At four in the afternoon that Friday, Kang Chan arrived at Incheon International Airport and immediately headed to the National Intelligence Service Airport Office on the second floor.

He pressed the intercom button, and a female employee with an identification card pinned to her chest came out and escorted Kang Chan inside. The National Intelligence Service’s office interior had narrow corridors between completely sealed spaces, making it difficult for outsiders to eavesdrop on what was happening inside each room. The doors didn’t even have the typical nameplates hanging on them to describe their purpose.

The female employee knocked on the door of the innermost room. Soon after, a man in his mid-40s welcomed Kang Chan inside.

“Please come in,” he said.

The sharp-looking man pointed to the sofa.

“I’m Heo Chang-Seon, the one I’m in charge of the National Intelligence Service’s office here at Incheon Airport.”

“I’m Kang Chan.”

Standing on opposite sides of the center table, they exchanged greetings and took a seat on the sofa. The female staff member who had guided Kang Chan inside brought two cups of coffee and half-filled paper cups of water.

“Director Kim instructed me to make sure you have an ashtray,” Heo Chang-Seon stated.

“Are you not a smoker?” Kang Chan asked.

“You’ll be the first to smoke in this office.”

Heo Chang-Seon took out a cigarette from his pocket and offered it, his sharp expression still intact. When Kang Chan accepted the cigarette, Heo Chang-Seon lit it for him.

“We have finished all preparations. As soon as Ambassador Lanok arrives later at 4:40 pm, we will head directly to the VIP lounge. I confirmed the ambassador’s expected time of arrival at the airport just before you arrived.”

The conversation felt more like Heo Chang-Seon was giving Kang Chan a report. While Heo Chang-Seon exhibited pride in overseeing a section of the airport, Kang Chan didn’t feel any sense of friendliness from him.

An awkward...