The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 219

219. No Meat Day

Inside the Kremlin, Moscow.

Brezhnev orchestrated a photo opportunity, shaking hands with the U.S. Secretary of State in front of foreign reporters.

Usually avoiding public displays, Brezhnev, the iron-fisted ruler, reluctantly stood before the cameras to emphasize the ongoing mediation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Click! Click!

*

In a private meeting, the U.S. Secretary told Brezhnev:

“If we successfully mediate this dispute through the UN Security Council, the world will praise the leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union for maintaining peace. You’ll be a strong contender for the Nobel Peace Prize.”

Brezhnev could hardly refuse such an offer—to be revered as a peacemaker while doing little.

He went a step further.

“If possible, let’s bypass the Security Council and adopt a format where the Soviet Union and the U.S. mediate directly. For example, a 2+2 meeting.”

He wanted to take full credit for the peace mediation himself and didn’t want to dilute it through the UN.

In the end, it was decided to proceed with a 2+2 meeting as Brezhnev had requested.

News agencies worldwide urgently reported that the leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union, representing the free and communist worlds, were actively engaged in mediating to end the Korean-Chinese War.

In reality, it was China that desperately awaited mediation.

Although they only struck empty cities with missiles and artillery, as the war dragged on, the immense amount of supplies and troops stationed became a burden, and they were dismayed by the increasing war costs.

Soon, news broke that a Soviet envoy had been dispatched to China, and a U.S. envoy to Korea.

*

Kremlin.

A 2+2 meeting between Korea, China, the U.S., and the Soviet Union was held.

The U.S. representative proposed:

“The localized war seems to have already achieved its political objectives by satisfying the sentiments of both nations. Now, let’s have Korea and China cease their emotional and wasteful engagements!”

The Soviet representative also stated:

“If Korea and China use nuclear bombs, it’s clear that we and the U.S. will immediately intervene, escalating it into World War III. Therefore, I believe it’s appropriate to end the conflict at this point.”

The Chinese representative said:

“Let’s make it a truce, not a termination!”

“A truce?”

“How can we expect the people to understand if we end the war overnight? We can temporarily declare a truce and extend it indefinitely.”

“…….”

After a brief recess, each representative received instructions from their home countries regarding the meeting’s content.

The President of Korea said over the phone:

“A truce instead of termination… that might be good too. Deng Xiaoping [Paramount Leader of China from 1978 until his retirement in 1992] intends to maintain tension to preserve his regime, but when you think about it, we benefit more.”

“Understood, Your Excellency. We will agree to it.”

The meeting resumed, and all four countries agreed to the truce.

*

UN Headquarters.

The Korean and Chinese UN ambassadors read a joint statement with the following content:

“We hereby declare a truce to the engagements between Korea and China, triggered by sensitive incidents such as aircraft hijacking and suppression of rebel forces! Although mutual demands have not been met, we have accepted advice at the global level, including the risk of nuclear war escalation….”

Thus, the foreign ministries of both countries hastily sealed the agreement, using ambiguous rhetoric like ‘regret,’ which could be interpreted differently in their respective countries.

With that, the sound of gunfire ceased along the Yalu River border after nearly two months.

*

The President delivered a national address:

“Since Korea and China have agreed to a truce, we will lift the state of emergency at 00:00 tomorrow!”

Buzz~.

The curfew and reserve forces mobilization order were also lifted, and normal daily life quickly resumed.

Citizens were relieved.

“Whew, it’s such a relief that it didn’t escalate into a nuclear war!”

“I now realize that war can happen even with nuclear weapons!”

“Yes, localized wars can happen anytime.”

“Hey, the war isn’t over yet. It’s a truce, a truce! Who knows when those Commies will act up again!”

“Ah, that’s right! It’s a truce!”

Although the truce seemed to normalize both countries, China suffered a significant blow.

They had to move 300,000 troops from west to east, incurring enormous war expenses, and the Afghan Taliban, taking advantage of this, successfully counterattacked, recapturing some cities.

In Xinjiang Uyghur and Manchuria, rebel forces became more active, neutralizing Chinese security forces.

This Yalu River engagement ultimately ended up supporting China’s separatist movements.

*

Cabinet Meeting.

The President said:

“Let’s push through the postponed revision of the Military Service Act and the budget for defense self-reliance! When else would the atmosphere be this favorable?”

The Prime Minister said:

“That is correct, Your Excellency! We must strike while the iron is hot.”

“Instead of pushing it through unilaterally, let’s add some popular policies to boost approval ratings.”

“What kind of popular policies are you referring to, Your Excellency?”

“Reducing the length of military service.”

The government announced to the press that it was considering reducing the mandatory service period from 36 months to 6 months.

With the increase in the population of both North and South Korea, the plan was to maintain a 600,000-strong army while reducing the service period to maintain the same military strength.

Instead, an alternative service system would be created, where individuals with national merit or those with physical or mental weaknesses would only undergo short-term military training.

*

Opposition Party Headquarters.

The leadership gathered to discuss the budget and accounts committee.

“The volunteer military system is off the table. We’re at war and in a truce with the Commies; how can we discuss military reduction?”

“Let’s announce that we’re postponing it due to the rapidly changing situation on the Korean Peninsula. We need to save face.”

“That’s right. Our dedication to the people must be included.”

“Now, what’s important is the government’s proposal. They’re considering reducing the mandatory service period from 36 months to 6 months. Haven’t we been preempted again?”

“Then let’s propose a 1-year reduction. Wouldn’t 1 year be more popular than 6 months?”

“Again, again! You have to know when to stop. Do you want to face the backlash again, Assemblyman Lee? You’ll get hit with a barrage of criticism for unrealistic populism!”

“Ahem, ahem. What I mean is that the opposition party should also lead the political situation to some extent. In this state, we’re completely a pushover party, aren’t we?”

“Then let’s compromise with the ruling party on the condition of passing the self-defense budget. Let’s announce to the press that the 6-month reduction plan was agreed upon as a proposal from the opposition party.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea! I don’t know if the ruling party will agree to it, though.”

*

The National Assembly’s Budget and Accounts Committee meeting was held.

The chairman of the ruling party’s Budget and Accounts Committee said:

“Is the opposition party abandoning the volunteer military system?”

“Not abandoning, but suspending! We’d get beaten if we tried to reduce the military during a truce. We have some sense.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Without further ado, has the ruling party discussed my proposal?”

“You mean having us say that the service reduction was agreed upon with the opposition party?”

“Ahem, ahem, that’s right. We’re asking you to save some face for the opposition party.”

When this proposal came, the ruling party strongly opposed it, calling it a credit grab.

However, the President thought differently.

“Strictly speaking, it’s not the ruling party’s plan but the President’s plan. Let’s concede. Even a cornered mouse will bite. Let’s compromise with the opposition party and pass the budget without any setbacks. That’s what benefits the people.”

This is how the party line was determined.

The chairman of the Budget and Accounts Committee said:

“Alright. We will concede. But in return, the opposition party will coolly cooperate with the self-defense budget as promised.”

“Of course!”

Thus, the budget and accounts bill for that year passed the National Assembly with the rare agreement of both the ruling and opposition parties.

*

The President’s Office.

The President was on the phone with President Park.

“Your Excellency’s political skills were remarkable this time. You awakened the public to security, and the ruling and opposition parties agreed to pass the self-defense roadmap budget as originally planned. You should be promoted to a political grandmaster now, hahaha!”

“It’s all thanks to President Park’s advice. You assist me as if it were a matter of national importance, so please scold me whenever I go astray.”

“The very fact that the President in the highest position thinks there is someone above him is a very important attitude in national administration.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

During Chairman Wang’s time, when the President retired, he would stand trial in court and go to jail.

After serving five years, they had to rot in prison for more than ten years, which meant that criminals were ultimately elected and appointed as presidents to implement policies.

The successor should inherit and accumulate the predecessor’s governing legacy to add experience, but in our country, a change of government meant a purge.

They were abusing democratic voting as a power struggle.

A country without a president respected by the people ultimately makes its people unhappy.

The two wanted to break that cycle of bad relationships this time.

President Jung was maturing into a wise leader day by day.

That year, as expected, the news reported that the Nobel Peace Prize would be awarded to the leaders of the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

President Park called the President to console him.

“Your Excellency should have received it, but some undeserving guys are taking it.”

“To be honest, I am disappointed, but the people are enjoying the fruits of that peace, so what more could I want?”

“I’ll give you the medal I received as a gift.”

“Hahaha, I’ve decided not to covet awards given by humans.”

* * *

Ruling Party Headquarters.

A heated debate broke out among the leadership regarding a solution to the more than doubled retail price of Korean beef.

“We must enact a No Meat Day, where people don’t eat meat once or twice a week! How long has it been since we overcame the spring poverty season [a period of food scarcity in late spring], and now you’re full of fat and talking about being full from beef?”

“Assemblyman Park, if there are greens and prime rib on the table, which one would you eat?”

“Ahem, ahem.”

“It’s human nature. As income increases, the consumption of livestock products naturally increases. This surge in beef prices isn’t due to a decrease in the number of livestock raised but because people’s incomes have increased, and they’re looking for something more delicious. But does it make sense to tell people not to eat beef?”

“Who’s saying not to eat it? Back in the spring poverty season, we had a mixed-grain eating campaign because there was a shortage of rice. What I’m saying is that since there’s a shortage of beef, we should have a eat-less-beef campaign.”

“It’s not just beef that’s in short supply; pork, chicken, and milk production can’t keep up with consumption, and prices are rising every day. If we designate a No Meat Day every time, are we supposed to eat only greens 365 days a year? Are we rabbits?”

“It’s not like cows give birth to calves overnight. Isn’t the only thing we can do is tighten our belts until production increases? There’s no other way, is there?”

“Policies from the spring poverty season no longer work. We should import some beef this time.”

“Import beef? Beef is cheaper than pork in foreign countries. Don’t you know that if we bring in cheap foreign products, our Korean beef farmers will be wiped out?”

“Are you only thinking about rural areas? All the dairy cow meat is being sold as Korean beef. Urban consumers are the only ones getting ripped off. They have the right to eat beef cheaply. Livestock farmers must also have international competitiveness!”

“Assemblyman Chun is now advocating the opposition party’s platform. Why are you siding with the opposition party?”

“We need to find a reasonable alternative, regardless of the ruling or opposition party! Assemblyman Park keeps mentioning the opposition party, but is my coming from the opposition party to the ruling party some kind of scarlet letter?”

Assemblyman Chun was a figure who came from the opposition party when he founded a new party.

The rift of factional conflict disguised as policy grew deeper and deeper.

The party leader, who should have been deciding the party line, was just staring blankly.