"Doesn't the Republic of Korea look like a liberal democratic nation to the United States and President Nixon, who have announced themselves as the champions of liberal democracy? The Republic of Korea is also an armistice state."
The American ambassador stared at me in surprise.
"The situation in South Vietnam is more urgent."
"The situation in the United States is likely more urgent."
The American ambassador frowned at my sentence.
'President Nixon.'
He wishes to project himself as a pacifist. And I would describe the personality of President Nixon as one of a perfectionist verging on psychosis.
'If only I had remained stationary.'
He would be one of the greatest presidents among the American presidents.
why?
Because he relaxed tensions with China, which was his antagonist, through ping-pong diplomacy and opened up diplomatic relations. But he began a plot to win the re-election outright, which subsequently became the Watergate scandal and saw him impeached.
'I guess I should take advantage of that personality.'
It's simpler to conduct operations when you know the other fellow's personality.
"I've heard that negotiations and discussions need a carrot and a whip. The whip has already stung, so show me the carrot."
What I am telling the American Ambassador at this moment is being translated directly to the President via an interpreter.
"Well, since Korea is America's best ally, they are willing to lend a loan of $500 million in return for fighting with the US military in Vietnam."
500 million dollars?
It's incredible.
'Korea's total export amount in 1971.'
They were in a celebratory atmosphere when they reached the $1 billion mark. But now they're announcing that they'll give a $500 million loan.
What is the net gain from achieving $1 billion in exports?
It will not be more than $200 million.
So what about the $500 million loan that can be obtained now?
In net profit, it will be greater than the $3 billion in exports.
'I can do this.'
But we cannot be content here.
"Is that loan free of charge or paid?"
The President smiled when my question was translated to him by an interpreter.
"This is the vice minister."
It would be free aid, isn't it? What the Ambassador has said would be no different from what President Nixon has said, that Korea is America's greatest blood ally."
"That's what I said."
"If the $500 million loan is a free assistance, the Korean army will protect the back of the US army until the US army totally withdraws from the Vietnam War."
Even the American ambassador was taken aback by my statement.
The president was also surprised upon hearing the interpretation by the interpreter.
And the American ambassador appeared before the president.
"Your Majesty, can you assure me that?"
The President gazed at me seriously upon the American ambassador's inquiry.
"I assure you."
"Then, a loan of 500 million dollars will be carried out without waiver."
What about grants of $500 million?
Net profit was $500 million.
'500 million dollars?'
We can also establish a shipyard in Korea.
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This is the funds that can be utilized to construct giant petrochemical complexes.
[Seongsu is the South Korea's ace up the sleeve.]
Unwillingly, I recalled what Senator Walker Smith told the President.
And when I see the eyes of the President staring at me, I think he also thinks about what Senator Walker Smith said.
"When?"
"It is to be put into effect until February 5th."
"Okay, tell Nixon thank you."
Actually, these negotiations must be made between presidents by a hotline, but the Yankee Nixon of the United States sent a low-ranking ambassador.
"I'll just go back."
The American ambassador departs the office and the President appears somber.
"It would put all Korean troops deployed in Vietnam at risk."
"It might look that way, but North Vietnam will never make a full-scale attack when South Korean troops are present."
"Can you be certain?"
Of course, we can't be 100% certain.
"I'm not 100% sure, but we can obtain the significant military equipment remaining in Vietnam from the US troops deployed in Vietnam."
"I remember you said that with that intention."
"I apologize, Your Majesty."
"It is a sin to be poor."
This is the President's alibi, and it's my alibi too.
"The documentary film has been finished."
"ah!"
"Nixon, that damn Yankee, sent the ambassador rather than calling the hotline himself."
"Yes, it is annoying."
"You take that film and go, America."
The President told him, "Go to America," but why am I hearing it, "Go to Hawaii?"
This is the point when you can witness the president's face and his resolve to really screw Nixon.
"yes?"
"Let's see what you get this time. Hahaha!"
What is certain here is that currently I am doing nothing but good as President.
'Smith said he would invest in me.'
Nevertheless, it was America that I had to visit one day.
* * *
Lunch on that day at the Blue House presidential restaurant.
If the $500 million in grant funds is my contribution, then unexpectedly, I found myself having lunch with the president.
'I thought it would be a real feast.'
This winter, boiled pork and radish noodles.
"Eat lots."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I have raised $500 million, just as you instructed me. So how can I get over the oil shock you instructed me with that $500 million?"
This is a president who instructs us to eat a lot and then questions again.
and.
In this instance, we would get at least consulting fees, but the president loves free items too much.
And if he earned $500 million, he should give me $50 million, which is 1/10 of that, as a commission, but there is no talk of a bounty.
"dismissal."
I must risk my life and become a naked thunderbolt at least once.
"No bounty? Is this it?"
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Does the President use mind control?
"Oh, no."
It's an embarrassing moment.
"Money is good, right? No one hates money."
[His Majesty has probably been informed as well.]
I remembered what Tank told me a few days before.
"sorry."
"He was a big foreign currency earner in Vietnam."
I really knew.
"You're a weirdo like me. Hahaha!"
It's a scolding environment, but the environment is still nice.
"Your Majesty, you have to scold Seongsu severely so that he will become stronger."
After having much radish noodles, the chief of staff playfully said to the president.
"I'm scolding you. It's a good day, so let's drink a glass of makgeolli."
"I will prepare."
The chef replied right away and hurried into the kitchen.
"Yes, the work should be praised, so there should be an award. I heard you're making efforts to raise funds for your business."
Seeing the president asking this question, it appears that he has also been briefed on the acquisition of land in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam.
"I bought land."
"Is this really true?"
"Gangnam development must proceed immediately."
I accidentally brought up the issue of Gangnam development.
Actually, Gangnam development was under way but was delayed due to the financial crisis.
"We should start developing the Gangnam area. It's so hard for ordinary people to live there because of the flood damage during the summer."
"There is that element to it, but Gangnam development is purely necessary in order to secure a national development fund."
"National Development Fund?"
The Yushin regime was attempting to raise political funds.
"Yes, I believe it would be best to utilize the $500 million to sign a five-year supply agreement with Middle Eastern oil producing nations at 50% of the prevailing market price. I believe that's how you should spend the $500 million."
"Sign a long-term supply contract at 50% higher than the current international crude oil price?"
This is the frowning president.
"I think it would be good to negotiate with Iran."
Iran was a monarchy until the Islamic Revolution of 1979 succeeded.
Like Saudi Arabia.
"Does it have to be like that?"
And following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Saudi Arabia, another dynastic nation, got anxious and from then on became more pro-American.
Yes, as I have already mentioned, oil shocks are sure to occur. Middle East wars will not cease."
There are two forms of oil shocks: first and second.
"And Saudi Arabia will take the lead. But Iran and Saudi Arabia are both Middle Eastern nations, but they have different cultures and ethnicities."
"We are both Muslims.
"They belong to various sects. You may consider them enemies. That is why they are not likely to follow Saudi Arabia's policy of cutting production. And they are a pro-American nation too.
If Korea is friendly with Iran from now onwards, by 1977 there will be a road south of Wonhyo Bridge named Tehran-ro.
"How do you know so much about the Middle East situation?"
For the first time, the President looked at me suspiciously.
"I studied hard."
"Typical of Korean college students to be geniuses. Hahaha!"
Luckily, the president laughs at my statement.
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"so?"
If there is an oil shock, the world price of oil will increase by over 500%. Yet Iran, a kingdom, is not free to sell crude to Korea at $3 a barrel for five years for the benefit of the king's prestige or due to a long-term crude oil supply agreement with Korea."
"I guess so.
"If Korea signs a contract to supply a large amount of crude oil to its own surplus, the remaining crude oil can be sold to Taiwan or Japan. If Korea prepares in this way, the oil shock expected to hit the world will be a blessing for Korea."
"But Seongsu."
"What if your prediction is wrong?"
That could be the case.
It's natural to think this way.
"That's why we need to develop the Gangnam area."
"So we have to develop it?"
"Because we have to secure national development funds."
Money is needed for everything and all developments.
"The state takes the lead?"
"I researched it and discovered some developed nations set up public corporations in order to develop land."
"Should we do that in Korea too?"
"Of course, before that, I think we have to fix the flooding problem in the Gangnam area first."
"How can we fix this?"
I think I should report to the president the stories of Eunsung Group and Daehyun Group that I came across on the Internet when I was Chairman Lee Seo-jin.
"Your Majesty, the leaders of South Korea's conglomerates have gained numerous advantages and favors from you up to now."
The chief secretary looked at me once more with an angry glare.
It's a warning to watch your words.