[Exchanges with North Korea? (2)]

"Inter-Korean family reunions?"

Yoon-gi nodded at Gorbachev's counter-question.

"Yes."

"Hmm…."

Inter-Korean family reunions had already taken place once in 1985. Gorbachev, too, was roughly aware of what had happened, as it was an event between North and South Korea. Of course, he also knew that it had never been mentioned again as inter-Korean relations rapidly cooled afterward.

"I felt that at least that much was necessary to create a reason for me to go. After all, it would be a strange picture if I just went because North Korea called me, wouldn't it? I am a businessman of the Republic of Korea, not a puppet for North Korea."

"That is certainly true…."

Gorbachev, finding no room to argue with Yoon-gi's logic, seemed to ponder for a moment before finally nodding.

"Fine, let's do that. I will convey your conditions to North Korea."

"Thank you. And I apologize for not being able to readily agree to their request."

"No, this matter is, after all, North Korea's request."

It wasn't as if it were something for Gorbachev to get angry about in the first place.

"General Secretary, may I ask one question?"

"By all means. What is it?"

"May I know the reason why the Soviet Union is granting this request from North Korea?"

"Ah, that? Well…, it's not a difficult thing to answer."

"Is it, by any chance, because of China?"

At Yoon-gi's preemptive answer, Gorbachev gave a bitter smile and nodded.

"That's right. From North Korea's perspective, we are the only card they can play right now. China doesn't have official diplomatic ties with South Korea yet, do they?"

"That is true."

Of course, they didn't have official diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union yet either, but at least there was a company like the YK Group with which they had a close relationship.

"If this matter doesn't go through properly, there's a possibility that North Korea might get sulky and turn completely toward China…, is that what you mean?"

"Something like that."

Gorbachev's bitter smile deepened slightly.

"Thanks to you, it has hardened into certainty. Thank you."

At Yoon-gi's response, Gorbachev nodded and spoke again.

"Don't worry about it, in any case. If North Korea rejects your proposal, we have no intention of asking more of you either."

"I appreciate your ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠consideration."

The content discussed between Yoon-gi and Gorbachev was relayed back to Kim Jong-il.

The reason Yoon-gi demanded inter-Korean family reunions? It was nothing special.

Yoon-gi had seen very clearly in the future what one gets for being good to North Korea. Of course, there was no reason to make enemies for no reason. However, there was also no reason to be close to a guy who only pretends to be friendly when they are desperate and stabs you in the back at every opportunity.

Therefore, the request for inter-Korean family reunions was intended solely to convey the message: 'Don't think you can manipulate me as you please.'

However, this proposal of Yoon-gi's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was planting a slightly wrong perception in Kim Jong-il.

"He requested family reunions?"

At Kim Jong-il's words, Workers' Party Secretary Kim Shin-geun bowed his head and then straightened up to answer.

"That is correct."

"Why?"

"According to the Soviet side, Chairman Choi Ki-hyun is currently elderly and finds it difficult to move about. Therefore, they say he has entrusted full authority over this matter to his grandson, Chairman Choi Yoon-gi."

"A puppet CEO for YK?"

Even JSD, who had a close relationship with Yoon-gi, did not know the true nature of YK. In such a situation, how could North Korea know? Even Kang Seok-ho had barely figured it out based on various pieces of information; for North Korea, which was much further away and not easily accessible, it was virtually impossible to find out this fact.

"That is correct."

"And that puppet CEO requested family reunions?"

"Yes."

"How old is that kid?"

"As of this year, he is 22."

"He's young."

"Yes, that is correct."

"Does he think he's going to be a symbol of peace or something?"

"Judging by the current situation, that possibility is high. There is a lot of information accumulated that he focuses on external performances while serving as YK's puppet CEO."

"Well, since his grandfather does the actual management, he's just building an external image…. Come to think of it, he has gathered external attention several times."

If Gorbachev had informed him of Yoon-gi's true ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠identity, Kim Jong-il would have had no reason to make such a judgment. However, Gorbachev did not tell North Korea anything about Yoon-gi's true nature. In the first place, the Soviet Union benefited the more Yoon-gi remained shrouded in mystery. As such, there was no reason to go out of their way to tell North Korea top-secret information.

"Hmm…."

Kim Shin-geun did not dare to urge Kim Jong-il, who was deep in thought. Urging him for no reason would only bring the risk of a purge. As someone who knew how terrifying a being Kim Jong-il was, Kim Shin-geun was in a state of extreme tension, simply waiting for Kim Jong-il's words.

"That little brat, if I handle him well, I could use him in a big way. Fine, what the hell, let's allow a family reunion this time."

Thinking that he would strip them of everything he could in return, Kim Jong-il sent a reply to the Soviet Union accepting the proposal.

Information that North Korea would hold family reunions. How much value would this information have? It was certainly the most valuable piece of information from the past month.

Then, how should this information be utilized? An announcement through the government? Generally speaking, that would be the right way. However, Yoon-gi released the information in a completely different way.

"Understood. I will release it very clearly."

The attitude of Ma Seok-il, who was having a private meeting with Yoon-gi in the study, was overflowing with confidence.

"I guess you're getting a bit used to this study now?"

At Yoon-gi's words, Ma Seok-il gave a slightly sheepish smile.

"To be honest, it still feels a bit awkward, but I am acting out a 'confident Ma Seok-il'."

"That's a pretty good method. I should try that method too when I go to North Korea soon."

"I believe that you, Chairman, would have confidence anywhere in the world. However, I am worried."

"You're worried about what might happen to me in North Korea, right?"

At Yoon-gi's grinning expression, Ma Seok-il nodded with an anxious look. Basically, when a president falls into a dangerous situation, workers worry about what will happen to the company. However, Ma Seok-il worried about Yoon-gi before the company. While there is no difference in the big picture, if one is fascinated by the president himself, one naturally thinks like Ma Seok-il.

What if the president is trash?

One would think like that. In this regard, Yoon-gi had many loyal subjects.

"I'm sure the others are thinking the same thing as I am. Do the others know?"

"Won't they come looking for me tomorrow? Anyway, I'm counting on you."

"Yes, understood!"

Ma Seok-il answered boisterously and did nothing until 9 PM.

"Yes? Is that really true?"

The president of the Cheonha Ilbo was literally startled and jumped up from his seat.

Ma Seok-il's delivery. This was truly the biggest of big news.

"Chairman Choi Ki-hyun?"

'Ah, that's not important right now.' Thinking he had wasted time figuring out which chairman it was, the Cheonha Ilbo president asked Ma Seok-il again.

"Th-then, how should I write the article?"

Ma Seok-il did not talk long and hung up. The Cheonha Ilbo president then looked at his home clock while holding the receiver that was making a dial tone.

'Nine o'clock…….'

Generally, the deadline for morning newspapers is 9 PM. But it was 9 PM now.

'If I don't put it in tomorrow's morning paper, I don't know who will announce it first.'

He couldn't be sure if Ma Seok-il had only given this source to the Cheonha Ilbo. But it was certain that if he didn't put the article in tomorrow's morning paper, the possibility of this being an exclusive for the Cheonha Ilbo would be very small, or it would be certain that only the Cheonha Ilbo would fail to carry the article.

"Hey! Editor-in-chief! Don't leave work!"

Confirming that the editor-in-chief had not yet left, the Cheonha Ilbo president immediately issued instructions for all reporters not to leave work either. And the next morning, an exclusive scoop was published in the Cheonha Ilbo.

A powerful headline decorated the front page of the newspaper, and at the same time, a delicious article followed.

[According to a reliable source, Chairman Choi Yoon-gi (20 years old) of the current YK has concluded an agreement ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with North Korea regarding family reunions. This will surely be a great hope for separated families who have not yet been able to heal the pain of separation, and…………this move by Chairman Choi Yoon-gi is hope for many……………]

Yoon-gi was reading the newspaper with a satisfied smile at the content of the article, which was busy praising him.

'Thrilling, isn't it?'

In fact, Yoon-gi had to suffer tremendously from his parents and Merrill, including his grandfather, who was shocked as soon as he woke up in the morning. Especially when he said that he had won it on the condition of visiting North Korea, Park Yeon-ji and Merrill went absolutely crazy. Even now, there were numerous spike marks on Yoon-gi's back. He was only able to be freed from his family after saying dozens of times that Gorbachev had guaranteed his safety, but that was also after 10 AM. From the time the newspaper arrived at dawn until 10 AM, his family had been in an uproar.

And now. Seeing the newspaper while heading to the study, Yoon-gi was able to confirm that the executives were sitting in a row waiting for him as soon as he arrived at the study.

[[[[[Chairman! This is too dangerous!]]]]]

Choi Chul-kyu was also Yoon-gi's family. Therefore, the executives had heard the whole story in advance through Choi Chul-kyu. As such, everyone began to express their intention to dissuade Yoon-gi from visiting North Korea. It was truly a natural thing. Because going to North Korea was that dangerous.

"It's okay, it's okay. The Soviet Union has decided to attach security guards for sure. If North Korea tries to kidnap me, they have to be prepared for an all-out war with the Soviet Union."

Even if the theory is like that, it is difficult to completely control human emotions with theory. Therefore, Yoon-gi had to soothe his aides for several more hours.

'It's tiring, but it doesn't feel bad, does it?'

Yoon-gi knew very well how happy it is to have many people who worry about his life like this.

'It is truly a joyful thing to have people who will be sad when you die.'

Of course, knowing how great their concern was, Yoon-gi had no intention of bearing unnecessary risks either. Risk without reward is absolutely unnecessary for a manager.

"Still, thanks to this, my reputation has risen once again, hasn't it?"

A truth that his aides had no choice but to nod at. After the morning paper was published, the Blue House acknowledged the fact at 8 AM. And the people of the Republic of Korea were busy praising Yoon-gi's boldness.

From Yoon-gi's perspective, attention is better than food. In addition, this positive attention would surely have a positive impact on YK's sales.

Since more people than ever were flocking to YK Department Store right away, Yoon-gi had profited immensely through the Cheonha Ilbo, which had deep ties with MEV. Now, the situation was just that there should be no problems when he went to North Korea. No, there would be nothing at all.

"They were also talking about making an agreement regarding Mt. Kumgang tourism in North Korea, did you know that?"

After the aides, it was naturally N and YS. At YS's urging, Yoon-gi shrugged his shoulders.

"I haven't heard of it specifically, but there won't be any agreements to be made regarding Mt. Kumgang."