The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 127

127. 1974 Korea World Cup

The President’s office.

The President spoke to his Chief of Staff.

“Chief, I think I need to take a vacation for the first time in a while.”

“Oh, really? It’s not just been a while; it’s the first time since your re-election.”

“Oh, is that so!”

“Where will you be going? To your family in the United States…?”

“No. Going abroad isn’t a vacation.”

“Then shall we look into Jeodo, where you went before?”

Jeodo, located north of Geoje Island, is a small island with an area of about 430,000 square meters. It is easy to secure and secluded, so past presidents often spent their summer vacations there.

“Well…”

“Your Excellency, how about building a presidential villa like the United States? If the weather is bad, you’ll be isolated on Jeodo. It would completely ruin your vacation.”

During the Fifth Republic, Cheongnamdae, the second Blue House, was built and used as a vacation spot for subsequent presidents.

However, Cheongnamdae, like the Blue House, was heavily guarded, preventing even nearby residents from accessing it. It was used for less than ten days a year, but managing the large area wasted national funds.

Eventually, it was opened to the general public.

The President said.

“Actually, a small cabin where I can watch the red sunset and have a beer is enough. If we build a presidential villa, a military unit will be created because of the extravagant security.”

“Understood. So, will you be going to Jeodo?”

“Um, let’s go with Jeodo.”

“Pardon? What do you mean, ‘let’s go with’?”

“The true meaning of a vacation is to shake off mannerisms and ingrained preconceptions.”

“…….”

*

Labor Placement Office.

From dawn, workers gathered, preparing to be hired out for the day.

A foreman who arrived in a truck shouted.

“You twelve over there, get in quickly!”

The men rushed onto the truck.

Usually, they didn’t even know where they were going.

The truck bed was high, so only those with strength could climb up.

A younger man who had climbed up first reached out and pulled Mr. Park up.

Seeing this, the foreman yelled.

“Hey, you there! You’re old! Today’s job pays well, but it’s also tough. Old people, get down!”

“Foreman, I’ve been working in construction and civil engineering my whole life!”

The younger man said.

“If you don’t take my brother, I won’t go either.”

“You look strong enough to do some work. This person is your brother?”

“Yes. I can do my brother’s share.”

“Brother, huh… He looks like a country bumpkin. I hope he can work. Fine, get in together!”

Vroom~

The vacation the President chose was a manual labor experience at a construction site.

Officially, he was going on vacation to Jeodo, but he went incognito, accompanied by only one bodyguard, to a construction site.

During vacation, one can escape from heavy work, but a comfortable vacation didn’t recharge him; instead, it created a lingering reluctance to return to the tedious routine.

So, like a Marine Corps training exercise, he wanted to experience extreme training to appreciate the value of everyday life.

Being constantly in a position of authority where people greeted him, he unconsciously became arrogant, and he was startled to realize he had become accustomed to ordering people around.

The goal of this vacation was to humble himself.

*

Building Construction Site.

“Hey, Mr. Park! Can’t you carry a bag of cement up?”

“I-I’m sorry. It’s as heavy as a rock.”

“You haven’t done manual labor before. I brought you because they said you were good at it.”

The younger man stepped forward.

“I’ll carry two bags. Put one more on here.”

“No. That defeats the purpose of the vacation. I’ve just forgotten how to work.”

During Chairman Wang’s time, this kind of manual labor was routine.

But with the body change, being a former military commander, smaller in stature, older, and spending all his time in the office, his strength had diminished, and he was pouring sweat.

“Heave-ho!”

The President, wearing work clothes and gloves, carried the cement and climbed up the stairs step by step.

After a week of hard labor that left a bitter taste in his mouth, he returned to his office.

After finishing his vacation, the President, tanned and refreshed, drank coffee on the rooftop and said.

“Whew~ Being President is the easiest thing.”

It was a vacation that made him realize the importance of everyday life.

*

Cabinet Meeting.

The President spoke to the ministers.

“At this UN General Assembly, Japan accurately pointed out our weaknesses. They’re not wrong. We must actively attract international events to match our international status.”

“Your Excellency, then shall we reapply to host the Asian Games, which we previously relinquished?”

In 1966, the Asian Games Federation (AGF) selected Seoul, South Korea, as the host city for the 1970 Asian Games, following the principle of rotating host countries.

However, the Korean Sports Council, the Korean Olympic Committee, the South Korean government, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government had conflicts over budget and security.

In addition, concerns were raised that some socialist countries might not participate in the Korean Games for political reasons.

At the time, tensions were high due to North Korea’s hostile provocations against the South, and the strengthening of national security and economic development were top priorities. Moreover, the expansion of sports facilities, preparation for the Games, and security to prevent terrorism required enormous costs, so the hosting rights for the Asian Games were relinquished.

The situation is very different now than it was then.

Korea’s economic power has risen rapidly to become one of the top 10 in the world, and it was a permanent member of the Security Council.

The East and West were entering a thawing mood, and sports exchanges were active without boycotts.

“Since the 1978 Asian Games are six years away, how about applying for the World Cup and the Olympics first?”

The host country for the 1974 Asian Games was already decided as Tehran, Iran, which was trying to show off its oil money.

However, applications for the 1976 Olympics were currently being accepted. The 1974 World Cup had been decided for West Germany and was being prepared, but West Germany had expressed its intention to withdraw due to the Munich terror incident [the attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Summer Olympics].

The President’s unconventional proposal caused a stir.

“Your Excellency, are you saying we should skip the Asian Games and host the Olympics right away?”

“Yes. The World Cup is also an international event, so if we successfully host it, the Olympics will be easier. The World Cup is also easier to prepare for. The Olympics require preparing hundreds of events, but the World Cup only requires six or more soccer stadiums. Two and a half years is enough. Now that Korea’s status has changed, have confidence.”

“Understood. We will support hosting both international events.”

The FIFA World Cup is the largest single-sport event in the world.

Its popularity is far higher than other sports, as well as the UEFA European Championship, the UEFA Champions League, the Olympics, and American football.

Even people who don’t know soccer watch the national team’s World Cup matches.

In particular, Korean soccer is among the top four in Asia, so it was fully qualified to host.

The President said.

“Hosting the World Cup will not only stimulate the development of broadcasting and communication but also generate substantial advertising revenue, which will be enough to cover the hosting costs. We can use the money earned here for the Olympic hosting costs.”

As a former business tycoon, he had already finished calculating the profit and loss statement.

A bidding committee was formed, led by the Director of Sports, and knocked on the doors of FIFA [Fédération Internationale de Football Association] and the IOC [International Olympic Committee].

Since the World Cup hosting rights had to be agreed upon with West Germany first, the President flew directly to West Germany.

It was his second visit since 1964, but it was his first as Chairman Wang.

However, he was well aware of the tearful oath at the time through the recorded film and President Chung’s testimony.

‘I will ensure that our descendants are never sold abroad again!’

*

West German Airport.

Korean residents in West Germany held banners and enthusiastically welcomed the President of their home country.

“Welcome, Mr. President!”

The President bowed to the Korean residents.

The West German Chancellor came out to greet the President and shake hands.

“Welcome, Your Excellency!”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Chancellor!”

“It’s been eight years since your last visit. You must have deep feelings.”

“Of course. It has changed a lot.”

Due to Korea’s prosperity, all the miners and nurses in West Germany had returned home.

The remaining Korean residents were either married to locals or voluntarily remained to work.

There were several schedules to tour West Germany’s heavy chemical industrial complex and the exchange sites between East and West Germany, but the President made a special schedule.

It was a visit to the mine where Korean miners used to work.

*

Vroom~

The President’s car drove on the autobahn [German highway].

Now Korea also had such highways connecting all eight provinces.

Germany’s steel mills and oil refineries were all enviable industrial facilities, but now Korea was surpassing West Germany.

It was truly a world of difference.

“Your Excellency, we have arrived.”

He got out at the entrance of the mine.

It was a very different scene than before. After the Korean miners left, the mine was closed and deserted.

The President visited a small coal memorial hall and paid his respects at the monument to the victims of the mine accident.

Bbamppa-bam~

A requiem trumpet sounded, and the President bowed his head in silent prayer.

The reason for revisiting this place, which even West Germans did not visit, was to remember his original intentions.

Wasn’t this the place where he met Korean miners and nurses in West Germany and tearfully swore to the prosperity of the nation?

Bbamppa-bam~

Spirits, your sacrifices have not been in vain. Now, the Republic of Korea has achieved prosperity and stands proudly among the top five countries leading the world. It is all thanks to your sweat, tears, and lives. On behalf of the Republic of Korea, I sincerely thank you.

*

West German Chancellor’s Conference Room.

The Korean President expressed his intention to host the World Cup.

The West German Chancellor said.

“If Korea takes it, we would be very grateful. Even though we expressed our intention to withdraw, FIFA said that there were no other countries ready to host it due to the short preparation period. But can Korea be ready in two and a half years?”

“It is enough. We will build comprehensive stadiums in all eight provinces. Two years is enough.”

It was a piece of cake for the President, who had expertise in civil engineering and construction.

“Understood. I will report to FIFA.”

Shortly after, a call came from FIFA.

– We approve the hosting of the 10th Korea World Cup in 1974.

*

The President promoted the Sports Agency to the Ministry of Sports.

The President gave the letter of appointment to the Minister of Sports and had dinner with him, talking.

The President suggested.

“Suggest to FIFA to change the World Cup game format from this time.”

“What do you mean?”

“The group stage of the round of 16 is the same as the previous tournament, but instead of a knockout stage in the second round, divide into two groups of four teams and hold a second group stage. The first place in each group will play in the final, and the second place will play in the 3rd-4th place match. Then the number of games will increase, which is good for viewers, and the increase in broadcast advertising revenue is a win-win situation.”

“Ah, that’s a groundbreaking idea. If more games are played in the same period, it’s advantageous for the host country anyway, and it’s a great gift for soccer fans because there are many variables.”

The President expressed his concerns.

“It’s not just about participating as the host country, but there must be some results for the people to enjoy the festival together.”

“That’s right. It’s difficult if the host country only lends the stadium and acts as a supporting role. We will do our best to achieve the first World Cup win and reach the first round of 16, Your Excellency!”

“Who will be the coach?”

“We haven’t decided yet. We are selecting candidates.”

“How about hiring a foreign coach this time?”