18. The language that bears fruit!

[말레이]

18. The language that bears fruit!

On January 15, 2020, Sam safely received his Ph.D. and returned to ‘Molisha’ for good. On the day Sam arrived at ‘Koki’ Airport in ‘Molisha’, the airport was completely paralyzed due to the crowd of people who came to see him. After the tumultuous return, Sam took a couple of months off, visiting people he hadn’t seen in a while and reconnecting. When he visited the opposition party headquarters to greet them, they requested him to resume his political activities, to which Sam agreed, saying he would slowly start his activities again.

Sam had not only studied political science in Korea but also researched and investigated how Korea, a country with no resources, achieved economic development to become one of the world’s top 10 economies. His goal was the development and growth of ‘Molisha’. He knew well that it would be difficult to sustain life solely on natural resources due to the increasingly unbalanced and disrupted global climate. Therefore, he aimed to industrialize the country through politics to make it more prosperous. Whenever the media requested an interview, he expressed this dream and, when asked if he would run for the parliamentary elections in three years, he clearly stated that he would run and pursue new politics, asking for the support of many citizens. Sam spent several years in his homeland, transitioning from a star gained through the drama ‘Language of Love’ to gradually building a foundation and support as a politician.

Three years after his return, as the parliamentary elections in ‘Molisha’ approached, Sam ran for the election as he had previously stated. Through the drama ‘Language of Love’, he was already well-known to the people, and he had the qualifications and abilities as a politician. The citizens, feeling that his usual views were very good and desirable, supported him, resulting in him being elected as a member of parliament with the highest support rate in the history of his constituency, thus fulfilling his long-held dream of becoming a politician. As a member of the opposition, he played a role in checking the government and the ruling party, saying, “What is done well is done well” and “What is problematic is problematic,” thus cleansing the hearts of the citizens and dedicating himself to the country’s development as a member of parliament.

Around that time, in 2023, his son Yehun returned to ‘Molisha’ as a dignified missionary. Seeing his now grown-up son, he recalled the times when Yehun was growing up. Born in Korea and named with the meaning of Jesus’ words, Yehun came to ‘Molisha’ at four months old, started studying at a local kindergarten, and continued his education at a local Chinese school until he graduated from high school. During middle and high school, he participated in emergency medical activities, undergoing various training. When he applied for university in Korea, he was accepted to several institutions, including a theological seminary and general universities. After consulting with several pastors in Korea, who advised that it would be better to study general subjects at a general university and then pursue theology in graduate school for a broader perspective, he decided to enroll in a general university.

Although he was a Korean national, his situation was almost like that of a local, which caused some concern. However, with the help of seniors in the dormitory and active participation in various activities at the university, he adapted well to life in Korea. After completing his second year, he enlisted in the military, served, and then returned to school. In his fourth year, he seriously considered his future path. Given his upbringing and familiarity with the local language and culture, he was advised to study missiology at a theological seminary and continue the work his father had been doing alone. He obediently enrolled in a missionary theological seminary, received training, and experienced pastoral work, which served as a foundation for his missionary work. After completing all his studies, he was sent by the church and denomination, becoming a second-generation missionary. His return greatly strengthened the ministry, as he was young and energetic, fluent in ‘Molisha’, Chinese, and English, and had childhood friends and a deep understanding of the local culture. For him, ‘Molisha’ was almost like his hometown, making him well-prepared for the ministry there. His timely arrival also meant that I could support Sam more effectively in any situation.

As time passed, on May 3, 2027, a significant political issue erupted in the previously quiet ‘Molisha’. A journalist who had recently exposed a minor corruption scandal involving politicians was shot and killed while fleeing on a main street. This incident quickly spread nationwide, becoming a sensational news story. Watching TV at a friend’s house, the journalist’s wife remembered that her husband had given her a key the previous evening, saying he was investigating a very important case and had collected evidence, which he had placed in a locker at the bowling alley they frequented. He told her that if anything happened to him, she should take the key to Congressman Sam immediately, as her safety might also be at risk. Unsure of what to do, she called the newspaper to confirm‎ that the journalist on the news was indeed her husband and was told to come to the national hospital where his body was. Upon hearing this, she broke down in tears, calling out her husband’s name. Her friend, confused, asked what was wrong, and she explained that the journalist on the news was her husband and asked to be taken to the hospital. Her friend, also shocked, said to wait while he got ready. As he was about to turn off the TV, a news report about a fire accident came on, and he asked,

“Isn’t that your house?”

Seeing the completely burned house, she recognized it as her own. Realizing the meaning of her husband’s words and sensing her own danger, she declined her friend’s offer to take her to the hospital, telling him to say she went to the hospital if anyone asked, and fled from the house. Shortly after, some people arrived at her friend’s house, looking for her. When told she had gone to the hospital, they searched the house but found no one and left.

Meanwhile, the journalist’s wife, trying to catch a taxi, saw several cars suddenly stop in front of her friend’s house, and people rushed inside. She quickly entered a nearby store, pretending to browse while watching the scene. Seeing the people leave in their cars, she exited through the back door, went to a bus stop, took a bus for a few stops, then switched to a taxi, and finally arrived at Congressman Sam’s office.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the news today about a journalist being shot and killed on the main street, Sam instinctively felt that this was no ordinary matter. Later, he saw another news report about a house fire, which turned out to be the home of the recently murdered journalist. This gave Sam an uneasy feeling. Shortly after, a woman came to see him, trembling with anxiety and with eyes red and swollen from crying. When he asked who she was and why she had come, she could barely speak through her tears. Offering her a glass of water, he gently encouraged her to calm down and speak. She then explained that the journalist on the news was her husband and recounted what he had told her the previous day. She handed Sam a key, saying it was for a locker at the bowling alley where her husband had hidden evidence related to his investigation. She pleaded with Sam to uncover the truth about her husband’s murder and identify the killer, before breaking down in tears again.

Recalling the ominous feeling he had while watching the news, Sam felt that something significant was unfolding. Realizing the gravity of the situation and the woman’s safety, he instructed one of his aides to take her to a safe place. Then, with another aide, he went to the bowling alley with the key. The bowling alley was in an old, dilapidated building. They opened the locker corresponding to the key and found a thick plastic envelope filled with documents. Sam took the envelope and, while driving back, briefly reviewed its contents. Among the documents was a letter detailing the president’s slush funds, transactions between politicians, and evidence of high-ranking officials receiving bribes. The journalist had prepared a report for the editor-in-chief, who had advised caution, sensing something was amiss. The journalist had hidden the documents as a precaution, with instructions to reveal the truth if anything happened to him.

‘Realizing the rumors he had heard were true, ’

Sam understood the seriousness of the situation. He knew that if it became known he had these documents, his life would also be in danger. He told his aide to drive to a secluded place and discussed how to keep the information secret while informing the public. They concluded that handing the documents to the police or media might not be effective, as both could be compromised. The aide, who had experience with computers, suggested releasing the crucial information online to ensure public awareness and prevent tampering. Sam agreed with the plan.

While organizing various ministry materials in his office, Sam received an urgent call from Sam, asking for help. Sam explained the situation and asked for assistance in safeguarding the evidence of the president’s corruption. He requested that the documents be kept safe and released online at the right time. Agreeing to the plan, Sam suggested taking the documents to Korea for safekeeping and uploading them online when needed. Sam approved of the idea, but they also needed a secure way to communicate. They decided to use a code based on the Korean alphabet and a game they used to play, ensuring that only they could understand the messages.

Sam immediately took the documents to the airport and returned to Korea, informing his wife of his urgent trip. He frequently checked the agreed-upon website for Sam’s signal to release the documents. Finally, the signal came, and Sam uploaded the evidence of the president’s slush funds to multiple websites simultaneously. The people of ‘Molisha’ were shocked and outraged by the revelations. Despite the president’s denials and claims of being framed, Sam remembered the candlelight protests in Korea in early 2017. He led a similar movement in ‘Molisha’, calling on the citizens to join him in demanding justice for the future of their country and nation.

Through the news, the people had seen the South Korean citizens’ desire for democracy and justice triumph about ten years ago when they protested against injustice and even changed their president. Inspired by this, many people gathered in the square with candles, demanding the resignation of the corrupt regime. Within a few days, over 100,000 people had gathered in the square. They demanded a thorough investigation without any sacred cows and called for the voluntary resignation of all those involved. However, the police leadership, deeply entangled in the corruption, remained silent, and there was no one to direct or enforce a strict investigation.

Nevertheless, the police chief, realizing that inaction would only worsen the situation, assigned the case to a lower-level local police department, pretending to conduct an investigation. However, the head of the local police investigation department, who was in charge of the case, announced that they would conduct a thorough investigation without any sacred cows. This declaration was met with cheers and support from many citizens.

One day, while I was observing these developments, the National Intelligence Service of South Korea came to see me. They asked me to accompany them to their office for an investigation. Concerned about the direction this might take, I immediately informed my headquarters and requested them to monitor the situation closely. The pastor I contacted had always been firm against injustice and had a good understanding of the law. After making these arrangements, I followed the agents to the intelligence office.

Upon arrival, I was taken to a bright office, not a gloomy interrogation room. There, I met the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, and the Chief of Policy Planning from the Blue House. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs handed me a document and began to speak. His tone was polite yet somewhat condescending, as if to emphasize their high-ranking positions. He explained that the intelligence agency of ‘Molisha’ had requested the South Korean government to stop the release of corruption evidence being published in Korea. He hinted that complying with this request might bring significant national benefits. The others remained silent, seemingly having pre-discussed and agreed on this approach. Observing this, I began to speak.

"If you truly wish to represent the interests of South Korea, please listen to what I have to say and then decide what is truly beneficial for our country.

First, the current president of ‘Molisha’ has committed significant corruption by amassing a huge slush fund. If the South Korean government helps such a person, it will not only face severe criticism later but also suffer substantial tangible losses in its relationship with that country.

Secondly, the leader of the opposition party in ‘Molisha’, who is leading this effort, is a beloved student of mine whom I have taught and influenced for a long time. He is highly trusted by the people in his country and has studied political science in South Korea, earning a doctorate. He holds a favorable view of South Korea.

If such a person becomes the president of ‘Molisha’, the benefits will not come from corruption but from a legitimate and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. He and his wife are also experts in the Korean language and Hangul. They understand the advantages of Hangul and are likely to adopt it for their country’s script, which would bring immense economic benefits to South Korea and foster closer communication between the two nations.

Therefore, I urge you to consider what is more just and beneficial for our country."

At that moment, the Chief of Policy Planning’s phone rang. After a brief conversation, he asked me what I thought should be done. It seemed that the meeting was being broadcast live to the Blue House. I responded clearly.

“If possible, I believe it is right to protect ‘Molisha’ from corruption and help them break free from it. This is what we, who have already gained freedom and are escaping corruption, should do. Therefore, I suggest we observe the situation further and assist if necessary.”

After hearing my words, their attitudes towards me changed completely. The Director of the Intelligence Bureau then mentioned that the ‘Molisha’ embassy might try to stop this and that I could be in danger. I responded.

“If you sense such a threat, shouldn’t the National Intelligence Service protect me? How can it be acceptable for a foreigner to harm me within our country? Even abroad, it is the duty of the state and its officials to help and protect their citizens.”

The Chief of Policy Planning then assured me that the National Intelligence Service would protect me from any harm. The Director of the Intelligence Bureau added that if they did not cooperate, the ‘Molisha’ embassy might notice and use other illegal immigrants to carry out their plans. He advised me to be cautious.

I thanked him and added with a smile.

“Thank you. But I have also been trained and have conducted operations in the military’s special forces. Although I may not be as sharp as before, I still have some ability to handle such situations.”