Whether it's North Korea or Japan
North Korea's claims against Japan were settled with a $20 billion compensation payment, an acknowledgment and apology for the abduction of Japanese citizens, and their repatriation.
But reaching an agreement on the big picture did not mean that everything was finished.
As in the case of Korea, it was an issue that could be played around with both free and paid services.
I was thinking of clearing that part up completely.
"Then I understand that neither party has any objection to the amount of compensation."
They both nodded, and I quickly went over the details.
But as I expected, Koizumi started making mistakes from the beginning.
They took the initiative by promising to pay compensation in the same way as Korea.
"Of the 20 billion dollars, 10 billion will be paid in installments over nine years as a consolation money. Of that, 800 million dollars will be offset by the Japanese government's forgiveness of North Korean national debt. 1.2 billion dollars will be paid in the first year."
The Japanese government owned about $800 million worth of North Korean bonds.
Since I had already absorbed all the government bonds circulating in the market, most of the remaining bonds were held by governments of various countries.
Koizumi continued speaking.
"The remaining $10 billion will be provided in the form of loans over 10 years. However, the interest rate will be 2%. In addition, we will raise loans from the private sector to provide support to North Korea."
Moon Kyung-deok responded to Koizumi's words in a tone of disbelief.
"I understand the installment payment. But a loan? It's compensation. How can you lend money in the form of a loan? What kind of compensation is that?"
"South Korea also concluded negotiations in the same way. If North Korea were to be treated differently, the South Korean government would be in trouble."
"Isn't the situation completely different now than it was then? We must receive the entire $20 billion for free. We will accept a reduction in the amount equal to the debt our Republic owes to Japan. However, we cannot accept any other conditions."
Moon Kyung-deok was firm on this point.
I just watched in silence, allowing the two of them to discuss the details fully.
"Please pay the $20 billion in compensation at once, unconditionally. Only then can we restart our relationship with our republic and Japan. Nothing will change until then."
"Speak your mind. $20 billion is more than half of our Japanese defense budget. Do you have any idea how much money that is?"
"It's an absurdly small amount compared to the amount that has been plundered from our republic over the decades. Are you saying this without knowing that?"
"Excuse me, Special Envoy. Is that your position now to negotiate?"
"What I'm saying is, how can we accept such an absurd proposal from the Prime Minister?"
The two men's confrontation grew more intense at the negotiating table, where diplomatic rhetoric had disappeared.
"It is difficult to pay 20 billion dollars all at once. It is not something I can decide on my own. Even if I agree to it here, it will definitely be rejected in Congress. So please tell me the conditions that are realistic and acceptable."
"Our Republic's position is simple. We will pay the full amount of compensation at once. Who knows? They might change their words later and not pay the compensation."
After watching from a while ago, I felt one thing.
It seemed as if there was no trust between North Korea and Japan.
The two people argued for a long time, refusing to give an inch to each other.
It was when that frustrating tug-of-war reached its climax that I stepped in.
"The arguments from both sides are so polarized. It won't end today. It's almost time for the sun to set."
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When I, who had been quietly watching, opened my mouth, Koizumi also seemed frustrated and spoke as if he was complaining.
"Mr. Kim Moo-hyeok, as you can see from watching, isn't North Korea's behavior too much? Our government has also made the greatest possible concessions for the sake of our relationship with North Korea. But they are demanding that we pay that much in consolation money all at once. This is completely unacceptable."
"There is no way the Japanese government doesn't have that much money. The Japanese justice budget alone is over twenty times the amount of compensation."
"We have already decided where to spend this year's budget. In order to pay consolation money to North Korea, we need to prepare a supplementary budget. There is no way Congress will pass a supplementary budget bill that gives 20 billion dollars all at once."
"That is something the Prime Minister must resolve. The North Korean government has no reason to consider the Prime Minister's position."
Let's speak calmly, Koizumi kept his mouth shut. I turned my head and spoke to Moon Kyung-deok as well.
"Special Envoy Moon Kyung-deok. Do you really have to receive 20 billion dollars all at once? What are you going to do with that much money all at once?"
"······."
"Don't push Prime Minister Koizumi too hard. I am helping with these negotiations at the request of Chairman Jang Song-taek, but if you push Japan too hard, the negotiations themselves could go awry."
"Okay. I will follow President Kim Mu-hyeok's wishes."
Moon Kyung-dok decided to accept my decision without a second thought. As Jang Song-taek said, he is playing a very supportive role.
I nodded with satisfaction and asked Prime Minister Koizumi.
"Prime Minister, let's do this. Pay 4 billion dollars in installments over 5 years, but on the condition that all of the Japanese government's debt to North Korea be eliminated. Don't talk about paid aid. At that time, South Korea really needed the compensation it received from Japan, but compensation was not a priority for North Korea. Different situations require different approaches."
"Are you asking for $800 million in debt forgiveness right now?"
Koizumi frowned and asked, "This guy is only looking at immediate profits.
"Instead, wouldn't it be a good opportunity for Japanese companies to advance into North Korea? In order to revive the Japanese economy, which has suffered from the lost 10 years, no, the lost 20 years, we can't continue to live like this with the Korean Peninsula, which is our closest neighbor, right? We can cooperate with South Korea on a project with a high profit margin, such as the development of the 7th mining area, but we have nothing with North Korea yet, right? How long do you think we can survive only on domestic demand?"
After Koizumi came to power, he pursued policies to boost the domestic market.
However, there were limits to surviving solely on the domestic market.
Even though the economy appeared to be improving for the time being, Japan's economy failed to grow over the decades.
This can be seen by comparing Japan in 1990 and Japan in 2020.
Even after 30 long years had passed, the national economy remained stagnant.
Although it cannot be denied that Japan is one of the world's leading economic powers, the situation is extremely miserable for a country that was once the world's second largest economy, closely following the United States.
"If there is no progress in relations with North Korea, the gas pipeline connection cannot even begin. This is not a project that I can do alone. No matter how sweet the Prime Minister's proposal is, if Chairman Jang Song-taek objects, it cannot even proceed."
"Hmm."
Koizumi frowned even more, as if he was worried.
"The gas pipeline connection is not the end. After that, we will connect to the Eurasian railway. If a land route is connected from Korea to Europe, Japan will be isolated. You should think carefully."
Koizumi's silence was filled with sorrow.
Koizumi could not have been unaware that if time passed like this, Japan would become isolated.
Although it was allied with the United States, it was ultimately geographically closer to Korea, China, and Russia.
"Well······. If you pay in installments over five years, I think we can do something about it. But please don't block our Japanese companies from advancing into North Korea."
"No way. There is no way that Chairman Jang Song-taek would turn down companies that invest in him. He would welcome them with open arms. Isn't that right, Special Envoy Moon Kyung-dok?"
"Yes, you are always welcome to invest in our republic."
"And it all starts with the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea. So this time, Japan should make some concessions."
Of course, I had no intention of including Japan, but I said it with a good-natured smile.
"Okay, let's summarize again. Does Japan agree to pay compensation to North Korea in installments of $4 billion over five years?"
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"······Let's do that."
"Yes. Our republic agrees too."
The biggest problem is over.
Now the rest was a matter of working-level officials holding talks to come up with an agreement.
"The agreement reached here today must never change. The details may change. Do you agree with that?"
Both of them nodded at the same time to my words.
"If this goes wrong, or if someone breaks the agreement today first, you won't be able to expect my help in anything that happens after that. I will never work with that country again. Whether it's North Korea or Japan. If that happens, consider it as turning me into an enemy."
I checked my watch after giving the final warning.
"I think the negotiation teams of both countries can handle the remaining part, so shall we end our meeting here for today?"
I was starting to feel extremely tired after having to coordinate between the two without stopping for hours on end during the negotiations.
Koizumi quickly nodded after examining my complexion.
"Let's do that. After that, our government and the North Korean government will take care of it."
As I got up from my seat, Moon Kyung-deok also got up.
"Well then, Prime Minister. I hope we can meet again next time."
"Me too, Mr. Kim. But are you returning home right away?"
Koizumi stood up from his seat and asked me.
That was originally the plan.
But I decided to postpone my return because of Hiroyuki.
"I think I'll be in Japan for a few more days. Since it's been a while since I've been here, I'm planning to spend my time sightseeing or something."
I reached out to Koizumi. He subtly watched me to see if there was something he wanted.
"Are there any plans for a separate meeting between businesspeople?"
Koizumi took my hand and asked, "Is this what you wanted?"
I smiled softly and squeezed his hand.
"First of all, let's look for Japanese companies worth investing in. Thank you for your hard work today. I know it was a difficult decision. But everyone will know that it was a decision for the good of Japan."
"Whew······. I hope so. President Kim Moo-hyeok, you've had a hard time between the two countries today."
After shaking hands with me, Koizumi extended his hand to Moon Kyung-deok.
"Is the special envoy also coming as the head of the negotiation team?"
"I think so. Shouldn't the person who has been given the job take charge of it?"
"That would be good. If someone else comes and changes the subject, it would be a headache again."
He was going to fight to the end. He shook his head and left the office with Moon Kyung-deok, who had just finished shaking hands.
We didn't say anything until we left the Prime Minister's residence.
It was only after arriving at the parking lot that I asked Moon Kyung-deok.
"Are you returning home right away, Special Envoy Moon Kyung-deok?"
"No. I plan to return home tomorrow."
"Do you have a place to stay?"
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"Yes, there is."
There must be at least one North Korean safe house in Japan.
I nodded and approached Moon Kyung-deok. Then I warned him in a cold voice.
"Make sure to tell Chairman Jang Song-taek that this is too much. He has already received much more compensation than South Korea has received, so he should not break this agreement to receive more."
"Okay, I'll make sure to pass it on."
The answer came back as blunt and decisive as usual. I smiled as I walked away from Moon Kyung-deok.
"Thank you for your hard work. See you next time."
After shaking hands with Moon Kyung-deok, he got into the car.
As soon as the car door closed, he gave instructions to Chief Ma.
"Sir, I think I'll have to stay in Japan for a few more days. Contact Black Bear and ask them to find out about the situation with the Heavenly Church and pass it on to you. And······."
I was deeply troubled as I spoke. It's a headache when religion is involved.
In these cases, I should rely on others rather than taking action myself.
"Let's go to Yamamoto."
After seeing Director Ma nodding, he buried his body deep in the back of the chair.
As I sighed without realizing it, feeling tired, Director Ma looked at me with worried eyes.
He waved his hand lightly as if to say it was okay and then closed his eyes.
"Boss. I'll be there soon."
I opened my eyes to the voice of Director Ma. The Kobe Port Tower passed by outside the window.
It seemed like he had entered Kobe City, where the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters is located.
The sun had already set outside and it was dark night.
< Whether it's North Korea or Japan > End
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