This inter-Korean summit was a matter of global interest.
After the first day of talks ended, questions poured in from domestic and foreign media, but government officials remained tight-lipped. Taekgyu, Han Byung-sun, the president of Eunsung Kumgang, and I also did not respond to any media inquiries.
The increased interest compared to previous talks was because of my attendance. Everyone was on edge, waiting to see what the outcome would be.
The negative outlook seemed to prevail. In particular, Japanese media outlets such as NHK and the Sankei Shimbun reported as if the breakdown of the talks was a foregone conclusion.
In the car on the way home, Taekgyu said.
"They seem to be desperately hoping for a breakdown."
"That's what Japan wants."
Prime Minister Okazaki harbors the ambition of transforming Japan into a "normal country," shedding its image as a former aggressor nation.
To do this, they first need to abolish the Peace Constitution, which prohibits the possession of a military and engagement in war. For this reason, Japan has made a big fuss every time North Korea has conducted a missile test, emphasizing that Japan's security is under threat.
It was almost midnight when we returned home.
Ellie, dressed in pajamas, greeted us.
"You're not asleep yet."
"I was watching the TV debate."
I glanced at the TV and saw ruling and opposition party members engaged in a heated debate as panelists. It seems they all have a lot to say whenever the topic of North Korea comes up.
"How did the talks go?"
Taekgyu explained what had happened at the summit, and Ellie couldn't hide her surprise.
"70 billion dollars in claims against Japan? That's ridiculous! Do you really think that amount is possible, Jin-hoo?"
"Well, about that..."
Taekgyu said in a voice that sounded like he was about to collapse.
"I need to eat something first."
With the back-to-back summit and meeting, I hadn't eaten anything since lunch.
Ellie raised her hand.
"Ah! I want some too!"
We poured water into cup noodles and sat around in the living room together. The thought crossed my mind that our diet was a bit too humble for our wealth.
While waiting for the noodles to cook, we talked.
"The construction of the gas pipeline and the railway connection project will have a significant economic effect, right?"
"Of course. It will probably completely change inter-Korean relations in the future."
First of all, South Korea, which relies entirely on foreign countries for its fossil fuels, will be able to receive a cheap and stable supply of natural gas from Siberia. North Korea will also be able to significantly reduce its energy dependence on China through the gas pipeline.
"The railway will have an even greater effect. Transportation infrastructure is the cornerstone of industry."
Once the railway is connected, South Korea, which has been like an island nation until now, will have a foothold to expand into the Eurasian continent.
Land transportation can significantly reduce time compared to sea transportation.
Products manufactured in South Korea can be sent to Russia and Europe by rail, and vice versa.
North Korea also won't just be collecting transit fees.
If they have any sense, they'll build industrial complexes in the areas where the railway passes. Rosatom has even considered building TWRs along the east coast. Since they are small reactors, the construction period is short, and they can be built where they are needed, as many as are needed.
Ellie opened her cup noodle lid and asked.
"But what if the higher-ups pocket all the compensation money?"
In fact, in underdeveloped countries, it is commonplace for politicians and bureaucrats to embezzle even international aid from NGOs.
"There's not much to worry about. Since North Korea is recognized by the whole world as a rogue state, the international community will monitor to ensure that the compensation money is not diverted to the development of nuclear weapons or other weapons."
Taekgyu stirred the noodles with his chopsticks.
"But the ones who are going to embezzle will still embezzle, right?"
That's true.
"Well, if they're going to embezzle anyway, wouldn't it be better to embezzle from 70 billion dollars than from 20 billion dollars?"
Assuming the Supreme Leader and the people around him embezzle 20% each, the former would leave 16 billion dollars, and the latter would leave 56 billion dollars.
"And more than half will be received in kind."
Even 20 billion dollars is a burdensome amount. If another 50 billion dollars is added to this, the burden will be considerable even if it is paid in installments over 10 or 20 years.
Therefore, more than half of this will be received in kind, such as materials, parts, machinery, and food, which will inevitably be used for economic development.
Ellie tilted her head.
"Can Japan afford this amount given its current financial situation?"
Japan's current GDP is the 3rd largest in the world.
As the national budget is proportional to the size of the GDP, it is also the 3rd largest in the world, amounting to almost 2 trillion yen.
However, a significant portion of taxes already has a designated use, and the amount of money that can be used for additional purposes is limited. Furthermore, Japan is running a deficit budget, spending more money than the taxes it collects each year.
As a result, the accumulated deficit is at an astronomical level.
Japan's current national debt exceeds 1,100 trillion yen. This is the largest among all countries and is more than twice Japan's GDP.
Taekgyu blinked and asked.
"Then it wouldn't matter if it increased by another 7 trillion yen. What's the difference between a debt of 1,100 trillion yen and 1,107 trillion yen?"
"That's not wrong, but..."
How is that any different from telling someone who's been beaten to a pulp that it's okay to get hit one more time?
For Japan, which is already drowning in debt, it would be an incredibly burdensome amount. But that's Japan's problem.
Again, Japan is the world's third-largest economic powerhouse. And North Korea is one of the world's most impoverished nations.
It boasts a level of poverty that is not far behind that of African countries groaning under civil war.
It's not like the mouse is thinking about the cat...
"Well, there's no need to worry about their situation. It's not like we're asking for money they don't have, we're getting compensation for past damages."
Taekgyu mumbled while chewing his noodles and nodded.
"A common enemy is always a great help in fostering cooperation."
***
The talks were held again at Panmunjom.
The atmosphere was much more amicable than yesterday. The hand of Vice Chairman Ri Hae-yong, who shook my hand, felt warm.
North Korea must have also held a meeting upon their return. The fact that they returned to the meeting hall meant that the Supreme Leader had accepted my proposal.
Vice Chairman Ri Hae-yong said.
"The Chairman expressed his empathy with CEO Kang Jin-hoo's opinion, which considers the future of our nation. However, he was concerned about how to change Japan's stance."
The claims agreement with Japan was being discussed at around the 10 to 20 billion dollar level. Naturally, the more money, the better.
Why wouldn't North Korea want to receive more money?
However, considering North Korea-Japan relations, fairness with other countries that have already received compensation, and the national power of North Korea versus Japan, they must have judged that anything more was unreasonable.
Well, even this amount was a huge sum for North Korea. But since I stepped forward and said I would raise the amount by more than 50 billion dollars, they had no choice but to be interested.
"As I said, money is money, but shouldn't a sincere apology for colonial rule and war crimes come first? A flawed agreement is worse than no agreement at all. North Korea plans to discuss the issues of forced labor and comfort women from the ground up to ensure that what happened to South Korea does not happen again and to receive a clear apology."
Japan's inner desire is to quietly conclude the claims agreement if possible. But if I get involved, this issue will become international news.
Whether Japan admits it or not, the various war crimes committed by Japan will become a global issue throughout the negotiation process.
"This will help to deter Japan's attempts to erase its past mistakes and increase its military power, and it will greatly help to strengthen North Korea's position in the international community."
Vice Chairman Ri Hae-yong looked at me and asked.
"No matter how good the plan is, isn't it what's important that it's realized?"
"If things go wrong, you can blame everything on me."
I smiled and added a word.
"But has there ever been anything I've done that has failed?"
In times like these, my reputation as an investor is a great help.
Following my remarks, Minister of Unification Yoon Je-hoon outlined his vision for the resumption of Mount Kumgang tourism and the construction of gas pipelines and railways through inter-Korean-Russian cooperation.
The talks continued until the third day.
The atmosphere was now as friendly as meeting a neighborhood elder. We chatted while drinking coffee and tea together.
Taekgyu's hands were moving busily.
Stop eating so many Choco Pies! Are you a North Korean worker or something?
The important talks had already concluded on the second day. Today's meeting was about how to conduct future inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation.
Minister of Unification Yoon Je-hoon brought up a prepared topic.
"The President asked me to convey his wish that the reunion of separated families be prioritized. As you know, the survivors are all elderly, and there is not much time left."
Vice Chairman Ri Hae-yong nodded.
"We will review that matter quickly and give you an answer. You can expect a positive response, as the Chairman also agreed to it during the last inter-Korean summit."
In addition to private sports and cultural exchanges, there was also talk of joint entry into the Olympics and a unified inter-Korean team.
The conversation flowed smoothly.
Money enriches human relationships. This is why people need to have a lot of money.
As the talks were ending, Vice Chairman Ri Hae-yong said to me personally.
"I believe this will be an opportunity for many exchanges between the North and the South. The Chairman has expressed his desire to meet you, so how about visiting our Republic in the future?"
The Supreme Leader of North Korea wants to meet me?
I thought of the pot-bellied man in his 30s who often appeared on the news. He was not much different in age from me, but he had already made a name for himself as the world's worst dictator.
The Chinese Communist Party at least grew the economy, which became a justification for their regime. But North Korea is not even like that.
Although not as bad as during the Arduous March, the situation is still dire enough to worry about making a living.
It seems like it would be difficult to screw up the economy this badly even if you tried.
I am a little curious about what he thinks about when he lives.
I readily nodded.
"I will visit North Korea as soon as the opportunity arises."
***
After the conclusion of the talks.
Minister of Unification Yoon Je-hoon and Vice Chairman Ri Hae-yong released photos and videos of them shaking hands, and a spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification gave a briefing to the press.
"...The representatives of the South and the North have agreed on the above issues, and an inter-Korean summit will be held in the near future."
Immediately, articles poured out from domestic and foreign media.
[(Breaking News) North Korea accepts South's request and suspends demolition of Mount Kumgang facilities!]
[As there are also safety concerns, permission granted for an inspection of the facilities by a person in charge!]
[Chairman Kim instructs the South to take responsibility and repair the facilities as soon as possible if they are not going to be demolished]
[Is the path to resuming Mount Kumgang tourism opening?]
[North Korea accepts South's request and pushes for reunion of separated families within the year!]
[What is the decisive reason for North Korea's change in attitude?]
The Pink Lady, who appeared on the Korean Central Television news, conveyed the words of the Supreme Leader.
"The respected Chairman pointed out that the appearance of the Mount Kumgang facilities is old and unsightly, and said that if they are not going to be demolished, they should be renovated as soon as possible to protect the sacred mountain of our nation! He also granted permission for an inspection of the facilities by South Korean working-level officials and instructed the person in charge to submit a renovation plan, to which the South has also agreed."
If the buildings were not going to be used, there would be no need to repair them. Therefore, this was effectively a signal for the resumption of Mount Kumgang tourism.
In addition, there was talk that the Mount Kumgang facilities could be used as a venue for the reunion of separated families. This was even more positive news for the resumption of tourism.
Officials from Eunsung Kumgang and the Korea Tourism Organization immediately formed an inspection team to visit North Korea. With expectations for the resumption of Mount Kumgang tourism and future inter-Korean economic cooperation, the stocks of companies related to North Korea and the Eunsung Group soared, with some companies hitting the daily limit.
-Wow! Did Kang Jin-hoo make the impossible possible?
-Amazing! How on earth did he do it?
-Jin-hoo! Jin-hoo! You get fooled and fooled again?
-But really, how did he do it? Did he bribe North Korea?
-This son of a bitch was a commie after all. Go lick the Supreme Leader's ass!
-How old is Kang Jin-hoo? He's lost it now.
-LOL, how much do you earn to be worrying about Kang Jin-hoo? Do you even make 2 million won a month?
-If you get stabbed in the back by the General and lose your money, you'll remember the lyrics of the Torch of Annihilating Communism that you forgot after you were discharged~
-OTK Company didn't even invest any money in Mount Kumgang, so what is there to lose?
Many people were surprised by the unexpected results. The opposition party and conservative YouTubers, who had been pouring out criticism, calling it a "meeting for the sake of a meeting," were at a loss for words.
It was as if the long-stalled inter-Korean relations had been opened up in an instant.
But the real surprise was yet to come.