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^{Meeting of Minds - Royals under the DPRK}

| _{Since 1945 the royals had been out of power; their previous funds had dried up, no longer receiving state subsidies. The heir to the House, Prince Haneul, had been minded to secure their economic future using his status as not only a Prince, but a prominent independence activist in the latter half of the World War. The limited funds they had were promptly invested into several start-up businesses that had begun to spring up following the liberation of Korea. Property had also become a large part of the focus; opening up many of the Palaces outside of Seoul and turning them into ‘National Parks’ with a small charge for entry.} |

| _{Although Korea’s economy had not boomed like promised by President Rhee, the Royal Household had the desired economic stability they needed in order to preserve themselves. Although no longer officials under or leading the Korean Government, they had by no means disappeared off the face of the Earth, they kept up public appearances at fund-raisers or hosting dinners, even just mingling with the locals in Seoul when they went out shopping for supplies (having concluded having a team of servants was too expensive). When President Rhee attempted to remove their entire property portfolio and confiscate their funds as reparations for the treaties signed with Japan in the beginning of the 20th century; a series of protests broke out in support of the monarchy. Rhee’s idea was popular in the 1930s, but by the 1940s the Royals that remained in Korea, in the eyes of the public, had fought for Korea against Japan and risked their lives. Rhee’s policy was abandoned eventually, although it quickly set the royals and President on an unavoidable collision course for the next decade.} |

| _{Now Seoul and the Palace were under northern occupation, the royals had largely been left alone, their status as royals was despised by the DPRK leadership, but their position as freedom fighters had given them a position of respect by many of those in the top circles of the DPRK government. As the war progressed and the DPRK was pushed into retreat by the end of September, combined with the landings at Incheon, a familiar figure paid a visit to discuss Korea’s future.} |

_{Prince Haneul: “Ah, General Secretary Kim, I was expecting a visit. I thought you'd be back in Pyongyang already?”}

_{Kim Il-sung: “I leave this evening, my visit here isn’t on my schedule, but I feel now may be our only chance for the next few years.”}

| _{An older figure would emerge from the outside corridor into the room the two men were in, walking in with a cane he’d give a respectful bow to Kim, which was returned by Kim himself.} |

_{Prince Imperial Uihwa: “Nice to finally meet you in person General Secretary, I assume you are to inform us of your withdrawal?”
Kim Il-sung: “Not yet, I am here to discuss the future of Korea. A Korea without Rhee, united as one. The north is on the backfoot, there is a possible future with Rhee at the helm of a united Korea, so now might be the apt time to meet my potential future allies against him.”}

| _{The two royals would look to one another before giving a small nod; inviting Kim to take a seat with them in one of the more private rooms of the complex, still overshadowed by the former Japanese Colonial Government Building built in its grounds.} |

_{Prince Haneul: “The first step is to recognise that Rhee only desires power; our economy has tanked and public health has barely climbed since the occupation. People still love him, and we have to accept that, we have to wait for him to trip himself up first.”}

_{Kim Il-sung: “At some point he will likely overestimate his capabilities or popularity; much like he did in attempting to seize your wealth and properties. News of the move reached us in the north fairly quickly. Once the people are against him the opportunity must be seized through force or other means.”}

| _{Following roughly half an hour of discussions between the Princes and General Secretary no formal agreement was reached on paper; but the three had a pact. If Korea had the chance to remove Rhee, the three would act to seize power from him, uniting Korea under more democratic leadership. Prince Imperial Uihwa posed one last, more fundamental question.} |

_{Uihwa: “Mr. General Secretary, not to sound doubtful, but given your ideology how can you expect us to trust you fully in not removing us and having us disposed of in the name of the revolution?”}

| _{Kim sat silently for what felt like an eternity, before giving a small and brief smile.} |

_{Kim Il-sung: “Mutual respect. We all fought to see Korea free from Japanese rule; and the reign of King Geon. We fought for different visions of Korea, but at the heart of it all of them sought a free Korea. The people respect that you went against your own family to ensure that vision. If Rhee faced protests against his attempts to rip you from your home; imagine what I’d face if I tried to rip you from Korea itself.”}

| _{Uihwa would give a small nod to Kim, having no doubts he meant those words. The three would bid farewell to one another; interlinked in their new mission, no longer to free Korea from Japan, but now to free Korea from President Rhee.} |