For example, to make a 20-million-dollar foreign exchange transaction, one had to deposit 1 million dollars, which is 5%, as a margin in a foreign trading bank.
Only then could one receive a Credit Line of 20 million dollars, twenty times the amount, and conduct foreign exchange trading within that limit.
Because the leverage was so large, even a slight loss would result in immediate forced liquidation.
In an instant, not only had he blown 100 million dollars of Kim Jong-il’s slush fund, but he had also ended up in debt.
“Turn it off now.”
When Jo Cheol-jung turned off the radio, the atmosphere in the car became much heavier than before.
Even after arriving in front of his house, Oh Gap-su didn’t get out of the car right away.
Burying himself in the backseat and lost in thought for a long time, Oh Gap-su finally opened his mouth.
“I am scheduled to go to The Republic tomorrow.
I received word that my father in Pyeongyang passed away in a traffic accident.”
“Is that true?”
“But I have no intention of returning.
I am defecting to South Korea.”
“Brother!”
“I won’t ask you to follow me.
I plan to take the first flight leaving for Thailand tomorrow morning at 7 AM.”
Oh Gap-su only said his piece before getting out of the car and going inside.
Left alone, Jo Cheol-jung’s face revealed complex emotions amidst his bewilderment.
* * *
At dawn the next day, Oh Gap-su came down just as the darkness was lifting, and smiled when he saw his car waiting with the engine running and got in.
“You foolish bastard.”
“It’s a life you saved, Brother.
I will go with you to the end.”
Jo Cheol-jung’s words made Oh Gap-su’s heart even heavier.
“What about your mother?”
“When I sent money last time, Sun-hee’s mother, our next-door neighbor, said my mother likely wouldn’t live much longer.
My mother would also prefer that I live freely.”
“Alright, let’s go.
To the land of freedom.”
Arriving at Macau International Airport, the two men boarded Thai Airways flight TG665.
The time they arrived at Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport was 9:30 AM.
As they passed through the departure corridor, a clock on a pillar up ahead caught his eye.
[9:36:15]
“Phew, why is it taking so long?”
Still, since neither of them had any luggage, they made their way out faster than the others.
As soon as they exited the departure hall, Oh Gap-su spoke.
“Get ready.”
By now, his movements would have been tracked.
Sure enough, as soon as they slipped out of the departure hall, three burly men approached them.