Chapter 467
Chapter 467
I contacted President Vysotsky.
When I explained what had happened at the meeting as if it were a report, President Vysotsky burst into laughter.
[Hahaha! You said you’d find a way, and you’ve definitely found it. Very well done!]I’m glad you’re satisfied too.
“It seems that the gas pipeline and railroad projects should proceed in the previously agreed-upon direction. But I have a favor to ask you about this.”
[Something? Let me tell you.]President Vysotsky, who heard me, did not easily answer.
“Investment in North Korea will be strongly opposed by domestic politicians. We need Russia’s help to convince the conservatives.”
[You know, this is quite burdensome for us as well. If things go wrong, I will also have to bear the political risk.]“If things go wrong, then I will take responsibility in one way or another.”
The gas pipeline and railway connection is a project that costs 10 trillion won even if it is small, and this is an amount that is burdensome for both Korea and Russia.
But this is enough for me to handle.
[Looking at you saying that, it seems that you are quite confident in this matter. Can I really trust Chairman Kim?]“Trust me, not Chairman Kim.”
How do I know when and how the supreme dignity mind will change?
Nevertheless, the reason I am so sure is because I have seen foreknowledge.
Yeji has shown that North Korea will surely get $70 billion in compensation from Japan, and it won’t go bankrupt until it receives the money.
After a while, President Vysotsky said.
[Okay. I will do that.]“Thank you. I will repay you with good results as much as you believed in me.”
He let out a wild laugh.
[Hahaha! no burden Later, we go to Siberia to hunt brown bears together. Do you know how to handle guns?]“I shot it in the military.”
I’ve never caught a brown bear.
* * *
[(Breaking News) North Korea-Russia emergency summit held!][Three days later, President Vysotsky meets Chairman Kim in Vladivostok!][Discussion of gas pipeline and railroad projects in connection with the Rajin-Hasan project][Chairman Kim is known to have directly ordered the project!][The long-distance railroad on the Korean Peninsula, economic effect?]The official announcement was made by Russia, and North Korea confirmed it through official diplomatic channels.
When the talks that started with North Korea’s unilateral claim to demolish the Mt. Kumgang facility led to a gas pipeline and railroad connection project in just a few days, people could not hide their surprise.
-what? Are you really building gas pipelines and railroads?
– No, why is the story going this way all of a sudden?
– Haha, this looks like Kang Jin-hoo did something at the conference room.
– Wow! Did Jinhoo Kang even do something like this?
– What the hell did you do to make it impossible? Will you stick money on the top of the people’s clothes?
-Is it possible that the supreme dignity gave a guarantee as Kang Jin-hoo said?
-If the supreme dignity is guaranteed, how do you believe it? This time, only the rims will ring, one vote for the end~
– I think it will be a little different this time.
– Different horns. The North-South railway connection project was already talked about more than 10 years ago. It was pursued whenever progressive forces took power, and detailed plans were presented several times. But what about the result? Every time I couldn’t even open the first shovel and it fell over.
– The cost wouldn’t be a joke. It makes sense to connect the North-South railroad, but the North Korean railroads are now seriously aging, so they have to be torn down and re-installed. That’s a national tax.
– Changmin-ah! Will you spread again? Take care of the people!
– Jinhoo! Get me a job at an OTK company!
According to a domestic opinion poll, the opinion in favor of it was predominantly in favor of it by about 6 to 4.
Rather than opposing the project itself, the opposing party cited reasons such as “I can’t trust North Korea,” “there is a risk that the construction investment will be diverted to the development of nuclear weapons,” and “inter-Korean economic cooperation is still too early.”
President Huh Chang-min released a statement to the public.
“The iron horse will run again. Connecting with Eurasia via rail will open up a new world. Now the Korean Peninsula will be on the road to peace and prosperity!”
* * *
When Taek-gyu heard the story of President Vysotsky, he was excited.
“Oh! Brown Bear Hunt! I was also a special marksman in the army.”
Any man who’s ever shot a gun is bound to make that mistake at least once.
By the way… … .
“Weren’t you in the public interest?”
“Do you know that the public interest doesn’t shoot in training camps? Apologize to the public interest nationwide! My nickname in training camp was Osily Zaychev.”
“… … .”
I want to see if I can say this in front of a brown bear.
Hyunjoo noona, who was listening to our conversation, let out a long sigh.
“Now to North Korea. Are you really sure?”
Taegyu said.
“then. Because this time it will be real. In a few years, my sister will also be traveling to Europe by train.”
“Even now, I’m still doing well on the plane.”
Hyunjoo noona looked like she had no energy to dry anymore.
“What do you think, sister? Do you think it will be economical?”
My sister nodded her head at my question.
“It’s economical enough. Connecting to Europe through North Korea is nothing less than a logistics innovation.”
Since the last Japanese trade sanctions, Korean companies have reduced their dealings with Japanese companies and actively increased their trade with European companies.
When the trans-Korean railway is connected, it is again connected to the East-West railway network in South Korea.
Automobiles produced in Saemangeum can be sent all over Europe in 20 days, and parts produced in Europe can be brought to Saemangeum in 20 days.
It will be of great help to the logistics and transportation of companies and factories to be built in Saemangeum in the future.
“You see, Russia uses a wide gauge that is wider than the standard gauge.”
Taehyung nodded his head.
“Of course you know. Because of that, during the German War, rail transport was not properly done, so Germany suffered quite a bit.”
I looked at Taek-gyu with surprised eyes.
“I know.”
“Hey, it’s all about war games.”
Hyunjoo noona didn’t care and continued talking.
“So, in the Najin-Hasan section, we installed a dual gauge that both trains can travel through.”
If you are sending goods from Ulsan to Europe, you have to transport your luggage on a Russian train when passing through Russian territory, and then move your luggage again on the European section.
There are several ways to solve this problem.
Replacing all Siberian railway sections with dual gauges, or making a variable gauge train that can run on both standard and wide gauges, or changing the gauges whenever the railroad changes.
It’s a bit annoying, but technically it’s not that difficult.
“It is a political problem rather than a technical problem to solve. First the opposition party will oppose it, then Japan will oppose it.”
Now, Japan can’t even imagine that bills will fly in front of them. When you find out about this, you can roughly guess how you will react.
I smiled and nodded.
“Isn’t it necessary to redefine Korea-Japan relations using this opportunity?”
* * *
In general, conservatives and progressives tend to confront each other over economic policies. However, the most acute conflict between conservatives and progressives in South Korea is North Korea policy.
The opposition party launched an offensive in the National Assembly, while holding an out-of-the-way rally condemning the government and North Korea to rally the conservative forces.
Tens of thousands of conservative groups gathered in front of Daehanmun Gate, and CEO Yeon Na-kyung, who stood on the podium, shouted while holding a microphone.
“The Heo Chang-min regime destroyed people’s livelihoods, but also inter-Korean relations! Korea-Japan relations broke down, and the ROK-U.S. alliance was broken too! Even so, the president and the ruling party are claiming to be North Korea, looking only at North Korea. The facilities on Mt. Geumgang are the private property of our people. The government cannot protect the property rights of the people! Shouldn’t you and I be judged?”
However, an unexpected reversal occurred.
Suddenly, there was talk of resuming tourism to Mt. Geumgang and reunions of separated families, and now there are gas pipelines and railroad connection projects in which South and North Korea cooperate.
The worst inter-Korean relations crisis turned into the greatest inter-Korean economic cooperation in an instant.
The approval ratings of the president and the ruling party rose significantly, and Yeon Na-kyung, the leader of the out-of-the-way rally, and the members of the Liberty Korea Party were stunned.
* * *
The government requested the National Assembly to form a special committee to promote smooth inter-Korean economic cooperation.
When Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon appeared to the National Assembly to explain the contents of the talks and inter-Korean economic cooperation, Representative Yeon Na-kyung strongly pushed.
“The world is putting sanctions on North Korea, and in this situation, do you think there is nothing wrong with South Korea’s independent resumption of tourism to Mt. Geumgang?”
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon calmly explained.
“According to the sanctions against North Korea, we cannot pay cash in return to North Korea. The North Korean side is well aware of the issue, and we plan to pay for the tourism in a way that is acceptable to the international community.”
“What if the work proceeds without consultation with the United States? South Korea has a responsibility and an obligation to comply with international sanctions against North Korea.”
“Yes. We are pushing ahead with the work within the scope that does not violate sanctions against North Korea.”
CEO Na-Kyung Yeon continued to raise his voice.
“Don’t blindfold like that and answer clearly!”
“No, have you answered now?”
But she wasn’t listening.
“Don’t cry like that. People are watching!”
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon, who was impatient, also raised his voice.
“Are you crying? What are you talking about? I’m answering all your questions, how the hell do you answer them more clearly?”
Then, CEO Yeon Na-kyung raised her voice even more.
“Korea is a member of the international community and has an obligation to participate in international sanctions.”
“Again, in a direction that does not go against sanctions against North Korea… … .”
“This is something that could bring rifts to the US-ROK alliance! If America turns its back, who will ensure the safety of our people?”
“The safety of our people is guaranteed by our military.”
“Don’t talk like that!”
“Then, do you think our military will not be able to protect the people?”
“You keep saying something different, but I am talking about the importance of the ROK-US alliance. How long are you going to do the humiliating diplomacy of being dragged into North Korea in this way? Aren’t you ashamed of the people?”
As they were shouting with excitement, a murmur spread among the lawmakers. A lawmaker ran quickly and whispered in the ear of CEO Yeon Na-kyung.
“President Ronald just posted on Twitter,” she said.(Read more @ wuxiax.com)
CEO Yeon Na-kyung was surprised to see the phone he held out.
[Resuming tourism to Mt. Kumgang is a great decision. I applaud the efforts of the Korean government. I hope to play golf with my friend Chairman Kim at Mt. Kumgang in the near future.]After seeing President Ronald’s tweet, CEO Yeon Na-kyung was at a loss for words.
‘Is there a golf course on Mt. Geumgang?’
As the opposition lawmakers murmured, Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon smiled inwardly and recalled Kang Jin-hoo’s words.
‘Didn’t you say that the president of the United States would vote soon?’
But it’s going to be this soon.
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon said with his waist up and his shoulders stretched out.
“What did you just say? Did you say that this would create a rift in the ROK-U.S. alliance? President Ronald doesn’t seem to think so, but on what basis does President Na-Kyung Yeon make such a statement?”
“Ah, no, this is… … .”
Confused, CEO Yeon Na-kyung quickly brought up another topic.
“It is said that South Korea is also forming a consortium and investing in the gas pipeline and rail connection projects between North Korea and Russia, but the first investment by South Korea alone is 3 trillion won. But hasn’t the Mt. Geumgang tour stopped for 10 years? According to the data received from Eunseong Geumgang, the accumulated loss has already exceeded KRW 1 trillion. If North Korea goes bankrupt again, what will you do with our businesses?”
In fact, the Liberal People’s Party’s argument was true.
In the meantime, the progressive camp has made various attempts to lead North Korea toward reform and opening. However, in the end, North Korea pursued nuclear development, and all economic cooperation that had been previously carried out was halted. And the resulting damage was borne by the companies.
There is nothing to be said for being criticized for only spreading taxes.
Seeing CEO Yeon Na-kyung who was sitting across from him shouting, Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon thought of a young man in his twenties. It is true that he has been displeased with him all this time. What kind of people would act that way at a dinner between the two Koreas with the president?
But now I have completely changed my mind.
Kang Jin-hoo was a troublemaker when he turned him into an enemy, but when he became an ally, he was more reliable than anyone else. Depending on how he uses it, he can be of great help to the government.
just like right now.
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon said proudly.
“I agree with what you said.”
“No, don’t just sympathize and tell me what to do. To rush things without clear measures is to drive our companies into limbo!”
“Yes. As a sure measure, Russia has agreed to cover the entire project. If the project is halted or canceled, Russia will buy back the shares purchased by Korea. Therefore, there will be no harm to our government or businesses.”
“Yes, yes? What did you say?”
CEO Yeon Na-kyung looked unbelievable.
Economic cooperation with North Korea has great benefits, but also great risks. Where are one or two countries and companies that have been hit in the head after investing so far?
‘But Russia assumes all the responsibility? why?’
“Oh, no, I didn’t hear that announcement. This is Parliament, Minister! Otherwise, it is not a place where we can move on.”
“CEO Kang Jin-hoo has already finished talking with the Russian representative.”
“Are you, Kang Jin-hoo representative?”
Unification Minister Yoon Je-hoon looked at Representative Yeon Na-kyung and asked.
“There is no concern for the ROK-US alliance, and there is no concern for our company to suffer losses. It seems that all the problems you mentioned have been resolved, do you have any more questions?”
“… … .”
