Chapter 249
Chapter 249
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Lee Seong-jun Longevity Research Institute
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My health was being managed in strict secrecy.
The Geumsu Mountain Medical Research Institute, Basic Medical Research Institute, National Longevity Research Institute, and others were responsible for the top leader's well-being.
"Why are there so many research institutes just to manage one person's health?"
The opposition collectively referred to them as the "Lee Seong-jun Longevity Research Institute."
"It's obvious—Lee Seong-jun built them to live for a hundred years. Even if he pretends not to be a dictator, he can't hide his desire to live forever."
The model for this Lee Seong-jun Longevity Research Institute was the Soviet Union's 4th Directorate, the organization handling leaders' health.
Like its counterpart, the institute was massive in scale, employing over three thousand doctors, nurses, and other staff.
Did all these people only look after Lee Seong-jun's health?
Of course not.
Lee Seong-jun wasn't some fool like Kim Il-sung who'd waste effort on that.
Just as with the original 4th Directorate, the Lee Seong-jun Longevity Research Institute also monitored the health of foreign leaders connected to Korea.
Prominent figures from allied and friendly nations, starting with India's Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Korea regularly for checkups.
"Please come visit often. Missing even one checkup window can lead to big problems with your health."
"Haha, I suppose I should."
The service was, naturally, free.
This kind of health management served as a safeguard, tightening bonds between Korea and Third World nations.
"Im Ja, how's my health?"
"You're in excellent shape. Your biological age came out more than ten years younger than your actual age."
Biological age: 62.
The result of consistent health management and exercise.
"Any other notable issues?"
"Your liver enzymes are a bit elevated, but nothing else stands out. You have some chronic conditions, but given your age, they're not a concern."
Hearing this from my primary physician, Dr. Bang, put my mind at ease.
Time.
The golden reprieve it granted filled me with relief.
It was an annual checkup, but the moment of hearing the results was always tense.
"Your report eases my mind."
That was enough on my health for now.
I waved Dr. Bang off, and Geumsu Mountain Medical Research Institute Director Jang Jae-sik approached, bowing deeply.
"Nothing special to report this year? I was puzzled by the lack of updates from Geumsu Mountain."
"Ah, no major surgeries, but we did receive an important inquiry recently."
"An inquiry? What about?"
"The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, Brezhnev, has conveyed that he'd like a health checkup."
Brezhnev?
Didn't they have the 4th Directorate specifically for leaders' health?
But I quickly realized why.
The current head of the 4th Directorate wasn't one of Brezhnev's loyalists.
If Brezhnev, with his chronic ailments, got treated there, his health info would fall into the hands of his rival, Shelipin.
Would Brezhnev tolerate that?
Hardly.
"Accommodate whatever conditions Chairman Brezhnev wants."
It was an opportunity to extend goodwill to a man who might become the Soviet Union's top leader.
Worst case, we break even—worth the investment.
"Understood."
I instructed Geumsu Mountain to provide every courtesy for Brezhnev.
Soon after, Brezhnev, having wrapped up business-level talks, visited Pyongyang in strict secrecy.
Officially, it was a summit with me, but really for the checkup.
"Rest assured, Comrade Chairman. We'll keep your health matters under absolute secrecy."
"With Your Excellency's word, I feel at ease."
Korea already held the Soviets by the throat anyway.
One more piece of health intel on Brezhnev wouldn't change much.
He'd calculated that far before coming to us.
I posed for photos with Brezhnev, gifted him some suitable成果, and sent him to the longevity institute.
I also ensured his treatment remained classified.
But no secret in the world stays perfect.
Word spread quietly that Brezhnev had visited Korea for a checkup, and leaders from Korean-style democratic nations in the Second World began slipping into Geumsu Mountain.
"I've heard Geumsu Mountain works wonders. I know the story."
"Please keep it confidential regarding my health issues. I'm a bit uneasy about letting Moscow know."
Even friends who'd seized power in Africa knocked on Pyongyang's door.
"I've heard Pyongyang specializes in treating leaders. I'd like a checkup here too."
Thanks to them, we amassed far more health intel on world leaders than before.
"Just sitting here, and the intel copies itself."
The value of leaders' health information was incalculable.
Take Outer Mongolia's dictator, Secretary Tsedenbal. Despite his health decline making work impossible, he clung to power with army and security backing.
The Soviets' 4th Directorate pried him loose with health intel.
"Secretary Tsedenbal's condition is irreversible."
That single line from 4th Directorate head Chazov during a Mongolia visit ended Tsedenbal's 27-year reign.
Top leaders' health info could topple regimes, depending on how it was used.
But I had no intention of toying with it.
Daehan had to think long and report long.
A sword is strongest in its sheath.
Intel was most powerful when simply held.
It made them watch Pyongyang's eyes without us lifting a finger.
I restricted access to top leaders' health intel to just a few at Geumsu Mountain.
I blocked any chance of intel agencies meddling, then boosted the "Lee Seong-jun Longevity Research Institute's" budget.
To provide tailored care for the growing clientele, more funding was essential.
For Brezhnev, we researched cardiac conditions; for Nasser, arterial sclerosis; for Tito, blood circulation.
It wasn't cheap, but holding top leaders' health hostage? The returns overflowed.
These Korean checkups didn't stop at the leaders themselves.
The aides they brought to Pyongyang were usually their most trusted heirs.
Those heirs witnessed the "health management" in Pyongyang and later became clients.
"Your predecessor received such fine care here in Korea. I'd like the same treatment he got."
"We'll do our utmost since you've entrusted us."
The price was steep.
Leaders knew the value of the health intel they handed us.
So they moved to avoid straining ties with us.
That was the leash.
Daehan bound their limbs with loans and aid, then shackled them with their top leaders' health.
Plenty of Asian, African, and Latin American nations were tethered to Korean influence this way.
'Of course, this isn't enough.'
I wanted Geumsu Mountain to play a bigger role.
So my next targets were American politicians.
I lured U.S. politicians with offers of free treatment in Korea.
"What's your reason for treating me for free?"
"Congressman, our friendship endures only if you live long, doesn't it?"
"Not wrong, but you're doing this for free just to impress me?"
"We just want to stay in your good graces—no other reason."
For non-top leaders, their health intel wasn't game-changing.
But it enabled subtle lobbying.
We provided high-end treatment without charging a dime.
"This quid pro quo feels comfortable. I like it."
"We're glad you're satisfied."
"See you next year."
The American politicians loved the health lobbying.
We regularly invited pro-Korea lawmakers from both Republicans and Democrats.
When they brought "friends," we extended them treatment too.
Around forty politicians ended up treated in Pyongyang this way.
The number would grow over time.
Would these pro-Korea types side with us at crucial moments?
I couldn't guarantee it.
But it was lobbying more reliable than money.
Who'd kick away the world's best health program, free, whenever they wanted?
I figured our lobby targets wouldn't oppose Korea unless pushed hard.
"Your Excellency, caring for non-top leaders racks up too many costs."
True enough.
But if it made the American giant hesitate even a moment when checking us, we'd recoup the investment.
In trade wars between nations, a split-second "oops" meant billions traded.
Just like the U.S.-China trade war.
Despite aides' advice, I kept investing in American politicians.
It was worth it.
This way, I built networks and intel at Geumsu Mountain.
'At least, with enough cards in Daehan's hand, we can contend with Washington.'
Geumsu Mountain was my key provision for the heir to face America.
As long as the heir held these cards, I was confident America couldn't snap our wrist easily.
