George Bush’S Great America [EN]: Chapter 110

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Every moment since arriving in North Korea has been more surprising than I imagined.

Doesn’t everyone, at some point, wish they could return to a time when imagination was enough? A futuristic lifestyle, almost like science fiction, where you could extinguish fires with words and choose music based on your mood.

While scientists were promising AI and ubiquitous computing to bring this ideal lifestyle to humanity, North Korea simply offered resourceful people. Their talents, honed by the harsh realities between life and death, were more effective than any modern convenience.

They embodied the spirit of ‘figure it out yourself!’ They anticipated people’s needs so well that the North Korean hotel felt like home.

“Isn’t the North America summit what you’ve been pushing for? Tell me if there’s anything specific you want now that you have the opportunity,” Bush said, finishing his meal at Okryu-gwan [a famous restaurant in Pyongyang]. Kim Jong-il’s unusual silence was unsettling him.

“I’m in a very receptive mood right now. I’m willing to listen to almost anything.”

Of course, any outlandish demands would likely result in carrier-based aircraft entering North Korean airspace immediately, but judging by Kim Jong-il’s reaction, that didn’t seem likely. While ‘listening’ likely just meant paying attention, Kim Jong-il subtly winced upon hearing this through the interpreter before speaking.

“You seemed interested in leasing Nampo Port [a major port city in North Korea], but I have something to say about that agreement.”

“Tell me.”

“Frankly, how do you intend to pay?”

It was a direct, even audacious question. South Korea already paid its share of the USFK [United States Forces Korea] defense costs annually, yet the US was being asked to pay rent to North Korea! Bush felt a surge of resentment towards Kim Jong-il.

“Are you suggesting we pay rent even though we’re protecting North Korea from China?”

Kim Jong-il visibly paled at those words. It wasn’t just a figure of speech; his skin actually turned white and clammy. Bush found Kim Jong-il’s reaction both refreshing and pathetic. To think that this arrogant, self-important man had changed so much.

‘Normally, he’d be turning red and launching into a tirade, but he’s really holding back, isn’t he?’

Look, he’s even trembling. Those who rise to power by force often fall the same way. This was a perfect example. Power bows before greater power. The current Kim Jong-il wasn’t the all-powerful dictator, but just an old man named Kim Jong-il.

“Y-yes.”

“Hahaha, don’t worry so much. It’s not as if we’re going to seize Nampo Port without any compensation.”

Kim Jong-il’s skin began to regain its color upon hearing Bush’s reply. However, he still looked unwell; his face was quite dark. It was rare to see someone’s complexion change so dramatically in a single conversation.

“First, let’s clarify one thing before we proceed.”

“W-what is it?”

“America or China?”

“Of course, it’s America.”

Didn’t Einstein say that nothing is faster than light? That’s not entirely true. Kim Jong-il is right here, answering faster than light. He’s the son of a man who supposedly crossed the Yalu River [the border between North Korea and China] with a maple leaf and made grenades from pine cones, so answering faster than light is nothing to him.

“Very good. Our America will fully support the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.”

At first glance, you might think, ‘Isn’t this only beneficial for North and South Korea?’ but surprisingly, the United States stood to gain something significant from peace on the Korean Peninsula: ‘unlimited justification’ for intervention around the world.

If you ask, ‘How does justification arise from this?’ the United States could at least present its hegemony as a war for peace.

It’s not for nothing that the United States used the removal of weapons of mass destruction as justification when invading Iraq. In the international community, it’s necessary to package things attractively, even if only superficially. But how many interventions has the United States undertaken? At the time, the United States failed to package it effectively and was criticized globally for waging a war to seize oil and control the Middle East. However, if the current United States achieves peace on the Korean Peninsula, it will strengthen its claim of acting for ‘world peace’ when it intervenes elsewhere in the future.

Even now, Bush’s America already had a precedent of establishing the most stable country in the Middle East, Afghanistan. In reality, it was little more than a puppet state of the United States, but considering how much of the United States’ budget it consumed, it was hard to see it as a puppet state in the traditional sense. It was closer to being the 51st state of the United States.

With the added prospect of peace on the Korean Peninsula, the United States’ go-to justification for war—a war for peace—gains considerable traction.

Of course, some might argue that the United States is simply powerful enough to do as it pleases. But who knows? If they continue to bully other countries, they risk uniting the world against them. No matter how mighty the United States is, could it truly emerge unscathed from a conflict with the entire world?

“Now, let’s begin with the railway project.”

Isn’t North Korea the very place where steam locomotives, long retired in most nations, are still operational? As recently as 2019, steam locomotives chugging along at 30 km/h were a reality on North Korean railways.

Does that even compute? It’s not as if they lacked electric trains entirely; they simply relied on outdated Soviet-era models! Fortunately, North Korea primarily uses standard gauge railways [the distance between the rails is 1,435 mm or 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in], but that’s only beneficial if they can actually utilize the railways effectively. Seeing them firsthand, it’s astonishing they haven’t completely fallen apart.

In essence, to revitalize North Korea’s industry and foster closer ties with South Korea, a reliable means for daily capital flow is essential. While roads exist for cars, their carrying capacity is limited.

So, why would North Korea even consider unification with South Korea? Because Bush wouldn’t have it any other way. The most effective method to wean North Korean citizens off Juche ideology [North Korea’s political ideology of self-reliance] is through the influx of capital. This approach was already showing promise; by 2019, South Korean rice cookers had become indispensable items in wedding dowries. Moreover, with the proliferation of media, the Kim dynasty’s fabrications were losing their credibility.

However, some might counter, ‘If the economy recovers, why would North Korea need to merge with South Korea? Isn’t this simply aiding North Korea?’ But fundamentally, calls for unification have persisted in both North and South Korea since the Korean War in 1950. The primary opposition stems from North Korean vested interests who collude with the Party to monopolize the nation’s wealth. Yet, Bush already had a solution to this thorny issue in mind.

‘Just demolish it all in a spectacular fashion.’

Essentially, when something proves too difficult to repair, you simply dismantle it and start anew. While it might sound simplistic, when uttered by the President of the United States, it becomes remarkably feasible. If challenges arise, they could simply unify it with South Korea. Any obstacles North and South Korea might encounter during unification? The United States would pledge its utmost support. Cultural disparities are inevitable, but economic hurdles could certainly be overcome.

‘Isn’t that old man slated to depart for the afterlife in 2011? Judging by his current state, he’s unlikely to enjoy a long life due to stress.’

If North Korea were functioning normally, Kim Jong-il’s designated successor would assume the role of Party leader, but

‘As long as I’m directly involved, the concept of succession ceases to exist in North Korea.’

It would conclude with Kim Jong-il’s demise. From that point forward, North Korea would no longer be the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, but simply the Democratic Republic of Korea. The Party leadership would be dissolved, and a new regime would be established in its stead.

Of course, complete annihilation is impractical, so they would retain some existing personnel, but this regime would be short-lived. Bush intended to unify North and South Korea before his term concluded.

More importantly, observing Kim Jong-il’s current condition, he seemed prepared to disband the Korean People’s Army if Bush demanded it immediately. If his actions were merely an act, then all actors should face dire consequences. Even method acting wouldn’t extend to such extremes.

“Next, let’s overhaul the infrastructure and address the industrial sectors that North Korea can’t manage independently through imports. A self-reliant, powerful nation is admirable, but how can a country thrive if it remains perpetually isolated? The era is global. Global.”

In essence, it was time to embrace foreign capital. Kim Jong-il had already contemplated foreign investment, so he wasn’t as apprehensive as before. It simply stung because they were probing his vulnerabilities.

“And this is paramount: reduce the size of the military. We’re here now.”

Bush declared, a smile playing on his lips.

“Guilty. It’s time for a reduction.”

Isn’t this the epitome of having your world turned upside down?

Kim Jong-il’s fist nearly connected with Bush’s face against his will, but he restrained himself with the unwavering resolve to survive. It was evident that he would deteriorate if this continued, but he couldn’t refuse.

“Afterward, the North Korean people will no longer suffer from hunger. Aren’t the people the most crucial element in North Korea? Your father vowed to provide them with rice and meat soup, yet now they’re starving.”

Everything he said was accurate, but given that Kim Jong-il was the listener, it was, to put it bluntly, a direct affront to his parents. Of course, it’s not as if the parricide [one who kills a close relative] who defied the will to be buried in the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mount Daesong and instead embalmed his body for display in the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun was going to dwell on it, but isn’t family something that only you can criticize, and you get angry when others do?

“But you haven’t articulated what you desire. Tell me promptly. Isn’t this the North Korea-U.S. summit that you’ve been envisioning while developing nuclear weapons?”

Kim Jong-il brought up the Nampo Port issue, but it hardly seemed problematic. Didn’t the President of the United States personally assure him that he wouldn’t simply occupy Nampo Port?

The issue was that the person who needed to voice his desires had his mind consumed by curses, rendering him speechless.

“Now, tell me quickly! Quickly!”

Just say something. Just say it.