The intricate plot surrounding a novelist who met a mysterious death—involving a scientist who defected from North Korea, a principled prosecutor from South Korea, and a special forces instructor tasked with assassinating the president after escaping North Korea—keeps you hooked from the very first page to the last, just like other novels by Kim Jin-myung. This novel unfolds against the shocking premise that a special intelligence battalion stationed at the U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek is eavesdropping not only on North Korean forces but also on key figures within South Korea.

Particularly gripping are the plot to assassinate President Roh Moo-hyun, who sought to maintain a policy stance confrontational with the US for the sake of national defense; the process of counter-tapping US special forces to uncover the conspiracy; and the scene where a moth-shaped micro-bug is deployed into ‘Camp David,’ where President Bush had invited world leaders for a closed-door summit. The plot, which reveals the secretive and sinister motives of President Bush and the forces behind him within the international landscape surrounding the Korean Peninsula, is highly thrilling. Having served as a KATUSA at the Pyeongtaek US military base and knowing about the existence of US special intelligence units monitoring North Korean forces, the novel’s content felt even more realistic to me.

It’s undeniable that tensions between North America and North Korea once escalated to the brink of war, and the harsh reality is that the Korean Peninsula’s fate has long been dictated by the interests of superpowers, regardless of our will. I recall how, even though North Korea had never committed terrorism, the US branded it as part of the ‘axis of evil’ and designated it a state sponsor of terrorism, heightening tensions. Meanwhile, I recall President Bush declaring war on Iraq during a televised address. Seeing his peculiar expression during the 9/11 attacks, and later learning through Michael Moore’s documentary that the Bush family had long-standing business ties with Osama bin Laden’s family, made me realize anew how many uncomfortable truths remain buried.

Watching the story unfold in The Third Scenario, where real and fictional characters intertwine, I thought that it is thanks to these ‘hidden heroes’ that South Korea can maintain peace. These heroes are likely just another name for ordinary people faithfully fulfilling their duties in their respective positions. Conversely, I also sense the existence of those who shatter peace for their own private interests and greed. I am closely watching the presidential primary process for next year’s election, which has been ongoing since the latter half of this year.

While political views may lead to support for different candidates, I ultimately believe it is not a small number of leaders who change the world, but rather mature citizens who live diligently day by day, care for those around them, and sometimes sacrifice in unseen places. I hope the person who earns the sincere support of such citizens is elected president. This novel, which has once again reminded us how much the collusion between corrupt politicians and capitalists threatens the peace of decent citizens, I hope will one day be made into a film.