＜ Chapter 41. Elite Duty ＞
Chapter 41. elite duty
About two-thirds of the turbulent year of 1992 passed, and a big news came to the secretary’s office.
For Jeong-hwan and the Politburo members, who were reporting the civil war and genocide in Eastern Europe and the impact it had on the republic after returning from their visit to China, the news was like a signal that signaled a major change in the republic.
– Comrade general secretary! The oil fields around Gilju and Myeongcheon have finally started mining the first crude oil!
“Now is the beginning.”
In contrast to the party cadres and Politburo members, who were all overjoyed with the news delivered through the emergency report, Jung-hwan spoke only a single word.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy, of course, but it was because he knew better than anyone that he was only taking the first step.
“Let’s go to Gilju immediately. I’ll have to see it with my own eyes When the truth is confirmed, it would be better to let the people of the Republic know this good news from then on.”
Immediately, a direct flight was prepared, and most of the members of the Politburo including Jang Seong-taek, Hyun Young-sook, and Hong Gye-seong, including Jeong-hwan, moved directly to Myeongcheon Oil Field without hiding their heightened emotions.
The distance from Pyongyang to Myeongcheon was by no means a short distance, but perhaps because of expectations and excitement, the time until the drilling rig and the oil pipe with the words ‘Joseon Oil Corporation’ visible between the mountains in the distance felt like village music. .
After arrival, it was the most joyful news since the establishment of the Republic.
Also, a briefing was prepared for the Politburo members on the spot, urging them to quickly and in detail explain the shock of the oil field workers, whom the general secretary did not expect to visit in person.
While still wearing work clothes and hard hats stained with firewood and black, the president of the Korea National Oil Corporation stepped forward as the representative of BP dispatched engineers and workers.
It was hard to believe that he was the president of Korea National Oil Corporation, the first capitalist state-owned company in the Republic.
In fact, it was decided by Jeonghwan after he saw the mindset that he would not spare himself and learn one more thing in the field as he was in a situation where he had to transfer almost all of his technology to modern heavy industry and British and American oil companies.
“Tell me, Comrade Park. Does our republic really have oil now?”
“Yes Yes! That’s right. As a result of analyzing the first recovery (extracting about 10% of the total amount of mining present in the oil reservoir), I think that it will have sufficient commercial value if it undergoes an appropriate refining process.”
At the president’s words, a mixture of excitement and joy that cannot be expressed in words appeared on the faces of everyone sitting in the hall.
In general, when developing an oil field, it takes at least 5 years from geological exploration, drilling, and initial production.
However, in North Korea, oil field exploration began right after Jeong-hwan took office, and after all workers and engineers worked day and night at the risk of national luck, the first oil production was successful in only three years.
Even if a large amount of foreign technology and capital such as British Petroleum and modern heavy industry were brought in, it was clear that the deadline could not have been shortened to this extent without national support and consideration.
“It will still take some more time before we start the second recovery and start mining in earnest, but we have overcome the difficult hurdle with this.”
“It’s really a reduction! This is a great honor for the Republic, Comrade General!”
“This is all thanks to the bold determination and leadership of the general secretary. Now, all that remains is for this republic and its people to sit on a cushion of money!”
When the success of the oil field development was confirmed, congratulations and praises for Jeong-hwan burst out from all over the table.
Among them, there were even those who were about to sing hurray for the general secretary or had tears in their eyes.
However, Jung-hwan still nodded his head a few times with a worried look on his face, and asked the question again to President Park, who was still thrilled.
“What did Chairman Jung Moon-young say when he heard the news?”
“yes? ah! He was also very happy. Until now, modern heavy industry had been living only refining crude oil by Arabs, but I am really happy to finally enjoy the honor of refining oil from this land… … .”
“Hmm, you did a good job anyway. As soon as we get back to our company, we will discuss the reward to give to all the comrades working in this Myeongcheon oil field without missing a single one, so please look forward to it.”
Having said that, Jeonghwan got up from his seat and headed to the boarding point of the direct flight that he had boarded again without saying goodbye.
Unlike the oil company workers, who still embrace each other and rejoice at the leader’s lukewarm response, who seemed to be the most excited, the smart Politburo members had a puzzled expression on their faces.
“What is it? Why are you like that?”
“Yeah, that’s it. It’s not water, it’s not alcohol, and what’s coming out of the ground right now isn’t oil? Why does Comrade General Secretary look so sad on this republic’s greatest anniversary… … ?”
Such thoughts were the same not only for the members of the Politburo, but also for Yoo Hye-rim, who followed Jung-hwan on the direct plane.
“Comrade General Secretary.”
“Why, however, Major Yu?”
“… … It’s strange that it doesn’t make you more happy. If there is any inconvenience, please correct it immediately… … .”
“No, I’m happy. don’t be happy Isn’t it that oil, the universal key to modern civilization, comes from this republic? As long as you keep an eye on oil prices for at least the next 10 years, you can say goodbye to your worries about foreign exchange. It’s a little surprising that oil fields first broke out in Myeongcheon here, not just in Seohan, Nampo… … .”
‘Well, I’m glad that there is no reason to argue with the Chinese over this oil field for yours and mine.’
Of course, Junghwan was happy.
Perhaps that’s the case, in a previous life, he had only been exposed to theories, speculations, or gossip newspaper articles, but after he invested and verified it himself, he actually confirmed ‘North Korea’s oil’, which he had only heard of.
This is not the end, and according to the exploration report, there are significant oil fields in the East Sea, and mining operations are in full swing in Nampo and Bohai Bay.
Oil money that all national leaders wake up from falling asleep just hearing their name.
The money he earned by using the bubble in Japan also introduced a market economy system in North Korea.
Buying a company and investing in new technology, I was slowly forgetting about it, and it was enough to say that there was no better good news than this.
Read at noblemtl.com
Now, in the coming world trade era and a society where consumption will overwhelm everything, the importance of oil is increasing day by day, and North Korea can proceed with capitalization while maintaining economic independence without having to borrow hands from foreign capital like other developing countries. .It is because the people do not know what this means, but in the opinion of party cadres, (a few) merchants, and emerging entrepreneurs who know what this means, they have set aside “the Day of the Sun” and “Day of Light”, the birthdays of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, and called “Oil Day” far away. Wouldn’t it be strange to designate a new public holiday called ?
Even so, Jeonghwan looked a bit gloomy, so his aide including Hyerim Yoo could not help but wonder.
But she was the only one who could hear Jeonghwan muttering the moment the direct flight took off to the sky and headed back to Pyongyang.
“I spent a lot of money on studying, but I hope that our republic will not talk nonsense like everything is going well. I’ll have to see how many people are awake at this opportunity.”
* * *
The banquet held at our company was still modest, but splendid because it still had to maintain some degree of confidentiality.
And above all, it was fun.
“Comrade General Secretary, how congratulations! Now, this republic has overtaken the puppets of South Korea and has risen to a strong and prosperous nation! What would all of this be, if not thanks to the foresight and bold leadership of Comrade General Secretary?”
“Yes! I dare say that the decisiveness of Comrade General Secretary may be equal to or even greater than that of General Abadi Kim Il-sung, the sun of the Republic over there! Now, when oil is mass-produced in earnest and dollars start to come in, how about building a memorial palace bigger than the President’s Palace and honoring the comrades?”
The executives gathered at the company were busy giving up their usual vigilance and flattering Jeonghwan.
Excessive Aburan only causes discomfort and backfires, but if the timing is right, a better survival strategy is rare.
And a more appropriate time than now seemed unlikely to come.
Even Jang Seong-taek, who was on the calm side, remembered his face and congratulated Jeong-hwan constantly.
“Now, the self-reliance of this republic, which has been a dream since the days of leader Kim Il-sung, has been realized since the days of Comrade General Secretary! Wouldn’t it be better to spread this good news to the people and give gifts to commemorate this day to the 24 million people of the republic to widely publicize the achievements of the general secretary?”
“… … Is it a gift?”
“Hey, don’t you worry about the dollar now! Giving down one of the Japanese Walkmans to former student comrades in the Republic, renovating old roads, railways, ports, airfields, corporate offices, and even this company building… … No, wouldn’t it be appropriate for the supreme dignity of the republic to be reborn now for the general secretary to purchase a new US-made private jet that is larger than that of the president of South Korea?”
“Ha ha ha ha ha… … ! Well then, of course not! All worries are now goodbye! With this, Yankees and Chinese, of course, South Korean comrades will have no choice but to bow down to us. Don’t you think so?”
“Of course I do! As soon as this news becomes known, the faces of South Korean Gannars will turn blue, and it is good to the eyes!”
Contrary to the past, Jung-hwan was noticeably delighted with exaggerated laughter, but most officials, including Jang Seong-taek, did not think it was strange.
Actually, this is not a normal reaction.
Compared to the days when I was the leader of the squadron, when I was frustrated because I couldn’t even use the resources that were closed to the outside, it’s a bit of a mess now, isn’t it good luck?
‘The general secretary was so fat because he couldn’t feel this unbelievable news earlier.’
“More than that, the chief comrade. Why don’t you ask those comrades over there?”
“… … ?”
The one pointed to was the side at the far end of the party table, where the relatively young bureaucrats in their early 30s were seated.
The party was attended by most of the party’s finance and accounting department, to which Chosun National Oil Corporation belongs and who had led North Korea’s market economy so far, so even those who had recently returned from England and held a position in the party were able to attend.
However, because of their age and still lack of voice within the department, Junghwan suddenly focused the audience’s attention on them, who were sitting like a sack of barley.
“Comrades over there, wake up. Let’s hear it, these days, I’ve been hearing about my activities within the specialized department of the party… … Why are the comrades so dark on this republic’s greatest anniversary?”
“yes? Oh no! Comrade general secretary! What could be more joyful for the Republic? Now, there is only one day left for this republic to walk on the road to a strong and prosperous nation under the leadership of Comrade General Secretary!”
“ha ha ha. I know you well. But I think… … .”
“… … ?”
When Jeonghwan leaned forward and dragged his words backwards with an expression of ‘I know your heart’, the faces of the young officials who were embarrassed became ‘?’.
What the hell are you trying to teach?
“From the perspective of your comrades, how do you think the future of the republic will change because of this great event?”
“yes?”
“It is literally. As oil came out, it was said that this republic would walk on a solid road in the future, so the only thing left to do is to enter a strong and prosperous country in the future.”
“That’s right… … .”
“Then, based on the insights of the comrades who studied capitalism in England, do you think this republic will be able to overtake those western imperialists in a few years from now? 5 years? 3 years? Let me give you a rough estimate.”
“That, it… … .”
‘How do you do this? Should I tell you what we’re worried about? No, isn’t your neck flying off by misusing your mouth here? I might offend the general secretary at a party where all the party members are celebrating, and then wake up in Aoji tomorrow morning… … .’
In a state of shuddering just thinking about it, the bureaucrats of the Confucianist group looked at each other and hesitated to answer with a firm face.
In fact, when they heard this unbelievable news, their superiors and executives were all excited about it, but there was a content where they gathered together in a secret place to discuss with each other with serious expressions.
The question was whether it could be said to the supreme dignity of the republic at this moment and at this time.
Judging from the appearance at Sunan International Airport last time, it didn’t seem like he was a closed person like the generals before, but the situation is clearly different then and now.
At that time, Jeonghwan, observing their commotion, gently pushed their backs.
“Hmm, it’s nice to have a cool opinion unlike other comrades. You should know how to listen to the direct words of a leader.”
“… … Are you really here?”
“No way. I am not a leader who only listens to good words. Let’s hear what the elite comrades chosen by the republic learned from the blood of the people in England. By the way, isn’t the UK an oil producing country? Open your heart and talk about the future of this republic.”
When Jeonghwan had spoken up to this point, they, who were conflicted, swallowed their saliva as if they had hardened their hearts.
The noisy banquet hall suddenly became quiet, and all eyes were focused on them.
And finally their mouths were opened.
“I think… … Of course, this is only speculation, and I have no intention of pouring cold water on the joy of the party and the general secretary, but… … .”
“Oh, don’t do that, let me tell you something cool. What are you so worried about?”
“We think… … First of all, it seems that the Ministry of Finance and Accounting of the Party and Comrade General Secretary will have an urgent priority to find a way to quell the people’s dissatisfaction, which will arise like wildfire due to the fall in the exchange rate, inflation, and inflation that will occur when oil exports begin in earnest.”
The banquet hall became silent at the bombshell declaration .