Dear Comrade the Leader, Episode 150
Chapter 53. What’s Happening in Rason
1994 was passing quickly.
However, even as time passed like a shot arrow, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was changing day by day.
– Average annual GDP growth rate of 16%.
Capital was formed through oil and foreign investment, and responsible and competent bureaucrats who will reinvest that capital to improve logistics infrastructure and revitalize industries, 24 million people with high consumption appetite, and above all, where and how to develop the country? Jia had a dictatorial leader, so economic growth could not be slowed down.
Of course, it was inevitable that the per capita income and standard of living were still lower than those of South Korea, but at least the people of North Korea had a new hope and a driving force.
A hope called ‘a future that can be rewarded’.
And the broadcasts and newspapers under the Propaganda and Agitation Department quickly penetrated the psychology of such people and sent out growth-first advertisements, broadcasts, and propaganda every day.
– Today, Comrade Kim Jeong-hwan, General Secretary, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the 2nd Pyongyang subway expansion construction.
Seven years later, in the year of the new century, when the Pyongyang subway is completed, he replaced the congratulatory speech by saying that just as a century ends and a new century begins, Pyongyang will be reborn.
– Today’s dollar exchange rate is 1,400 Korean won to 1 dollar.
The formation of information on exchange rate fluctuations at the end of the news in the Chosun Central Broadcasting System was a symbol of the change of the times.
The totality of life, self-criticism, and systemic competition disappeared.
And in the place where they disappeared, a new competition entered, and that was the competition for economic power.
And in an era in which winning over south Korea in terms of economic power has become an implicit national poem, the organizational chart of the Workers’ Party of Korea has also gradually changed to fit a new purpose.
From an ideology-oriented organization to a performance-oriented organization, from an organization centered on the Kim family and those who flatter them to an organization centered on professional and highly educated bureaucrats.
And one of those changes was to change the name of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Affairs, which belonged to the cabinet, and move it directly to the party.
And the head of the ‘External Economic Committee’, which was newly reorganized and would have powerful authority in the field of attracting foreign investment to the republic and managing imports and exports, was a surprising person.
“It is the Foreign Economic Committee directly under the Politburo… … Who do you plan to be the chairperson, Comrade General?”
“It’s not this guy, come in.”
“Uh, what!”
“… … huh… … !”
“… … Wow, comrades? am i seeing you for the first time? Or do you have something to poke?”
Jang Sung-taek, who was suddenly purged, returned to the title of chairman of the Foreign Economic Committee.
The news of the reinstatement of Jang Song-thaek, the leader of the organization, who disappeared shortly thereafter, or who everyone thought had been purged, heated up Pyongyang following Bill Gates’ visit to North Korea, which caused a sensation among university students in Pyongyang.
However, no one dared to speak of this topic openly in public, and Jang Sung-taek also acted as if it had never happened at all.
Of course, it was not that there was really no change.
It was from the title of Jang Seong-taek, who made a splendid comeback right away, but he was lowered one rank from his previous position as the head of the organizational guidance department and became the deputy director of the organizational guidance department.
Of course, in this era when overtaking others in economic power became a hot topic, it was still unclear whether the general secretary really forgave the ‘deputy’ chief since he assumed the position of the head of an organization called the External Economic Committee, which in some ways might be more substantial than the organizational leadership.
And in that regard, Jang Seong-taek himself, perhaps not able to erase the sense of crisis and anxiety, brought up an ambitious plan as soon as he took office as chairman of the External Economic Committee.
“The connection with the Trans-Siberian Railway in cooperation with the Russian comrades… … Crossing the Tuman River from Chongjin, Rason, and Rajin, where the heavy industry zone of the Republic is located, and passing through Hasan in Russia and then into Siberia?”
“That’s right, Comrade General Secretary! Now, under the leadership of Comrade General Secretary, the Republic has completed the primary maintenance, including the railroad network and highway network! Therefore, I think that the next step, further expanding the economic territory of the republic beyond borders, will be a great step forward in improving the people’s economic power and surpassing the South Korean economy!”
When Jang Seong-taek shouted loudly in a tone that was several times more polite than before, Jeong-hwan turned to the next page of the plan.
And when I saw an image that expanded from evangelism in the republic to evangelism around the world, I poked my tongue out inwardly.
Hmm, apparently this gentleman is determined to look good to me.
It’s enough to even bring stuff like this.
“Rason is originally a trading hub, and Russian comrades in particular will like it when they ask us to connect the Rason and the railroad as Vladivostok is saturated, but… … is this something else? Trans-Eurasia Railway starting in Kaesong? Comrade Jang, do you really think this will be possible while we are still alive?”
“Russia is a mess right now, so the dollar will be in a hurry, and Chinese comrades have no reason to refuse if it is to expand the logistics influence that extends to the Korean peninsula and even Europe. It is highly likely that Europeans (Europe) will also be interested in expanding the Eastern European economic zone of the EU, which was launched a year ago.”
Jang Seong-taek seemed to come up with an ambitious plan like a young man who had just joined, perhaps to make up for his lost position in the party, but Jung Hwan was a realist.
All possibilities are open due to oil, and while preparing for the launch of the Vision Fund with Bill Gates, he also put ‘active investment in logistics in developing countries including railroads’ in the terms of operation, but right now, even high-speed trains in the republic only plan routes. Hasn’t the construction been started?
It’s just that there isn’t a plan that’s too vague.
“… … Already, Chinese comrades have introduced similar models and absorbed technologies from countries such as Canada and Japan in exchange for winning orders, laying iron silk roads all over the territory. The degree to which the double-track railway network and mutual compatibility are reflected in the design by thinking about the future while construction is… … .”
“Even so, this is a far-fetched plan at this point. If a country without its own high-speed rail sets out to build a tens of thousands of kilometers of railroad crossing Eurasia, it is highly likely to become an object of ridicule to the international community.”
“Instead, don’t we have the oil treasure trove of the Republic? It’s no secret that Chinese comrades are trying to join hands with Israel because they want Middle Eastern oil to feed 1.3 billion people. Yankees bring oil from South America, but Europeans have to bring oil from Greenland, North Sea oil fields, or Russia… … The North Sea is too small and Russia is still a semi-hostile country in Europe.”
“… … .”
“If we only talk about this plan, we can emphasize the value of the republic in terms of diplomatic lines. Our republic is friendly with China and Russia, but now we are talking with the United States, right? Naturally, it would be much less burdensome for our republic to mediate in the middle than for European comrades to propose to build a Eurasian railway directly from China or Russia.”
Indeed, it is not that he just came up with a completely unrealistic plan for Abu-yong.
All members of the Politburo nodded their heads at the insight of Jang Seong-taek, who is worthy of the title of chairman of the foreign economy.
Jeonghwan explained all his thoughts and looked at Jang Sung-taek, who was sweating and waiting for the leader’s approval, and then he nodded his head with an expression of ‘the idea would be nothing bad’ and gave him half permission.
“If Vice-Chairman Jang’s will is so firm, consider it slowly. However, in order to take the first step in this grand plan, the first step is to build high-speed rail lines from Kaesong to Siberia-Ra line and Pyongyang-Sinuiju line. Where do you plan to place an order for domestic high-speed rail once you put it all aside?”
“I think it would be better to place an order from the Japanese, as it will be mainly used for passenger passengers built in the Republic. However, the route that will be expanded from Rason to Siberia in the future will be mainly for cargo, so Canada or… … How about America?”
“Hunger, there was nothing to earn Japanese people money for nothing. As a condition of winning the order, we will have to receive technology transfer, but we don’t know if the old guys will really give it to us.”
“I think it would be most reasonable to entrust the order to the United States, even considering the relationship with President Bush.”
‘Gee, you’ve changed a lot in a really short time.’
Jeonghwan saw the Politburo members asking for an order for a national railroad project in the United States with Lee Gu Dong-seong, and although it was his intention, he felt the change of the times anew.
Until just five years ago, those who had been at the forefront of chanting ‘American imperialists, the enemy of the Korean nation’ (though, of course, were focused on foreign products behind the scenes) began to shout in front of their leaders that relations with the United States should be considered.
The dollar, oil, and the market economy were rapidly changing not only the people, but also party officials.
Of course, he still showed some objection to Japan and China, but Jeonghwan didn’t want to change that.
In order for his power to be solid, a certain degree of nationalism and nationalism needs to be encouraged within a controllable line.
“Good. Then, under the leadership of Comrade Zhang, I will try to contact you.”
“Thank you! Comrade General Secretary!”
“Today’s meeting ends here. Comrade Ri Jong-su, Director General of External Reconnaissance, ask them to come in.”
As the first step in the grand plan of the Trans-Eurasia railroad, the plan to build an international railroad network from Chongjin to Hasan via Rason was started.
People were sent to Russian and Chinese, Japanese and American railroads through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
However, until the Politburo meeting was over, no one talked about trying to connect with South Korean and South Korean railways, such as Gyeongbu Line and Gyeongin Line, in order to improve relations with South Korea.
It was because Jeonghwan knew that all the executives were not yet in a situation where they could conduct diplomacy on an equal footing with Korea.
Jeonghwan’s basic diplomatic policy was that it would not be too late to improve inter-Korean relations even when the two sides were on equal footing (when North Korea completely took the lead as he wrote).
* * *
When this strategic disregard for Korea was being implemented in the North Korean core in Pyongyang, a significant number of Koreans had already entered the special planned economic zone Rason in question.
Since it is strictly forbidden to visit North Korea without permission by civilians, most of them were officials of South Korean companies who decided to invest large amounts of money in North Korea.
Park Se-hwang, who is now dating someone at a bar in Raseon Special District, was one of them.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Park Se-hwang, a member of Seongsam Group.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Choi Moo-ryong.”
As Park Se-hwang bowed his head, today’s bad-looking guest, Choi Moo-ryong, arrogantly raised his head once.
However, Park Se-hwang sat down without hesitation and picked up the prepared entertainment message.
“I heard a lot. This line knows… … You go to that financial company.”
“Haha, that’s right. No matter what I say, even though I started late, I was promoted fairly quickly. It’s all thanks to the experience and connections I built up while serving in the military when I was young. After all, whether it’s South or North, men need to go to the military to become a person. Isn’t that right, Comrade Park Se-hwang?”
“Haha, you are really right. I need to go to the military to be mature.”
In fact, even now, when I think of my military life, Park Se-hwang wakes up from sleep, but that wasn’t important here.
It took almost half a year to come to the North and reach this man named Choi Mu-ryong.
When it comes to why he, who works for a decent conglomerate called Seongsam Group, is meeting an arrogant ex-political member named Choi Moo-ryong at a hotel bar in Raseon, it’s all complicated.
* * *
“So, this person named Choi Moo-ryong… … No, your comrade was a maddang that even the People’s Army recognized? Do you mean that if you get close to one of these comrades, you can get acquainted with the oil refinery in Chongjin, the members of the investment corporation in charge of the Myeongcheon and Gilju oil fields, and the officers of the escort unit?”
“Ah, that’s it, Park Dong-moo. I have a lot of doubts because I’m from South Korea… … .”
“Look, I was a former member of the political department, and after I was discharged, I worked as a taxi driver in Sinuiju… … But you get into an argument and kill a Korean-Chinese? What a twisted life. So, what are you doing in this Rason now?”
“This is it.”
“… … ? What is this sting?”
“Yes, Comrade Se-hwang Park is our company… … No, did other people call it a company? How much do you know about our company?”
“I heard that it is a good business partner that is essential for Rason donjus. You’ve worked so hard to promote this… … ha ha ha.”
Recalling the conversation with the informant who guided him to Choi Moo-ryong, Park Se-hwang took out the promotional material in question from his pocket and put it on the table, blurring his words with laughter.
What he put on the table was a print the size of a business card, a piece of paper that was familiar in Korea as ‘chirashi’.
It was written on the paper with large, primary-colored letters printed in large, primary colors so that even if it was off the road, it could be clearly seen by passers-by.
– The Republic of Korea’s best money-giving Chollima loan that runs wherever you call it! A worker-friendly interest rate of 40% to 5p per annum! Same-day loan guarantee.
“Four to five pennies? 45% annual interest rate? Wait, that means this person named Choi Moo-ryong’s job is… … Loan business?”
“Hey, it’s a loan business, comrade Park. There is no name that is politely called in that South Korea. What did you say, it’s a loan business… … .”
“… … After all, if the annual interest rate is 45%, it is definitely not called a loan shark.”
‘… … It’s not a loan shark, it’s a hand-made thief or a bandit, by the way, it’s a money lender in North Korea, so it’s a pretty neat world.’
While muttering inwardly, Park Se-hwang glanced anxiously at Mu-ryong Choi’s ‘brothers’, who looked at him from the table across from Choi Moo-ryong, who was drinking vodka in front of him, and his stiff shoulders.
Those friends are probably also full-fledged employees of Choi Moo-ryong’s workplace, ‘Cheonlima Loan’.
The person he met today, Moo-ryong Choi, was none other than an employee in charge of collections at a famous private debt company in Rason.