Chapter 455 |
Conservative media outlets, until just a few days ago, had been lumping Heo Chang-min and Kang Jin-hoo together and criticizing them, saying that they were in cahoots to sell the country out to North Korea.
In connection with this, conservative YouTube channels were also launching an offensive by uploading various videos.
But when Kang Jin-hoo broke up the negotiation table, everyone was dumbfounded. If they criticized the government, they would be siding with Kang Jin-hoo, and if they criticized Kang Jin-hoo, they would be siding with the government.
The New Politics Party was also in a bind. What kind of businessman in the world would act like that in a meeting of North and South Korean officials?
The senior members of the ruling party were furious.
"No, what on earth was Kang Jin-hoo thinking when he said that?"
"He should have just quietly eaten his naengmyeon and left. This is just like pouring cold water on the government."
"There's a limit to how much you can tarnish the president's face."
"The relationship between the North and the South is on thin ice right now."
Still, one thing was fortunate for the New Politics Party: the public's attention was focused on the Free Korea Party.
"What do you think of CEO Kang Jin-hoo's actions?"
At the reporters' questions, Representative Yeon Nakyeong, who had been raising her voice at the protest until yesterday, quickly changed her words.
"It is not right to provoke North Korea too much. Isn't the most important thing the safety of our people? We must refrain from actions that endanger the people."
The Japanese media carefully reported Representative Yeon Nakyeong's remarks and poured out skeptical and negative articles about inter-Korean economic cooperation.
-No, what the hell are we supposed to do?
-If you talk to North Korea, you get criticized for talking, and if you don't talk, you get criticized for not talking.
-It's like she's just representing Japan's position~
-Yeon Nakyeong, being a patriot again today! Ganbatte!
-She's my district's representative. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry ㅜㅜ
-So is Kang Jin-hoo a leftist or a rightist?
***
I met with President Vysotsky.
Russia is the country with the largest landmass in the world, but its population is only about 150 million. Therefore, there are many underdeveloped areas, and capital is needed to develop them.
Therefore, he was busy going around meeting delegations and businessmen from various countries. It seems that he is no longer late and is keeping his meeting times well these days.
He burst out laughing as soon as he saw me.
"Haha, you really gave the North Koreans a good one. So why did you say that? You know very well that Chairman Kim will not step up and guarantee the progress of the project."
"That's true."
In the situation where I brought it up, it would be even more impossible. In a situation like this, it could be seen as being pushed into it.
A moment later, President Vysotsky stopped laughing and said with a serious expression.
"North Korea's role is very important in the development of the Far East."
"I know."
The first talk of the Rason-Khasan project and the connection of railways and gas pipelines was in the early 2000s. If it had worked out then, there would already be a railway between South Korea and Russia.
It would cost trillions of won, but that's nothing compared to the economic benefits that would be generated in the future.
Therefore, both South Korea and Russia are active, but...
"The problem is, of course, North Korea's will."
President Vysotsky nodded his head.
"What do you think? Do you think the project will fall through again?"
"I don't know."
The railway and gas pipeline connection project is being carried out in a way that Russia, which can be called North Korea's ally, invests, and South Korea acquires Russia's stake.
It's such a large project that once development begins, it's not easy to stop. That's why North Korea is also just testing the waters, saying they will or won't do it.
Are they really thinking of connecting the railway and gas pipeline, or will it just end with a lot of talk again this time?
North Korea doesn't have to spend a single penny on this project. All they have to do is sit back and collect the money as a fee for letting it pass through their territory.
If it were another country, they would have offered all sorts of support and begged them to lay the railway or gas pipeline.
Logically, it's normal to do it unconditionally. The problem is that North Korea is a country where common sense doesn't apply.
You can tell how much President Vysotsky is paying attention to this project just by looking at the various events and forums being held in Vladivostok.
There are three main reasons why he is so actively pursuing the development of the Far East.
First, to check Chinese capital.
As all bordering countries do, Russia and China have had border disputes for a long time. And after the Treaty of Nerchinsk, they finalized the border by signing the Treaty of Beijing in return for mediating in the Second Opium War.
As a result of that treaty, the land in the Primorsky Krai region was transferred to Russia. At that time, China was at its weakest, so China considered this an unequal treaty. Currently, Chinese capital and labor are pouring into the Primorsky Krai and exercising their power.
From Russia's perspective, if they leave the Far East in a backward state, it could be taken over by Chinese capital, so they need to proceed with development in a hurry.
The second reason is the Northern Sea Route.
For most countries, global warming is a disaster. But Russia is different. As the ice in the Arctic melts due to global warming, the Northern Sea Route is beginning to open. This will dramatically shorten the sea transport route from the Far East to Europe.
The last and third reason is that the Asian market has become more important due to Western sanctions.
What would happen if railways and gas pipelines were connected through North Korea?
Even if goods from region A just go to region B, added value is created. If people and goods come and go through the railway, the regional economy will naturally develop.
If the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Korean Peninsula cross-country railway are connected, transportation will be possible not only to South Korea but also to Japan. The gas pipeline can also be extended to Japan later.
The Far East, which was a remote area until then, will be reborn as the center of East Asia!
The TWR construction, following the one in Kaliningrad, is a demonstration of Russia's ambition.
The construction of a nuclear power plant is to attract an industrial complex. But even considering that, the number of reactors is large.
It is probably because they have also considered selling electricity to the North Korean region in the future. Because electricity will be needed for economic development in Rason.
"We're not the only ones interested in this."
The political circles of the United States, China, and Japan are also showing great interest in this matter. This is because the geopolitical location of the Korean Peninsula is that important.
Currently, the relationship between the United States and Russia is very friendly. First of all, President Ronald is close to President Vysotsky, and it is the United States' foreign policy to check China by joining hands with Russia. As such, they will not particularly put a brake on this matter.
Japan seems to dislike it, but we don't need to worry about them, so let's pass.
Is another problem China?
"The longer you are in politics, the more you realize how important timing is. President Heo Chang-min has a strong will, and North Korea needs money. And as it happens, there is also the richest investor in the world."
At his words, I smiled.
"I will gladly do my best to help."
***
It was only for a short time that the North Korean media was pouring out criticism at me, calling me a "son of a bitch from hell."
Sensing that the atmosphere was turning strange, they suddenly fell silent. The North Korean negotiating team did not withdraw, but instead contacted China and Russia behind the scenes and worked tirelessly to improve the negative perception of investment in North Korea.
The South Korean negotiating team watched the situation without making any particular statement.
I met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung-chul. The reason he came instead of the Minister of Unification is probably because we had met before.
After a short greeting, he immediately got to the point.
"The North Korean side is pressuring our government, saying that they can only have future inter-Korean talks if CEO Kang Jin-hoo apologizes."
"So what did you say?"
"I told them the truth. That he's not someone the government can do anything about."
I let out a small laugh.
"Did they believe you?"
"Looking at what has happened so far, it's easy to see that it's not a lie."
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung-chul continued.
"I didn't say it, but there are many people in the negotiating team who are relieved. In the past, North Korea would overturn the table or just drag on the time by having a conversation for the sake of having a conversation if things didn't go their way. They seem to be flustered because it didn't work this time. Of course, they are still demanding an apology."
"I don't really have any intention of apologizing."
He nodded his head.
"I thought so."
"I think there's a misunderstanding. The point of my statement was not to criticize North Korea, but to offer advice for successful economic cooperation. I am well aware that this economic cooperation is important and will be of great benefit, so I will make that clear. It would look better to say that the government's pressure and persuasion worked."
Anyway, I have to express a positive stance because of Russia, which is pushing the project. If I'm going to do it, it's better to save the government's face, right?
At my words, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung-chul's face lit up.
"Thank you for doing that. I will tell the North Korean side so."
Since I'm not investing directly, the rest is up to the government to handle.
How many North Korea experts are there in the government? If I've laid the groundwork this much, those people will do a good job. That's why they're paid with tax money.
***
Professor Petrov and Professor Mohan arrived in Vladivostok.
Their teaching assistant, Carrie, was also with them. We greeted each other warmly after a long time, and I introduced Ellie to them.
Ellie was pleased and greeted the two of them. She had met Professor Mohan before, but this was her first time meeting Professor Petrov.
Professor Mohan said with a smile.
"I was curious when you would get married, and you're finally doing it."
Professor Petrov asked.
"When is the wedding?"
"Next spring."
"Haha, it's not far off."
Professor Petrov is on his way from Kaliningrad. Even if the experiment was successful, there is no telling what problems might arise in the commercialization process, so he stayed at the construction site and checked the problems himself.
Commercialization is always difficult, but since the technology was developed with commercialization in mind from the beginning, there were no particular problems. That's why they decided to build it in Vladivostok as well.
At the request of the forum organizers, we held a joint lecture at the Far Eastern Federal University.
The Far Eastern Federal University is the largest university in the Far East region, and it is also the first place in Russia where a Korean language department was established.
Students flocked to the spacious auditorium like clouds. The seats were all taken, and the auxiliary chairs placed in the aisles were also packed.
Ellie looked around the packed auditorium and said.
"Hmm, there are a lot of beautiful women in Russia. I'm sure there are many Jin-hoo fans among them."
"But Ellie is the most beautiful."
At my words, she smiled.
"You have to keep saying that in the future."
The Russian students' enthusiasm for learning was very strong. Everyone showed great interest in the future of inter-Korean relations and the development of the Far East.
At this meeting, I talked about the rosy future of inter-Korean economic cooperation and the development of the Far East.
"When the North and the South are connected by rail and the gas pipeline is extended, Vladivostok will become the central city of East Asia from a remote area of the Far East. For that to happen, this project must succeed. I ask all of you students to watch with interest."
***
After the important work and meetings were over, I was finally able to take a breather.
Perhaps because there were so many incidents and accidents, it felt like a long time even though I had only been there for a few days. I want to go home soon.
Ellie let out a long sigh.
"We really just worked when we came here. We didn't even get to play properly."
"You said you came here for work, didn't you?"
At my words, Ellie pouted her lips.
"Still, it's too much to just go back and forth between the hotel and the forum. I didn't even get to go to the hotel pool a few times."
"I know."
Still, it wasn't boring because Ellie was by my side.
Ellie soon said as if she had made up her mind.
"I can't take it anymore. Let's go out on a date tonight!"
"A date?"
"Now that we're here, we should at least go to the city once."
"Aren't you tired?"
She should be tired, but unlike me, she is full of energy.
I was led by Ellie's hand to Arbat Street, which is said to be the hot place in Vladivostok.
The style of the buildings in the city felt a little different from Moscow. Well, it's the same country in name, but it's about 9000 km away. It's a distance that takes a week to travel by the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Here, even Ellie, who is of mixed race, doesn't have such a conspicuous appearance, and there will be many foreigners, so they probably won't recognize us easily.
...or so I thought, but that was a big mistake.
The streets were full of Koreans. I'm not kidding, there were more Koreans than Russians.
"Oh! Isn't that Kang Jin-hoo?"
"They said he was attending the Asian Economic Forum, and he's really here."
"Wow! I can't believe I'm seeing Kang Jin-hoo here."
"Can I take a picture?"
Since when was Vladivostok such a famous tourist destination?
We enjoyed our date without caring about people's attention.