Red Shark

Jin snorted. “Certain understandings. Which ones — the agreement to disarm, to dismantle our forces so the imperialists can walk into our country unopposed to build shopping malls and McDonald’s and movie theaters that will enrich the Jewish financiers who run America? And was it not Kim Jong-il who promised that if war broke out he would kill thousands of GIs; shoot down thousands of American war planes; sink America’s prized vessels of the Seventh Fleet, their aircraft carriers and submarines; devastate American bases; have all of this broadcast live on international television; and finally, launch long-range missiles at the United States and Japan? I know all about his so-called understandings with the imperialists. But as soon as they took out their checkbooks he turned into a yapping lapdog. That’s why he’s in detention in Chungwa and not sitting in this chair, here in Pyongyang.”

Yi nodded but said nothing as he tired of standing and stepped back to ease himself into a chair. While Jin drummed his fingers, Yi lit a cigarette and inhaled twice before he said, “Perhaps, Dear Leader, there is something we are not aware of despite having total access to Kim’s private files.”

Jin’s gaze bored into Yi. He despised Yi’s tendency to circle endlessly around a matter before coming to the point. How he could command troops in the field was beyond comprehension. “Comrade, you test my patience. Please say what is on your mind.”

“As you know, Dear Leader, rumors still circulate that Kim played the Americans for fools regarding the nuclear freeze agreement.”

“Yes, what of it?”

“That he played them not only for fools but induced them to provide vast sums of money to ensure that the DPRK complied with the agreement.”

“Those rumors have proven true. Five billion dollars have been paid by the United States government to the DPRK through secret Swiss accounts. Yes, Kim the lapdog blackmailed the Americans and they paid. The money went for improvements to our conventional forces and for nuclear engineering studies at Yongbyon. But we have known that for years.”

“There are rumors that the Americans also paid Kim a billion dollars personally, which he has in a private account in Switzerland. Perhaps it is this money he wishes to discuss with you.”

“You mean, Comrade General, that he wants to buy his way out of detention?”

“To buy his way into exile.”

Again, Jin snorted. “He is mad if he thinks he could buy exile. There isn’t enough money in the world for him to buy his way out of Chungwa. And if there was, where would he go? Who would have him?”

Yi smoked as he talked. “Perhaps his paymasters would see to it that he was welcome somewhere. A country perhaps in need of hard currency.”

Jin said tartly, “I doubt it. The Americans’ investment in Kim has gone up in smoke and they know it. What is it the Americans say, something about throwing good money after bad?”

“Perhaps, Dear Leader, but one should ask, what did Kim personally agree to provide in return for his billion dollars?”

Jin’s eyes narrowed. “That the DPRK would disarm.”

“Which brings us back to where we started.”

“You talk in riddles. I have no patience—”

“With respect, Dear Leader, I only report what I have heard. He asked to speak with me as a conduit to you. I am reporting what he said, which was little, and what I could glean by listening to what he did not say. I am convinced he wants us to know that the billion dollars he received from the Americans purchased something of great value to them, which he may believe now might be used to purchase his exile.”

“What do you think this valuable thing is?”

“I don’t know, but perhaps it would be prudent to find out.”