Chapter 20
April 29, 2016 21:00. National Intelligence Service military training facility target practice site in Kang-Won Do.
The point shooting evaluation started after Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin’s posture and shooting demonstration.
“Come forward and enter the shooting range in groups of ten.”
Following Drill Instructor Lee Hyun-suk’s command, the first group of ten entered the shooting range and got in position.
“When you are ready, load and commence firing.”
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Cease fire, unload, and exit the range.”
A brief moment later after the target plates were reset, it was finally the second group’s turn, which included Namgoong-won. After not even being able to make eye contact with Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin for the past two hours of training, he entered the range feeling slightly nervous.
After completing the evaluation, Namgoong-won scored the highest within his group at 112. Moments later, Lee Ja-sung entered the range as part of the third group. While passing Namgoong-won, Lee Ja-sung winked with a mysterious smile.
After all four groups finished the evaluation, Instructor Lee cleaned up the target plates and began announcing the scores.
“Today’s first evaluation has a winner. The winner received a perfect score of 120, from group three, Lee...”
“Sir! Since today’s winner is being rewarded, I would like to propose that the first place of each group compete against each other.”
Again, Lee Ja-sung raised his right hand high and spoke loudly.
“This kid... Alright, since it was you who wanted it and nobody else, don’t regret asking for it. Then each group’s first place prepare for shooting: Yoon Dong-Gyu from group one, Namgoong-won from group two, Lee Ja-sung from group three, and An Gil-woo from group four.”
Namgoong-won, who felt lucky enough to place first within his group, was determined to win first place and see Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin for even a short moment. However, he wasn’t too hopeful because he knew Lee Ja-sung’s shooting skills.
The shooting for each group’s first place commenced.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Though Namgoong-won tried his best to focus while shooting, his breath got caught in his throat during the seventh shot and only hit six points. He took a deep breath and finished shooting, but because of his mistake of hitting six points, he scored two points lower than in the first round at 110.
While the instructors were checking the target plates, they began discussing with each other as they looked at Namgoong-won and Lee Ja-sun’s target plates.
“I will present the winner in the first place in each group. The winner is Namgoong-won, who scored a perfect score of 120.”
Though the trainees around him cheered and applauded loudly, Namgoong-won was confused.
‘I thought I scored 110. How did I end up in first with a perfect score of 120?’
“That concludes today’s target practice evaluation. Namgoong-won, go drink coffee or eat ramen or whatever you guys planned with Instructor Lee. Everyone else, head back to your quarters. Dismissed.”
While exiting the shooting range, Lee Ja-sung passed by the confused Namgoong-won with a thumbs up and a wide grin. Then, someone called Namgoong-won from behind him.
“Namgoong-won! It’s been a while.”
After finally making eye contact with Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin, Namgoong-won smiled awkwardly and replied, “What a surprise! How did you get here?”
“Let’s go out first!”
April 29, 2016 21:40. National Intelligence Service military training facility resting area in Kang-Won Do.
The two sat in silence while staring off into space, holding coffee from the vending machine, and feeling awkward from not seeing each other in a while.
Shortly after, Assistant Manager Lee started speaking.
“So? Is the training doable?”
“It was difficult at first, but now it’s not too bad.”
“At least it’s only a three-month course for the reserves. Active duty has a six-month course, and elite agents have another month of hellish training.”
“I’ so glad I’m only in the reserves. Are Manager An and the others at Unit 1 doing well?”
“Of course they’re doing well.”
“Everyone else is doing well while I’m here struggling and going through hell... Hahaha, I’m just kidding.”
Namgoong-won clarified himself in case his attempt at easing the awkwardness came off as a truthful statement.
“I know...”
“Anyway, how did you get here?”
Assistant Manager Lee paused at Namgoong-won’s question before looking at him and continuing to speak.
“Well it wasn’t part of the plan, and I’m not a drill instructor either. Actually I... Begged Manager An and used instruction as an excuse to come here and see you...”
After coming to this facility, Namgoong-won missed Assistant Manager Lee and thought about her every day. When the person he missed so much told him that she came here to see him... His heart started pounding in his chest again.
“Really?”
“Do you think I would lie about this in our situation?”
Seeing the streetlight shining on Assistant Manager Lee’s face, Namgoong-won unknowingly grabbed the back of her head with his left hand and leaned in for a kiss. Assistant Manager Lee didn’t mind and closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, in Instructor’s Lee Hyun-suk’s office...
“Hey! Lee Ja-sung! Do you think target practice is a joke?”
Instructor Lee called in Lee Ja-sung, intending to berate him.
“Instructor, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t? Look at this kid! Haha, You! Why are you shooting at other people’s target plates? There were 11 hits on your plate and 13 on Namgoong-won’s plate... Did you shoot at Namgoong-won’s plate? Why would you do that?”
Lee Ja-sung scratched his head and murmured, “Really? I think I may have made a mistake, sir.”
“A mistake? I’ll let this one go since it wasn’t part of the evaluation, but if you do this at the next target practice, it won’t be funny. Do you understand?”
“I won’t make this mistake again. You can trust me on that!”
“Alright. You can go.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you!”
During the second day in the training facility, Lee Ja-sung asked Namgoong-won about Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin at the top of the mountain for their loaded march but was suspicious of his response. After asking Namgoong-won about her a few more times afterward, he determined that Namgoong-won had feelings for her and purposely asked for first place at the shooting evaluation to have a date with her. To ensure it did happen, he shot a bullet at Namgoong-won’s target plate.
May 2, 2016, 21:40. Presidential Office in Pyongyang, North Korea.
On April 29th, Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department Kim Yo-jong was nominated as the first vice-chairman of the Labor Party through the first North Korean Labor Party Convention. When it was unclear when Chairman Kim Jong-un would wake up, the clear candidate to step in was the charismatic Vice-Chairman Kim Yo-jong, who called for an emergency standing committee.
Sitting at the center of the conference room, Vice-Chairman Kim Yo-jong asked as if she were the chairman of this emergency meeting, “Please do not hesitate to share your opinion about how to progress the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
“I have something to say. Due to the South Korean puppet regime, the state affairs in Northeast Asia is dangerous. For the safety of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, shouldn’t we accelerate the currently halted nuclear weapon research, especially in a time like this?”
One of the most aggressive leaders in North Korea, Deputy Director of the Workers’ Party of Korea Lee Byung-Chul, spoke while emphasizing the need to relaunch the nuclear weapon research that was halted in 2015. In response to Director Lee’s statement, an elderly man slightly furrowed his brows and spoke.
“Isn’t the current nation in a good state? As Director Lee stated, the current state of affairs in Northeast Asia is unstable. Wouldn’t relaunching the nuclear weapon research now draw more aggression from America and other countries around us?”
Party Secretary Oh Choon-hwan expressed the opposing argument.
“How can the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea carry on the great Chairman Kim Jong-un’s cause by fearing America or the countries around us? Don’t ever say something as stupid as that ever again.”
The temperamental Director Lee stood up and pointed at Secretary Oh, berating him while foaming at the mouth.
“Stop and have a seat, Comrade Director Lee.”
Sheepish at Vice-Chairman Kim Yo-jong’s command, Director Lee sat down without speaking and glared at Secretary Oh.
“Comrade Director Lee, wouldn’t comrade Secretary Oh say this for the safety of North Korea? In my opinion, the nuclear weapon development card should be a last resort. For now, I think we need to take a multi-directional approach.”
“A multi-directional approach? Continue, comrade Premier Park.” Vice-Chairman Kim Yo-jong took interest in Premier Park Pong-Ju’s idea and urged him to continue.
“The current tension in the Korean Peninsula is at an all-time high. Even though our People’s Republic is problematic, the South also took an economic hit and are in a state of trouble. In light of a meeting request from last time, isn’t this a chance for us to get some practical assistance from the South by improving our relationship? Furthermore, if we mend relations with China, we can relaunch many of our halted industries and have an economic gain.”
“I believe comrade Premier Park is correct.”
Director Kim Ki-Nam, who was elected into the Supreme People’s Assembly from the Labor Party Convention, agreed with Premier Park.
“Instead of a rigid foreign policy, I think it’s most important to tend to internal relations and appease tensions in the Korean Peninsula. However, this does not mean that we should not prepare our military. I believe we should test fire our submarine SLBM currently in development or conduct a test launch and accelerate the development of our Taepodong missile.”
“Thank you all for sharing your opinions.”
As soon as Director Kim finished speaking, Vice Chairman Kim Yo-jong placed both of her hands on the conference room table and leaned forward before speaking.
“I am well aware that the war threat in the Korean Peninsula is bad for North Korea. Regarding the meeting request with South Korea, we will have representatives from the North and South meet as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should improve our current relations with China to restore military and economic cooperation relations. However, what’s most important is what Director Kim said about always being prepared for our nation’s safety, is it not? Therefore, we should give a special command to weaponry development with historical, aggressive determination so that Chairman Kim Jong-un’s cause can come to fruition.”