The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 202

재벌총수가 대통령으로 회귀함1967 재벌총수가 대통령으로 회귀함 1967-202화(202/225)

202. What’s Important?

The Chinese Central Military Commission.

The Military Chairman addressed the committee members.

“The people’s anger is boiling right now. They’re blaming our military’s incompetence for the division and independence movements, and for the defeat in conquering North Korea.”

A member asked,

“Didn’t we decide to withdraw from the Yalu River in the last meeting?”

“Are you going to announce the withdrawal yourself?”

“Me?”

“Due to the chairman’s influence on public opinion, the military is being branded as traitors. The moment you mention withdrawing, you’ll have to take off your uniform. Do you have the guts to do that?”

“…….”

A heavy silence filled the room.

In a small country, occupying the presidential palace or the capital might lead to a successful military coup. However, in China, with its billion-plus population, tens of millions residing in the capital, and a multi-layered governance structure designed to prevent rebellions, it was impossible for a mere faction of the military to succeed.

Moreover, Deng Xiaoping incited the people to criticize the military, leaving them with little justification for a coup.

It was a crossroads: defiance or obedience.

“Instead of solidifying the chairman’s position, we’re about to lose our heads. We’ve been completely outmaneuvered by Chairman Deng’s schemes.”

“Hmm….”

“Well, let’s find a way to survive. Let’s cancel the withdrawal and cross the Yalu River! If we’re told to do it, we do it!”

The military had abruptly shifted towards war.

The attendees were thrown into confusion.

“But even if we choose a full-scale war, our ground forces are significantly weakened because we’ve deployed four army corps to the separatist autonomous regions. And if it escalates into an international war, won’t China be isolated?”

“Disadvantageous… Let’s be honest. Isn’t our position more important than the victory or defeat of the war?”

“…….”

“Aren’t we soldiers supposed to do as we’re told?”

“…….”

Thus, the military was pushed into deciding on a full-scale war to preserve their positions.

*

Deng Xiaoping was taken aback when he heard the news of the Military Commission’s decision for war.

“Huh! Are you sure they decided to carry out the war? Really?”

The Military Chairman replied,

“Isn’t that what you wanted? We’ve decided to follow your lead.”

“No, what I mean is….”

Deng Xiaoping was at a loss for words.

*Sigh* These guys are jumping at the chance for war to save their own skins! I never thought obedience would become a form of revenge against me!

He had been trying to force a war because his own position was precarious, but now the war was making his position even more precarious.

However, having fallen into his own trap, he had no choice but to issue the invasion order.

The People’s Liberation Army north of the Yalu River began to receive supplies again, preparing for a full-scale war.

*

Underground bunker at the Ministry of National Defense.

The President and the ROK-U.S. military leaders gathered upon receiving intelligence that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was moving to invade.

The President said,

“I thought they would withdraw, but it’s regrettable that they’ve chosen to invade. Did we send our artillery weapons to North Korea?”

The Minister of National Defense replied,

“We have received confirmation from the North that all 300 self-propelled guns have been deployed. We have also supplied sufficient ammunition.”

“Despite the Soviet Union’s opposition, China’s willingness to wage war is a reckless move. We must prepare for a full-scale war, and there must be special measures.”

The President called the White House.

“It’s me, Mr. President…! I’m calling because the Korean Peninsula is facing war… China is now waging war as an extension of politics. There is a high possibility that it will become a blind war that no one will take responsibility for.”

The President spoke with the U.S. President for a long time, requesting special measures from the United States.

*

Gaeseong, Chairman’s Office.

With Pyongyang devastated and inaccessible due to the bombing, Gaeseong [Kaesong] had effectively become the capital of North Korea.

People and supplies were concentrated in Gaeseong, especially since it was the gateway for supplies coming from South Korea. As a result, North Korean residents flocked to Gaeseong, and residential areas expanded to the outskirts.

As the center of North Korea’s politics and economy moved south, Seoul and Gaeseong were, in a broad sense, expanding into a massive metropolitan area.

A meeting of the Standing Committee, attended by the military leadership, was being held.

“Comrade Chairman, this time the Chinese are really preparing to invade. Fuel and food are continuously being supplied, and the destroyers that had withdrawn from the sea have begun to gather. The problem is the nuclear missiles aimed at Gaeseong. They will probably launch a preemptive nuclear strike and cross the Yalu River all at once!”

Jang Song-thaek said calmly,

“Well, if Gaeseong is hit by a nuclear bomb, the U.S. military will strike Beijing, so they won’t easily launch a nuclear attack. They may launch a preemptive strike with conventional weapons, so be prepared. We cannot strike first, but if they invade, retaliate immediately. If we can hold out in the early stages of the war, we have a chance of winning.”

The committee members were frustrated with Chairman Jang’s naive attitude of trusting only the ROK-U.S. [Republic of Korea-United States] alliance.

“Comrade Chairman, whether it’s a preemptive strike or a retaliatory strike, if a Chinese nuclear bomb falls on Gaeseong, there will be no future to look forward to. If the leadership here is annihilated, it’s the end of the world. What’s the point of any operation?”

“…….”

“Just as we struck Pyongyang with a nuclear bomb to destroy the traitorous leadership, the Chinese will undoubtedly try to take out the North Korean leadership in Gaeseong first! Moreover, if the mainland launches a full-scale invasion as it is now, the devastated North Korea will inevitably be handed over to China or South Korea! All operations are based on the premise that the top commander is safe, Comrade Chairman!”

Jang Song-thaek realized his mistake.

I have reviewed and prepared for various war scenarios, but what good is it if I die, whether the mainland unifies or the North and South unify!

Nation? Patriotism? Bullshit!! Nothing is more precious than one’s own life!

Glory after death is unnecessary. If you want to enjoy glory, you have to enjoy it while you’re alive.

“Well, then, how about moving the leadership to Panmunjom [the Joint Security Area], or even to South Korea? The leadership must be safe to win the war, right?”

The desire to avoid death was unanimous, regardless of rank.

However, for the entire leadership of a country to move to another country was tantamount to a humiliating surrender.

They would lose face with their own people.

It was desperate, but they needed a plausible justification for the outside world.

“That’s a good idea, Comrade Chairman!”

And they went one step further.

“Comrade Chairman, if we are going to rely on the power of South Korea and the United States, how about declaring a North-South alliance at this time? I mean, I’m talking about North-South unification.”

“…….”

Silence filled the room.

In the past, anyone who made such a surrender-like absorption unification statement would have been immediately dragged away as a subversive element and executed.

But the situation was different now.

They were relying on South Korea in all aspects of politics, industry, economy, and military, so weren’t they virtually on the verge of being absorbed?

They were all looking at each other, gauging the situation.

Whether it would be treason or loyalty depended on the judgment of the supreme leader, the Chairman.

The attendees all stared at Jang Song-thaek’s mouth.

Jang Song-thaek opened his mouth.

“Even if we repel the Chinese invasion once, the reality is that we cannot defeat China. What good is it if North Korea is devastated, we agree to a truce, and we win? Sun Tzu said in ‘The Art of War’ that winning without fighting is the true supreme strategy.”

“…….”

“The reason why the Chinese underestimate our Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is because North Korea is isolated. If the North and South unite, it would be the same as attacking the United States, so they wouldn’t dare to even start.”

The attendees swallowed hard, anticipating the next sentence.

“A North-South alliance is the most appropriate tactic in a grave time like this!”

He was packaging North-South unification as part of a military operation.

The attendees knew very well that it was a case of putting the cart before the horse, but no one raised any objections.

The tense atmosphere that had been hanging in the air melted away like spring snow.

The Commander of the Guard stepped forward.

“That is a clear, excellent, and great decision, Comrade Chairman!”

They all stood up and applauded.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Jang Song-thaek said,

“It’s no use if it’s too late. Since the topic has come up, let’s hold a North-South summit in Seoul!”

*

Presidential Office.

Upon hearing the news that North Korea wanted a summit with the agenda of a North-South alliance, the President slapped his knee.

It was worth waiting and enduring until the side being absorbed made the first proposal.

The Minister of Unification said,

“The North said it was very urgent.”

“It seems to be a political decision to deter the Chinese invasion. Set up a summit schedule immediately!”

“Yes, I will expedite it as much as possible.”

*

North Korea’s core staff secretly visited South Korea and coordinated the detailed clauses of the agenda all night.

Jang Song-thaek and twelve members of North Korea’s Standing Committee secretly came south en masse.

The entire administration of one country had moved.

*

The Blue House [South Korean Presidential Residence].

The leaders of the two Koreas were holding a closed-door meeting.

Empty water bottles, drinks, and snacks were piled up in the meeting room.

Korean medicines such as ginseng tea and yongbongtang [a traditional herbal tonic] were also prepared in bowls for anyone to drink.

The disheveled appearance of the leaders of both countries, who had not even had a proper wash, resembled students waging an all-out war before the final exam.

Ten leaders from each side sat at the table and worked tirelessly for two days to refine the clauses.

The White House in the United States called every hour to check on the progress, showing great interest.

The South Korean President, with a haggard face, smiled brightly as he looked at the draft.

“Finally, after labor pains, we have given birth to the nation’s long-cherished desire with our own hands!”

Jang Song-thaek rubbed his sleepy eyes and said,

“Let’s declare it immediately! Every minute feels like three autumns [an idiom for a long time].”

The Chinese were in the invasion countdown.

Looking at the clock, it was 10 p.m.

It was too late to announce the agreement between the leaders.

But now was an emergency situation where every moment mattered.

The Public Affairs Office immediately called the broadcasting stations and newspapers to inform them that there was a scoop news in the President’s briefing room.

*

The Blue House, briefing room.

The reporters who arrived one after another were puzzled as to what was going on.

“A briefing at the Presidential Office at midnight, are they crazy?”

“I was having a drink and rushed over here. What a bolt from the blue. Judging from the fact that they called even the foreign press, it seems to be quite important.”

“Since it’s a late-night briefing, it must be urgent rather than important. But the structure of the briefing room is a bit strange?”

Usually, there was only one podium for the person giving the briefing, but this time, instead of a podium, there was a long desk for two people and chairs lined up in two rows behind it.

“Isn’t the spokesperson for the Presidential Office going to be briefing?”

“Really? Why are there so many seats? Something’s not right. I’m sobering up!”

The reporters’ curiosity exploded at the change in time and space.

The Chief of Public Affairs appeared and said,

“The leaders of both countries will be coming out.”

The reporters couldn’t believe their ears.

“The leaders of both countries?”

What head of state of which country would appear at this late hour?

After a while, the Blue House security guards appeared in droves.

And President Park entered.

When Jang Song-thaek appeared next, the reporters’ eyes widened.

“Chairman Jang!”

Click! Click!

The camera reporters’ shutters went off non-stop.

What was even more surprising was that the top-level officials from North Korea appeared all at once, along with the Prime Minister and ministers from South Korea.

“The entire North Korean leadership is here! What’s going on?”

The leaders of both governments were gathered in one place, foreshadowing that today’s briefing was unusual.

The President sat down and grabbed the microphone.

“I apologize for calling a briefing at this late hour. I took the liberty of doing so because I thought it was urgent breaking news, so please understand. It will be something you will never regret having come to see.”

The President looked determined, yet relaxed and somehow confident.

The President got to the point.