After the conversation, Zhou Mengxian breathed a sigh of relief. Apart from other things, at least the operating rights of the Mount Kumgang International Tourism Zone were secured. Although the DPRK was not very satisfied with the Eshan Group, they still gave the Eshan Group a chance to improve its work in view of the good relationship between Zhou Zhengyong and his son and the DPRK.
It is a general trend to allow more South Korean enterprises to participate in the economic cooperation between North and South Korea. It is not realistic for Asan Group to continue to monopolize the economic cooperation projects between North and South Korea. The fact that North Korea specifically asked Xinya to participate in the operation of the Mount Kumgang International Tourism Zone is a signal.
Compared with other Korean companies, letting Xinya join is the best result Zhou Mengxian can accept at present. If other Korean companies are allowed to connect with North Korea, perhaps both the Mount Kumgang International Tourism Zone and the Kaesong Industrial Park projects will change hands.
When Zhou Mengxian and Song Yi returned to Pyeongjing, Zheng Enxuan and Song Zhuyi came to Gimpo Airport to greet them. Zhou Zhuyi obviously knew that Zhou Mengxian had an important mission in North Korea this time, so she greeted Zhou Mengxian first, "Father, is this trip going well?"
Zhou Mengxian looked tired. "Thanks to Song Yi's hard work, Asan has retained the operating rights of the Mount Kumgang International Tourism Zone. The DPRK has shown its sincerity. Now we need Song Yi to communicate with the president and the military."
Song Yi was in high spirits. He took over Zhou Mengxian's words and said, "Uncle Mengxian, you are too polite. We are a family and we don't have different opinions. As a member of Eshan, I definitely hope that Eshan can develop better and better."
Before Zhou Zhuyi could understand what was going on, Zheng Enxuan wanted to glare at Song Yi. This guy was getting bolder and bolder. He dared to say that he and her were a family in front of her husband.
Because Song Yi had previously given Zhou Zhiyi and Ju Guangmo a luxury house on the Bund in Puhai City, Zheng Enxuan kindly reminded Song Yi not to give expensive gifts at the wedding.
As a result, Song Yi shamelessly said that Zhou Zhiyi was like his daughter, and Ju Guangmo was his future son-in-law, and he would definitely buy them another gift. After all, when a Korean daughter gets married, parents have to prepare a thick dowry.
Zheng Enxuan was irritated by Song Yi. This was something her real husband needed to worry about, so why did she need Song Yi, the fake husband, to prepare for it. However, Song Yi and Zheng Enxuan's family had always had a good relationship, so it was not surprising even if he gave her another generous gift.
Before Song Yi and his companions left the airport, they were stopped. A group of young men in black suits blocked Song Yi's way. Bodyguard Cha Tae-sik said to Song Yi, "These people are not ordinary bodyguards, nor do they look like police officers. They look a bit like the people from the National Intelligence Service."
Song Yi knew that Che Tae-sik's identity was not simple. He was not just a veteran, and it was not surprising that he could recognize the identities of the agents of the National Intelligence Service.
Of course he knew the National Intelligence Service, which is South Korea's largest intelligence agency. It was formerly the Central Intelligence Department and later renamed the National Intelligence Service, which reports directly to the President of South Korea.
The National Intelligence Service is the counterpart of the CIA. Its previous English abbreviation was KCIA. The CIA has long served as an advisor to the National Intelligence Service.
This department has also done many major things, such as in 1980 when the head of the National Intelligence Service, Zhong Peiyan, assassinated then-President Zheng Puxi and then committed suicide by shooting himself.
In addition to this, the National Intelligence Service, at the behest of Zheng Puxi, arrested the political dissident Zhong Xiaotong in Japan. At that time, the National Intelligence Service agents were ready to eliminate Zhong Xiaotong. If the CIA had not received the news and rescued Zhong Xiaotong, Zhong Xiaotong would not have had the opportunity to participate in the presidential election in the 1990s.
Before the 1998 presidential election, South Korean Ambassador to the United States Na Seok-hyun and Samsung Group President Chen Hak-soo discussed providing campaign funds to opposition Grand National Party candidate Lee Chang-hui and other presidential candidates.
At that time, the National Intelligence Service wiretapped high-ranking political and business figures such as Luo Xixuan and Chen Hezhu, and produced thousands of wiretap tapes and transcripts. In 1999, the National Intelligence Service's wiretapping scandal was exposed, and the National Intelligence Service was forced to withdraw from the field of domestic political intelligence in South Korea and focus on foreign intelligence work.
The National Intelligence Service may have noticed Song Yi a long time ago, but they just couldn't find a suitable reason to contact Song Yi before. This time Song Yi and Zhou Mengxian went to the opening ceremony of Zhou Zhengyong Gymnasium together, which just gave them a suitable excuse.
After North Korea tested missiles in 1998, the United States, Japan and South Korea began to exchange intelligence on North Korea, gradually forming an intelligence information center in Northeast Asia.
Zhou Mengxian and the others noticed the movement from Song Yi's side and looked at him with doubtful eyes. Song Yi signaled them to relax and let them go back first.
"Chairman Song, we are from the North Korean Intelligence Department of the National Intelligence Service. Here is my ID. Our Director Park would like to ask you to return to the Intelligence Service to consult with you about your activities during your three days and two nights in the north. Don't worry, it's just a simple conversation and it won't delay your work." The leading agent kindly reminded.
Song Yi did not disagree, "Please wait a moment, I will say hello to President Meng Xian and the others first. It is not good to gather at the airport at this time and attract others' attention."
Song Yi walked up to Zhou Mengxian and the others. Zheng Enxuan had obviously guessed the identity of this group of people. She asked with a worried look on her face, "Do you want me to call Shuliang first to tell them about this? At least let them know about this."
Song Jianhao and Zhou Zhuyi have already started talking about marriage, and Zheng Enxuan and Song Yuxi are relatives. Although it is not convenient for Zheng Enxuan to contact President Song Yuxi directly, it is no problem for her to call Quan Liangshu directly and tell him about the situation Song Yi is facing.
"No, there's no need to make such a fuss. Uncle Song has just taken office and has not had time to make personnel adjustments to the intelligence system. They probably want to give me a warning and then put forward their demands. This carrot and stick approach has been used a long time ago, and I don't buy it. With Tae-sik and the others following me, my personal safety will definitely be fine. You go back first!" Song Yi patted the back of Zheng Enxuan's hand, motioning for them to leave first.
The agents were driving a Chevrolet Suburban. They opened the door and gestured to Song Yi, "President Song, please come in."
Song Yi glanced at Che Tae-sik, who stepped forward knowingly and said, "Chairman, there's a call from the Blue House. The president wants to see you now."
Song Yi straightened his clothes and said leisurely, "Excuse me, I just have to go to the Blue House to report to the president about the three-day and two-night activities in the north. If your President Park wants to know the details, you might as well come to the Blue House and I will report together, so as to avoid running back and forth and delaying everyone's efforts."
At this time, the driver also drove the BMW 740 bulletproof car in front of Song Yi. Che Tae-sik opened the door, Song Yi got in, and then drove away.
The group of agents looked at each other and spat on the ground in annoyance. They knew that Song Yi had a close relationship with the new president Song Woo-sik, but they still failed to complete the task assigned by President Park.
President Park instructed them to invite Song Yi to the National Intelligence Service for questioning, but not to offend Song Yi or alert other people at the airport.
In the past, they would ask someone to question them, and then they would directly control the person, put him in their car, and take him away. After the questioning was over, they would release him.
Now Dean Park wants to get intelligence about North Korea from Song Yi, but he doesn't dare to offend Song Yi. Song Yi's security team are all skilled fighters. If they take Song Yi away by force, there may be a conflict, and they will not be able to complete the task assigned by Dean Park.
"Damn it, if I had known earlier that I should have 'invited' Song Yi to the hospital directly, then there wouldn't be so much trouble!" said a young agent viciously.
"Please? How do you ask? Don't you know the couple who said goodbye to Song Yi at the airport just now? Their second daughter is now engaged to the son of our President Song. You forcibly took Song Yi away in front of them. Do you want to lose this job that you worked so hard to get?" The old man in the team gave advice.
Song Yi's bulletproof BMW 740 is the same model as Li Chaoren's. Song Yi rarely travels in this car, but this car has a special pass for the Blue House. If Song Yi wants to report to the Blue House, he basically takes this car.
Shin Kyung-soo is the spokesperson for Song Woo-seok's campaign team and one of the first seniors to follow Song Woo-seok. When Song Woo-seok was the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries of South Korea, Shin Kyung-soo was Song Woo-seok's secretary.
Later, when Song Woo-seok ran for president, Shin Kyung-soo became his spokesperson. After Song Woo-seok took office at the Blue House, Shin Kyung-soo became the chief of staff of the Blue House, overseeing the affairs of the Blue House.
As Song Woo-seok's secretary and confidant, Shin Kyung-soo certainly knew Song Yi's influence on Song Woo-seok. If Park Jin-hwan of the National Intelligence Service came forward and invited Song Yi to the National Intelligence Service for questioning, Song Yi might even give Park Jin-hwan some face.
Now Park Jin-hwan is still putting on airs and sending out several agents to take Song Yi away for questioning. Isn't Park Jin-hwan slapping Song Woo-seok in the face?
Since Song Woo-seok took office, he has not made any drastic personnel reforms. He nominated Ha Mi-ae as the new Minister of Justice, Joo Mong-joon as the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Joo Dong-young as the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, Le Seok-ik as the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and Lee Sang-dae as the Chief Prosecutor of South Korea.
It is not surprising that Le Xiyi became the Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, but it is unexpected that Lee Sang-dae, who has an ambiguous position, can go one step further and become the new Chief Prosecutor of South Korea. However, Korean public opinion generally believes that Song Yuxi made such an arrangement in order to allow the prosecution system to better cooperate with the work of the tough-minded Xia Meiai. After all, Lee Sang-dae is a veteran and smooth-talking person, so his reputation is average.
When Song Yi saw Xin Qingzhu, he greeted him politely, "Director Xin, long time no see." Xin Qingzhu didn't dare to be arrogant, "Chairman Song, long time no see, the president is waiting for you in the office."
When Song Yi arrived at Song Yuxi's presidential office, Song Yuxi was sitting at his desk reviewing documents. Xin Qingzhu reminded him, "Commander-in-chief, Song Yi is here."
Song Yuxi raised his head and said to Song Yi, "You, you made such a big fuss as soon as you came back. Park Zhenhuan has already complained to me, saying that you did not cooperate with the National Intelligence Service's investigation."
Park Jin-hwan is the director of the National Intelligence Service appointed by Zhong Xiaotong. Park Jin-hwan seems to be a little hypocritical towards the newly appointed president. Although Song Yuxi criticized Song Yi on the surface, he actually supported Song Yi's actions in his heart. Park Jin-hwan took Song Yi away directly at the airport, which was somewhat like a challenge to Song Yuxi. Although Song Yuxi is determined to become a people-friendly president, the president's authority cannot be challenged.
Song Yi complained, "Uncle Song, as soon as I returned to Seoul, I was ready to report to you the results of this visit to North Korea. I didn't even have time to go home. My mother prepared dinner at home and was waiting for me to go back to eat. I didn't eat well and sleep well in the north this time. I lost two or three pounds. Who knew that President Park was so eager to make a contribution that he wanted to intercept me at the airport and let me visit the Intelligence Agency."
Song Yuxi smiled and said, "Okay, don't act pitiful in front of me. We are all here for work, and you don't have to tell me about Park Jin-hwan's bad deeds. Okay, didn't you say that you achieved some results during your visit to North Korea? Tell me about it. We will make a record of our meeting today and submit it to the National Intelligence Service for filing. You don't have to go to the Intelligence Service to report again."
Song Yi said, "Uncle Song, I also met several key figures in the north this time. Leader Pyongyang also hopes to meet with you at the South Korea-Korea border at the right time." Song Yi conveyed the message from the North Korean side, and Song Yuxi was very excited. It seems that the North Korean side also recognizes Song Yuxi's "peace and prosperity policy."
"They hope to make the Mount Kumgang International Tourism Zone a model project for inter-Korean economic cooperation to attract more foreign tourists. After all, the blood transfusion-style economic assistance from former President Chung Hyo-tong cannot last long and has also caused a lot of controversy in South Korea."
"The DPRK is willing to exchange geographical intelligence from Goseong County to Jujin Station with the South Korean military, and the DPRK is also willing to facilitate the opening of the railway from Jujin Station to Goseong County. If this tourist line is opened to traffic, it is expected to have two trips per week, which can add 8,000 to 10,000 tourists to the Mount Kumgang International Tourist Area every month, and 100,000 South Korean tourists to the Mount Kumgang International Tourist Area throughout the year." Song Yi introduced the situation of the Mount Kumgang tourist line to Song Yuxi.
Song Yuxi nodded. "This work is not easy to promote. There are many controversial voices in South Korea. Many people say that we spend real money to aid the North, but the brothers in the North use this economic aid to develop missile technology to threaten our security."
"We are compatriots connected by blood. I believe that contact and dialogue are better than confrontation and suspicion. At any time, it is necessary to increase communication and exchanges between the North and the South. It is very important for you to go to the North this time to find out their true attitude. I will arrange another government delegation, consisting of representatives from the military, intelligence departments, railway system, and entrepreneurs, to go to the North again to implement this matter and hopefully reach an agreement. Now is a rare window of opportunity. I am worried that things will change if we delay."
"It's a pity that you are too young and your qualifications are still a bit insufficient, otherwise it would be just right to send you to preside over the talks." Song Yuxi felt a little regretful.
"Uncle Song, you're joking. I can only give you advice, but I can't take on such an important job. In fact, I do have a suitable candidate to recommend to you, but I don't know if you are willing to use him." Song Yi said.
"Oh? Who?" Song Yuxi suddenly became interested. Song Yuxi found that Song Yi had a deep understanding of South Korean politics, and the candidates he recommended were all qualified for his new position, which was quite remarkable.
"Jin Chengguo." Song Yi mentioned a candidate that Song Yuxi did not expect.
"Who?" Song Yuxi confirmed first.
"Kim Sung-guk was the chief of staff of the Blue House during the Chung Hyo-tong administration. When Chung Hyo-tong visited Pyeonggyong, Kim Sung-guk also went there. He is also very familiar with the affairs of the North."
"Kim Sung-guk used to work in the Intelligence Service for a period of time and later served as the chief of staff of the Blue House. He is also very familiar with economic cooperation between North and South Korea, has experience in diplomacy and intelligence work, and has met with many officials from the North. If we ignore his background, he is indeed a suitable candidate for negotiation," said Song Yi.
The reason why Song Yi knew Jin Chengguo was because Jin Chengguo had taken Song Yi to apply for a special loan of 200 million US dollars from the three major banks in South Korea. Song Yi used Zhou Mengxian's possible betrayal of Zhong Xiaotong in the Procuratorate as a threat to blackmail Zhong Xiaotong, forcing Zhong Xiaotong to instruct Jin Chengguo to help Xinya Media apply for a special loan of 200 million US dollars. At that time, Jin Chengguo saw how bold Song Yi was, and he actually seized Zhong Xiaotong's weakness to blackmail the current president.
"Since Jin Chengguo used to be Zhong Xiaotong's chief secretary, he can be considered Zhong Xiaotong's confidant. Is he willing to come out and work for me?" Song Yuxi was a little skeptical.
"Uncle Song, Zhong Xiaotong's three sons used the former president's influence to solicit bribes, so they naturally approached Jin Chengguo. However, Jin Chengguo did not give face to Zhong Xiaotong's three sons. His original words were, 'I am your father's subordinate, not yours. Don't act like a prince in front of me. North Korea has no emperor for a long time.'"
"So after Zhong Xiaotong left office, he took his former secretary with him, and Jin Chengguo became enemies with Zhong Xiaotong's family. It was equivalent to Jin Chengguo drawing a clear line between himself and Zhong Xiaotong in advance. As the saying goes, "When others abandon, I take." After all, Jin Chengguo is indeed a rare talent." Song Yi said.
"But I heard that Jin Chengguo doesn't like you because of the 200 million US dollars loan from New Asia Media. He always thinks you are an unscrupulous and profit-seeking businessman. If you recommend him to work for me, aren't you afraid that he will say bad things about you in front of me?" Song Yuxi asked jokingly.
"Uncle Song, if you want to get things done, you have to unite the majority of forces. There can't be only one voice around you, Uncle Song. Jin Chengguo has a prejudice against me, but it doesn't prevent him from working for you, Uncle Song. As long as we can promote the opening of the railway from Zhujin Station to Gaocheng Station, it doesn't matter who takes the lead or who is responsible. Jin Chengguo and I have one thing in common, we are both about the matter, not the person." Song Yi said.
Song Yuxi thought about it. Jin Chengguo was Zhong Xiaotong's chief of staff. His joining would help him to sort out the personnel relations of the Blue House more quickly and help him to control the power of the Blue House more quickly. After all, the term of office of each South Korean president is only five years. He still wants to work hard to make some achievements. Time waits for no one.
"Okay, I got it. I'll ask Kyung-soo to notify Kim Sung-guk to come over for a meeting. If there is no problem, Kim Sung-guk will lead the government delegation this time." Song Yuxi agreed.
"Okay, go back and have dinner quickly. Your Aunt Quan has brought Jianhao and Jingyan to your house. Jingyan seems to want to go out to sea on your yacht. Remember not to agree, otherwise it will be troublesome if the reporters take pictures of her." Song Yuxi reminded.
Thank you all for your monthly tickets. The number of monthly tickets should exceed 200 tomorrow. I will try to find time to add another chapter tomorrow. See you tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)