Dear Comrade

Chapter 7. Ryugyong Hotels (7)

Chapter 7. Ryugyong Hotels (7)

In August 1988, it was raining in Pyongyang.

Similar to the south, due to the concentrated precipitation in July and August, there were many days when rain fell like a hole in the sky.

This naturally affected the construction of the Ryugyong Hotel, and there was no choice but to stop the construction or reduce the working time.

What is inevitable is that the Ryugyong Hotel construction, which had been sluggish until a few months ago, has been progressing day by day since Jeonghwan took over the supply and demand of materials.

“Hot hah hah! It seems like the hotel is going up through the sky day by day, so it’s like seeing the development of our republic, Girae! South Korean comrades are going to ride some shit, don’t you think so too, Jeonghwan?”

“It is all thanks to the generosity of the general and the leadership of the leader.”

“How long are you going to call me like that? Didn’t I tell you to call me bro? There are no words to describe how happy I am to have a younger brother who is also resourceful!”

‘Look inside. Is this only your brother? I really…’

Kim Jong-il, who called Jeong-hwan to the office of the party secretary on the 3rd floor of the Workers’ Party of Korea, and poured him an overflow of whiskey in broad daylight, Jung-hwan laughed on the outside but grumbled on the inside.

But looking at the results so far, what he said was clearly true.

In fact, despite the sluggishness in the beginning, the Ryugyong Hotel was increasing its number of floors day by day, and as it passed the 60th floor (of Seoul 63 Building, which was the initial goal), it was becoming the pride of Pyongyang citizens and party officials.

The speed of the construction is so fast that it is unbelievable that construction started only a year ago.

The speed was so great that it silenced numerous objections, including the lack of technology, too short a deadline, unstable ground in Pyongyang, problems with supply and demand, and, above all, the unrealistic goal of 105 floors.

However, no one seemed to know that the speed was due to the hard work of the workers who should be described as ‘waste’ and the speed represented by the ‘Cheollima Movement’ and the superior training based on the principle of mental power.

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No, maybe even if I knew, I wouldn’t have been able to get it out of my mouth.

Just like the person sitting at the table opposite Jeong-hwan and arranging papers with a displeased face, like Jang Seong-taek, the head of the youth division (yes, not the deputy head).

“Congratulations, General. At this rate, it is highly likely that this republic will soon enter a powerful and prosperous country within the term of the General. This is all thanks to the perseverance and leadership of the general who pushed the Juche idea to the end when other idiots said it was impossible.”

“Girae, does Manager Jang think this way too? Come on, get a drink here!”

“Thank you. But more than that, General, please take a look at the documents here.”

What Jang Seong-taek, who was drinking the whiskey that Kim Jong-il had authorized, placed on the table was a pile of papers with various numbers written on them.

“……What is this?”

“It’s difficult… It’s really embarrassing to say, but… This is a report on the achievement of the production target that was recently published in the province.”

Jang Seong-taek, who had an awkward cough a few times as if he had been contemplating for a long time whether to tell this fact or not, began to explain, pointing his fingers here and there.

“Look at the figures posted by the Ryanggang Provincial Party Committee here, rice and corn production in Pyongan Province and Hamgyeong Province has fallen significantly compared to the previous year. Potato production at Gosan Farm in Yanggang Province is still far below the initial target of the 5-year Juche Farming Plan, General. At this rate, this year’s production may be less than the previous year’s 4.3 million tons, let alone achieve…”

“…………”

“It’s not just the current state of agriculture. Electricity production is also decreasing day by day. From Pyongyang to Wonsan to Chongjin, the power plants in all industrial zones, whether hydro or thermal, are not functioning properly. Most of them are imported from the Soviet Union and Japan, so even if they break down, repairs are not easy (not easy) and it leads to a decrease in production.

Jang Seong-taek’s voice, who was posting the report, was getting smaller as he went backwards in the face of Kim Jong-il, which was becoming more and more hardened.

Kim Jong-il didn’t say anything to Jang Sung-taek, who was watching him, for a moment, then drank the whiskey again and slowly opened his mouth.

“Comrade Zhang.”

“yes? yes yes General. Please name it.”

“Does your father know about this?”

“……………………”

At the words of Kim Jong-il, who was looking for Kim Il-sung out of nowhere, Jang Sung-taek made a complicated expression for a moment and then shook his head.

“You don’t know yet, as you know, we have been reporting distribution-related statistics and reports to the general first before uploading them to the Commentary.”

“Kirum, keep doing this. These days, thanks to the cooperation of Comrade Jeong-hwan over there, the Ryugyong Hotel has changed so much that it feels good, but did you really need to wash it? You’re not in good health either.”

“……………………”

At Kim Jong-il’s words, Jang Seong-taek made a strangely complicated expression as if he knew this, but sighed a little and nodded his head.

“……I got it. Then the instructions on this matter are……”

“If we ask for cooperation from the Soviet Union, China, or even the socialist comrades of Europe (Europe), wouldn’t it be okay? In particular, these days, people say they have a lot of pockets because they are reforming and opening up under the leadership of Comrade Deng So-pyeong, so please don’t play around and ask for help.”

“….the words were taken.”

“Kirum, let’s talk about South Korea. These days, because of the Olympics, Hanseong (Seoul) is not in the mood to polish things off time, so shouldn’t our Republic also have to do something against it?”

With a quick glance that had been sharpened in the meantime, Jeong-hwan realized that this Olympic story was the story that Kim Jong-il really wanted to tell after bringing him and Jang Sung-taek together.

Jeonghwan, who was still looking at the opportunity to speak up, quickly seized the opportunity before Jang Seong-taek could even say anything.

“General, no, brother, I have a good idea, and if you allow it, I will tell you something.”

“……Wait? It was good to hear from a young friend like you, Jeonghwan rather than Hagisa Jang’s comrade. Let’s talk about it.”

Jang Seong-taek, who was suddenly robbed of the opportunity to speak, looked at Jeong-hwan with a harsh face, but had no choice but to do it after Kim Jong-il’s permission had already been granted.

When permission was granted, Jeong-hwan cautiously suggested to Kim Jong-il the thoughts he had been cherishing for months.

“As far as I know, the Olympics will be held in South Korea in September this year.”

“Yes. The South Korean people have been noisy for the past few years, but it’s a tactic to fix their flags and divert their attention. Seriously, don’t you guys think the same thing about North and South Korea?”

“Then, why don’t our Republic hold a mid-term ceremony at the Ryugyong Hotel on that day?”

“A mid-term celebration? What is it?”

“It is literally. Hosting the Olympics in the South is a plan to show off the country’s prestige to the world and to gain recognition for the superiority of the corrupt capitalist system. Then, as a countermeasure against that, shouldn’t our republic also focus our attention on the Ryugyong Hotel, a symbol of the system?”

“…………”

Jang Seong-taek and Kim Jong-il seemed to realize the true meaning of Jung-hwan’s words.

Seeing the temperamental expression on Kim Jong-il’s face, Jeong-hwan felt that things were going according to plan, and took an attitude as if he was deliberately taking a step back.

The important thing is that Kim Jong-il accepts this event with his mouth.

“…But, didn’t it go without a reason? No matter how fast the construction is, there is still a long way to go until the 105th floor, which is the goal.”

“Haha… It’s just a reason, isn’t it enough to make it? Just in time, Chairman Abaddy’s 76th birthday passed, and to commemorate that, a grand commemoration ceremony was held on the day the Ryugyong Hotel crosses the 76th floor. There is definitely a safety issue, so if the worker in charge does not give you permission, it will be difficult…”

Secretly, but thoroughly, he calculated Kim Jong-il’s disposition and psychology, and Jeong-hwan threw the bait, and Kim Jong-il asked him as it was.

“It’s a celebration… a celebration! Oh my gosh, that’s really good! Awesome! Wow I wonder if I’ve never thought of that! Ha ha ha!”

“By the way… Recently, construction progressed over the 65th floor, and there is only one month left until the Olympics. To set the time, there is enough material, but the worker is the problem, and the general has to make a decision on this part…”

“Ah, the decisions I make every day, it must be difficult! Go ahead!”

The moment Kim Jong-il’s sanction fell, in contrast to Jeong-hwan, who bowed his head, Jang Seong-taek’s face changed slightly and seemed to open his mouth to say something, but he had no choice but to shut his mouth at Kim Jong-il’s subsequent words.

“In addition to the workers and fighters who have been put in now, send in the Labor and Peasant Red Guards, college students, and, if necessary, officers from other units! I gave my special blessing. Comrade Jang!”

“..yes! General!”

“I will give you a stamp, so let your comrade take care of it! No matter what happens, on the opening day of the South Korean Olympics, take responsibility for the grand opening ceremony of the 76th floor of the Ryugyong Hotel proposed by Jung-hwan here, and engage in the business militantly, okay?”

“……I got it. General.”

After the general’s decision was made, the rest proceeded in a breeze.

Soon, chief secretaries, workers, and heads of specialized departments were called in front of Kim Jong-il.

That day, Kim Jong-il praised Jeong-hwan for his ‘amazing revolutionary idea’ in front of them and released them only after being informed of the specific ceremony, the manpower to be mobilized for the event, and a plan to hold an event similar to a small military parade in front of Pyongyang citizens.

The door to the secretary’s office closed, and Jeong-hwan, who came out of the office building, was immersed in appreciation for a moment as he looked at the stars in the clear Pyongyang night sky that was not clouded by pollution.

At that moment, the presence of a presence felt next to him stopped his appreciation.

It was Jang Seong-taek, who had been spending time together in the building behind him until now.

“Ah, comrade Zhang. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other like this in Japan. Haven’t you been in a lot of trouble?”

“…I’m fine. By the way, I’ve been thinking about it since the last time, but Comrade Jeonghwan is a very resourceful comrade, Gi-rae. I thought the promotion would be quick, but I didn’t expect it to be this fast, Girae. I’m afraid that if I’m just a little negligent about this, I’ll lose the general’s favor.”

At Jang Seong-taek’s sarcastic remarks, Jeong-hwan smiled an inexplicable smile and let his ridicule go away.

“ha ha ha. No matter how good I am, do I have to follow the skills of Comrade Jang? Rather, what do you think about the problem of decreased production that the general pointed out? Do you think you can solve it?”

“…………?”

Jang Seong-taek tilted his head with a ‘?’ expression for a moment in response to Jung-hwan’s sudden question, and then he roared low, turning his face red with anger.

“……Now, you are going to step into my territory and interfere with me, but? Because he is of white blood, he does not know that he is high in the sky just because he is fast. I like to be careful. The general’s favour is for a moment. If you think it’s not helpful, throw it away at any time…”

“Be careful with your words and actions, Comrade Jang. It’s not in the office yet.”

“…………”

At Jeonghwan’s quiet remark, Jang Seong-taek realized his mistake and quickly shut his mouth.

I don’t usually make this kind of mistake, but I made a speech mistake because of anger at Jeong-hwan and the whiskey I drank at the recommendation of Kim Jong-il, whom I drank during the day.

In addition, when he realized that Jung-hwan had heard his own words, Jang Seong-taek’s face turned pale in an instant.

“Hey… this… Comrade Jeonghwan, I just said…”

“Don’t worry. I just pretended I didn’t hear anything. Rather, are the words I told the general during the day true? Can we really solve the production shortage by importing from the USSR or Europe?”

“……Really, Comrade Jeonghwan? really….”

“That’s right. So please answer the question.”

“…………”

Jang Seong-taek couldn’t help but wonder at Jeong-hwan’s tolerance, which he had never expected.

But still, like a bureaucrat with accumulated experience and dignity, he quickly made an estimate with his head and answered the questions fluently.

“…it’s probably difficult. The world outside the republic is noisy these days. Not only China, but also the socialist comrades from the Soviet Union to the Soviet Union are all breaking the ground. There must be limits to reaching out to our republic because they care about their own business. Especially in Europe (Europe).”

“Hmm, that’s right. Is there any particular reason why Europe is particularly difficult?”

“It’s all a mess. From Romania (Romania), Poland, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Estonia (Estonia) to get out of the hands of the Soviet Union, there is no place where the people don’t protest. In this situation, is there any country that can help the republic?”

When Jang Seong-taek sighed as if he was tired of himself, Jeong-hwan, who had been listening to it silently, left him behind and walked forward first.

Then, heading towards the vehicle waiting for him in front of the government building, he threw a word to Jang Seong-taek as if passing by as if to say goodbye.

“Hmm, comrade Jang Seong-taek will take care of it, but it would be better not to talk about it in Estonia.”

“…Is there any particular reason you are Estonian? In Poland, free trade unions or other people rise up in Moscow, but the town is still quiet…”

“In a few weeks, that is, around the beginning of September this year, there will be a big protest demanding independence from the Soviet Union in Estonia. There will be enough 300,000 people to gather. So, asking for help would be in vain. Then come on.”

After finishing the story, Jeonghwan got into the car waiting for him and left the office as it was and disappeared.

Jang Seong-taek, who was left alone behind, was only tilting his head at the words that Jeong-hwan left behind.

“……..September? What the fuck are you talking about? Estonia is still in good shape…”

“Turn on the music. Big.”

“I got it. comrade.”

Jeonghwan got into the car and gave instructions to the driver first.

The officer driving his car today was not Yoo Hye-rim, who always stood next to Jung-hwan like a shadow, but a completely different, unfamiliar male officer.

Today, Hyerim Yoo was in a ‘sick leave due to a sudden cold’, so another military officer was acting on her behalf for a while.

Jeonghwan did not know his name, but he knew very well that he was a military officer under Baek Seung-cheol, who served at the Pyongyang Defense Command.

Eventually, when music rang in the car, creating an environment where you didn’t have to worry about wiretapping devices, Jeonghwan spoke briefly but firmly to the driver.

“Tell the warden. The big deal has been caught. He added that the timing will soon be known through the mouth of the party.”

“……!!! I got it.”

“And heed my words. Never move troops until it is confirmed that Kim Jong-il is dead. Otherwise, if we act hastily, we are all dead .”