The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 42

42. Change the US President!

Following the Bangkok Asian Games in Thailand, the Seoul Asian Games were scheduled to take place.

This overturned the former President’s plan to enhance the nation’s prestige through hosting international events and to modernize the country.

“Your Excellency, there must be a valid reason to relinquish the hosting rights.”

“The reason is simple. Due to the January 21st Incident [a North Korean commando raid on the South Korean presidential residence], we cannot guarantee the safety of the athletes from North Korean terrorist threats. A report has been issued stating that a significant amount of money would be required for security measures against terrorism.”

“I have seen it as well.”

“Instead of staging a large-scale national event that could become a target for North Korean provocations, let’s use that money to focus on building social infrastructure such as public housing, river maintenance, Han River bridges, subways, and overpasses to strengthen our foundation.”

“Understood, Your Excellency! I will explain this to the Asian Games Committee.”

Thus, the 1970 Seoul Asian Games were canceled, resulting in Bangkok, Thailand, hosting the Asian Games for an unprecedented second consecutive time.

* * *

The President, like a shrewd businessman, used the January 21st Incident and the Pueblo incident [the capture of a US Navy intelligence ship by North Korea] as business opportunities.

He summoned Park Dae-joon.

“You called for me, Your Excellency!”

“Go to Japan now and discuss the diversion of the compensation from the Korea-Japan Treaty [a treaty normalizing relations and providing economic assistance] with the Deputy Prime Minister again.”

“Has there been any communication from Japan?”

“The situation has changed due to the January 21st Incident and the Pueblo incident.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Do you know Japan’s greatest weakness?”

“I’m not sure…”

“The Peace Constitution. Security.”

“……”

“After the war, the Self-Defense Forces can only maintain border defense troops.”

“……”

“Japan relies entirely on the United States for security and has benefited from the Korean War, focusing its defense budget on the economy and is about to reach $10 billion in exports. However, Japan fears North Korea’s invasion the most because it lacks a proper military.”

“Ah!”

“Currently, the spread of communism in South America, Africa, North Korea in East Asia, and Vietnam is sweeping the world. For Japan, Korea is a buffer that prevents the spread of communism from the continent. We must receive compensation for protecting them. Use security concerns to pressure Japan.”

* * *

Japanese Deputy Prime Minister’s Office.

Lee Woo-rak, the ambassador to Japan, arranged a meeting with the Japanese Deputy Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister said,

“I believe we have already officially notified you that the compensation cannot be diverted.”

Park Dae-joon attempted to persuade the Deputy Prime Minister.

“North Korea, in cooperation with North Vietnam, is aware of the limitation that the United States cannot fight two wars simultaneously, and has initiated this provocation. Currently, US strategic assets surround the Korean Peninsula.”

The Deputy Prime Minister said, sipping his matcha tea,

“We were quite surprised this time. To think they would dare to provoke the United States.”

“If the United States had not threatened with nuclear weapons, a second Korean War could have broken out immediately.”

“The Korean Peninsula is precarious. It’s not even a peace treaty, but a ceasefire.”

“That’s right. It is a ceasefire where war could break out again at any time. However, South Korea’s weapons to defend against North Korea’s invasion are inadequate. We cannot stop Soviet-made tanks with carbine rifles. South Korea could be communized at any moment.”

Lee Woo-rak, who was present, tried to interrupt the conversation with a dry cough.

This was because openly stating to Japan that South Korea’s security was unstable would damage the nation’s reputation.

“Ahem, Mr. Park, ‘at any moment’ is an overstatement. Aren’t you exaggerating, even if it’s urgent?”

Mr. Park said,

“I am doing as instructed by His Excellency.”

“What? Instructions?”

He said to the Deputy Prime Minister,

“What would happen to Japan if Korea were communized?”

“Well, we would have to erect barbed wire in the sea and block North Korea.”

“Japan and Korea are in the same boat when it comes to security against communism. If the entire continent turns red, Japan alone cannot remain secure.”

“That’s true, but why are you telling me this?”

“We need iron to make cannons, trucks, and machine guns. We cannot stand against North Korea with just consumer goods industries. If the North Korean flag is raised in Busan, Japan is next. Unlike now, Japan will face a 24-hour state of emergency.”

This was the Busan Red Flag Theory [a hypothetical scenario where the fall of Busan to communism would lead to Japan’s vulnerability].

The Deputy Prime Minister was listening intently.

Under normal circumstances, this would have been an absurd argument, but in this situation where the Korean Peninsula was filled with war clouds, security was the biggest issue for Japan.

“Please be flexible in allowing the compensation to be used for the construction of a steel mill.”

“Hmm, the Busan Red Flag Theory… I understand. I will bring it up to the cabinet.”

“Thank you.”

Shortly after, a call came from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

– Compensation from the Korea-Japan Treaty can be used for appropriate purposes other than agriculture.

* * *

Cheongwadae [the South Korean presidential residence] banquet hall.

The President, security officials, the US Secretary of Defense, the White House National Security Advisor, the Commander of the Pacific Command, and the Commander of the US Forces in Korea were in a meeting.

It was more like a celebration party for the Pueblo incident.

A Korean course meal with wine, whiskey, beer, and soju was prepared.

The White House National Security Advisor conveyed President Johnson’s words to the President.

“President Johnson has expressed his gratitude to President Park. If the Pueblo had been captured, the United States would have faced a difficult situation.”

“Thank you. Allies must help each other.”

The US Secretary of Defense said,

“Our ruling party’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to the success of this operation. President Johnson, emboldened by this, is considering adopting this operation in North Vietnam as well.”

“You are planning to include the use of nuclear weapons in North Vietnam as an option.”

“That’s right. The recent Tet Offensive [a series of surprise attacks by North Vietnam during the Vietnamese New Year] by North Vietnam has turned it into a full-scale war, so there is sufficient justification. We are considering a plan to strike four key locations in North Vietnam with nuclear weapons.”

“Haha, I told you. I said that both North Korea and North Vietnam could be controlled.”

“You have truly shown remarkable foresight. The US strategic commanders are full of admiration.”

“You flatter me. Kim Jong-il will be the most affected by this failed provocation.”

“Kim Jong-il?”

“Because he planned the January 21st Incident and the Pueblo incident.”

During Chairman Wang’s time, Kim Jong-il was in the midst of a power struggle with his half-brother, Kim Pyong-il.

Kim Pyong-il’s appearance was similar to Kim Il-sung, so the people favored him, making him a more suitable candidate to inherit Kim Il-sung’s aura.

Kim Il-sung was inwardly considering Kim Pyong-il while having Kim Jong-il compete.

Then, when Kim Jong-il secured the surrender of the United States with the capture of the Pueblo, he solidified his position as successor.

However, now, due to the failure of Kim Jong-il’s operation, the future of the North Korean leadership has become uncertain.

The President made a prepared proposal to the National Security Advisor.

“North Korea uses provocations as a political tool for internal affairs. There must be fundamental measures to prevent recurrence.”

Prevention of recurrence had always been done, but it was like locking the barn door after the horse had bolted.

“Hmm, what do you mean by fundamental?”

The National Security Advisor was wary, wondering if he was talking about marching north for unification.

“Please deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula.”

“Tactical nuclear weapons!”

“Strategic nuclear weapons have too large a damage radius and can harm South Korea, as well as trigger World War III. However, tactical nuclear weapons that precisely strike within a 100m radius are the most powerful deterrent against the enemy’s local provocations because they target the leadership.”

The United States was operating over three thousand B61 series tactical nuclear bombs, which were dropped from the air, mainly around NATO member countries.

The National Security Advisor nodded.

“That’s a valid suggestion. I will check with my home country.”

The US envoy brought up the main topic.

“President Johnson has proposed inviting President Park to the United States. That is why I am visiting today.”

“Of course. I will go to the United States.”

* * *

The President began his diplomatic journey.

The President himself was very curious as to whether he, as a returnee, could change world history on the diplomatic stage.

To change world history, he gave special instructions to the Korean Embassy in the United States by phone.

“If you can’t do this, you will be immediately removed from your position as ambassador!”

– Give me your orders, Your Excellency!

“Arrange a meeting with Senator Robert Francis Kennedy! In private, for 1 hour, no, 30 minutes will do.”

– Understood, Your Excellency!

Robert F. Kennedy, the brother of John F. Kennedy, was destined to die from a gunshot wound on June 5, 1968.

Due to his death, Nixon of the Republican Party would be elected president in the upcoming US presidential election.

Nixon was a pro-Japanese figure who pushed for an East Asian security policy that abandoned the Korean Peninsula and made Japan the front line with the ‘Nixon Doctrine’ [a policy shifting the burden of defense to US allies].

If Robert Kennedy could be saved, and if he could be brought to Korea’s side, Korea could embark on a new historical path of revival.

This was the big picture that the President was strategically aiming for.

It was to prevent the 1969 Okinawa Reversion Agreement, which would return Okinawa, where the US military government was in place, to Japan in 1972.

This is because whoever controls Okinawa will be the winner when the 7th mining zone territorial waters dispute, where the continental shelf submarine oil field will erupt in the future, occurs.

This was only possible by changing the US President.

* * *

The US Pentagon was in a state of urgency.

The US President publicly announced to the media that he was considering the use of nuclear weapons in Vietnam.

The Secretary of Defense prepared several options and deployed long-range strategic bombers targeting North Vietnam to air bases in Korea.

It was more of a strategic threat than actual use, but the effect was immediate.

North Vietnam, which had seized the initiative with the Tet Offensive, secretly requested a dialogue with the United States.

* * *

Shoo-shoo-shoo~

The aircraft carrying the Korean President’s party was flying towards Washington.

It was accompanied by the Presidential Secretariat, security personnel, economic-related departments, and the heads of corporations and technology managers.

If only government officials went, they would lack insight into technology and product production processes and would only scratch the surface, so business people and engineers who directly produce products had to accompany them to achieve concrete results properly.

The President repeatedly urged the heads of corporations.

“You are not going on a US tour. US politicians and influential figures will all gather there. Learn, partner, and make connections at all costs in the fields of electricity and electronics, TV appliances, automobiles, oil drilling ships (drillships), defense weapons, nuclear power plant construction, roads and subways, and aircraft. You are going to copy American science and technology.”

“Understood, Your Excellency!”

The President said,

“Samson, listen.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“Learn mobile phone technology and semiconductor technology from Silicon Valley and telecommunications defense companies.”

“Mo, mobile phone, did you say? Are you perhaps referring to walkie-talkies?”

At the time, there was no concept of cell phones or IT. The President was at a loss as to how to explain it.

“Walkie-talkies are used by the military, and mobile phones are the wireless development of the current landline phones. In simple terms, it’s a civilian walkie-talkie. At first, it was the size of a brick, but later it can be reduced to the size of a wallet.”

“Understood, Your Excellency!”

“And electrical and electronics companies, listen carefully.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“Meet Herman Hollerith [an American statistician and inventor] (founder of IBM). They will be making office computers. Copy that. The future will be dominated by computers.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“Telecommunications companies, listen carefully.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“Secure telecommunications network technology in Silicon Valley.”

“What kind of telecommunications network are you referring to?”

“It’s a computer-based network called ARPANET (the precursor to the Internet). In the future, a telecommunications era will open where the whole world becomes one with this system.”

“Ah, ARPANET! Understood, Your Excellency!”

The President informed each company of the future technologies and products they should acquire.

They were busy writing down in their notebooks as the President rattled off new technologies they were hearing for the first time.