The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 32

32. The Perks of Being the U.S. Military in Korea: Free Highway Access

“Your inauguration speech added even more projects to my list of achievements,” Chung said.

“Throughout my administration, the failure to fully address the lingering issues from the Japanese colonial era, democratization, and labor welfare were constant sources of frustration. That’s why I prioritized strengthening labor welfare and implementing policies to resolve those colonial-era issues within my five key principles. It was a preemptive measure.”

“A wise decision. I was so focused on security and the economy that I couldn’t give those issues the attention they deserved. So, what are your plans regarding nuclear weapons?”

Now, the title of ‘Your Excellency’ rolled off President Chung’s tongue with ease, showing how quickly he was adapting to the new reality.

It felt like he was receiving a formal handover of state affairs from his predecessor.

“I plan to proceed with the nuclear program in utmost secrecy, just as before, but I need to figure out how to manage the inevitable interference from the United States.”

“Be wary of your close aides, especially those who are pro-American. Many of them are likely American spies. You must limit the circle of people involved to a very small, trusted group.”

“Understood. I will prioritize security. Developing nuclear weapons is crucial, but preventing North Korea from developing them is equally important.”

“Ah, yes, of course. Though they aren’t even close to considering it yet.”

“Nuclear weapons development directly contradicts U.S. strategy, so we will have to make significant sacrifices. Knowing the future, I plan to leverage the opportune moments in the international landscape.”

“But you only have four years left in office. Is that even feasible?”

That was the biggest challenge.

Even with President Park extending his rule for 12 more years through the Third Amendment and the Yushin Constitution [a series of self-serving constitutional changes], it was ultimately unsustainable. With only four years remaining, and without even completing the nuclear reactor, achieving nuclear capability was physically impossible.

“That’s the core problem.”

“Even if you don’t implement the Yushin Constitution, you need to push for the Third Amendment. That’s the only way Your Excellency can buy the necessary time.”

“…….”

It was a true dilemma.

If the military government doesn’t end during this term, its reign will likely extend well into the 1980s.

Civilian government might begin earlier than it did in the original timeline, but it was uncertain whether it could effectively navigate the numerous international crises, such as the oil shock, and the incomplete development of nuclear weapons.

“We have some time. Let’s postpone the decision about extending my term for now.”

“Understood.”

Thus, he now carried the burden of deciding whether or not to pursue the Third Amendment.

The chef brought out a bottle of liquor.

It seemed they had hurriedly purchased it from outside because they had run out of their own stock.

“Your Excellency, I apologize for the delay.”

“No, thank you for your hard work, especially for being unable to leave work because of me.”

While opening the new bottle, the President said to President Chung.

“The opportunity to return from the past was given to us to correct past mistakes, wasn’t it?”

“That’s right. Regression serves that purpose.”

“Now, you and I are forming a partnership.”

“A partnership between the President and the head of a chaebol [a large South Korean conglomerate]… isn’t this cronyism?”

“Is that how it appears? Hahaha!”

This time, the President advised the head of the chaebol on business management.

“You’ll have to manage Hyunse Group a little differently from how you did in your previous life.”

“How so?”

“Divest from automobiles and focus on construction and shipbuilding. Only those with extensive experience in the oil industry, like myself, can successfully navigate the complexities of the automobile market. You’ll face too many setbacks and challenges.”

“Give up Hyunse Motors? Wouldn’t that reduce the company’s overall size? The automobile industry makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy.”

“Automobile and defense industries should be concentrated within Kia Motors. Instead, Hyunse should invest in the aircraft industry.”

“Ah, aircraft!”

“Since it’s largely an unexplored territory in Korea, you can begin with research and development.”

“That’s right. Aircraft is undoubtedly a future industry.”

After the dinner, President Chung drank beer to cleanse his palate and said,

“It hasn’t been long since I started working for a large corporation, but governing a country and managing a business seem similar yet quite different.”

“Hahaha, that’s probably true. How do you see the differences?”

“I’ve realized that governing is primarily about allocating existing wealth, making strategic choices, and focusing resources, while corporate management is about creating something from nothing.”

“Your insight is truly remarkable. You grasped that in such a short time.”

“I was at a complete loss when I was immediately tasked with building the Gyeongbu Expressway [major highway in South Korea].”

“I’ll compile a list of talented individuals who excel in construction. They’ll handle the practical aspects of the project.”

“Thank you. But even if the staff manages the day-to-day work, the head of the company ultimately has to solve the budget issues. Looking at the report, the allocated budget is quite insufficient. How did you manage to complete the Gyeongbu Line with such a limited budget in your previous life?”

“Haha, you’re finally experiencing the difficulties I faced. Back then, Your Excellency would summon me to the Blue House [the presidential residence] and scold me, ‘Im Ja, just get it done!'”

“Um, sorry. What goes around comes around.”

“I was truly at a loss at that time. I pushed forward with the conviction that it was acceptable to risk bankruptcy for the sake of the country, not for personal profit.”

“I need to move beyond simply running a company that seeks profit.”

“That’s right. In later generations, there’s often talk of cronyism, but we need to consider the compensation for the sacrifices made by large corporations that risked everything and worked tirelessly in the field. Rapid economic development was possible because the economy was driven by corporations, not the state.”

“That’s a valid point.”

“Now that we’ve experienced the negative consequences of high-speed growth centered on large corporations, we’ll move forward while addressing those shortcomings.”

“I have high expectations, Your Excellency.”

“Ah, and even though labor is abundant, construction equipment will be very scarce.”

“That’s right. There’s a limit to what can be achieved with sheer manpower. There’s virtually no budget to import construction equipment. How did you overcome those difficulties back then?”

“That’s where Your Excellency stepped in back then.”

President Chung’s memories of that time were hazy.

* * *

Yongsan U.S. Army Garrison.

The U.S. Army’s 8th Army, the ground forces of the U.S. military in Korea, was stationed in Yongsan, south of the Han River.

In the commander’s office, the flags of the United States and Korea were crossed.

The U.S. military commander said to the President.

“The Korean army is performing admirably in Vietnam. The front lines are expanding, and the Korean army is increasing its combat areas, but the conflict will end soon. The mighty firepower of the U.S. military cannot be stopped by bamboo spears.”

The President, knowing the future, knew that the United States was indulging in unfounded confidence, but he couldn’t disrupt the atmosphere by prematurely predicting a shocking defeat.

The condition for dispatching the Korean army was to ensure that the U.S. military in Korea wouldn’t be moved to Vietnam, and as a bonus, to earn foreign currency. Moreover, he needed to ask for their assistance again today.

“Of course. Isn’t the U.S. military the strongest in the world?”

“Ah, you mentioned needing construction equipment?”

“That’s right. I would like to utilize the U.S. military engineering corps’ heavy equipment for the Gyeongbu Expressway construction project.”

Korea’s construction equipment was limited to repairing junk left behind by the Japanese or recycling equipment discarded by the U.S. military during the Korean War.

But the U.S. military’s construction equipment was state-of-the-art.

“That’s difficult. Military equipment is for emergency use, so it cannot be taken out arbitrarily.”

The President knew this all too well. But wasn’t making the impossible possible what businessmen did?

“Currently, the U.S. military base has no major housing construction projects, only runway repairs. If the U.S. military requests runway repairs, Korean manpower will repair them for free instead. We will postpone all other construction processes and prioritize the U.S. military’s needs.”

“Korean workers for free?”

“That’s right. Koreans are quick and efficient, aren’t they? They will be more efficient than the U.S. military engineering corps.”

“I admit that. But what about equipment depreciation?”

“I’m not asking for a free loan.”

“Oh?”

“When the expressway is completed, U.S. military vehicles will be exempt from tolls forever.”

“Forever!”

“It’s not free for eternity.”

“Hmm, it’s difficult to refuse a request from the President of Korea himself. Unless additional budget is required, we will review it positively and let you know.”

“Thank you. It will also be effective public relations, showcasing the U.S. military’s contribution to Korea’s development.”

“Ah, civilian support! That’s a good cause.”

In that way, he was able to ease the financial burden of construction and shorten the construction period by paying for the construction heavy equipment in installments.

On the way back, the President immediately called President Chung and conveyed the promise made with the U.S. military commander.

President Chung’s voice trembled.

– You are truly amazing, Your Excellency!

His sincerity was evident in his tone.

“Now, we’re in the same boat. Let’s work together to make this a success.”

– Thank you.

In that way, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gyeongbu Expressway was held four years earlier than it was during Chairman Wang’s time.

This meant that South Korea’s economic growth timeline was advanced by four years.

* * *

A comic book store on the outskirts of Seoul.

The bookshelves, made of wood and reaching up to the ceiling, were filled with comic books.

Inside the comic book store, children were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, leaving not an inch of space to spare.

This was because this comic book store was the only one in the neighborhood with a black and white TV.

Today was the day of Kim Il’s wrestling broadcast, so not only the neighborhood kids but also unemployed young men came to grab a seat.

The comic book store owner scolded a kid who was reading a comic book.

“Hey, why are you switching books!”

He had paid for five books but was caught quickly switching to another comic book when the owner wasn’t looking.

The owner’s wife was just as busy.

Kids with dried snot marks on their cheeks were protesting in front of the comic book store, which was covered with new comic book posters.

“Auntie, let us in!”

“No! You can’t come in without a ticket!”

“We have to watch Kim Il’s wrestling!”

“You can’t come in without the ink stamp that shows you’ve been here five times. You only have three.”

“We can get two today!”

“You can only get one a day. Only regulars can watch TV.”

In the 21st century, Paris Baguette [bakery chain] or Starbucks occupy prime commercial districts, but in the 1960s, it was comic book stores.

At that time, comic book stores were the mecca of culture.

If adults had newspapers, the most popular cultural item for teenagers was comic books.

The 1960s was the golden age of comic books, so people lined up on the day new comic books came out.

Young people with some money paid twice as much for rental fees and took them home to enjoy, flaunting their wealth.

The comic book store with a black and white TV was by far the most popular spot.

Children experienced TV for the first time through the comic book store’s TV, so the comic book store was a wonderland.

When children got money during holidays, they flocked to the comic book store without hesitation.

The comic book store was also a place where kids who wanted to see comic books so badly would sneak coins from their parents’ pockets, or where gum-chewing older brothers who would extort money in the alleys came.

The owner’s wife shouted at the kids who were loitering around because they didn’t have money.

“If you don’t have money, go watch it at the electronics store down there!”

Electronics stores that sold home appliances such as TVs, radios, fans, and light bulbs displayed large TVs in their shop windows to stimulate purchasing desires.

When adults and children gathered in front of the electronics store, it was undoubtedly the day of Kim Il’s professional wrestling match.