The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 54

54. Vietnam Political Reconstruction Project

Presidential Office, Cheongwadae [the Blue House, South Korea’s presidential residence].

The President was meeting with Dr. Seo Kyung-soo, whom Chairman Jung had recommended.

Dr. Seo was extremely nervous about the President’s sudden private invitation.

“Dr. Seo, now that you’ve decided to dedicate yourself to the revival of our nation, let’s move forward without any doubt in this endeavor.”

“That’s my intention. That’s why I returned to Korea.”

“Dr. Seo, you’ll need to go to Canada this time.”

“Is there something for me to do in Canada?”

“We’ve signed a contract with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited to build Wolsong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1. We need to acquire their technology as much as possible. We will dispatch a research team of 30 people to Canada. I want Dr. Seo to go as the leader.”

“Am I qualified for such an important role? What about Dr. Han, who has more experience than I do…”

The President shook his head, cutting him off.

“It must be Dr. Seo.”

“…….”

“The most important technology to learn in Canada is the localization of nuclear fuel.”

“Ah, nuclear fuel….”

“If we import nuclear fuel from the United States and Canada, energy independence will be impossible from the start.”

“Your Excellency, the core technology of nuclear power plants will definitely be refused for transfer.”

“Canada demanded $3 million for technology transfer fees.”

“$3 million?”

“The money I can give you is only $1 million. This is money prepared without any national budget. Whether you lobby, use espionage, or any other means, you must learn it.”

It was 2.5 times more than the $400,000 during Chairman Wang’s time, but it was still far from enough.

$1 million was scraped together by Chairman Jung, even taking out bank loans.

Dr. Seo knew very well that he had not received any budget support from the National Assembly, so he expressed his determination at the President’s earnest expression.

“If I don’t succeed, I will drown myself in the Pacific Ocean, Your Excellency!”

“I’m counting on you, Dr. Seo!”

The President firmly grasped Dr. Seo’s hand.

The success of Code 890 depended on him.

He would definitely succeed as he did in his previous life.

* * *

Gyeongbu Expressway [major highway in South Korea].

The President was celebrating the opening to Cheonan and heading to Seoul with Chairman Jung in the car.

Vroom~

The President explained to Chairman Jung.

“We have selected Hyunse Construction as the construction company for the South Vietnam economic reconstruction project.”

“Thank you.”

“Form a consortium with several domestic construction companies. There may be criticism that Hyunse is monopolizing it.”

“I understand.”

“Chairman Jung will be given the qualification of an advisor to the South Vietnamese government reconstruction project, not just a business entity.”

“Ah, an advisor!”

“However, it means that you have to play a mentor role in the newly formed government, not just in economic reconstruction.”

“Is the South Vietnamese government being newly formed?”

The President said.

“South Vietnam’s politics are a mess. The current president defends vested interests and is rotten to the core, and he has no control over the military. Half a dozen warlords are constantly aiming for a coup. Political reconstruction is more urgent than the economy. Chairman Jung knows very well through experience how they seize the government.”

The eyes of Chairman Jung, a returnee, sparked.

National reconstruction might be more suitable for him than business.

Chairman Jung replied.

“Political reconstruction is essential in South Vietnam. No matter how much the United States pours in dollars, it’s like pouring water into a broken jar if it doesn’t have the support of the people.”

“That’s right. That’s why I need Chairman Jung.”

“But I can’t directly intervene because I’m a foreigner. I think it’s a priority to establish a Vietnamese leader with the right mindset.”

There had been several military coups in South Vietnam, but they all failed due to a lack of leadership.

“You see exactly what’s going on. I asked the U.S. intelligence agency for that. Today is the day to see the results.”

“I have a question. Vietnam is destined to fall, but is it possible to change history?”

“I can’t guarantee it either. Senator Kennedy’s life or death will be the touchstone [a test of quality or genuineness].”

“Senator Kennedy, isn’t he assassinated?”

“I met him during my visit to the United States last time and warned him. If he lives, the history of the United States and the history of the world will change. Then it’s worth betting on the changes in Vietnam.”

“If he dies….”

“Nixon will take power. Then we have to pull out coldly. We must prepare to withdraw within two years of the ceasefire.”

“Hmm, doing business with a country is quite a scale.”

“Business involves risk. Doing business with a country has great risks, but the returns are also great. If the politics are stable, the South Vietnamese people will be happy, and Korea’s economic benefits will be enormous. It’s worth the risk.”

Vroom~

* * *

U.S. Forces Korea Headquarters.

In Korea, the President, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Minister of National Defense, and Chairman Jung attended, while on the U.S. side, the Commander of U.S. Forces Korea and Reilly, the Director of the CIA’s Asia-Pacific Division from the U.S. mainland, attended.

Reilly explained the outline of the South Vietnamese government and economic reconstruction operation.

He ordered Chairman Jung to play a role.

“Chairman Jung, please serve as an economic advisor to the South Vietnamese government.”

“I understand.”

“The operation funds will be laundered into construction funds through the Hyunse Group. Please create a free account and make every effort to ensure that there are no problems with accounting.”

“Of course.”

“And the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency should select a person in charge of South Vietnam, communicate closely with our agents, and participate in military operations and government change operations.”

“Of course.”

They did not know that Chairman Jung was a returnee president and only ordered him to play the role of economic advisor, but they had already ordered the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency to follow Chairman Jung’s instructions.

In Korea, Chairman Jung was the control tower for political and economic reconstruction operations.

President Park asked.

“Have you found a leader to establish in South Vietnam?”

“I found it. No, it’s ready.”

“…….”

A black and white photo of a middle-aged woman appeared on the screen.

“This woman is Nguyen Thi Kim, the widow of the assassinated Trinh Minh The.”

“…….”

“Trinh Minh The was a Vietnamese soldier, independence activist, and nationalist who was revered as the successor to Ngo Dinh Diem [first president of South Vietnam], the powerful man at the time, but was assassinated by someone in the midst of the Saigon battle in 1955.”

“Ah, is that person alive?”

“We were protecting her with her two grown sons in case of emergency.”

“A very suitable person. If he is an independence activist who fought against foreign powers, he is qualified enough to be compared to Ho Chi Minh [Vietnamese revolutionary and politician].”

* * *

South Vietnam.

The head of Vietnam’s largest warlord boarded a helicopter.

His face was greasy, and his belly was like a mountain.

He struggled to close the helicopter door with a cigar in his mouth.

Thud thud thud~

The helicopter took off.

But a rocket flew in from somewhere, leaving a long trail of smoke.

It was an RPG [rocket-propelled grenade].

Bang!

Kuaaak~

The helicopter was engulfed in flames and shattered.

In that way, six warlords died suddenly from unknown bombs, snipers, and rockets.

* * *

Vroom~

The South Vietnamese president’s car was heading to the presidential palace.

The Minister of National Defense was in the car with him.

They were discussing the political situation in which the military was in great chaos due to the sudden deaths of military leaders.

It was then.

Kwagwang!

The president’s car exploded and was engulfed in red flames and overturned.

Argh~

The CIA removed the President of South Vietnam and the heads of six warlords and put Nguyen Thi Kim forward.

The people of South Vietnam cheered Nguyen Thi Kim.

This was because it was an independence activist family, unlike the existing corrupt and incompetent regime.

A strong martial law was declared, and Nguyen Thi Kim was elected as the Supreme Chairman of National Reconstruction.

* * *

South Vietnamese Presidential Palace.

Chairman Jung and Nguyen Thi Kim met and shook hands.

“Chairman Jung, I look forward to the reconstruction of South Vietnam.”

“Of course. That’s why I came to Vietnam.”

A U.S. military advisor said to Nguyen Thi Kim.

“Chairman Jung is also an agent of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. He will advise on the blueprint for the political reconstruction project.”

“Oh, is that so? I don’t know much about politics. Please help me a lot, Chairman Jung.”

“Of course.”

“What should I do first?”

“You have to take control of the military.”

“The military!”

“Appoint military commanders to reorganize the military and establish strict discipline with clear rewards and punishments.”

“I understand.”

The chief of staff was writing hard.

The chief of staff was an elite who studied in the United States.

“Also, declare the retreated land reform to be favorable to farmers. You must win the hearts of the majority of the people, who are farmers.”

“I understand.”

Chairman Jung advised on national reconstruction from Nguyen Thi Kim’s side.

The U.S. military withdrew in stages, the Korean military took charge of security, and some, along with the Hyunse Enterprise Consortium, restored buildings and roads damaged by the war and built dams to supply agricultural water.

The people of South Vietnam were enthusiastic about Nguyen Thi Kim’s reforms and reconstruction projects.

With that support, she dissolved the parliament and held a referendum, and Nguyen Thi Kim was elected president.

The coup d’état export was a success.

The remaining variable was the life or death of Robert F. Kennedy.

* * *

Los Angeles, USA.

Kennedy, who won a landslide victory in the California presidential primary, was heading to the Ambassador Hotel in a car.

He grumbled in the car, putting on a bulletproof vest and a shirt over it.

“It doesn’t look good. It’s a good thing it’s not daytime and the heat has cooled down.”

The chief of security asked.

“Then are you just going to give a welcome speech at the Ambassador Hotel?”

Originally, he was planning to stay overnight, but due to the warning from the Korean president, he changed his plans to simply give a speech at the entrance without going inside.

Kennedy said.

“Isn’t there a bulletproof device to protect my head?”

“We have a bulletproof helmet, but wearing it while campaigning for supporters will be a laughing stock. Instead, I will put a transparent bulletproof shield around you.”

“Okay. Make sure it’s higher than my height.”

The neon sign of the Ambassador Hotel with its colorful lights came into view in the distance.

Kennedy took a deep breath.

Wow wow~

Even though it was past midnight, hundreds of supporters and reporters were waiting in front of the hotel.

Kennedy’s popularity surpassed that of celebrities.

Originally, the route was to avoid the crowd at the main entrance and go up to the room through the kitchen at the back door.

However, the bodyguards installed a transparent bulletproof shield around the pillars at the hotel entrance.

Wow! Wow!

“Thank you, everyone!”

When Kennedy got out of the car, supporters went wild and rushed to grab his hand.

The bodyguards pushed away the supporters and barely escorted the candidate to the hotel entrance pillar.

Kennedy gave an impromptu speech to supporters with a hand microphone.

“Thank you! Thanks to your support, I won by an overwhelming margin!”

Wow! Wow!

Clap, clap, clap!

When he gave a speech at the entrance without entering the hotel, the Jordanian assassin who was lingering at the kitchen entrance realized that something was wrong.

“Bullshit!”

He came out to the lobby and ran to the entrance.

The moment he pushed through the crowd, took out a pistol from his arms, and tried to aim, a bodyguard twisted his arm and dropped the pistol.

“Argh!”

“Stay still!”

Two bodyguards rushed in, knocked him to the ground, subdued him, and handcuffed him.

It was then.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three shots rang out in front of the entrance.

The bodyguards in the lobby ran out.

The assassin was not one, but two, ambushing the back door and the front door.