“I’ll pass that along.”
After that, I leaned back deep into the seat and closed my eyes.
My head throbbed, but I needed a mont to organize my thoughts.
I’m already busy enough as it is, and now this kind of thing pops up too. After stopping by the Blue House, once I get to Pyeongchang-dong, I’ll go over the materials right away...
I wasn’t sure how much ti passed when Manager Ma’s voice woke .
“Boss. We’ve arrived.”
Perhaps the flight had exhausted —I must have fallen asleep without realizing it.
We were already in front of the Blue House. As soon as I opened my eyes, I checked my watch and spoke to Manager Ma.
“Let’s go in.”
After verifying our identities at the entrance, we drove straight into the Blue House grounds.
Yoon Changho had summoned not to the residence, but to the presidential office in the main building.
Soon after, the car stopped in front of the main building, and I got out, straightening my clothes.
“The President is waiting on the second floor.”
The Chief of Staff was waiting for at the entrance.
Following him up the stairs, I arrived in front of the presidential office on the second floor.
“You may go in.”
The Chief of Staff bowed deeply and opened the door.
“Mr. President. This is Kim Muhyuk.”
Inside, I saw Yoon Changho leaning back on the sofa.
He must have dozed off while waiting—his eyes snapped open at my voice.
“President Kim, I’ve been waiting. Co in, have a seat.”
Without saying much, I sat where Yoon Changho gestured.
“You look very tired.”
“Haa... Don’t even ask. I’ve been hounded nonstop over the issue of reducing U.S. forces stationed in Korea. One senior aide after another keeps badgering .”
Grumbling, Yoon Changho leaned forward from the sofa.
With fatigue heavy on his face, he pressed his eyes with his fingers and spoke first.
“So, you ca in with Kissinger?”
Kissinger had asked not to tell the Korean governnt, but with soone of his stature entering through Incheon Airport, there was no way it wouldn’t be reported to the Blue House.
Kissinger must have known that too—he’d probably said it offhandedly.
“Yes. I sent him to the Myeongdong Hotel.”
“But why is Kissinger following you around?”
At Yoon Changho’s question, I let out a deep sigh and answered.
“I don’t know either. He’s driving crazy. He says he’s curious about . He’s such a heavyweight that I can’t exactly chase him off, so I figured it was better to keep him nearby and just let it be.”
“What? Hahaha!”
Apparently not expecting that response, Yoon Changho burst into loud laughter.
“You really are sothing else. You might be the only person who talks about Kissinger that way. Everywhere he goes, people welco him with open arms.”
“Honestly, I’d feel more at ease if he wanted sothing. Instead, he keeps saying he just wants to know —it’s maddening.”
“Treat him well. There’s no one with that much influence left in Arican politics. People call him obsolete, but there’s still a whole Kissinger faction spread throughout Washington.”
“I know that as well. That’s why I can’t just push him away. He’s not interfering with my work, either. If he ever does, though—even if it’s Kissinger, I’ll throw him out.”
Yoon Changho nodded. Apparently, it wasn’t all that important to him, because he imdiately changed the subject.
“Let’s talk about sothing else. How economic cooperation will proceed after the inter-Korean summit.”
“Isn’t that sothing to discuss with the heads of the major conglorates?”
“In the current situation, they can’t even lift a spoon toward economic cooperation with the North without your permission. How long do you plan to keep playing coy?”
At Yoon Changho’s blunt remark, I shrugged and smiled.
“I heard you asked the conglorate chairn to prepare partner companies to move into the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Is that true?”
“Yes. I figured it would be difficult to gather all the participating companies with just Daehyeon Group and governnt power alone. This is the first economic cooperation with North Korea, after all. If it stumbles from the start, it won’t look good.”
“Well done. The chaebol don’t move very briskly just because the Blue House tells them to. In the past, they’d flinch at the sound of a single cough...”
Clearly displeased by that reality, Yoon Changho narrowed his brow.
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