Chapter 378
Chapter 378
After Prime Minister Okazaki’s announcement, the Japanese right wing began to gather. Protests against Korea were held in various places, and claims over Dokdo intensified.
Japan’s sanctions immediately resulted in tangible economic losses. The stock prices of companies that are highly dependent on Japan for trading have plummeted, and the exchange rate has soared.
Japanese companies are also expected to suffer from export disruptions, and their stock prices have fallen slightly after the announcement of sanctions. On the other hand, the approval ratings of the Japan Innovation Association, the LDP, and Prime Minister Okazaki rose sharply.
While the Korean government did not take any particular position, the opposition party moved first. The Liberal People’s Party expressed serious concerns, and leader Yeon Na-kyung stepped forward and attacked the government.
“The Huh Chang-min government is unnecessarily irritating Japan. The Heo Chang-min administration, which is destroying Korea-Japan relations, must reflect.”
Na-Kyung Yeon’s pro-Japanese behavior has been famous since her first election as a member of the National Assembly. She attended a commemorative party for the founding of the Self-Defense Forces, and insisted that the Korean government make efforts for compensation during the Nishida Securities crisis.
But this time, it was one more drink.
“If Japan restricts exports, all Korean companies will die, and the Korean economy will collapse. The government should fully understand Japan’s position and take measures to normalize relations.”
Public opinion was divided.
-Is that the national party representative or the LDP spokesperson?
-As I said, has Japan ever saved Korea?
– This is all because of Heo Chang-min! The Heo Chang-min government ruined Korea-Japan relations!
-The relationship was ruined over there, so why should we take measures?
-The pro-North Korean leftist should be put in a cell after the earthquake!
– I think you should call me Yeon Kazaki, not Yeon Na Kyung.
– Isn’t it just indigenous?
– Who the hell elected him as the party leader?
– No, you elected the Conservative Opposition, what kind of pro-Japanese things are you doing?
-Still, I don’t know if you have any thoughts, only the government is oblivious to Kang Jin-hoo.
-If it’s remuneration, just remunerate as if it’s remuneration, and please do it moderately
– CEO Yeon Na-kyung didn’t say anything wrong, and I don’t know why. Don’t you know that Korean companies depend on Japan for key parts? let it go Now the economy is going to crash, and everyone will be resentful after the earthquake with the government.
-right! The only way for Korea to live is cooperation with Japan!
-Japan is a grateful country. Thank you always ^^
– I support you, Na-Kyung Yeon!
* * *
Taek-gyu said while watching the news.
“Will all Korean companies go bankrupt if Japan sanctioned them?”
“There is no unilateral benefit-benefit relationship in international trade.”
We buy bread not because of the baker’s mercy, but because he seeks profit.
Similarly, the reason Japanese companies exported materials and parts to Korea was not to save Korean companies, but because it was profitable.
If Korean companies really couldn’t live without Japan, they would have gotten ridiculously high prices in the first place.
“Trade is done because both sides benefit.”
It is impossible to achieve a 100% equalization of the balance of trade. When one side sees a profit, the other side tends to see a deficit.
However, if the one who sees the loss is one-sided, that is not the case. If you have imported a product that costs 100,000 won to make yourself at 50,000 won, you are actually making a profit of 50,000 won.
It is the Korean companies that will be hit immediately by the sanctions, but the loss of Japanese companies will increase as time goes by.
This is a battle of who can bear the more losses.
The remarks of the Japan Innovation Society and the right wing grew stronger and stronger. The slogans for the recovery of Takeshima also flowed out of nowhere.
In the current international order, it is virtually impossible to deprive another country of the territory it occupies.
Even if Korea’s national power declines so much that Japan can eat Dokdo, it is difficult to do so in reality.
This is because the loss from Japan’s point of view is much greater than the gain from taking Dokdo. Of course, it is difficult to completely rule out such a possibility, so you must thoroughly prepare for provocations. The military exists to make the impossible happen.
“Actually, from the Japanese point of view, Dokdo is just one of several territorial disputes. To raise the approval rating, it is more effective to highlight the Senkaku Islands and Kuril Islands issues rather than Dokdo.”
“But why do you only touch Dokdo every day?”
“Would you like to touch China and Russia?”
China and Russia are gangster countries that the whole world is afraid of except the United States.
It’s like a neighborhood bastard who can’t speak properly to the gangsters, but only grabs the neck of the powerless commoners and shakes them.
Everyone loves justice, but relations between nations are driven by power, not justice.
The war-criminal countries that started the world war and invaded neighboring countries are still doing well, and the victims of colonial rule are still groaning in pain.
Some countries are even asking for aid from the aggressors that ruled them. If Korea hadn’t achieved economic growth, it would still be extending its hands to Japan.
A country or a company can shout loudly if they have the power, and if they don’t have the power, they will suffer.
Taek-gyu crossed his arms and said.
“That’s what the powerless sorrow is.”
Realistically, it is impossible for Korea to surpass Japan’s economic power. This is because even if Korea grows more and its per capita GDP becomes the same as that of Japan, the population will more than double.
Therefore, in general, Japan has always had a higher national power than Korea.
For the economic power to reverse, Korea’s per capita GDP must exceed 0,000 or, conversely, Japan’s per capita GDP must fall below ,000, which is difficult in reality.
However… … .
“At least it shouldn’t look sloppy.”
Even if you tell them clearly that there is no benefit in touching them, Japan’s attitude will be very different from what it is now.
* * *
Less than a day after Prime Minister Okazaki announced the sanctions, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol came to the company.
Although it may seem like a trivial thing to meet and keep in touch with the heads of state these days, it is not uncommon for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to visit businessmen like this.
“Nice to meet you, CEO Kang Jin-hoo. I am Kim Seong-cheol, Minister of Foreign Affairs.”
“Good morning.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is one of the most important positions in the government. His career is also brilliant. He received his PhD from Yale University and worked at the United Nations.
Although there are suspicions that his nephew was illegally admitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ special appointment… … Well, this shouldn’t be important.
Minister Kim Seong-cheol said with a smile.
“I also graduated from the Department of Business Administration at Korea University. So I always thought of it as a relationship with CEO Kang Jin-hoo.”
Taek-gyu, who was next to me, tapped my shoulder.
“I wish you There are plenty of seniors in the political and business worlds. Why are there so many people from Korea University in the world?”
Perhaps it was taken as a meaning not to promote the academic world for nothing, Minister Kim Seong-cheol gave a slightly embarrassed expression.
By the way, I also don’t like Hak-related, Ji-yeon, and blood-related.
We sat in the meeting room.
“What did you come here for?”
“I would like to hear the opinions of CEO Kang Jin-hoo on Korea-Japan relations.”
“Is my opinion important to government affairs?”
“You are aware that there are several issues between Korea and Japan right now. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs is discussing the future direction by synthesizing various opinions from various fields.”
“I don’t know what you want to say.”
The language of politicians and the language of diplomats are different.
Since even a small thing can cause misunderstandings and accusations in other countries, there is a tendency to pay attention to each word and toe, and to go over with blunt words.
“Don’t talk back, speak directly. There will be no leaks here.”
At my words, Minister Kim Seong-cheol put on a determined expression.
“Okay. To be honest, the government’s position is very difficult. It’s not just an embarrassment, the Blue House and all ministries are in a state of emergency. And all the arrows of criticism are pouring down to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Relations with Japan have now gone beyond cooling and are heading towards catastrophe. Why the hell do you keep doing this? It’s crazy.”
Taehyung said in a low voice.
“It’s also too honest.”
“… … .”
It seems that I have accumulated a lot during that time.
Well, it’s not that I don’t understand. I’m a little different from other entrepreneurs who faithfully follow government policies.
I asked him.
“What is the government’s position on the judgment on compensation for forced labor?”
During the Japanese colonial period, Japanese companies forced Koreans to work and did not pay them properly. At that time, the victims sued for damage compensation and overdue wages, but ultimately lost in Japan.
The victims filed a lawsuit again in the Korean court.
The Park Si-hyeong government placed great importance on Korea-Japan relations, so pressured the judiciary to delay the decision. In the meantime, three out of four victims who filed the lawsuit died from disease and old age. If it had been delayed, all of the plaintiffs would have died.
However, the trial resumed after the change of government, and the Korean Supreme Court ruled that Japanese companies should pay 100 million won per person.
It is difficult to deny the fact that forced labor took place. Therefore, Japan put forward the logic that compensation had already been completed in accordance with the Korea-Japan Claims Agreement. Korea is in the position that it does not include the issue of individual claims.
“It is our position that we must follow the principles of the judgment of the judiciary.”
In fact, the amount itself is not a big issue.
how much is that money Originally, the company was willing to pay compensation. However, the Japanese government issued a directive not to pay compensation, and decided not to pay compensation in accordance with the policy of the home government.
As a result, Korea began to seize property in Korea in accordance with the Supreme Court’s ruling, and Japan is protesting against this.
“It seems that Japan is planning to take him to the arbitration committee.”
“I did not respond, but I am considering that as well.”
The arbitration committee is a system in which one person from Korea and Japan and one person from a third country are selected for mediation.
This may sound fair at first glance, but there is one problem with this.
Japan is the world’s third-largest economy, and through this, it is exerting influence around the world. Even if you are a third person, if there is a strong person and a weak person, who will you side with?
“Japan is also very grievous about this issue. If you make a mistake, it could lead to an acknowledgment of various war crimes, including forced labor.”
Japan wants to erase its image as a war criminal country from the international community. Therefore, when the issue of comfort women and forced labor arises, it is strongly opposed.
“There were differences of opinion over the solution, but we were negotiating with each other behind the scenes… … .”
“You mean I broke the plate?”
After hesitating for a moment, Minister Kim Seong-cheol nodded his head as if sighing.
“That’s right.”(Read more @ wuxiax.com)
“I woke up on purpose.”
He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Are you saying that even though you knew it?”
“The breach of the comfort women agreement, the judgment on compensation for forced labor, and even the Nishida Securities incident. Japan is using these as a way to increase approval ratings within their own country. If compensation is obtained through seizure, Japan will maintain the stance that Korea forcibly ripped it off, not that they paid compensation, and if bored, won’t Korea push Korea? An apology must be the premise for compensation, otherwise it is meaningless.”
When the two countries first announced the comfort women agreement, there were many opinions that it was good.
But what is this? After receiving 1 billion yen, Japan’s attitude changed. He continued to deny the fact of the forced deportation of comfort women and war crimes, and pressured the South Korean government to implement the agreement by removing the statue of the girl.
It’s like shouting out that the person who committed the crime gave you money.
Eventually, the agreement was broken, and Korea-Japan relations were worse than before the agreement was reached. In this issue of compensation for forced labor, there is no law preventing a similar situation from repeating itself.
“So it would be better to tie a knot and move on.”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds. The government’s position right now is quite difficult. The economy is booming, the opposition is on the offensive. People are also very concerned.”
Taegyu said.
“The approval rating has been dropping.”
He couldn’t deny that and put on a bitter expression.
“Even if it is difficult right now, if the results are good, everything is good. Wouldn’t it be a disappointment if this was done well?”
Did you think there was a card that could turn the situation around?
Minister Kim Seong-cheol asked cautiously with his eyes shining.
“In your opinion, what would the government want the government to do?”
If the Korean government proceeds with the confiscation of assets, the relationship with Japan will deteriorate to the worst. However, Japan cannot stand still in a situation where it strikes a player first.
If it was difficult for you to make a decision, would you have come to me?
I said it like it was natural.
“You just have to follow the rules.”
This means proceeding with the foreclosure of assets.
“Then what about our relationship with Japan?”
In one way or another, Japan is an important partner of South Korea both economically and security-wise. I can’t keep this cold state forever.
“Of course you have to solve it.”
I added a word.
“In the first place, the person who is regretful tends to bow their head first.”
