The Unwelcome Guest
'He’s not exactly handsome, even for his age.'
Yoon-gi was busy evaluating Kim Jong-il, just as Kim was evaluating him. It was a natural antipathy for any South Korean, but Yoon-gi’s dislike wasn’t rooted in the standard anti-communist rhetoric most of his countrymen held. It was a personal judgment based on the man’s character. Kim Jong-il wasn’t just an enemy of the state; he was a man whose very nature was repulsive.
'I still can't believe there were people on social media who actually wished him peace when he died.'
When Kim Jong-il had actually passed away, a surprising number of memorial posts had appeared online. It was, frankly, insane. Some had argued, "Isn't it basic human decency to write a memorial for the dead?" but anyone who truly understood what kind of man Kim Jong-il was could never say such a thing. For a start, it wasn't Kim Il-sung who created the Pleasure Squad—it was Kim Jong-il.
"Welcome. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Despite his momentary flash of irritation earlier, Kim Jong-il had quickly masked it, greeting Yoon-gi with a bright, practiced smile. Yoon-gi rose from his seat to return the greeting.
"Yes, it is a pleasure."
Of course, that didn't mean he bowed his head or bent his waist. It was merely a polite acknowledgment of the host's greeting. Even so, Yoon-gi caught the slightest twitch in Kim Jong-il's brow.
'Exactly the personality I saw on TV back in the day.'
He remembered a special documentary about Kim Jong-il that had aired back when he was a laborer, scratching his legs in a cramped dormitory. The program had portrayed Kim as a man who would stop at nothing to secure his power. And that was an accurate assessment. The North Korean economy was in a truly perilous state. In just a few years, the 'Arduous March' would begin, leading to the starvation of two percent of the population and a permanent reduction in the average height of children born in the 90s by over fifteen centimeters. Kim Jong-il didn't know the famine was coming, but the warning lights were already flashing, making him desperate for this meeting.
"The rumors that Chairman Choi Yoon-gi of YK Group, the grandson of Chairman Choi Ki-hyun of Samwoo, is a fine, upstanding man have reached even us in North Korea. Seeing you in person, you truly live up to your reputation. Your parents must be very proud."
Kim Jong-il, forty-eight years old in 1989, was speaking with a fawning, polite tone to twenty-two-year-old Yoon-gi, flashing a practiced, eye-crinkling smile. This was the man who was the second-in-command of North Korea, and the de facto leader.
"Thank you," Yoon-gi replied, keeping it brief enough to avoid being outright rude.
'I can't afford to get close to Kim Jong-il.'
Yoon-gi had already finished his assessment based on the information he possessed. The result? Zero utility. If he had been useful, he would have been handled like JD. But Kim Jong-il had no value. He was like a loose stone on a gravel path, unpredictable and dangerous. That was why Yoon-gi had decided to plant a seed of 'subtle hostility' from the start. He didn't want to make an enemy of North Korea, but his goal was to keep Kim Jong-il on edge. Throughout the conversation, Yoon-gi remained unmoved by Kim’s constant overtures.
"Ahem! It seems the Chairman is exhausted from the long journey. Why don't you unpack at your lodging today and we shall resume our meeting tomorrow?"
"Yes, let's do that."
Yoon-gi’s reaction was nonchalant, but the North Korean officials standing nearby were plunged into a state of extreme tension.
"That little bastard is so arrogant!"
As Kim Jong-il erupted in fury, his subordinates could only bow their heads. Agreeing was dangerous, and disagreeing meant immediate execution. In such a situation, bowing was the only option. But then—
"You! You bastard! Did you just laugh?"
Kim Jong-il’s North Korean accent sharpened as he turned his gaze toward one of his bodyguards.
"N-no, sir! How could I possibly do such a thing!"
"So you’re saying I’m persecuting you for no reason?!"
It was a no-win situation. The bodyguard, trembling with extreme terror, wept as he threw himself flat on the floor.
"Comrade Chairman! I was wrong! I just had a funny thought and let out a laugh!"
The bodyguard had been forced to choose, but the outcome was hardly favorable.
"Fine. I’ll let it slide this once since you were honest."
Kim Jong-il nodded, his excitement seemingly subsiding. He immediately continued, "Send him to the prison camp! I’ll spare you from the firing squad just this once."
"N-no! P-please, have mercy!"
Despite his pleas, the bodyguard was dragged away to a prison camp for no reason at all. The remaining subordinates in the office were left paralyzed by terror. Some had even wet themselves, a testament to the fundamental fear they felt toward Kim Jong-il.
"That bastard, why is he being so uncooperative? He seems to have deep affection for the nation, given his demands for the reunion of separated families, so why is he acting like this?"
Naturally, no one answered. But as Kim Jong-il’s breathing grew ragged again, one subordinate risked his life to speak.
"As the brilliant Comrade Chairman said, perhaps it is simply the fatigue of the journey?"
The subordinate was careful to use the word 'Comrade' (Dongji). Using the word 'friend' (Dongmu) had led to executions in the past. In North Korea, 'friend' was for equals, while 'Comrade' was mandatory when addressing superiors. Mistakes were human, but when the price of a mistake was a prison camp or a firing squad, one had to be extremely careful.
"Yes, that’s what I think, too. Then, the most important thing is to relieve his travel fatigue, isn't it?"
"Exactly so. I am always in awe of the brilliant insight of the Comrade Chairman."
"Hahaha! Yes, that’s right. That’s exactly what we should do. Good, you’re a smart one. I’m in a very good mood."
Kim Jong-il pulled a gold bar from his desk drawer and tossed it to the subordinate who had spoken.
"T-thank you!"
Even as he received the gold, the subordinate was drenched in a cold sweat. He never knew when Kim Jong-il’s mood would shift. Gold when he was happy, execution when he was not. It wasn't for nothing that the term 'reign of terror' was so often used to describe Kim Jong-il’s rule.
"Good. Now, go and provide that bastard with some pleasure."
Following Kim Jong-il’s command, his subordinates began to move busily.
"Oh, Pyongyang cold noodles."
When the cold noodles were served as part of the hotel meal, Yoon-gi picked up his chopsticks with anticipation.
"But why is there mustard in it?"
At Yoon-gi’s question, the hotel staff tilted their head in confusion.
"You eat cold noodles with mustard, what else would you eat them with?"
"No, I was under the impression that Pyongyang cold noodles were meant to be enjoyed for their pure flavor, without adding vinegar or mustard."
The staff member frowned. "What kind of fool says such things? Cold noodles are only delicious when you add plenty of vinegar and mustard."
"Ho... ho...!"
Yoon-gi nodded in total agreement with the staff member and lifted the noodles with his chopsticks.
'I’ve eaten at places with "Pyongyang Cold Noodles" on the sign back in my labor days, but I never thought I’d eat the real thing in Pyongyang.'
As Yoon-gi was enjoying his meal, Choi Deok-bae chimed in from the side.
'Would you like a bowl through room service later?'
'Oh, right.'
Yoon-gi wasn't staying in a single room. He was sharing the space with Slava and his bodyguards. In particular, since the bodyguards included members of Yoon-gi’s own PMC, their loyalty was absolute. There was no chance of Yoon-gi being left alone during his stay in North Korea. In this situation, there was no way to set up a memorial table for Choi Deok-bae. This restriction was also a strong recommendation from Slava, and Yoon-gi was following it. Yoon-gi was the benefactor who had saved Slava’s nephew, so Slava was on high alert to ensure no harm came to him.
"Phew, that was delicious."
'No, that was just a polite comment...'
'I understand. I’ll treat you to cold noodles as soon as we get back to South Korea.'
Seeing Choi Deok-bae’s expression soften, Yoon-gi offered a faint smile.
"That was delicious for me, too."
When he returned to his room with Slava, he saw North Korean officials waiting in front of the door.
"What is the matter?" Slava asked. One of them spoke up.
"Yes, the Comrade Chairman has ordered us to relieve Chairman Choi Yoon-gi of his travel fatigue."
Yoon-gi instantly realized what kind of 'method' Kim Jong-il would use to relieve that fatigue.
"I don't need it."
Naturally, he didn't.
"Excuse me? B-but..."
The staff member was, of course, flustered.
"I said I don't need it."
"Chairman, this is a rare experience you won't get to have twice..."
"Haa, I said I don't need it."
When Yoon-gi repeated himself several times, Slava stepped in.
"Please, go inside first."
"Thank you."
Yoon-gi followed Slava’s advice and entered the room.
'It has nothing to do with me, anyway.'
Yoon-gi was sincere. 'Yeah. They’re just trying to pressure me into doing something I don't want to do because they think I’m a pushover. I have no kindness to spare for people like that.'
It wasn't an incorrect assessment. If Yoon-gi had been more terrifying than Kim Jong-il, would they have begged him like this? No. They were only clinging to him because they thought he was less scary than Kim Jong-il. Knowing that, there was no reason for Yoon-gi to be swayed by the people outside.
Sure enough, the next day, Kim Jong-il got straight to the point at the conference table.
Kim Jong-il was in a foul mood. He had gone to great lengths to mobilize the Pleasure Squad to break the South Korean bastard’s spirit, only to be flatly rejected. Naturally, his anger was directed at his unfortunate subordinates, and several more were sent off to coal mines or prison camps.
And now, Kim Jong-il brought up the main topic.
"Have you perhaps heard from the South Korean President about the agreement for tourism at Mount Kumgang?"
"Ah, I have."
Yoon-gi didn't beat around the bush, diving straight into the heart of the matter.
"Then this will be a quick conversation. Our Democratic People's Republic of Korea is willing to open Mount Kumgang for the people of South Korea. And we have chosen YK Group as the first partner for that opening."
Kim Jong-il spoke with a wide, beaming smile, as if he were bestowing a great favor. But Yoon-gi replied with a bored expression.
"Honestly, I don't know why you’re telling me that."