The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 68

68. A Stunning Revelation

Assemblyman Teruya dramatically revealed the memorandum of understanding.

This was the result of prior consultation with the South Korean President.

After searching for the most opportune moment to reveal the information, the South Korean President handed Assemblyman Teruya the key to the exposé.

“This is a copy. It is a memorandum of understanding between South Korea and the American company Exxon to jointly develop Block 7.”

“What does that have to do with us?”

“It clearly states that if oil is found there, the profits will be divided in a 1:5:5 ratio. The ‘1’ share goes directly to the Okinawa government.”

The chamber was thrown into turmoil, as if a storm had broken out.

Questions poured down like a rain shower.

“Does Okinawa mean Japan?”

“If this is true, can the Okinawa local government exercise diplomatic power without the approval of the Japanese government?”

“Who provided this document?”….

Assemblyman Teruya calmed the attendees.

“Now, now, I will answer one by one.”

The chamber became quiet, as if cold water had been poured on it.

“In this document, the Okinawa government refers to separate independence.”

“Separate independence!”

Once again, the chamber buzzed with excitement.

Assemblyman Teruya continued, “This document was delivered by a prominent figure in South Korea. And it is a copy of the real document. If Okinawa becomes separately independent, South Korea is willing to provide Okinawa with a huge amount of oil reserves. The country that has shown this goodwill is none other than South Korea. Economic independence, one of the prerequisites for separate independence, is being achieved.”

The chamber was filled with a mixture of surprise and cheers.

The murmuring stopped, and another assembly member asked.

“Why is South Korea showing such favor?”

“The current President of South Korea considers Okinawa to be a historical brother country.”

“…….”

“Also, because Okinawa is geographically important for the development of Block 7, it can prevent disputes with Japan.”

A pro-Japanese assembly member protested.

“If Okinawa is important to South Korea, wouldn’t it be the same for Japan?”

“Of course. But the Japanese government will absolutely not provide 9% of the produced oil to Okinawa.”

“That’s right!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Assemblyman Teruya said.

“We must clearly recognize that it is South Korea, not Japan, that recognizes the value of Okinawa.”

The heat in the chamber rose sharply.

Another assembly member asked.

“If the United States still exercises its control, don’t we have no choice?”

“That is a valid point. We need to negotiate with the United States.”

“The United States has deployed nuclear weapons to check China, and even if they withdraw, they have confirmed their intention to re-import them at any time in case of emergency, not permanently. Will the United States really support our independence?”

“This is information I heard through South Korea. When South Korea questioned the United States about the same issue, the United States presented this solution.”

“…….”

“The United States cannot give up Okinawa’s strategic position. However, if we sign a security treaty with the United States, there is no reason to oppose Okinawa’s independence.”

Mumbling, mumbling.

Assemblyman Teruya said.

“It means that we will sign an O-US security treaty like the Japan-US and Korea-US security treaties. More specifically, it is like this: Nuclear weapons will be withdrawn but will be redeployed in consultation with the Okinawa government in case of emergency. Unlike the secret agreement of the Japanese government, Okinawa has the right to vote as an equal ally, not at the discretion of the United States.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The chairman said.

“That’s very hopeful. I have a question too.”

“Yes, please speak, Chairman.”

“If Okinawa becomes separately independent and Japan and the United States leave, who will protect us? Will the US military continue to be stationed, except for nuclear weapons?”

Mumbling, mumbling.

“The South Korean President talked about this plan.”

The assembly members could not help but be surprised that Assemblyman Teruya had discussed with the South Korean President in such depth and detail.

“With the consent of the United States and Okinawa, the South Korean military can be stationed in Okinawa. Because Vietnam is stabilizing quickly, troops can be moved. Of course, the South Korean President agreed.”

Wow!

The assembly members cheered.

The chairman said.

“If the South Korean military is stationed, we welcome it. They won’t be an occupying force, will they?”

“As we saw in Vietnam, the South Korean military is a master of reconstruction projects as well as combat.”

“I would like to express my respect for Assemblyman Teruya’s hard work behind the scenes. However, since this is something that Assemblyman Teruya has promoted in his personal capacity, it must be verified at the Okinawa local government level. We need to confirm whether the intentions of the United States and South Korea are the same.”

“Of course. Chairman, I will take you to Korea.”

“Good. Let’s test the fate of Okinawa beyond the political parties.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

However, the contents of this closed-door meeting were immediately reported to the Japanese government.

Prime Minister’s Office, Japan.

“This can’t be happening! Separate independence! This is a rebellion, a rebellion!”

“…….”

The Prime Minister, after hearing the report from the Minister of Home Affairs, couldn’t contain his anger and raged.

“South Korea even succeeded in concluding a joint development MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] with Exxon, is this real?”

The minister replied.

“As a result of checking with Exxon through informants, it was true. Exploration ships and explorers are being dispatched to Block 7 for exploration. It wasn’t just a simple exploration request!”

Japan was aware of the movement of the exploration equipment but judged that South Korea had no exploration technology and had leased it from overseas.

“To seduce them into separate independence by saying they will give them oil. Those *Joseonjin*!” [A derogatory term for Koreans]

The minister poured oil on the fire without noticing.

“Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, it seems that the exposure of the secret agreement has become the fuse that exploded the Okinawan people.”

“Even so, there must be someone who is leading the instigation, right? Who is that traitor?”

“It’s Assemblyman Teruya.”

“That crazy Teruya!”

“He is stirring up old emotions, such as the medieval history of the Ryukyu Kingdom and even the history of the Pacific War.”

“Haa, I should have known when I did the Ryukyu Battle in Jeju Island.”

“In the past, Teruya conducted a poll on separate independence, and less than 20% of the people agreed. It may be a typhoon in a teacup.”

“Um, it has to be like that. Absolutely.”

“How should we proceed?”

“Wield carrots to the residents and whips to the traitors. Dig up their private lives, financial transactions, relationships with women, embezzlement of public funds, and even traffic regulations to bury them.”

“I understand. I will create a blacklist.”

An emergency cabinet meeting was convened.

The Minister of Home Affairs explained the progress.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was listening, asked.

“Aren’t you going to put the 200 nautical mile bill on the agenda?”

The Prime Minister replied.

“Let’s push it through. Even if the US military does not withdraw from Okinawa, the ownership of Okinawa belongs to Japan. It’s not too late to resolve it with the United States after we have secured Block 7 stably.”

“I understand.”

“And the Minister of National Defense!”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“Send the Maritime Self-Defense Force to Okinawa.”

“The Self-Defense Forces? Without the consent of the US military?”

“What consent? We have to suppress the rebels.”

“How many….”

“500, no, 1,000.”

“1,000!”

“And the Minister of Foreign Affairs!”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“Issue a special order to the ambassador to South Korea to withdraw.”

“Without summoning the Korean ambassador?”

According to diplomatic practice, the usual procedure was to summon the ambassador residing in the country to protest, and if it was not accepted, to withdraw the embassy.

“There is no need for such formalities. Declare war on South Korea right away.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korea.

The Japanese ambassador to South Korea visited and protested to the South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Why is South Korea inciting Japan’s rebellion? This is more than interference in internal affairs; it is a declaration of war.”

“…….”

“If you do not sever ties with Okinawa, we will withdraw the Japanese Embassy. It was the strict order of His Excellency the Prime Minister.”

“Um, we will sever ties.”

The Japanese ambassador softened his attitude when the minister came out so readily.

“That’s right. Japan is an absolute ally for South Korea’s security. Let’s make this commotion a blessing in disguise, as the ground hardens after the rain. More aid to South Korea….”

The minister interrupted.

“I don’t think you understand. It is Japan that is severing ties. You said you would withdraw diplomats, so how can South Korea stop you?”

“What, what?”

“I don’t know when you interfered in internal affairs with Block 7, and I don’t know why you can’t control one local government and come to a neighboring country to whine. It’s time to go home.”

The minister left leisurely.

The Japanese ambassador was stunned as if struck by lightning, and his brain circuits were paralyzed, and he sat blankly like a broom.

The next day, the Japanese ambassador returned to his home country.

And the Japanese Embassy suspended all official business.

The White House.

The Assistant to the President for Asian-Pacific Security reported to Kennedy.

“The Japanese ambassador to South Korea has withdrawn.”

“Um….”

“This morning, we just received information that 1,000 Maritime Self-Defense Force landing troops landed in Okinawa.”

“The Self-Defense Forces landed in Okinawa without the approval of the US military?”

“When I asked the Japanese Ministry of Defense, they only said that it was a temporary training and that it was not a situation worth reporting.”

“They’ve effectively refused.”

“That’s right.”

“Japan is a really unreliable country, mobilizing troops at will without approval.”

“China’s movements are also unusual. They are conducting large-scale maritime exercises near the Senkaku Islands [a group of uninhabited islands controlled by Japan, but claimed by China]. It is a live-fire exercise with live ammunition and naval guns.”

“Tensions are rising in Northeast Asia. We can’t just stand by. We have to use diplomatic means as well.”

At that time, the UN Foreign Affairs Secretary delivered urgent breaking news to Kennedy by phone.

“President, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf has submitted an amendment to the 200 nautical mile law.”

“Um, they’re going to try to the end. I understand.”

The US Secretary of State was interviewed by a leading broadcaster.

“The United States opposes the 200 nautical mile amendment. Continental shelf extensions have clear physical measurements and leave no room for dispute, but 200 nautical miles inevitably create overlapping areas between neighboring countries. This is the seed of conflict.”

The anchor asked.

“In a way, wouldn’t the boundaries be clearer if measured around the land exposed at sea, Minister?”

“What if, for example, an artificial island is built in a shallow sea?”

“…….”

“If they claim territorial waters from there, we cannot prevent the side effects of expanding territorial waters as much as possible.”

“Ah, such a serious problem arises.”

“The trigger for all wars starts with territorial issues. Maintaining the current state is a fundamental measure to reduce disputes.”

US ambassadors stationed in the Middle East also induced opposition from oil-producing countries.

“The reason Japan submitted the 200 nautical mile amendment is because they are coveting the crude oil buried in Block 7. Japan is a country that can explore and mine immediately. South Korea does not yet have the technology and capital.”

In other words, if a large amount of crude oil is discovered and drilled in Block 7, Middle Eastern oil prices will fall.

This touched the nerves of Middle Eastern oil-producing countries, who were already dissatisfied with the low oil prices.