The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 136

136. Reign of the Pig

The President visited the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

It was a visit to explain the bill proposed by the President.

It was the first time the President had appeared before a subcommittee to explain a bill himself.

“This is a punitive damages system that allows for the payment of a sum much greater than the actual damage caused, for example, three times the amount, if the perpetrator’s actions are malicious and antisocial. Pseudo-media outlets ruin lives. Instead of dragging things out with minor fines and lawsuits, the media outlet should be shut down.”

“…….”

“The victim in my case was the President, so the crime was considered severe, and the damages amounted to 20 billion won [approximately $15 million USD], but ordinary people can’t even imagine that level of harm. That’s why this law is necessary.”

“Your Excellency. But when I look at the draft, the scope of application isn’t limited to media companies; it extends to all fields.”

“That’s right.”

“In fact, the definition of ‘malicious and antisocial’ is difficult to define precisely in law. If the application conditions aren’t strictly regulated, punitive damages may be applied to all damages. This has the potential to violate the principle of civil law that ‘damages are compensated for the actual amount of damage incurred,’ Your Excellency.”

“Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, did people come before the law, or did the law come before people?”

“…….”

“For example, let’s say your child used a humidifier sterilizer and inhaled toxic substances every day, resulting in death or a lifelong incurable disease. How much compensation would be enough punishment?”

“…….”

“Let’s say a large company illegally copies a technology invented by a small business, bankrupting the small business. The factory manager’s family is ruined, and the workers lose their jobs. In this case, how much should be compensated?”

“…….”

“If someone takes obscene photos or videos without permission or by force, harasses the victim, and causes them to commit suicide, the perpetrator isn’t a murderer, so they’ll only serve a few years. Even in such cases, the intention is to apply punitive damages to make them pay for the rest of their lives.”

“Even sex crimes….”

“If the amount of damages is uniform, it may not be a punishment for those with money. Is money truly equivalent to innocence in the eyes of the law?”

“…….”

“The point is that the other party must also suffer corresponding economic pain and potential bankruptcy in order for the punishment to have meaning and be a deterrent. Because the punishment is so lenient, inhumane incidents occur like poisonous mushrooms as soon as they are forgotten. Should the legal code follow humans, or should humans follow the legal code, Chairman?”

“Hmm, hmm, I have a good understanding of the purpose, Your Excellency.”

“The specific scope can be judged by the court. It can be established through precedents and refined.”

In that way, the so-called ‘Punitive Damages Act’ passed the National Assembly without difficulty.

* * *

Beijing, Deng Xiaoping’s office.

The chairs, desks, tables, and mirrors in Deng Xiaoping’s office were set at the eye level of a second or third grader in elementary school.

However, the height of the windows in the existing office remained the same, so his face was not fully visible.

Deng Xiaoping’s height was only 150cm [approximately 4 feet 11 inches] (actually 148cm, but it is said that it was rounded up in his official profile).

In the past, when Mao Zedong was deciding on something in the Party, he would shout, ‘Those who oppose, stand up!’ and Deng Xiaoping stood up.

Mao Zedong smiled and said, ‘Whether you sit or stand, your height is the same, so I will assume everyone agrees.’

In response, he confidently climbed onto the table.

In 1984, when the German Chancellor asked him about the secret to his longevity, he replied:

“I am originally optimistic, so I am not afraid even if the sky falls. Because tall people are holding it up with their heads.”

His innate unattractive face and short stature were ridiculed wherever he went, so it was the first and biggest challenge he faced in the world.

The milestones in life change depending on how you deal with your complexes.

In history, there are Socrates, Napoleon, Lincoln, Churchill… There are many people who have made great contributions to human history despite their unattractive appearances.

He always walked with his back straight and was called an ‘Otteogi’ [a self-righting tumbler toy, symbolizing resilience] because he was ousted from power three times and then returned.

He sublimated his complex into optimism and became the ‘little giant’ of the continent.

During Chairman Wang’s era, China grew to be second only to the United States, and Deng Xiaoping is credited with laying the foundation for that.

Deng Xiaoping in his office paced around with his hands behind his back, lost in thought.

It was a habit that appeared when he was deep in thought.

Knock, knock!

The Minister of Foreign Affairs entered.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs, you should go to the United States.”

“Are you meeting with the UN Ambassador because of the vote?”

“What’s the point of 200 countries voting? It’s over if the Security Council exercises its veto power. We can vote next time. What’s important is certainty. Meet Kennedy and settle things.”

China treated Taiwan as one country and had one vote at the UN, and that representation was still in Taiwan’s hands.

“Chairman, does that mean we recognize Taiwan’s independence and separate it like South and North Korea?”

“Don’t say such things! Taiwan is part of China! I’m saying we should take back China’s representation from Taiwan. Would this have happened if Zhou Enlai had been here?”

He had never been seen so angry before.

“I understand, Chairman!”

They were pushing for a UN General Assembly to transfer representation from Taiwan, but the United States was not taking a clear stance.

If it was put on the agenda and rejected, it would be excluded from the agenda for a while, so a definite guarantee was needed.

*

The White House.

The Chinese Foreign Minister said to Kennedy.

“Chairman’s firm will is that if the Security Council permanent member status is recognized for Korea, China’s representation must be received from Taiwan.”

“Hmm, it was a problem that we didn’t clearly distinguish the UN representation from Taiwan diplomatically back then.”

“We naturally assumed that we would receive the representation except for the permanent member status. But now, even though we are about to become the 10th largest economy in the world, we don’t even have the right to vote in the UN General Assembly. This violates the spirit of the UN.”

“If China takes it, won’t Taiwan face the same difficulties as China now?”

“The mainland has a population of 1 billion, and Taiwan has only 20 million. Who should have the representation?”

“Hmm, that’s true… Then how about China independently joining the UN as a newly established country, regardless of Taiwan?”

“That’s unimaginable. Taiwan is part of China. Never forget that Taiwan’s independence means war!”

The Foreign Minister’s eyes were blazing.

“The Chairman says that if the United States does not agree to this measure, we will take steps to sever diplomatic relations.”

Faced with China’s firm stance, Kennedy tried to buy time by taking a step back.

“I understand China’s position. Give me some time. I’ll let you know.”

*

The President’s office.

The White House Special Advisor for Foreign Affairs and National Security flew in on a special flight.

Seeing that Kennedy sent a special envoy without saying anything on the phone, even though it was urgent, it seemed like a very serious or quite difficult problem.

The President asked.

“Is it because of China’s transfer of UN qualifications?”

“That’s right. When Korea received the Security Council permanent seat qualification from China, they thought that Taiwan’s UN qualification would naturally be given to China. However, there was no diplomatic agreement, and Taiwan is now strongly opposed, saying they have no intention of doing so. Since Taiwan is no longer a permanent member, China is taking a very strong stance, saying that if the United States agrees, China can receive representation.”

“To handle such an important national matter so carelessly, it’s clear that China has no talent in the diplomatic world after Zhou Enlai. But is there anything Korea can do to help?”

“If the United States agrees, Taiwan’s position as a country will be weakened, so they will strongly oppose it, and if the United States opposes it, China is taking a strong stance, even mentioning severing diplomatic relations. Could Korea ease the burden on the United States a little?”

“How can Korea do that?”

“China believes that it will pass in the Security Council if only the United States agrees. So, the United States agrees, and Korea is asked to exercise its veto power.”

“Korea?”

“That’s right, Your Excellency.”

“Hmm, if that happens, Korea will become enemies with China.”

“It may create a tense situation, but China relies on Korea’s oil and manufacturing industries, so they will not resort to military action.”

“In short, the United States is asking Korea to take the hit instead. You sent a special envoy in person to make a very difficult request.”

“…….”

“If it doesn’t stop at just a disturbance and they retaliate economically to the extent of war, it could be a big blow to Korea. For example, many Korean factories are operating in China, and if China interferes with their operation, they will suddenly become hostages.”

“I know it’s a difficult request. That’s why Kennedy is asking for your understanding.”

“I understand. Now that I know the United States’ intentions, I will think about a solution.”

He felt uneasy about isolating Taiwan, which had even given him a permanent seat.

He thought the United States would be a shield, but it was confirmed that the United States, prioritizing economic gain, had already psychologically abandoned Taiwan.

Korea was weighing the practical benefits against the moral justification.

*

The President was having dinner with his bodyguards in the cafeteria.

Pork belly with lettuce wraps was served.

Sizzle~

The meat with alternating stripes of bright red and white fat made a cheerful sound as it turned brown on the grill.

He put a piece on a lettuce leaf, added soybean paste [Ssamjang], garlic, and green onion salad, wrapped it up, and took a bite.

Munch, munch!

“Ah, this is the taste! Even if I’m treated as a state guest with the best banquets abroad, nothing beats pork belly and soju [Korean distilled rice liquor].”

“Wouldn’t you say kimchi and pork belly are the taste of Korea, Your Excellency?”

“Of course. But I don’t know why those Westerners, who eat meat as a staple food, eat pork hind legs diligently but don’t eat this good pork belly.”

“It’s not just the West, even China, where pork is almost a staple food, doesn’t like pork belly. China mainly uses cooking methods that involve frying in oil, so fatty pork belly is not very popular.”

“Come to think of it, that’s right. Even China, which has the highest pork consumption in the world, doesn’t have pork belly as its main menu. So, Korea consumes pork belly and exports the rest.”

“China raises so many pigs, but they can’t keep up with the consumption, so they even import it. That’s why pork prices have risen sharply these days.”

“With 1 billion people eating, even if they only eat one piece each, it will exceed the daily domestic consumption.”

“That’s probably true. They fry all the side dishes, so I don’t know for sure, but the amount of cooking oil they consume must be enormous.”

At that moment, something flashed through the President’s mind.

“That’s it! Pigs! On the continent, they can be stronger than guns and swords!”

“…….”

The President urgently called the Taiwanese ambassador to Korea.

*

The President asked the Taiwanese ambassador.

“How important is pork to the Chinese people?”

“There is a Chinese proverb that ‘pigs and food stabilize the world (猪糧安天下).’ To the Chinese people, pork is more than just a food ingredient, Your Excellency. It’s like kimchi in Korea.”

“Hahaha, the reign of the pig, I can feel it. Taiwan also eats pork as a staple food. Despite the huge consumption, you also export it, right?”