Dear Comrade

Dear Comrade Leader, Episode 199

Chapter 71. League of Legends

‘No, looking back, I was a normal game-loving guy, no, I was a guy. And considering the potential of the game industry in the future, is it right to invest nationally by now? This is by no means my personal reasons. Not like that.’

Although the process was a bit funny (and the supreme leader’s self-interest), the last one of these 4S policies was the game industry represented by StarCraft.

In fact, since the game was released in the United States in 1998 and in North Korea, where computers and modems, that is, the Internet, were faster than Korea, the online game itself was already very popular among North Korean teenagers and male college students.

However, similar to Korea at the same time, awareness of games was at a low level, and no one could have imagined that an industrial ecosystem could be achieved with this.

“What are you doing now? Not sleeping at night.”

“Just a little more and sleep well, Omani. I only win this game… … .”

“You bastard Ganna! I don’t study anymore… … You know how to buy a computer with a lot of money for that! Can’t you pick it up right now?”

“Ahhh!!! No matter how old you are, what do you do if you pull the wire? All the programs inside are broken!”

Although North Korea and South Korea have different systems, they were basically authoritarian and academically oriented societies, so the views of adults in their 40s and 50s when they would naturally have children were ‘obstacles to study only’ like Korea.

Some of the North Korean entrepreneurs who already had a pioneering business sense through studying abroad, etc. saw the potential of this game industry in Japan and started making game companies, but the reality is that they are still far from investment or interest from the authorities.

First of all, it was natural in an era when bureaucrats who create support systems and classify industries can only think of games as Tetris.

However, the advantage of the one-party and one-man dictatorship is that related research is conducted in the areas of interest of the supreme leader and has become a public debate, so resources can be invested quickly without passing through a committee in the National Assembly and proposing a bill. was the point.

“First, shall we start with the online game association, which is directly managed under our department? We also plan to hold a national association cup competition once a year to cover public relations and national rankings such as Yanggang-do, Hwanghae-do, Gangwon-do, and Pyeongan-do. Oh, of course, the prize money should be generous. The fastest way to convince the old generation with hardened brains to convince the new generation of culture is that they can make a lot of money from it.”

‘It’s really fun, this. I can see why the presidents of Korean chaebols suddenly give investment orders to horseback riding and yachts that have nothing to do with the group’s main industry. Is this the so-called match between work and hobbies?’

While Pyongyang was slowly but surely immersed in the World Cup atmosphere, leaving the World Cup promotion and propaganda to Hyun Young-sook and the Shenzhen Propaganda Department, Jung Hwan immersed himself in the creation and formation of the ‘Joseon Online Game Federation’ more happily than ever before.

And the effect was so clear that the establishment of the first StarCraft Pro League in North Korean history, the formation of an association, and the national competition could be completed in just over six months before the World Cup was held.

Even the members of the preparation for the establishment of the federation, who were initially anxious to be one of the numerous departments or researchers under the party specialized department that are newly established every day when they wake up these days, a worker from the secretariat’s office sneakily said, ‘The general secretary has an extraordinary interest in the tasks of the comrades. ‘ When I said one word, my mind flashed.

Even on the day of the federation’s inauguration and the 1st national convention, when General Secretary Jeong Hwan personally visited the president and gave a congratulatory speech, attention from inside and outside the party was ‘how important is the computer game committee or something, so the secretary’s office is so interested?’ There was also receiving.

“I heard my comrades complain that it is difficult to tell their parents what they are doing on their own. But think about it, until just 20 years ago, the republic’s best grooming profession was a miner. Over the past 20 years, the party’s top hero has changed its workers, so how can this not happen again in the not-too-distant future? ”

On the day of the founding of the federation and league, Jeonghwan directly patted the shoulder and asked the first StarCraft national league finalists, who were very nervous after meeting the head of state unexpectedly.

One of the most daring players out there. The courageous question posed by a player who appeared to be less than 20 years old secretly but surely turned the whole president upside down and the entire republic upside down.

“… … there… … Perhaps… … Does Comrade General Secretary also enjoy playing computer games online?”

“Sure. Even now, I often enjoy it every night after work. But what kind of race are you the best at?”

Jeonghwan’s answer was insignificant, but it was unquestionable that the short answer that would go down in history greatly changed the perception of the game within North Korea and the view of professional players.

In any case, even when Jeonghwan was having such a pleasant day when he threw away the construction division, the World Cup propaganda was heating up under the leadership of the Preparatory Committee made up of Politburo executives.

Read at readwn.com

Now, no one in Pyongyang has spoken about the truck protests in Nampo.

At every dinner, every drinking party, and every smoking room, the only topic of conversation was the World Cup semi-finals and the semi-finals and quarter-finals to be played in Pyongyang.

At that time, the students of the university street protest, who realized the crafty work of the party and the system, burst into anger and did their best to gather the remaining power of the protest, but it was already too late.

And finally, as the opening ceremony in Seoul neared, around that time, the people and peoples of North and South Korea were engulfed in the World Cup fever and remembered a very natural but very significant fact that they had forgotten for a while.

Along with South Korean President Yu Min-jung, Jeong Hwan is set to attend the opening ceremony of the upcoming 2002 World Cup as head of state of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, one of the two co-hosts.

The opening ceremony will be held in Seoul.

So, of course, to attend the opening ceremony, Jeonghwan has to go to Seoul in person.

In other words, the opening ceremony of the World Cup is also taking the form of a brief summit in which Kim Jeong-hwan, general secretary of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, visits Korea and Seoul for the first time since taking office.

* * *

“Tell me honestly. I’m trembling.”

“… … It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve heard a comrade speak out loud like that.”

After completing all the events in the north, as the time to leave South drew near, it was Yoo Hye-rim’s answer to Jeong-hwan’s frankly confided words.

In line with the planning intention (?) of the inter-Korean World Cup, a grand celebration was being held in North Korea in line with the South’s opening ceremony schedule.

Read at readwn.com

Not to mention the tickets for matches including the semi-finals, it was after the broadcast tickets, T-shirts, official balls, and various character goods were sold out at high prices.

The venue is Ryugyong Jeong Mun-young Soccer Stadium, and the stadium built after Chung Mun-young, chairman of the Hyundai Group, who is the honorary chairman of the Joseon Football Association, relays the opening ceremony and pre-ceremonies in Seoul from 9:00 a.m. on a huge LED screen (made by modern electronics). was enhancing

Read at readwn.com

Now, all that remains is for co-host Jeong-hwan to join South Korean President Yu Min-jung, who is waiting for him to cross over Panmunjom, and declare the opening ceremony at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Unlike the Korea-Japan World Cup, which ceased to exist, it was an event that was possible because the distance between Seoul and Pyongyang, the co-host of the World Cup, was less than two hours by car.

However, it was not only because of the World Cup that Junghwan murmured that he was trembling.

‘It’s been over 20 years since I’ve been to Korea in 2002. Even with a completely different identity and a different name than before. How many other people in this world will have this kind of experience?’

It was the only thought in Jeong Hwan’s mind as he got into the car with party officials, bodyguards, and countless other attendants, waving to the North Korean people enthusiastically applauding him at Jeong Mun-yeong Stadium.

Returning to Seoul, South Korea, a land that is home but no longer is now, a land where I have lived my whole life, but now I can’t go even if I want to go regardless of the street.

Perhaps the founding of the E-Sports League and Online Game Federation suddenly reminded Junghwan of his nostalgia for the past.

‘Look at my mind. This is not the time to be immersed in these feelings.’

As with all international sporting events, the North-South joint World Cup was particularly rich in political color due to its nature, and as a result, the interest of the world media was great.

And in the case of South Korea, the interest was even greater, and the leading media, including the Korea Daily, were already pouring out articles every day that they should pay more attention to the meeting between the two leaders, who borrowed the form of the opening ceremony rather than the World Cup.

This is the first summit since Park Yi-sam, which can be called a summit meeting.

After all, it is the first time that the leader of North Korea who has overturned North Korea and won the economic race with South Korea from the moment he took office until now is directly coming to Korea.

I couldn’t write because I was so interested.

“I don’t think you need to worry too much about Yu Min-joong. General Secretary. After all, the term of office is until next year, and what a president who is lame-duck can say is the usual goodwill or the expansion of visa issuance between the two countries and the agenda for joint development of Mt. Geumgang. The really important issues will most likely be discussed with the next president.”

‘Even so, he was someone I wanted to meet at least once.’

Recalling the advice of Director Kim in preparation for meeting with Min-jung Yoo in his head, Jeong-hwan felt the hot air approaching through the window in the back seat of the official car.

Come to think of it, it was now the middle of July in Seoul, but Junghwan had forgotten the summer heat for quite some time.

Pyongyang is cool even in summer, and since he is far from outdoor activities, he hardly ever felt the summer heat.

It was as if the warmth in my heart that had been forgotten was gradually revived as I got closer to Seoul.

“You have arrived, comrade.”

“… … What about the South Koreans?”

“Now he is waiting in the house of peace. After joining our team, we plan to go to the Seoul World Cup Stadium together.”

Jeonghwan nodded silently and got out of the car and headed to the Peace House in Panmunjom with all the party officials behind him.

As planned, at the front door on the first floor of the Peace House, the chairman of the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Prime Minister, and one other person were waiting for Jeonghwan.

As Jeonghwan approached, the person who was waiting for him, a living witness and legend of the Korean democratization movement, and Yoo Min-jung, the 15th president of the Republic of Korea, reached out and offered to shake hands and greeted him first.

“We sincerely welcome you to Korea, General Secretary Kim Jeong-hwan. Shall we head to the World Cup Stadium now?”