Chapter 172: The North Korean Defection Case Comes to an Astonishingly Swift End

Commander Kwak Taesu could not make sense of what was happening.

He had been convinced that Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol of the Reconnaissance General Bureau had defected to the United States.

That was precisely why he had planned to seek asylum in America as well—where his friend was supposedly waiting.

Yet for some unknown reason, Cha Jiham was concealing the fact that Jo was actually with the man who, judging by everything, appeared to be the Director of the CIA.

While he struggled to understand why, the phone conversation continued.

"So you're saying the North Korean military opened fire with machine guns to stop Commander Kwak from escaping?"

[That's correct, Chief Cha.]

"Is there any chance he was killed by the North Korean gunfire?"

Having to lie against his own will left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he had no other choice.

[The rubber boat Commander Kwak used was found on the shoreline near Dandong.]

"So he's alive?"

[That's right. Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol most likely gave him your phone number, Chief Cha.]

"Why would he do that?"

[They're childhood friends. That's why I'm asking you—please help him get safely out of China, Chief Cha.]

"How?"

[Two stealth submarines are currently on standby in the waters of the Yalu River.]

"If I happen to meet him, I'll pass the message along."

[The moment I receive any news about him, I'll contact you immediately.]

"Understood. I'll hang up now."

Click.

The moment the call ended, Commander Kwak Taesu cautiously asked,

"Chief Cha... the person you were just speaking with... could he possibly be..."

"That's CIA Director Griffin."

"Oh... I see. How do you know him?"

"When I helped Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol escape to our country back in Macau..."

"Wait a moment."

Commander Kwak Taesu had been absolutely certain that Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol had defected to the United States.

Hearing me say that Jo had actually escaped to South Korea shook him to his core.

Of course, I could simply have lied and brought him here anyway.

But if he later discovered the deception, there was no guarantee he wouldn't explode with rage.

I decided to give him a little time.

After frowning in confusion for several moments, he finally spoke.

"Deputy Director Jo didn't defect to America?"

"Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol came to South Korea, not the United States."

"And you expect me to believe that, Chief Cha?"

"If you doubt me, call Deputy Director Jo yourself and ask him."

Without another thought, Commander Kwak Taesu dialed Jo Ilcheol's number.

He spoke with him for quite some time, his expression grave throughout the conversation, before finally ending the call.

"Chief Cha... why did Deputy Director Jo deceive me?"

Not knowing Jo Ilcheol's true intentions, I had no choice but to improvise a convincing explanation.

"Our country is crawling with North Korean spies. Deputy Director Jo himself was extremely wary about defecting to South Korea. If he had honestly told you where he was going, you probably would have abandoned your own escape. I believe that's the only reason he lied."

"But why would he risk his life to defect specifically to South Korea?"

"Do you happen to remember Choi Cheolgyeo, the former Deputy Commander of the Guard Command who disappeared three years ago?"

"He was my immediate superior. Of course I know him."

"Did you know he defected to our country?"

"What?! Is that true?"

Commander Kwak Taesu's voice was filled with utter disbelief.

"It is. Even though North Korean spy networks operate inside our country, North Korea still has no idea that Deputy Commander Choi is living there. After learning he was alive and safe, Deputy Director Jo finally made up his mind to defect."

"Our country will do everything in its power to protect you, Commander Kwak, and ensure you can live in peace."

Director Lee Menghong immediately added his own reassurance.

"Hmm... I understand now."

"In the end, Commander Kwak, only you can decide which country to defect to."

"If I choose the United States, what will you do?"

"We'll hand you over to the CIA agents currently here and wash our hands of the matter."

Commander Kwak Taesu's heart sank.

Dandong, bordering North Korea, was a region where the National Intelligence Service operated far more extensively than the CIA.

Without NIS assistance, escaping Chinese territory would be extraordinarily difficult.

And now the one man holding the key to his escape from China—Cha Jiham—was prepared to step aside.

As he agonized over the dilemma, I continued.

"Commander Kwak, even if you first meet Deputy Director Jo in our country and only afterward decide whether to defect to the United States, it won't be too late."

"I'd like to... but..."

The dejected reply told me exactly what I needed to know.

The goal was within reach.

Only one final push remained.

"If you choose to come to our country, I'll personally take responsibility for getting you there."

"How?"

I deliberately turned my head toward Chief Secretary Kang.

Reading my intentions instantly, Kang Inhan answered without hesitation.

"We'll escort you to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Shenyang. You'll complete the standard procedures there before traveling to our country."

Commander Kwak Taesu, however, slowly shook his head.

"There are hundreds of North Korean agents operating in Shenyang. They're undoubtedly watching the South Korean Consulate General. Slipping inside without being noticed won't be easy."

"Hmm... now that you mention it, you're absolutely right."

"We'll have to find another way."

Fortunately, I already had a Plan B prepared.

Now was the time to reveal it.

"Secretary Kang, call Vice Chairman Wei Chen and ask him to come here."

"Understood."

After a brief reply, Kang Inhan took out his phone and stepped into another room.

Watching him leave, Commander Kwak Taesu curiously asked,

"Chief Cha... who exactly is Vice Chairman Wei Chen?"

"The man who effectively runs the Triad."

"...The Triad? How do you know someone like that?"

If he'd merely been doubtful about Director Griffin, this time his face displayed genuine curiosity.

The full story was far too long, so I summarized it.

"We met when I traveled to Macau to rescue Deputy Director Jo Ilcheol."

"I see. Is Vice Chairman Wei Chen here now?"

"That's right, Commander Kwak."

"May I ask why he came?"

Vice Chairman Wei Chen had come to Dandong to destroy the North Korean weapons aboard the Silver Crystal.

There was no way I could tell him something that explosive.

"He heard I was here on business and came specifically to see me."

"But didn't you say you only met him recently?"

His curiosity really is incurable.

"I did Vice Chairman Wei Chen a favor in Macau, and he came personally to thank me. This hotel belongs to him, so we're staying here free of charge."

"Then your favor must have been an extraordinary one."

With my help, Wei Chen had crushed Chen Zhihui's faction within the Triad.

I'd also sold him 5,150 kilograms of gold bars below international market prices.

On top of that, the operation to destroy the North Korean weapons aboard the Silver Crystal couldn't have happened without our involvement.

Even so, I had no desire to boast.

"It wasn't anything remarkable."

"You really are a humble man, Chief Cha."

"Ha ha. Thank you."

Ding-dong.

Right on cue, the doorbell rang.

As though he already knew who had arrived, Kang Inhan immediately opened the door.

Vice Chairman Wei Chen, dressed casually, entered alongside Director Pan Kai.

I quickly introduced Commander Kwak Taesu to them.

Just to be safe, I described him as a businessman conducting business in North Korea.

Not entirely convinced, Wei Chen asked with a puzzled expression,

"Chief Cha, I assume there's a reason you're meeting Mr. Kwak in Secretary Kang's suite?"

"It's because neither the CIA nor the FBI can know about our meeting."

"Hmm..."

Wei Chen fell silent, deep in thought.

Fortunately, he didn't ponder for long.

"Chief Cha, may I ask one question? Is all the commotion in Dandong because of Mr. Kwak?"

"I couldn't say."

"Chief Cha... you know I can keep my mouth shut better than anyone."

His question clearly hinted that I should reveal Kwak Taesu's true identity.

But I still hadn't explained why I'd summoned him.

Now wasn't the time.

"You'll learn Mr. Kwak's identity soon enough."

"Very well. I won't press the matter. Then why did you call me here so early?"

"Mr. Kwak has defected from North Korea and wishes to travel to our country. Unfortunately, we have no discreet way to get him there."

"Then simply put him aboard a stealth submarine."

At that moment, Commander Kwak Taesu tilted his head and interrupted in awkward English.

"Chief Cha... what stealth submarine?"

I could easily have ignored the question.

Instead, since I had my own objectives, I decided to reveal only a small part of the truth.

"About an hour from here is Fengcheng. There's a joint Chinese-Russian factory producing kamikaze drones there. I don't think I need to explain what those drones are used for."

"No."

"The United States has dispatched a special operations team to destroy the factory."

"Are you saying they arrived aboard stealth submarines?"

As expected, Commander Kwak Taesu was sharp.

"Exactly, Mr. Kwak. Now do you understand why we can't simply put you aboard one?"

"Of course."

Leaving that behind, I turned back to Wei Chen.

"We'd like your help getting Mr. Kwak safely to our country without the United States finding out. Is that possible?"

"How could I refuse a request from Chief Cha?"

"I'm sincerely grateful, Vice Chairman Wei."

Commander Kwak Taesu spoke up again.

"Vice Chairman Wei, how exactly do you plan to get me to Korea?"

"I know the president of the company that operates passenger ships between the Port of Dandong and the Port of Incheon."

"So... you're planning to smuggle me into Korea?"

"I won't deny it."

"Isn't there a risk of being discovered?"

"I'll personally guarantee your safety."

Commander Kwak Taesu looked toward me.

I understood exactly what that look meant.

"Mr. Kwak, Vice Chairman Wei is a man who always keeps his word."

"Ah... I see. Vice Chairman Wei, forgive my distrust."

"I understand completely. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you. Then when can we leave for Korea?"

"Why wait? Why not this morning?"

"This morning?!"

Commander Kwak Taesu stared in astonishment, clearly never expecting events to move this quickly.

"In two days, something enormous is going to happen here."

"You mean the destruction of the kamikaze drone factory in Fengcheng?"

Wei Chen turned toward me.

Reading his thoughts instantly, I quickly shook my head.

"Mr. Kwak, Chief Cha would prefer not to discuss the other operation."

"Very well. Please continue."

"In two days, security throughout this region will almost certainly become far stricter."

At that moment, Director Pan Kai, who had been checking something on his phone, joined the conversation.

"The passenger ship for Incheon departs at seven o'clock this morning."

"There's no time to waste. Mr. Kwak, you heard what Director Pan just said."

Only a few hours had passed since Commander Kwak Taesu escaped from North Korea.

And now he was already on his way to the Republic of Korea.