Investor That Can See The Future

Chapter 469

The work was done before the ink on the agreement had dried.

South Korea has decided to form a consortium and, together with Russia, send a delegation to North Korea to check the condition of the railroad.

In a situation where it is difficult to eat and live, the infrastructure cannot be maintained properly. Currently, North Korean railways are so old that even trains, let alone high-speed trains, cannot keep up with their speed.

Therefore, the direction of tearing down the entire section and reconstructing it was discussed.

One good thing is that civil engineering works have already been carried out as long as there was a railway. The most difficult part of railway construction is purchasing a site, compacting the ground, and digging a tunnel.

In comparison, it was relatively easy to tear down and rebuild an old railroad.

Another advantage here is the enormous labor force of North Korea. Although North Korea lacks technology and capital, it is overflowing with people.

If necessary, the People’s Army will also be sent to the construction site to engage in speed warfare.

Russia announced a plan to link this project with the revitalization of the Far East and resource development in Siberia, and Central Asian countries, which will benefit from the railway connection in the future, also showed great interest.

Another protest was held in front of the OTK Company headquarters.

Conservative groups such as Dr. Mo and others put up signs such as “Retreat the Reds,” “Exterminate the pro-North Korean left,” and “Send Jin-hoo Kang to North Korea.”

“Jinhoo Kang is helping North Korea! North Korea is the main enemy of the Republic of Korea, and it is a hostile force trying to unify a free Republic of Korea! Joining hands with North Korea is clearly an act of transfer! Kang Jin-hoo must be punished immediately by the National Security Act!”

“Punish! Punish!”

It’s not surprising, as it wasn’t the first or two similar protests.

Taek-gyu turned his head to the side.

“But what are they?”

On the opposite side of the conservative group, a small group of college students were gathering and protesting.

“Our Baekdu Praise Alliance welcomes Chairman Kim’s decision! Now, the Korean Peninsula must prevent the emergence of divided enemy forces and achieve unification led by our people! In order to accomplish the task of independent reunification, the US forces from Korea must be withdrawn immediately from this land!”

“Withdraw! Withdraw!”

Even in a country with freedom of expression, what are you doing? Why is the withdrawal of US forces from Korea here?

Taek-gyu looked at me and asked.

“Which opinion do you like?”

“… … I hate both.”

* * *

Articles about the Vladivostok Agreement poured in from all over the world.

The focus of the article was on the right to claim against Japan rather than the South-North-Russia cooperation project. Some media even called it the ‘Gang Jin-hoo’s bill’.

However, in order to understand why North Korea is claiming compensation from Japan, it is necessary to understand the colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula and the Pacific War. This inevitably had to be directly related to the issue of Japan’s past history.

The New York Times, Washington Post, Le Monde, Financial Times, People’s Daily, Global Times, etc. published detailed explanations of the claim against Japan as major news.

While most Westerners were well aware of the war crimes committed by Germany, they were insensitive to the war crimes of Japan.

Because they were not directly harmed.

However, Kang Jin-hoo’s remarks about the right to claim against Japan became an issue, and interest in it exploded.

– Did Japan really do such a thing?

-You dragged a young girl into sexual slavery, gang-raped it, and tested it on humans?

-Nonsense! All the Japanese people around me are nice and kind!

-Ah! That Rising Sun Flag is like a Nazi! So did Korea and China react so much?

-What do you think of using that kind of thing to cheer for the game? Is that flag allowed to be brought into the Olympic Stadium? So shouldn’t Nazis be allowed too?

– It’s terrible. It’s hard to believe it was done by the same person.

– Japanese friends are absolutely not, they say it’s all made up by Korea and China, but what is the truth?

– Even my Japanese friends say they have never seen it in textbooks. Rather, it is said that he learned that he helped a lot, such as erecting buildings and laying railroads in Korea.

-Japan has been trying to erase its past for a long time. But Japan’s war crimes are clear.

– You didn’t just bomb Pearl Harbor, you committed such terrible crimes. If it wasn’t for Kang Jin-hoo, I would have never known about it.

-Just as Jinhoo Kang helped the United States, I also want to help the grandmothers who were taken as sex slaves by the Japanese military. What would be a good way?

Searches for ‘claims agreement’, ‘Pacific war’, ‘Japanese military sexual slavery’, ‘forced labor’, and ‘war crimes in Japan’ surged on portal sites in each country.

What Japan feared is becoming a reality!

Japan has been busy taking measures.

First, they lobbied against media outlets around the world and requested that the article be taken down, while distributing press releases refuting Kang Jin-hoo’s remarks.

100 billion dollars, about 10 trillion yen. This is an unbelievable amount for Japan, which is already suffering from an astronomical fiscal deficit.

There was another problem.

Let’s say North Korea makes reparations whatever it wants. So what then? Will the previously repared countries stand still?

Through the Claims Agreement, Japan settled its historical issues with Asian countries. However, only Korea has consistently mentioned the issue of past history, and recently demanded compensation from the Japanese side for the comfort women and victims of forced labor.

So why do other countries stand still?

Even after losing the war, Japan is still a great power. Therefore, no country wanted to turn Japan into an enemy. The economic power of other affected countries is not comparable to that of Japan, and it is highly dependent on Japanese capital.

On the other hand, Korea has grown rapidly and has entered the ranks of advanced countries, and thus has begun to raise its voice.

In the case of South Korea, it is possible to take the position that everything was resolved through the Korea-Japan Basic Treaty, but if the opponent was North Korea, that could not be the case.

In front of the press, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi spoke in a tone of displeasure.

“There is no official request from North Korea for the Claims Agreement. If there is an official request, we will officially start the discussion. However, this issue is a matter for both Japan and North Korea, and not for any other country to be involved in. This is a very serious diplomatic disrespect, and I will strongly protest to the Republic of Korea.”

* * *

After visiting South Korea, Foreign Minister Okamoto met Foreign Minister Kim Seong-cheol and formally protested.

“Isn’t this too much to do? Why is South Korea interfering in negotiations between Japan and North Korea?”

Foreign Minister Kim Seong-cheol shook his head.

“I do not understand what you are saying. The South Korean government has nothing to do with this. The Claims Agreement is up to North Korea and Japan to do. The Korean government will not play any role in the future unless both countries agree.”

“Are you saying that even after looking at the media reports now?”

Foreign Minister Kim Seong-cheol sighed.

“We were also surprised to see the article. I never imagined that CEO Kang Jin-hoo would act as an advisor to the North Korean side.”

“Did the Korean government not know?”

“We are in a very difficult position. It was only Kang Jin-hoo’s personal actions, and the government was completely unaware of it.”

“CEO Kang Jin-hoo participated in the inter-Korean talks and carried out the railway and gas pipeline projects, and at the same time, CEO Kang Jin-hoo advised on the claim against Japan. Is this a coincidence?”

“of course. It is a completely separate matter.”

“… … .”

It was amazing.

‘Who do you think is a fool?’

The media all over the world are reporting that these two are being carried out together. And yet it has nothing to do with it?

Foreign Minister Okamoto was able to read the insides of his opponent.

‘Are you saying that the Korean government will take care of the profits and pass the responsibility on to Kang Jin-hoo?’

The reason for this is because Japan knows that it is difficult to use their hands against Kang Jin-hoo.

“Even in Japan, there is a growing backlash against Korea. Do you know what kind of adverse effect these actions will have on Japan-Korea relations in the future?”

“Japan is an important neighbor and economic partner of Korea, and I agree with the idea that friendly relations between Korea and Japan should continue.”

“Are you saying that you are leaving CEO Kang Jin-hoo as it is?”

“We tried to persuade him several times, but to no avail. You know, you have to listen.”

Foreign Minister Okamoto suppressed what he wanted to shout.

“If CEO Kang Jin-hoo is helping North Korea without the permission of the South Korean government, shouldn’t it be punished by the National Security Act?”

Conservative groups are also claiming this. But the National Security Act is like a rubber band, so if you put it on your nose, it’s a nose ring, and if you put it on your ear, it’s an earring.

“It seems that there has been a discussion between the US and the Russian side. It’s not a substitute for negotiation, it’s just advice, can’t we be punished for something like this? And it is up to the Korean judiciary to decide whether to punish its citizens or not. Please refrain from making comments that interfere with internal affairs.”

Seeing Foreign Minister Okamoto’s contorted eyes, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Seong-cheol smiled inwardly.

When can Korea put the Japanese foreign minister in such a corner?

Diplomatic power eventually follows national power. The more economic and military power is backed up, the louder the diplomat’s voice will be.

On the other hand, diplomats from weak countries must be careful with every word and every action.

A typical example of this is the struggle for prestige between Austria and Prussia for dominance in Germany.

At that time, there was a custom that only the Austrian delegates smoked in public at the Federal Assembly, but Bismarck broke the custom and lit a cigarette.

This was a symbolic act that showed that Prussia’s power had grown enough to face Austria.

The representatives, startled by this, urgently reported this fact to their home country.

Diplomacy determines whether or not you can even smoke a single cigarette depending on your national strength.

Korea is a powerful country both economically and militarily, but there are too many great powers around. In addition, the proportion of exports is large, and it relies on the United States militarily and economically on China. Therefore, in diplomacy, it was always necessary to keep an eye on neighboring countries.

However, after Kang Jin-hu appeared, the situation changed. The ROK-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever, and the relationship with Russia is unparalleled.

While the Japanese economy faltered, OTK Company still performed well. And the Korean economy, backed by Kang Jin-hoo, is also growing smoothly.

If we add the strong Jinhu to Korea’s economic power, it is also worthy of a match with Japan.

Even at this moment, OTK Company’s influence in the overall industry is gradually growing. If OTK Company cuts off business with Japanese companies, which one will suffer more?

Because Japan also knew about it, he must have come to see him instead of Jinhoo Kang.

‘I’m sure there will be a person like this among my juniors in the business administration department of Korea University.

Foreign Minister Kim Seong-cheol said with a sad expression on his face.

“Why don’t you visit the American side and see?”

Why didn’t you think of that?

The fact that the United States has been quiet so far is like taking sides after the earthquake. Rather, it is fortunate that Japan and other countries do not push Japan to pay compensation quickly.

“Or, how about visiting CEO Kang Jin-hoo in person? You should be at work right now.”(Read more @ wuxiax.com)

Foreign Minister Okamoto recalled being bullied by Kang Jin-hoo the other day. It was considered one of the most humiliating incidents that a Japanese foreign minister has ever suffered.

‘Who is this kid kidding now?’

* * *

A business meeting on inter-Korean economic cooperation was held at the Blue House.

Dozens of CEOs of large and small businesses gathered in one place. CEOs of large corporations expressed great interest in the economic effects of gas pipeline and railroad projects, and CEOs of small and medium-sized enterprises showed great interest in restarting and expanding the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

President Han Byung-sun held my hand and expressed his gratitude.

“I never imagined that things would turn out so well. It’s all thanks to you.”

“What. Thanks to everyone’s hard work.”

Chairman Chan-Young Han also came to this place.

“How have you been?”

Chairman Chan-young Han said with a bitter smile.

“Thanks for keeping me busy.”

There seemed to be bones in his words, but there was no sign of resentment or anger.

Even after the Eunsung Tea Group, which was the center of the group, was taken away by Karos, the Eunsung Tea Group still showed off its strength in the top 10 in the business world.

It owns Eunsung MD, electronics and auto parts affiliates, as well as Eunsung Steel and Eunsung Construction, which was the parent company of Eunsung Group in the past.

As before, it is supplying parts to Eunsung Motors, and Eunsung Steel and Construction are participating in the development of Saemangeum.

Eunsung Motor Group will also benefit greatly from this inter-Korean economic cooperation.

Eunsung E&C has experience participating in North Korea projects several times, including building a hotel and banquet hall on Mt. Geumgang. For this reason, it was considered as a beneficiary of this inter-Korean economic cooperation.

Another company worth noting is Eunsung RT. RT is a rail and train, and as the name suggests, it is a company that makes railroad cars.

It can produce locomotives and electric trains, as well as a few high-speed trains in the world.

As the inter-Korean railway connection project started, Russia began to modernize the Trans-Siberian Railway, and other Eurasian countries also showed great interest in railway modernization and construction.

This will be a new opportunity for the Korean railway industry.

While we were talking with the businessmen around us for a while, President Huh Chang-min appeared. He greeted the businessmen one by one and shook hands.

Then, when it was my turn, President Huh Chang-min grabbed my hand and spoke in a slightly trembling voice.

“You worked hard, CEO Kang Jin-hoo.”

“… … .”

It seems that they are suddenly pretending to be friendly.