"I too was excited and a justification slipped out. The commander on the brink of war is already considering surrender before the fight has even begun."
"Surrender? Do you think I'm a coward? Even if I want to fight, I need weapons to do so. Do we have resources? Do we have technology? What do we have? No matter how dirty it is, we have to accept aid from the Americans and technology from the Japanese. Don't we have to survive?"
I succeeded in pricking President Park's pride.
Let's proceed cautiously.
"Is that what you mean by the Japan-Korea agreement?"
"Even after reading the report, do you still say that? We need money, money."
"It's not that we need money, but rather someone to accept the money, isn't it?"
"What? Someone to accept the money?"
President Park's face crinkled, unable to grasp it immediately.
Trying to handle everything alone in this world is difficult. It is wise to delegate tasks to those who excel at them, even if it costs a commission.
"What we aim to gain from negotiations with Japan is not money itself but the right to collect the money. The actual collection will be done by American lawyers."
"American lawyers?"
"There's no need to collect immediately. We can sell the rights on Wall Street like bonds and bring in dollars."
The commission would be expensive, but we can just demand a higher amount.
"Is it... could it be a deception tactic?"
As a soldier, President Park knew about deception tactics.
"Militarily, it's a deception tactic, but economically, it's called triangular trade. Also known as intermediary trade. If you leave it to me, I will provide the data to American lawyers and ensure our people receive the rightful compensation."
"Hahaha."
The President laughed out loud.
Was my idea absurd?
Or did he like it?
Every second felt like a year in the silence that followed.
Finally, President Park spoke.
"Is that possible? The U.S. government is more likely to side with Japan than with Korea!"
He's right.
Japan is practically a branch of the U.S. in East Asia.
Post-war, the U.S. established its East Asian strategy, making Japan its forward base and supporting it economically and militarily.
By treating Japan as a strong ally rather than a defeated nation, the U.S. ensured Japan's political dominance in Asia.
This was a major reason for the difficulties in the Korea-Japan talks regarding compensation claims.
"That's true, but it's also true that now is the optimal time."
"The optimal time?"
"Eisenhower, who threatened to cut aid if we didn't proceed with the Japan-Korea agreement, has stepped down. Kennedy, who sent a personal letter urging you to become a statesman and openly supported Japan, is dead."
"!!!!"
"The only one left is President Johnson, who desperately needs victory in Vietnam. Such an opportunity won't come again for decades."
I spoke firmly.
It was a historical fact.
"With the deployment issue at hand, the U.S. political sphere won't easily intervene, correct?"
"Yes, the longer the war drags on, the more the business sector will dominate over the political sector. Money has no borders and no nationality. Especially dollars."
We just need to give Wall Street a good commission. Moreover, this is when Jews started gaining influence on Wall Street, so the situation is favorable.
"Can you really do it? If you're just saying it, I won't let it slide."
That's what I should say.
How could I speak nonsense to a man with absolute power?
A single wrong word and I'd be dead before my time.
"I understand what failure means. I'm confident enough to stake my life on it. If you and I work together, we can win this war. We can pay off billions in foreign debt, achieve economic development, and restore national pride. We must pull out the iron spikes embedded in our land!"
Let's do it, sir.
If we miss this chance, we'll regret it for generations.
I didn't want to step up either, but it's too regrettable to let this go.
"..."
The President stared at me silently.
What was he thinking?
Even though I could see him right in front of me, it was hard to read his thoughts. That's why opinions about him remain polarized even decades later.
"What do you need from me?"
"Just replace the term 'compensation rights' with 'civil claims rights.' I'll take care of the rest."
"... I'll think about it."
Huh? What does that mean? He'll think about it?
He seemed to agree with me, yet he didn't readily say let's do it together.
Damn... Is it because of the secret funds?
There were CIA reports saying he received over 60 million dollars as part of the Japan-Korea negotiations.
I really didn't want to touch that issue.
But I must climb this mountain.
He hasn't received the money yet.
I need to change direction before putting on the wedding shoes.
Once you wear wedding shoes, you can only take them off when you die.
"Is it because of the secret funds?"
"Watch your words."
President Park's face twisted with a frown.
Strong denial is also an affirmation.
"Why do you need secret funds? Winning the blood debt alone will guarantee your victory in the presidential election two years from now."
"You don't understand politics. It's a place where endless competition and dangling carrots are necessary. It can never be clean. It's a place full of people who would argue whether the hot bath or the cold bath is better even in hell."
He's saying he needs secret funds endlessly.
But there's no need to rely on Japanese funds as a backer. Domestic secret funds are just as much money.
Anyway, President Park's tone had changed compared to earlier.
Though there were thorns in his words, they carried a hint of humor.
He was willing to listen to my proposal.
"Such funds won't be an issue in the future."
"Are you saying you'll provide the secret funds yourself?"
"I'm not talking about secret funds; I'm talking about paying taxes. Unlike other conglomerates, I won't evade taxes, so I'll pay several times, no, tens of times more. The government can create secret funds from that money."
"If you pay tens of times more taxes, you're saying your revenue will be hundreds of times more?"
Does he not believe me?
We've already made several times more than other companies just from the Vietnam War supplies.
Hundreds of times more revenue is just a matter of time.
"I've earned over 10 million dollars since founding my company, and the contracted construction fees alone exceed 20 million dollars. Considering the export items, it easily doubles. I earned this money in less than a year. Isn't that proof of my capability?"
"Broadly speaking, economics is also politics. With such a pronounced tendency, all sorts of people will try to hinder you. Can you continue to do well?"
"Where there's money, all sorts of people gather. I never intended to avoid that."
Money overwhelms all power.
In the 21st century, countries without money can't even launch missiles.
"Japan is no pushover. Taking such risks..."
"Am I doing something absurd? Germany compensated not only the victorious nations but all of Europe. Japan compensated Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and even Vietnam with hundreds of millions of dollars each. They clearly stated it was compensation. Yet, they haven't done the same for us."
"Because they exploited us for 36 years! Because they forcibly mobilized 7 million people! Compensating for all that would shake Japan!"
"That's why it's possible. The U.S. doesn't want Japan to prosper. They want Japan to be slaves making goods for the U.S. under the guise of an ally and protector of freedom. We provide the justification, and the U.S. holds Japan in check. That's how the money will come."
"!!!!"
"If we start off well, Wall Street will continuously extract money from Japan and give it to us. With a lucrative commission, the U.S. political sphere will also applaud us. It's worth a try."
Japan will soon rise to the G2 status.
From the U.S. perspective, they'll start feeling the need to check Japan's growth, thinking, 'When did Japan grow this much?'
I'm a 21st-century person who saw the Plaza Accord.
Our civil claims against Japan will become a powerful card to pressure Japan as time goes by.
The U.S. always advocates for human rights.
It's a rare weapon that perfectly aligns with both moral justification and political benefits.
"... Alright, I'll trust you. But you have to earn a lot of money as you boasted."
It sounded like a joke, but President Park was sincere.
My value depended on the money I brought in.
To keep my life, I needed to earn a lot now and imply that I would earn even more in the future.
That way, I wouldn't be discarded.
"Do I have to walk on this thin ice for 14 years?"
It's really long.
For a moment, I wondered if I had stepped up for nothing, but I quickly answered myself that it wasn't the case.
It won't be easy, but it's not impossible.
"I'm confident in making money. Please believe in me."
"Go ahead. Request anything you need from the secretariat."
"Thank you."
I decided to visit the secretariat later.
"Ultimately, my task is to figure out how to cover over 200 million dollars in short-term foreign debt by next March. Honestly, I need the secretariat's help..."
It was a shame, but it wouldn't be good to meet the secretariat chief now. I should contact him in a few days.
***
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
"Boss, welcome back safely."
"It's good to be back in one piece. Great, great."
A modest welcome party was held at the Seongsu-dong factory.
The employees gathered, stacking red bean bread like a mountain and holding glasses of cola and cider, welcoming
me.
Though the atmosphere was cheerful, my mind was filled with complex thoughts.
I needed a way to resolve over 200 million dollars in short-term foreign debt in about three months.
In the end, I had to convert malignant short-term foreign debt into long-term low-interest foreign debt, involving the IBRD or other World Bank affiliates.
I couldn't shoulder all of Korea's national debt alone.
"What are you doing? The boss should make a toast."
"Waah, raise your glasses! Raise your glasses. The boss is making a toast."
Sambok nudged my side, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I must have been really busy.
On a day like today, we could have a party with pork belly and soju.
Starting next year, I'll enforce summer and winter vacations. For this year, I'll make up for it with generous New Year's bonuses.
"Thanks to you, I returned safely from Vietnam. Eat a lot and become rich."
"Haha, my friend's toast is always the same."
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Sambok seemed intoxicated even from drinking cola.
He seemed to feel relaxed at the company.
If you feel anxious at home and prefer going to work, that's when you know you're an executive.
"Anyway, Mr. Hwang, you did a great job."
"No, I'm more grateful. Or rather, I'm sorry."
"Why would you be sorry?"
"Heh heh, as if I wouldn't know. Going to the Blue House... it's because of that matter, right?"
"No, Mr. Hwang, you don't need to worry."
Mr. Hwang alternated between thanking and apologizing to me with each sip of cola. It's fine. It's something I wanted to do.
Even though I didn't expect to deal with over 200 million dollars in short-term foreign debt.
Ugh, thinking about it again made my head throb.
"Boss, please look at me too."
"Haha, Mr. Hwang Hyesung, when did you come up?"
"I left early in the morning upon hearing the rumor of your return. Besides, the polyurethane samples are ready, so I came to check them out."
"Is everything okay in Ulsan?"
As long as Mr. Hwang was there, Daese Chemicals would be fine. Though it's a small factory, he has management experience and, having once nearly failed and then recovered, he's excellent at cost-saving and passionate about his work.
"Of course. Today, I'll check the samples and gauge when to start mass-producing polyurethane yarn in Ulsan. They said the problem with the catalyst stripping process was solved by Chief Goo and his team."
"Oh, really?"
"They were excited to show off to you, boss. Haha."
It seemed all the foremen, including Chief Goo, had gathered here knowing I was coming.
"Really? Let's go take a look."
I thought about bringing Sambok along, but I stopped as he began recounting his exploits.
He started narrating his adventures.
"As soon as I arrived in Vietnam, I looked for the boss. But they said he was taken to the Mekong River. So I shouted that I was an envoy from Korea and demanded they bring my friend immediately."
"Gasp! Did you scold the American soldiers?"
"Listen. Then what happened? They saluted and brought out a huge helicopter. You know the ones with two blades? The helicopter's wind was immense."
"Wow, so what happened next?"
"What do you think! I shouted to fly to the Mekong River immediately. Then..."
Sambok's tales became more exaggerated.
He said they flew for half a day by helicopter, only to see nothing but rice fields to the horizon and that a giant warship went over a waterfall, eliciting exclamations from here and there.
This is why the more people talk, the more they tend to exaggerate.
Yes, let's not think too complicatedly.
Let's start by doing what I do best.
I'll create groundbreaking sportswear and bulletproof vests and make a big splash in the U.S.
That's what I needed to do now.
I entered the factory with President Hwang Hyesung.