How I Rode the K-Coin Wave in South America (4)
Time had flown by quickly. Without a moment to ruminate over the unpleasant meeting with Eom Gyu-sung, all sorts of pressing issues were handled, and before we knew it, a month had passed.
“...Dismissed?”
“Yes. As of yesterday, the dismissal order for Ambassador Eom Gyu-sung has been finalized.”
I received news that left me stunned. An ambassador who had just arrived in San Marcos dismissed after only a month?
“An ambassador from a country is a high-ranking official at the vice-minister level... Just how serious was the problem for him to be cut down so quickly?”
Of course, the guy had been giving off bad vibes from the first meeting, but I hadn't expected him to be gone so fast.
“The charges are embezzlement, bribery, and violation of the duty to maintain dignity.”
Isabella explained in a calm voice.
“During his time as consul general, irregularities were detected in the embezzlement of tens of thousands of dollars from the embassy's operating expenses. Although the amount itself wasn't huge, it seemed the dismissal was decided after adding the fact that he had pocketed quite a bit of bribe money in exchange for helping Korean companies entering China. Furthermore, evidence of him maintaining a luxurious lifestyle with a mistress in the local area has surfaced. His current wife has left the house and is preparing for a divorce lawsuit.”
“...”
Now it made sense why he was such a person who made one want to click their tongue.
“People really aren't what they seem... I guess.”
From the outside, it looked that way.
“But how was it revealed so quickly? Normally, internal investigations take forever.”
“The NIS thoroughly investigated it with full commitment, it seems.”
“The NIS?”
At that moment, the face of Deputy Director Moon Sung-moon flashed through my mind.
“In any case, it's good that it worked out. From our perspective, it was a troublesome person, and now that he's been disposed of, we should be grateful.”
“Indeed. The Korean government also promised to send a successor ambassador who has been vetted as a sign of apology.”
I nodded and said.
“We should learn from this too. In the domestic situation, with Isabella and Lucio firmly in control, it's smooth, but what if we send diplomats overseas later? There's no way to catch them if they do something weird.”
“You don't have to worry.”
Isabella smiled confidently.
“We have already selected and trained diplomatic audit officers jointly with the presidential office and SIA. In all the consulates that will be opened in the future, we will dispatch one accounting officer under the name of 'accounting officer' to monitor every move and report weekly.”
“...As expected.”
That's why I was lying down with my feet up.
“Very reassuring. I have nothing to do, very.”
“When the president extends his finger, we will run in that direction.”
“......”
Before the goosebumps-inducing flattery came out, I quickly changed the topic.
“By the way, how is the Northern Petrochemical Complex going?”
Actually, more important than Eom Gyu-sung's dismissal was this business. It was the business that would give San Marcos wings.
“It is already in progress at Hyeonhwa Construction. The site leveling and foundation work have been completed, and full-scale infrastructure construction is underway in line with the completion of the northern expressway.”
“It's really fast.”
It seemed that Chairman Jung Soo-man of Hyeonhwa Group wasn't just talking about it being his second startup.
'With such extreme ideology, the business is being pushed like a bulldozer.'
“Then the remaining one is the northern port that the Americans will build, right?”
The core of this project was logistics.
If number 1 is sending crude oil from the northern oil fields via pipeline to the refining plant and producing various petroleum products, number 2 is processing plastics or fiber raw materials in the adjacent chemical industry and moving them to the port for export.
The structure of all these processes being completed in one-stop within a 10km radius would obviously have an enormous effect of reducing logistics costs.
“What about the port construction?”
“Currently, Kiewit, a large American construction company, is in charge of design and supervision, and Hyeonhwa Construction has agreed to subcontract the construction.”
“Oh, Hyeonhwa got that far?”
“Even from the American side, it was advantageous in terms of cost to entrust it to Hyeonhwa who has equipment and personnel in the local area. Of course, there was also the aspect of Hyeonhwa bidding at an appropriate price.”
“Then they'll build it nicely. There are no changes to the contract contents of the complex, right?”
“Yes. The government will provide the site, and Hyeonhwa will take full responsibility for the complex construction, in exchange for which they will receive a 100-year free lease on the site. The rental income to be received from companies that will move into the complex in the future will be taken by Hyeonhwa.”
“100 years... that's a long time.”
“In return, all port usage fees and customs duties generated at the northern port will belong to the government. Calculated out, it's much more beneficial for the government in the long term.”
“A win-win structure. Very good.”
Since we got the complex without spending big money and got the port operation rights as a bonus, there's no better business than this.
“Please let the construction ministry senior know to take good care of it. Make sure there's no inconvenience for Hyeonhwa in their work.”
“Yes, I will remember.”
Isabella replied formally.
Everything was going smoothly. If this continues, retirement won't be far...
'Oh, the retirement fund has all been spent.'
Anyway, since I can earn money again, it's fine.
If necessary, I can ask for a little to be saved as retirement pay.
'Well, somehow it will work out.'
But, as they say, hope is a fickle thing.
“...What? High-ranking executives involved in the terror incident have escaped?”
I received news that left me stunned.
***
Eugene, who received the sudden phone call, was at a loss.
“I don't understand... How could they escape? It was supposed to be a secret operation.”
The question full of disbelief was answered in a low voice by Ellen, the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US State Department, beyond the phone.
[It seems information has leaked from within. I have no face left to show.]
“Haa...”
Eugene let out a frustrated sigh.
“Can they be caught?”
[Huu... Honestly, I think it might be a bit difficult.]
Powerlessness seeped into Ellen's voice.
[Because they have completely changed their identities and fled, Interpol's cooperation is essential, but this is impossible because it could be exposed to the outside. Then in the end, we have to rely on CIA's cooperation, but... due to the current situation in the Middle East and Russia, all capabilities are focused there.]
“Then... you're just going to let them go? The terrorists?”
[I'm sorry. The FBI is conducting a full-scale search, so please wait a little longer. Ah, and separately, the northern oil field development will proceed without any issues, so there's no need to worry about that part.]
“...Understood.”
After hanging up the phone, Eugene sank deeply into his chair. His heart ached.
Because of their greed, not only his friend Ian but also the president and all the ministers had died. Because of that, he was sitting in the position of acting president, struggling to lead the country.
Yet the masterminds had escaped the net of the law and were living freely.
The most infuriating thing was that there was no way to protest.
'In the end... is this the sorrow of a powerless country.'
Eugene washed his face with both hands.
And Isabella's expression, who was watching this scene from the side, hardened fiercely.
To her, Eugene's sigh was not a simple sigh. It was the sorrow of the faith she served, and it felt like a rebuke for the incompetent aides.
'How dare they make the president sad?'
Isabella suppressed the boiling anger and quietly left the office.
As soon as she came out to the corridor, she took out her phone from her pocket and pressed the familiar number.
Before the signal even went once, the other party answered the phone.
[Please speak, Director.]
It was Lucio, the head of SIA.
“As expected, the FBI let them go.”
[I already know the news.]
“Really?”
Isabella's face brightened a little.
Knowing before receiving the call meant that Plan B was working perfectly.
[...What are you doing, President.]
“I'm very sad. I don't want to see you make that expression for even a second.”
[Anyway, those incompetent bastards... They couldn't even catch them in their own country.]
Isabella said in a cold voice.
“When will we see the results?”
[In two days.]
Lucio declared.
[Before the president's morning coffee gets cold, I'll deliver the report.]
Lucio looked out the window where the darkness had descended and called somewhere.
“It's me. I think we need to catch the cat that ran away from home. Send all the cat detectives to the situation room.”
Actually, Lucio had never trusted the FBI from the beginning. More precisely, he didn't trust the American's money politics.
America is a country where money can buy anything. It was stupid to think that information wouldn't leak during the investigation process.
At that time, Lucio, who was the director of SIA's intelligence agency, received Isabella's approval and carried out one operation.
That was, using the senior lawyer of Douglas & Hoffman, whom we had peacefully brought to solve the previous Chevron incident, as a double agent.
Lucio had him blackmail the Chevron executives by telling them he would provide escape routes in case of emergency.
The Chevron executives, who had not anticipated this at all, fell into the trap beautifully, and today finally their efforts bore fruit.
“They left Houston Airport via forged passport three hours ago and landed at the Santa Elena Airport in Belize. After that, they hid in a safe house with the help of the local cartel.”
Lucio pointed to the map.
“But they wouldn't have known that the local cartel in Belize is already cooperating with us.”
On the map, a red dot was pointing to a remote house on the Belize coast.
“Currently, they are hiding here. Tomorrow morning, they will believe that they will receive a new passport and board a flight to Brazil. I heard they had prepared residences all over Brazil since before. Probably, as soon as they arrive, they'll scatter in all directions to go underground. They don't even know that the safe house isn't safe at all.”
A sinister smile appeared on Lucio's lips.
“Go and tell them. How far the anger of San Marcos can chase them.”
Clack.
The sound of agents checking their weapons simultaneously was heard.
“The target is capture. We have to make them kneel in front of the president. However...”
Lucio paused for a moment and then added coldly.
“Even if they become disabled, it doesn't matter. As long as they are breathing, it's fine.”
“Yes! Understood!”
“The given time is 36 hours. Come back as quickly as possible.”
As soon as the order was given, the agents disappeared like the wind.
Lucio was left alone in the empty situation room, staring at Eugene's photo on the wall.
“President, please wait a little longer. I will restore your justice.”
As if responding, Eugene's photo sparkled.