I contacted President Vysotsky.
As I described what had happened at the meeting, as if giving a report, President Vysotsky burst into a roar of laughter.
[Hahaha! You said you’d find a way, and you certainly did. Very well done!]
I was glad he seemed satisfied.
“It seems the gas pipeline and railway projects can proceed as previously discussed. However, I have one favor to ask in relation to this.”
[What is it? Go on.]
After hearing my request, President Vysotsky couldn’t answer easily.
“Investment in North Korea will face strong opposition from domestic political circles. To convince the conservative camp, I’ll need Russia’s help.”
[As you know, this is quite a burden for our side as well. If things go south, I too will have to bear the political risk.]
The gas pipeline and railway connection was a project worth at least 10 trillion won, a burdensome amount for both South Korea and Russia.
But this was a sum I could easily handle.
[To speak so confidently, you must be quite sure about this. Can we really trust Chairman Kim?]
“Instead of Chairman Kim, why don’t you try trusting me?”
How was I supposed to know when or how the Supreme Dignity’s mind might change?
The reason I was so confident was because I had seen a vision.
According to what my precognition showed me, North Korea would definitely secure $70 billion in reparations from Japan, and until they received that money, they wouldn't be able to scrap the project.
A moment later, President Vysotsky spoke.
[Alright. We’ll do it that way.]
“Thank you. I will repay your trust with good results.”
He let out a hearty laugh.
[Hahaha! Don’t feel pressured. Just come visit Siberia later and we’ll hunt some brown bears together. Do you know how to handle a gun?]
“I’ve fired one in the military.”
Though I’d never hunted a brown bear.
***
[(Breaking News) Emergency North Korea-Russia Summit to be Held!]
[President Vysotsky and Chairman Kim to Meet in Vladivostok in Three Days!]
[Gas Pipeline, Railway Project Discussions Linked to Najin-Khasan Project]
[Chairman Kim Reportedly Gave Direct Orders for the Project!]
[The Trans-Korean Railway: What are its Economic Effects?]
The official announcement came from Russia, and North Korea confirmed it through its official diplomatic channels.
People couldn't hide their astonishment that the talks, which had started with North Korea's one-sided demand to demolish the Mount Kumgang facilities, had led to a gas pipeline and railway connection project in just a few days.
-What? Are they really building a gas pipeline and a railway?
-Wait, why did the story suddenly go in this direction?
-LOL, looks like Kang Jin-hoo did something at the meeting.
-Holy crap! Kang Jin-hoo pulled this off too?
-What on earth did he do to make the impossible happen? Did he slip some cash into the Supreme Dignity’s Mao suit?
-You don’t think the Supreme Dignity actually acted as a guarantor, like Kang Jin-hoo said?
-Even if the Supreme Dignity gave his guarantee, how can you trust that? I’m betting this is all just talk again.
-I feel like this time might be different.
-Different my ass. The North-South railway project has been talked about for over 10 years. The progressives pushed for it every time they were in power, and concrete plans were drawn up multiple times. And what was the result? It got scrapped every single time before they even broke ground.
-The cost must be insane. They call it the North-South railway connection, but North Korea's current tracks are so dilapidated they'll have to be torn out and completely rebuilt. That’s all taxpayers’ money.
-Chang-min! Are you giving away freebies again? Take care of your own people first!
-Jin-hoo! Hire me at OTK Company!
According to a domestic opinion poll, the sentiment was predominantly in favor, by a margin of about 6 to 4.
Even those who opposed it were not against the project itself, but rather cited reasons like ‘North Korea can’t be trusted,’ ‘There’s a risk that construction investment funds will be diverted to nuclear weapon development,’ and ‘It’s still too early for inter-Korean economic cooperation.’
President Heo Chang-min delivered a public address.
“The iron horse will run again. When we are connected to Eurasia through the railway, a new world will open up. The Korean Peninsula will now advance on a path of peace and prosperity!”
***
Taek-gyu was ecstatic when he heard what President Vysotsky had said.
“Oh! A brown bear hunt! You know, I was a top marksman in the army.”
It was a delusion every man who’s fired a gun tends to have at least once.
But…
“Weren’t you a public service worker?”
“You think public service workers don’t shoot guns in basic training? Apologize to all the public service workers in the country! My nickname at the training center was Vasily Zaitsev.”
“…”
I wanted to see if he could say that in front of a brown bear.
Listening to our conversation, Hyun-joo noona let out a long sigh.
“Now it’s North Korea, of all things. Are you really sure about this?”
Taek-gyu chimed in.
“Of course. This time it’s really going to happen. In a few years, you’ll be taking a train to Europe for vacation, noona.”
“I do just fine with airplanes right now.”
Hyun-joo noona looked as if she no longer had the energy to try and stop me.
“What do you think, noona? Does it seem economically feasible?”
At my question, she nodded.
“The economic feasibility is more than sufficient. Connecting to Europe through North Korea is nothing short of a logistics revolution.”
Since Japan’s trade sanctions, South Korean companies had been reducing their dealings with Japanese firms and actively increasing trade with European ones.
If the Trans-Korean Railway is connected, it will then link to South Korea’s east-west rail network.
Cars produced in Saemangeum could be sent across Europe in 20 days, and conversely, parts produced in Europe could be brought to Saemangeum in 20 days.
It would be a massive help to the logistics of the companies and factories that would be built in Saemangeum in the future.
“But as you know, Russia uses a broad gauge, which is wider than the standard gauge.”
Taek-gyu nodded.
“Of course, I know that. Germany had a real tough time with railway transport during their invasion of the Soviet Union because of it.”
I looked at Taek-gyu with surprise.
“You know your stuff.”
“Hmph, it’s all common knowledge if you play war games.”
Hyun-joo noona paid him no mind and continued.
“That’s why they laid a dual-gauge track for the Najin-Khasan section, so both types of trains can use it.”
If you were to ship goods from Ulsan to Europe, you would have to transfer the cargo to a Russian train when passing through Russian territory, and then transfer it again in the European section.
There are several ways to solve this problem.
You could relay the entire Siberian railway with dual-gauge tracks, create variable-gauge trains that can run on both standard and broad gauges, or adjust and swap out the bogies whenever the track gauge changes.
It’s a bit of a hassle, but it’s not a particularly difficult technical problem.
“The problems to solve are more political than technical. First, the opposition party will object, and then Japan will object.”
Right now, Japan probably couldn’t even imagine that a bill for reparations was heading their way. I could roughly guess how they would react when they found out.
I smiled and nodded.
“Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to redefine Korea-Japan relations?”
***
Typically, conservatives and progressives clash over economic policy. However, the most sharply divisive issue for conservatives and progressives in the Republic of Korea is North Korea policy.
The opposition party launched an offensive in the National Assembly while also holding outdoor rallies denouncing both the government and North Korea, consolidating their conservative base.
Tens of thousands of conservative group members gathered in front of Daehanmun, and on the stage, party leader Yeon Nakyeong grabbed the microphone and shouted.
“The Heo Chang-min administration has not only ruined the people’s livelihood, but it has also ruined inter-Korean relations! It has ruined Korea-Japan relations and the ROK-US alliance! And yet, the President and the ruling party have become obsessed with North Korea, looking only to them. The facilities in Mount Kumgang are the private property of our people, built with their blood and sweat. A government that cannot protect the property rights of its people! Mustn’t you and I pass judgment on them?”
But an unexpected twist occurred.
Suddenly, talks of resuming Mount Kumgang tourism and reuniting separated families emerged, and now, a trilateral gas pipeline and railway project involving South Korea, North Korea, and Russia had appeared.
The worst crisis in inter-Korean relations had, in a single moment, transformed into the largest inter-Korean economic cooperation project.
The President and the ruling party's approval ratings soared, leaving Representative Yeon Nakyeong and the Freedom People's Party members, who had been leading the outdoor rallies, in a state of utter bewilderment.
***
The government requested the formation of a special committee in the National Assembly to facilitate smooth inter-Korean economic cooperation.
During a session where Minister of Unification Yoon Je-hoon was explaining the summit details and the cooperation project, Representative Yeon Nakyeong attacked him fiercely.
“The whole world is imposing sanctions on North Korea. In this situation, do you, Minister, see no problem with South Korea unilaterally moving to resume Mount Kumgang tourism?”
Minister of Unification Yoon Je-hoon explained calmly.
“Under the sanctions, we cannot provide cash payments to North Korea. The North Korean side understands this well, and the payment for tourism will be made in a manner that is acceptable to the international community.”
“How can you proceed with this without consulting the United States? South Korea has a responsibility and an obligation to comply with the international community’s sanctions against North Korea.”
“Yes. We are proceeding with this within the bounds of what is not in violation of the sanctions.”
Representative Yeon Nakyeong continued to raise her voice.
“Stop beating around the bush and give a clear answer!”
“But I just gave you an answer, didn’t I?”
But she wasn't listening.
“Stop being so stubborn. The people are watching!”
Losing his patience, Minister Yoon Je-hoon also raised his voice.
“Stubborn? What exactly am I being stubborn about? I am answering everything you’ve asked. How much clearer can I possibly be?”
At that, Representative Yeon Nakyeong raised her voice even higher.
“South Korea is a member of the international community, and it has an obligation to participate in international sanctions.”
“As I said again, we are proceeding in a way that does not violate the sanctions against North Korea…”
“This is an issue that could cause a rift in the ROK-US alliance! If the United States turns its back on us, who will guarantee the safety of our people?”
“Our military guarantees the safety of our people.”
“Don’t talk like that!”
“Then are you suggesting, Representative, that our military is incapable of protecting our people?”
“You keep changing the subject. I am talking about the importance of the ROK-US alliance. How long are we going to conduct this humiliating diplomacy, being dragged around by North Korea? Aren’t you ashamed in front of the people?”
As she was in the middle of her impassioned speech, a murmur spread through the lawmakers. One of them quickly ran over and whispered in Representative Yeon Nakyeong’s ear.
“President Ronald just posted on Tuwitter.”
Representative Yeon Nakyeong was startled as she looked at the phone he held out.
[Resuming Mt. Kumgang tourism is a great decision. I applaud the South Korean government's efforts. I hope to play golf with my friend Chairman Kim at Mt. Kumgang in the near future.]
Seeing President Ronald’s Tuweet, Representative Yeon Nakyeong was at a loss for words.
‘Is there even a golf course at Mount Kumgang?’
As the opposition party members began to murmur, Minister Yoon Je-hoon smiled to himself, recalling Kang Jin-hoo’s words.
‘He said there would be a statement of support from the US President soon, didn’t he?’
But he hadn’t expected it to be this fast.
Minister Yoon Je-hoon straightened his back, squared his shoulders, and spoke.
“What was it you just said? That this would cause a rift in the ROK-US alliance? It seems President Ronald doesn't think so. On what grounds, Representative Yeon, are you making such a claim?”
“Ah, no, this is, I mean…”
Flustered, Representative Yeon Nakyeong quickly switched topics.
“You’ve said that South Korea will also form a consortium to invest in the gas pipeline and railway project being pursued by North Korea and Russia, with an initial investment of 3 trillion won. But just look at the Mount Kumgang tourism project, which has been suspended for ten years! According to data from Eunseong Geumgang, the cumulative losses already exceed 1 trillion won. If North Korea scraps this project again, what will you do about the damages our companies will suffer?”
In truth, the Freedom People’s Party’s argument had merit.
The progressive camp had made various attempts to lead North Korea toward reform and opening up. But in the end, North Korea pursued nuclear development, and all prior economic cooperation was halted. The resulting damages were shouldered by the companies.
They couldn’t argue against the criticism that they had just poured taxpayer money down the drain.
Watching Representative Yeon Nakyeong shouting from across the floor, Minister Yoon Je-hoon thought of the young man in his twenties. It was true that he hadn’t thought favorably of him until now. What citizen would act in such a way at an inter-Korean banquet where the President was present?
But now, his thinking had completely changed.
Kang Jin-hoo was a headache as an enemy, but as an ally, he was more dependable than anyone. Depending on how he was utilized, he could be of great help to the government.
Just like right now.
Minister Yoon Je-hoon said confidently.
“I agree with your point, Representative.”
“Don’t just agree, tell us your countermeasures! Rushing into this without a solid plan is like sending our companies to their doom!”
“Yes. As a solid countermeasure, Russia has agreed to guarantee the entire project. The arrangement is that if the project is suspended or canceled, Russia will buy back the shares purchased by South Korea. Therefore, there will be absolutely no losses incurred by our government or companies.”
“Wh-what? What did you just say?”
Representative Yeon Nakyeong’s expression was one of disbelief.
Economic cooperation with North Korea offered great profits but also came with great risks. Countless countries and companies had invested only to be backstabbed.
‘And Russia is shouldering all the responsibility? But why?’
“N-no, I haven’t heard any such announcement. This is the National Assembly, Minister! This is not a place where you can get away with ‘I said it, so what’ statements.”
“CEO Kang Jin-hoo has already finalized the details with the Russian representative.”
“C-CEO Kang Jin-hoo?”
Minister Yoon Je-hoon stared down Representative Yeon Nakyeong and asked.
“There are no concerns for the ROK-US alliance, and no risk of loss for our companies. It seems all the problems you raised have been resolved. Do you have any further questions?”
“…”