The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 105

105. Strategic Weapon Shopping

China.

The Chinese Foreign Minister erupted at the Korean special envoy’s proposal.

“Korea has been scammed by Japan and Taiwan! Why are you making deals for other people’s land with those who have no rights? Would China ever sell Korea’s Jeju Island to the United States?”

“Minister, the Senkaku Islands were disputed territory among Japan, Taiwan, China, and Yuldo. Korea bought them. So, at least we possess 3/4 of the rights.”

“Then why are you trying to sell them to us again? You said you already bought them!”

“Because we don’t want to fight over disputed territory.”

“Leave immediately! China won’t be swayed by a few barrels of oil. The Diaoyu Islands are Chinese territory.”

“So, you’re rejecting the condition of supplying 400 million barrels over two years?”

“Not even worth considering.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“Regret? Never.”

“If China continues its military aggression, the U.S. 7th Fleet Command might relocate to Yuldo to protect Block 7 [a potentially oil-rich area in the East China Sea].”

Currently, one U.S. aircraft carrier was stationed in Japan.

The Foreign Minister jumped as if he had swallowed a hot potato at the mention of relocating the command.

“The 7th Fleet Command? Are you trying to start World War III now?”

“It depends on China. The U.S. believes that strategic assets should be stationed there to protect the oil fields.”

“Hmm, fine. To avoid further tension, China will maintain the status quo.”

This meant they would not openly claim the territory as their own.

The special envoy said,

“Minister, wouldn’t it be better for Korea to protect it rather than the U.S. military?”

“What do you mean?”

“The oil fields need to be protected, right? To prevent the U.S. 7th Fleet from being stationed there, the Korean Navy will do it instead. That’s the best way to reduce tension in the region.”

“…….”

It was a declaration of Korea’s military buildup.

By framing Korea’s military buildup as a way to reduce U.S. influence, they minimized China’s backlash with diplomatic justification.

From China’s perspective, the Korean Navy was easier to deal with than the U.S. 7th Fleet.

But in reality, it would result in strengthening the ROK-U.S. [Republic of Korea-United States] alliance.

Diplomatic rhetoric is all about the nuance.

China’s diplomacy without Zhou Enlai [the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China, known for his diplomatic skills] was not clever.

*

Yuldo.

A cabinet meeting was being held.

The Foreign Minister reported.

“Korea has bought the Senkaku Islands and Tsushima Island from Japan and Taiwan. We are virtually surrounded by Korea’s maritime territory. We need to make a decision.”

The Prime Minister, with his graying hair, said,

“I think so too. What do the other ministers think?”

The Interior Minister said,

“I am very positive about the merger. Korea has become an oil-producing country and has laid the foundation to become a world power. Moreover, it is not just a rich country but a country with a respectable vision to supply crude oil at 70% of the price to promote competitiveness. It is an advanced country we should learn from.”

“I also think we should take it as an example. Since we have oil dollars coming in as an oil-producing country, some people are already advocating for complete welfare. They want to live extravagantly without working.”

The Defense Minister said,

“Currently, Korean troops are in charge of our national defense. Our diplomacy and security are virtually dependent on Korea. We are guaranteed autonomy, and it wouldn’t be strange to merge immediately.”

The other ministers’ opinions were no different.

“If we want a well-fed country, the current state is enough, but to become a superpower, we must become Korea.”

The Prime Minister concluded.

“Good. Then let’s convey our intentions to the Korean President, and if we get his consent, we will put it to a national referendum.”

“Yes, Prime Minister!”

*

The rooftop of the Presidential Office Building.

The newly built Presidential Office was located on the second floor, and the official residence was not outside but on the top floor, using an officetel [a building with both office and residential units] as accommodation.

If the office and residence are separate, commuting is necessary, which creates security problems and doubles manpower and costs.

So, they made it a combined accommodation in the same building.

However, the rooftop had a pavilion, garden, pond, and relaxation area where you could camp and take a walk with your pets.

For security, the rooftop was surrounded by transparent bulletproof glass, creating a greenhouse-like atmosphere.

The Prime Minister of Yuldo (formerly Okinawa) visited and strolled through the rooftop garden with the President, talking.

The Prime Minister said,

“Now that oil dollars are coming in, the people of Yuldo are saying that they should abandon their jobs and implement free welfare immediately. Yuldo is a small island, so we can’t start an industry. I think the people will all become grasshoppers because of the oil dollars.”

“Well, I guess so. If you can buy anything with dollars, why bother working in a factory or studying at school?”

“That’s why I was very impressed with Your Excellency’s vision of building a competitive country that is an oil-producing country but does not provide crude oil for free. Not only me but also our cabinet.”

“Haha, I’m just embarrassed.”

“The cabinet discussed the issue of merging the Republic of Korea and Yuldo, starting from the point when we became an oil-producing country.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“The vast majority wanted to be incorporated into Korea and guaranteed autonomy.”

“I welcome it with open arms. We are also creating a local autonomy law, so we can designate Yuldo as a special autonomous province.”

“Then the working-level officials of both countries will start the merger process.”

“Of course.”

The two threw food to the carp in the pond.

*

Working-level officials from both countries began the merger process.

The main point was that Yuldo would be incorporated as a special local autonomous province with Korea as the central government.

A new province was created like Jeju Island.

As a result, the Republic of Korea’s oil stake increased to 6/11.

Senkaku was renamed ‘Haeae Island,’ an affiliated island of Yuldo.

Block 7 came firmly under Korean control.

As Korea established itself right under China’s nose and completely blocked the sea from Taiwan to the Korean Peninsula, China’s mood could only be sharp.

China’s concerns became reality.

*

Yongsan Ministry of National Defense.

The Korean Minister of National Defense and the Commander of the U.S. Forces in Korea held a meeting.

The Minister of National Defense said,

“Korea’s maritime territory has expanded rapidly. I am grateful that the U.S. 7th Fleet has protected us. But now, it seems that the time has come for Korea to strengthen its naval power and reduce its dependence on the United States.”

“Korea’s national power has risen enormously, so it is natural to have military power commensurate with it.”

“I am thinking of introducing used light aircraft carriers and used nuclear submarines this time.”

“Nuclear submarines? I fully expected light aircraft carriers, but nuclear submarines are quite unexpected. Nuclear submarines are strategic weapons and are subject to control. How about creating a fleet of conventional submarines instead?”

“Conventional submarines and nuclear submarines are complementary in terms of operational range and role. So, we plan to create a submarine force that integrates conventional and nuclear submarines.”

“…….”

The United States was focusing on nuclear submarines that roamed the oceans, and Germany was the strongest in conventional diesel submarines.

Korea had already dispatched purchasing groups to Germany to explore the purchase of used submarines, the ordering of conventional submarines, and technology transfer.

The commander’s expression was not good about the nuclear submarine issue.

The minister reassured him.

“Commander, you don’t have to worry. I’m only talking about nuclear-powered submarines that are not equipped with nuclear weapons.”

“Ah, you weren’t going to load nuclear warheads!”

“That’s right. It just increases the submerged time. As you know, conventional submarines can only submerge for about ten to fifteen days.”

“I understand what you mean now.”

“Considering the construction period, we will purchase used light aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines from the United States that can be put into service immediately. At the same time, we plan to order fighters and helicopters to be mounted on light aircraft carriers, as well as new medium-sized aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, from the United States. Once we get used to operating with existing weapons, we will replace them with new medium-sized carriers and nuclear submarines. Oh, and we also need F-111s [a supersonic, medium-range interdiction and strategic bomber].”

“The latest fighter jets too?”

“Yes.”

For the military-industrial complex in the United States, Korea’s purchase of strategic weapons was a great benefit.

The amount of purchase was a huge sum equivalent to the budget of a country, and it was a scale that could revitalize the U.S. defense industry, which was facing difficulties due to the oil shock.

“I will report to the Pentagon.”

“And I hope that the new ships and fighter jets will be built in cooperation between Korea and the United States. Our President considers the rate of localization as a very important measure in ordering.”

In other words, they demanded technology transfer.

Korea’s essential condition for purchasing weapons was to include research technicians who could acquire technology when buying new weapons and equipment.

*

The White House.

Kennedy discussed Korea’s request to purchase weapons with the Secretary of Defense and relevant aides.

“Korea has inquired about purchasing one used light aircraft carrier and one nuclear submarine each, one new light aircraft carrier and one nuclear submarine each, and 20 F-4 fighter jets (10 used, 10 new).”

Again, the stumbling block was the nuclear submarine.

“Is Korea going to possess nuclear weapons?”

“No. They will not be equipped with nuclear warheads, and only the power source will use a nuclear reactor. It is said that it is to compensate for the limitations of conventional submarines with short-term submergence and to supplement long-term submergence models. When manufacturing new models, there is a condition that Korean engineers participate.”

“Hmm, that means they will eventually produce it themselves.”

“And it’s a package purchase, so they said they would reconsider the purchase if any one item is excluded. They are looking into conventional submarines in Germany. If the United States opposes, they will probably order a new light aircraft carrier in Spain.”

Spain and Italy were powerhouses in light aircraft carriers.

The ordering party had to compete with the purchasing party to obtain favorable conditions.

The United States happened to have two light aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines that were nearing the end of their lifespan.

Kennedy pondered.

“Hmm, it’s the largest arms export ever. Isn’t it an amount that can save the dying U.S. defense industry, so we can’t refuse?”

“If Korea arms itself, we can reduce the operation of the 7th Fleet in the Korean Peninsula and Southeast China, which will save a lot of defense budget.”

Kennedy said.

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s an offer we can’t refuse.”

The Japanese-American Commander of the Asia-Pacific Command had a different opinion. He was pro-Japanese.

“Still, there is something unsettling about possessing nuclear submarines. If they possess nuclear warheads, they will immediately become a nuclear weapons state.”

Kennedy said.

“Korea shares oil with us. Also, at our request, they are supplying oil to our allies, Japan and Taiwan. They prioritize the ROK-U.S. alliance even at the expense of economic losses, so we must provide corresponding services.”

“…….”

“Let’s push them hard this time. We all know that nuclear warheads are cutting-edge technology that no one can have.”

“…….”