The smile vanished from Prime Minister Okazaki's face, and his expression hardened.
Everyone knew I was rich. Still, I could guess why he was making such an offer.
It's the nature of those who have to want even more. How many traitors sold their country because they were struggling to make a living?
Prime Minister Okazaki didn't get angry or shout. Instead, he spoke in a warning tone.
"I'd be careful with your words."
"I apologize if my comment about being rich was unpleasant."
But what could I do? It was a fact.
"I was merely speaking about cooperation and development in Japan-Korea relations, and for that, I was only asking for OTK Company's help."
I nodded.
It wouldn't be terribly difficult to be a little lenient on Japan's circumstances regarding the claims agreement. If, in return, I could enter the Japanese market with the support of the Japanese government, it would be a very profitable deal.
But would it really end there?
Once you accept one proposal, their demands will gradually increase. And once the investment has begun, it wouldn't be easy to pull out even if I wanted to.
Then one day, I would come to my senses and find myself diligently serving Japan's interests.
While there may have been those who actively and devotedly betrayed their country and people, the majority of pro-Japanese collaborators were likely won over in this manner.
Prime Minister Okazaki looked at me and said.
"You speak of Japan's past issues, but North Korea commits even worse human rights abuses and engages in all sorts of provocations. Why do you demand an apology only from Japan while asking for nothing from a country like North Korea?"
He had a point.
Currently, Representative Yeon Nakyeong was making the same argument, pressuring the government as it tried to redefine Korea-Japan relations.
Moreover, while Japan's crimes were in the past, North Korea's atrocities are ongoing.
From an individual's perspective, it might be different, but from a national standpoint, whether one likes or dislikes North Korea or Japan is not what's important.
What's important is what benefits the nation. To that end, one might have to kowtow to China or be pro-American.
I thought about it coolly.
The dichotomous thinking that being pro-Japan is bad and anti-Japan is good is of no help.
Justice without power is not justice.
In matters between individuals or corporations, one might at least rely on the law, but between nations, only the logic of power applies.
If South Korea had been powerless, would Japan have lifted its export restrictions and paid the compensation for the forced labor ruling? Would the Prime Minister of Japan have rushed to South Korea to request a summit?
The tables in the Korea-Japan relationship hadn't completely turned, but it had reached a point where we could put up a fight.
First, I had to live to kill the other.
Having ensured my own survival, it was now time to kill the opponent.
"The people of North Korea are furious about the crimes against humanity committed by Japan in the past. This is true for other neighboring countries as well. OTK Company plans to support private organizations to investigate Japan's war crimes that occurred in Korea, China, Russia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and elsewhere, while also supporting lawsuits from victims in each country."
Anger flashed across Prime Minister Okazaki's face.
"Are you saying you'll use anti-Japanese sentiment for this matter?"
For the current South-North-Russia economic cooperation, being anti-Japan is definitely helpful. That's why North Korea is also enthusiastically bashing Japan.
I asked him back.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't? Haven't you, Prime Minister, made good use of anti-Korean sentiment in your politics? Claiming sovereignty over Dokdo whenever you felt like it, and paying respects at the Yasukuni Shrine."
Taek-gyu nodded again.
"That's right. Yet you can't say a peep to Russia about the Northern Four Islands, which were actually Japanese territory."
This was likely because they feared Russia but saw Korea as a pushover. They needed to learn that was no longer the case.
"You may not know this, but the gas pipeline and railway are just the beginning. Combined with the current industrial changes, this will lead to the development of all of Asia. There are countless things to be done. ASEAN and Central Asian countries see this as an opportunity and are preparing to jump in."
In the past, the leader of Asia was Japan. There was a time when economic development was impossible without Japanese capital.
But that is not necessarily the case anymore.
South Korea and Russia can provide funds, and there is also the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank), established under China's leadership.
Of course, the more capital, the better, so there would be no reason to stop Japan if it were to invest, but...
I said flatly.
"Japan must apologize and pay compensation. If a sincere apology does not come first, there will be no place for Japan in the future Asian economic bloc."
Geographically, Japan is part of Asia, but since the Meiji Restoration, it has always considered itself a member of Europe. But now, even European countries are striving to enter the Asian market. That's how large and high-growth the market is.
I looked at Prime Minister Okazaki. It wasn't directly visible on his face, but I could guess how he was feeling. He was likely experiencing a level of humiliation and anger he had never felt before.
After all, where else would a Prime Minister of Japan receive such treatment?
Still, it's because it's me that I can give him this kind of treatment.
Prime Minister Okazaki said in a voice struggling to remain calm.
"Do you really think it's possible to exclude Japan?"
I nodded.
"You'll see if you watch."
Taek-gyu added a comment.
"I recommend 'Leaving Asia.'"
***
Team Leader Jung Gi-hong loosened his tie and took a breath. Then he asked me cautiously.
"Will this be okay? It's Japan we're dealing with, after all."
"It's precisely because it's Japan."
Japan is a country with strengths across all industrial sectors. They will want to be part of the newly forming economic bloc one way or another.
If South Korea excludes Japan, they will reach out to other countries to find a breakthrough, but as long as I'm around, it won't be easy for them.
China and Russia are already looking at North Korea's special economic zones. The more Japan delays, the more it stands to lose.
As Yeji had informed me, Japan will have to pay North Korea $70 billion in reparations anyway. What's important is the method of payment.
When paying 100 million, from the giver's perspective, is it more profitable to give cash or to give goods?
Obviously, the latter is more profitable.
100 million in cash is finished with a bank transfer, but to give 100 million worth of materials or machinery, you have to run factories, hire employees, and pay wages.
This has the effect of stimulating the domestic economy, and through this, they can also enter the market.
Looking out the window, I saw a line of black cars leaving.
Prime Minister Okazaki's conviction is to create a new Japan, breaking away from the post-war order. To this end, he has consistently denied past history and taken a hard-line stance against neighboring countries.
He will probably never bend his conviction, no matter what. But if Japan becomes isolated and its economic growth rate falls, his administration's approval ratings are bound to drop.
"In any case, negotiations are impossible as long as Prime Minister Okazaki is in that position. The conclusion of the North Korea-Japan Claims Agreement will probably only be possible after a change in government."
Whether there will be a place left for Japan to join then, I don't know.
The Korea-Japan summit was held for three days.
The leaders of both countries reaffirmed that Korea and Japan are economic partners and agreed to further increase exchanges. However, on the issue of past history, they failed to narrow their differences and remained on parallel tracks.
***
As Russia began developing Siberia in conjunction with the railway construction, expectations among neighboring inland countries also grew.
Electricity is the most basic element of industrial development.
Russia signed contracts to export TWRs to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.
Due to the characteristic of requiring large amounts of cooling water, nuclear power plants are not easy to build in landlocked countries. However, TWRs do not require cooling water and have the advantage of being able to be built in small sizes where needed.
Diplomats from various countries came and went, exchanging various talks behind the scenes, and the geopolitical changes in Northeast Asia seemed to be becoming visible.
South Korea, China, and Russia took the lead and agreed to expand existing bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements to form a comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
The first meeting was decided to be held in Beijing. China invited almost every country in Asia. This included India, Australia, and New Zealand. However, Japan was excluded from the list.
Prime Minister Okazaki tried to ignore it, saying that Japan was already a member of the TPP and that it would have little effect, but even within the LDP, voices expressing concern over Japan's isolation erupted.
Domestic progressive and conservative groups still held pro and con protests in front of Gwanghwamun and OTK Company, and the ruling and opposition parties fought in the National Assembly, pointing fingers and calling each other pro-North Korean or pro-Japanese, but the South-North-Russia economic cooperation proceeded at a tremendous speed.
South Korean and Russian inspection teams finished checking the condition of the North Korean railway and discussed the construction plan. The idea is to proceed as quickly as possible so that North Korea cannot back out.
The date for the reunion of separated families was set for mid-December, and the location was decided to be Mount Kumgang. Eunsung Kumgang hurriedly began remodeling the facilities to be used for the reunions.
Vehicles loaded with construction materials moved to North Korea in a line, and North Korea-themed stocks such as Eunsung Kumgang and Eunsung RT soared, leading the stock market rally.
South and North Korea decided to hold a summit in Pyongyang. North Korea invited foreign media to Pyongyang.
President Heo Chang-min was full of motivation. He personally met with Representative Yeon Nakyeong and members of the Liberty People's Party to persuade them, urging them to pass the special act in the National Assembly.
If Prime Minister Okazaki's wish is for Japan to become a normal country, then his wish is for inter-Korean economic cooperation and peaceful unification. I don't know what will happen later, but for now, he has taken the most difficult step.
The day before leaving for Pyongyang, President Heo Chang-min contacted me and said.
[I owe you a great debt for this matter. I will be sure to repay this debt someday.]
***
Even if direct investment in North Korea is prohibited, it doesn't mean there is no way to invest.
Financial capital had long been scrambling to find and invest in companies that would benefit from this development.
Conversely, there were also many companies that came to us asking for investment. Senior Sang-yeop was busy meeting with businesspeople.
As I was about to leave work, Ellie came to the company.
"Where have you been?"
"I had a meal with your mother."
"Ah! Was that today? Why didn't you tell me?"
Ellie said with a seemingly pouting expression.
"You've been so busy all the time, Jin-hoo."
"Have I?"
Thinking about it myself, it seems I am constantly starting new things. I'm worried that I really won't be able to rest until I retire.
Come to think of it, we haven't been on a date much recently.
"It's late, but would you like to go on a date?"
Ellie pouted her lips.
"Tsk! Do I always have to say something for you to ask me on a date?"
"I'm sorry."
I took Ellie's hand and we left.
Although it was late, the streets of Gangnam were a city that never sleeps. Since I hadn't eaten dinner yet, we first drove to a 24-hour hamburger joint in Apgujeong.
The restaurant looked like a typical American family restaurant. As it was late, there weren't many customers.
When we entered, the employees and customers were startled.
"Gasp! Is that really Kang Jin-hoo?"
"Yes. That's me. Are you still taking orders?"
"O-of course!"
We ordered and sat down.
As I was eating my hamburger, Ellie sipped her sparkling water and stared at me intently.
"What is it?"
"I think you're really amazing, Jin-hoo."
"What is?"
"Just look at what you've done this time."
I chuckled.
"It's something someone would have done, even if it wasn't me."
"But if it hadn't been you, Jin-hoo, no one could have done it. Aren't you going to get another Nobel Peace Prize for this?"
"I doubt it."
Well, if they offered it, I wouldn't refuse.