Chapter 464
Chapter 464
Foreign Minister Kim Seong-cheol met with Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon right away and delivered Kang Jin-hoo’s words.
As matters related to North Korea are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Unification, the first decision was made by the Minister of Unification, and approval rested with the President.
“CEO Kang Jin-hoo wants to meet the North Korean side?”
“That’s right.”
“Are you going to apologize for what happened last time?”
“It doesn’t seem like that. But it seemed like there was some good solution.”
“Hmm… … .”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol said as if persuading.
“Whether we like it or not, we absolutely need the help of President Kang Jin-hoo to solve the North Korean problem. Who can be alone with the presidents of the United States and Russia at any time?”
Currently, investment in North Korea is not easy due to UN and US sanctions.
In this railway and gas pipeline business alone, Russia will directly invest, and Korea will take over a part of Russia’s investment stake. It’s kind of a bias.
It’s not a violation of the law, but it could be a problem if you make it a problem. In fact, Japan is setting up fish farms next to it for nothing.
But Jinhoo Kang is an American hero. If he does, the US administration and Congress will not put the brakes on it.
Besides, he is also very friendly with Russia. Considering the current situation in Korea, he is the talent we need more than ever.
The government is well aware of the importance of Kang Jin-hoo.
The problem is that I can’t really control it.
Where are one or two politicians who have been cut by a knife called Kang Jin-hoo?
Using a weapon you can’t control is inevitably repulsive. But he had a certain amount of power.
His influence on the international community is greater than that of any other country. It is said that Korea’s national power has risen several stages because of this.
“We are also refusing to have a working-level meeting, will the North Korean side agree to it?”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol said firmly.
“I will. Because the opponent is Jinhu Kang.”
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon thought for a while and nodded.
“It’s a situation that needs a breakthrough anyway, so it’s okay to give it a try. I will report to the President.”
* * *
I spoke to President Ronald after a long time.
[How are you?]“Yes.”
[You don’t come to America very often these days. Last time I saw it, Russia was going well.]It sounds as if you’re bored and want to come play.
“There is nothing special, but I will go once I see the President.”
[I found a good hamburger restaurant near the White House.]Currently, the United States is negotiating defense costs with South Korea. Fortunately, the amount was not very large.
It is expected to end at a line that is about 10% higher than it is now. This was the case not only in Korea, but also in NATO and Japan.
Compared to when he was forced to pay more defense expenses at the beginning of his inauguration, he has become much more moderate. Previously, they only cried out for the interests of the United States, but now they are taking care of the alliance to some extent.
The reason for this is because the allies contributed their strength to the rescue and support at the time of Big One. It is only when your house catches on fire that you know that your neighbor is precious.
“How are you preparing for re-election?”
Even if you are a hero of the country, your approval rating will drop over time.
After Big One, the approval rating, which reached 90 percent, gradually declined over time. Still, it’s still over 70%.
[It’s going well. If I have time next year, I’ll come out to the rally.]Politics in the United States is governed by a large two-party system, the Democrats and Republicans. Many people mistakenly think that only Democrats and Republicans can run for candidates, but in reality there are multiple parties and different candidates compete with each other. But anyway, they are out of interest as they can’t even secure a single electoral college.
Anyway, as the approval ratings of both parties are similar, there is always a close match… … In this election, Ronald was sure to win.
What people care about is how many electoral colleges they have. There was even talk that he could sweep the electoral college for the first time in American history.
As it is a winner-take-all system anyway, it is possible to secure all the electoral colleges independently of the overall approval rating.
If there is a little variable, it is that various scandals that had subsided for a while after Big One are rising to the surface again.
Sex scandals popped up one by one if you could forget them, such as having an affair with Russia, tax evasion as a businessman, etc.
Fortunately, none of them were fatal.
I suddenly remembered what Grace Rothschild said. He said he had a card that would force Ronald to resign himself?
Is that really true, or was it just a saying?
I think so, Ronald asked.
[More than that, there was talk that he was going to meet with North Korea.]I stuck out my tongue.
“Have the rumors spread there already?”
Now, the words should have been delivered to the North Korean side. Looking at this, it seems that the CIA is not playing.
[What do you plan to do when we meet?]“Let’s take this opportunity to promote the railroad and gas pipeline business. Isn’t it a good business that everyone can benefit from?”
Ronald’s reaction was surprising.
[As you know, North Korea can change its language at any time. If it falls over while the investment is in progress, the damage would not be so much.]“So I thought of a way. I don’t think it’s a bad thing for America either.”
Ronald was curious.
[Tell me once.]After a while, Ronald heard my story and burst into laughter.
[Hahaha! There was a way! How did you come up with it?]“One day, it suddenly occurred to me.”
In fact, Yeji showed it.
[What if North Korea refuses?]As Yeji showed, there will be no such thing.
“Well, if you don’t like it, there’s nothing you can do about it. But wouldn’t that be too much to refuse?”
He burst out laughing again.
[Actually. Even if you’re like me, I can’t refuse.]* * *
[(Breaking News) North and South accept proposals for working-level talks!][Inter-Korean Ministerial Meeting. Can we find a solution to the Mt. Kumgang problem?][To meet at Panmunjom][OTK Company CEO Kang Jin-hoo and Vice President, Eun Seong-Geum-Kang President Han Byeong-sun, included in the South Korean delegation!][Chosun Central TV, the South must first show a sincere attitude… … ][Jinhoo Kang, the possibility of an apology for the past remarks?]The eyes of the world were focused on Panmunjom, and the Internet went into chaos.
– Just take all the facilities of Mt. Geumgang! What is a conference?
-Why is Kang Jin-hoo over there? are you red?
– It seems that Changmin Heo forced me to apologize.
– CEO Kang Jin-hoo! If you’re going out for NIS threats, please give me a carrot!
-It happened because of Kang Jin-hoo in the first place, so it is right that Kang Jin-hoo apologizes!
– No, what the hell are you going to apologize for? Is it such a mortal sin to say that the most respected person should guarantee the progress of the business?
– Haha, there are so many injections.
* * *
I first met the Minister of Unification and the delegation with Taek-gyu. Since the seat is a seat, Taek-gyu also wore a suit unlike usual.
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon shook hands and said.
“North Korea is a very sensitive opponent, both politically and diplomatically. Please refrain from making protruding remarks like last time.”
I nodded.
“I will never do anything that could harm the country, so don’t worry.”
Before departing for Panmunjom, there was a brief briefing on the composition of the North Korean delegation and the contents of the talks.
The North Korean delegation is headed by Ri Hae-ryong, vice-chairman, as in the last time, and the heads of the National Peace and Reunification Committee and vice-presidents will attend.
It took less than two hours from Seoul to Panmunjom.
Upon arriving at Panmunjom, Taek-gyu looked around in wonder.
“Five! This is my first visit to Panmunjom.”
It’s my first time too.
I can’t believe I’m in a place I’ve only seen on the news. If one crosses the line, it is North Korean territory, and the North Korean People’s Army, which you see occasionally in movies, was standing there.
He stands with a firm figure, but somehow I feel pity for him. Well, I feel pity for our soldier standing on the other side as well.
Everyone is conscripted and suffers a lot.
We entered the conference hall. The rectangular-shaped conference hall had entrances on both the north and south sides.
After a while, the North Korean delegation who came in through the opposite door had a hard expression on their face. Some people stared at me with their backs upright as if they were looking at me as if they were a ‘bastard in the world’.
We shook hands and sat down. The meeting was held in a heavy atmosphere from the beginning.
Vice Chairman Lee Hae-ryong spoke first.
“I would like to hear your opinion on how and by when the facilities in the South will be demolished. The Chairman wants to demolish the facilities in the South that do not fit well as soon as possible and build a new people-friendly and socialist building in its place.”
The plan is to move away from the Mt. Geumgang tourism method that was conducted through inter-Korean cooperation, and to completely exclude the south and proceed independently.
Of course, this can’t be right.
“This is a breach of contract. It is impossible to demolish the Geumgangsan facility until the contract period is over.”
“How much longer are you going to hold on to that sloppy facility?”
A boring conversation ensued. Taek-gyu covered his mouth and yawned. He talked about the clauses in the contract piece by piece and told them to keep them, but he didn’t seem to listen.
Isn’t a word of supreme dignity above the contract?
“Aren’t these buildings that have not been used for more than 10 years and are all ruined anyway? Why not demolish something that is already nothing more than ruins? If the South side is having a hard time, we will dispose of it on our own.”
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon said as if persuading.
“Even if it looks bright from the outside, it can be used again with a little maintenance. Demolition of the facility and rebuilding it would be a burden on the North Korean side as well.”
Vice Chairman Ri Hae-ryong said with a snort.
“Do you think you will sell the pride of the Republic for a penny? During the arduous march, our people did not open their hands to the outside while devouring the root bark.”(Read more @ wuxiax.com)
Taek-gyu, who was listening quietly, asked with an innocent expression.
“Didn’t the party executives eat well and live well even then? It is the people who starve to death.”
At those words, Vice Chairman Ri Hae-ryong as well as the North Korean delegation frowned.
A government that starved the people to death in the first place does not even deserve to exist. However, it is politics that you have to face and negotiate with these guys, and economics is that you have to hold hands when you have money.
I couldn’t see it either.
“It’s a penny… … Isn’t North Korea in need of that penny right now?”
At my words, Director Kim Gil-myeong abruptly stood up and shouted.
“On the subject of a filthy evil capitalist! You dare to mock our people with that penny!”
Vice Chairman Ri Hae-ryong reached out and stopped him. He spoke in a calm but strong tone.
“I will never forget what happened today. There will be no negotiations with the South in the future, and I will definitely pay for it. Our republic is not afraid of war!”
The North Korean delegation got up all at once and tried to leave the conference room, and our delegation was bewildered. If the talks are over in this state, North Korea will really tear down the Mt. Kumgang facility right away.
When Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon jumped up to catch the North Korean delegation, I opened my mouth again.
“What if it wasn’t a penny? 55 trillion won. So 50 billion dollars?”
At those words, Vice Chairman Ri Hae-ryong stopped for a moment. Then he turned his head and asked me.
“What did you just say?”
“I said 50 billion dollars.”
Vice Chairman Ri Hae-ryong’s face changed. It was the same for everyone, whether it was the South or the North.
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon looked at me with his eyes wide open.
“CEO Kang Jin-hoo. What… … ?”
Vice Chairman Ri Hae-ryong asked again.
“You mean that OTK Company will invest 50 billion dollars?”
“OTK Company is an American company. Therefore, we have an obligation to comply with the US government’s sanctions on North Korea. Also, this is not an investment, but pure profit. If you’d like to hear more, why don’t you sit down again?”
He said with a chin, whether it would hurt his self-esteem to comply with that statement.
“Tell me first. If it’s nonsense, I’ll take responsibility.”
“After losing the Pacific War, Japan paid compensation to the victims according to the San Francisco Peace Treaty. The Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Micronesia, etc. were compensated for damages or given grant aid, including Korea. But North Korea has not yet finalized an agreement with Japan.”
As they are currently under economic sanctions by the UN, they cannot receive cash payments right away. However, if the sanctions are lifted in the future, it is definitely money you can get back.
As Japan must also pay according to the San Francisco Treaty, this issue has already been discussed several times between the two countries.
I said, leaning my back on the chair.
“I think Japan is thinking about 20 billion dollars. How much more do you think you can raise if I get involved in this negotiation?”
