1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 117



Only Krnovel

Episode 117

Oh Hyun-tae began to talk to me with a very serious expression.

“Mr. President, I just got a call from FIFA this morning.”

“In FIFA? Are you talking to Hyun-tae?”

“Yes. It’s a little embarrassing to say this, but I have some connections in FIFA. So, when FIFA wants to talk about something in Korea, they often do it through me.”

Even though he didn’t know much about politics, he seemed to have a lot of connections in soccer by this time.

“I see. So why did FIFA contact you?”

“Wait a minute, before I say anything… … .”

Oh Hyun-tae briefly checks outside the conference room door.

He looks outside several times and confirms that there is no one else there except for his bodyguards and secretaries, and only then does he begin to speak.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I guess it’s not good for people to know.”

“Yes. It’s a story that shouldn’t be known yet… I’m sorry.”

“No. I guess it’s something very important.”

He speaks to me in a whisper.

“In fact, FIFA contacted us to ask if we could host the 2002 World Cup in Korea.”

“Huh? You mean the 2002 World Cup?

I couldn’t help but be amazed by the story of the 2002 World Cup.

No, I didn’t understand it exactly.

It was clearly decided years ago that the 2002 World Cup would be held in Argentina.

With only three years left, I couldn’t understand what kind of nonsense this was all of a sudden.

“Yes. FIFA requested that the 2002 World Cup be held in Korea.”

“I don’t understand. Wasn’t the 2002 World Cup already decided for Argentina?”

Oh Hyun-tae nods and answers.

“Yes, that’s right. But I heard that Argentina gave up hosting the event due to economic problems. They’re trying to hide it as much as possible, and it hasn’t been reported in the media yet, but I heard that it will be all over the media in a few days.”

“Hmm, I see… … .”

‘Well, you said that Argentina’s economy was in trouble recently.’

Even when I checked the world economy on my smartphone a while ago, I clearly remember that Argentina’s economy was not doing well.

Probably, as I recall, Argentina will have economic difficulties for several more years.

All of the money that had been invested in Argentina under the name of Korea’s sovereign wealth fund was later recovered.

‘If we hold international sporting events in this situation, the national economy will fall further into ruin.’

Since the 2000s, several countries have suffered economic hardships after hosting international sporting events such as the Olympics or the World Cup, to the point where there was even talk of the World Cup curse.

Although the amount of cash invested is not small, most of the profits are calculated as promotional effects.

As a result, most developing countries that host international sporting events often end up suffering economic recession rather than seeing any results.

‘Perhaps it was a wise decision.’

“Is it difficult for the US or other countries to host it?”

“The United States hosted the event in 1994, so it has not even been 10 years yet, and it seems burdensome to host it again. South American countries, like Argentina, have refused for economic reasons. Other European countries are also burdened, saying that there are only three years left, so how can they host it now?”

“The situation is not easy, so you asked us, who are financially well off, to help you.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Given the United States’ refusal, Korea is virtually the only country on Earth that could host the World Cup so quickly.

However, there are only three years left until the World Cup.

It wasn’t an issue that could be decided easily.

‘Now that I think about it, there might still be some left there… … .’

“Isn’t there any talk of Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates doing it? Aren’t those countries always anxious to host such international sports events?”

Since most Middle Eastern countries have Islam as their state religion, it has been difficult for movies and other cultures to develop, and as a result, relatively large amounts of money have been invested in sports, which have nothing to do with religion.

That is why, throughout history, countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia have always made efforts to host international sporting events like the World Cup and the Olympics.

“Since the price of crude oil has dropped significantly since the mining of Block 7 in Korea, Middle Eastern countries have been tightening their purse strings recently. In fact, not only in sports, but also in construction, many high-rise buildings have been withdrawn. In fact, Hyundai Heavy Industries has also withdrawn a lot from the Middle East recently.”

“Is that so? I wonder if the development of the 7th mine actually caused a big loss for Hyunjoong.”

Oh Hyun-tae smiles and waves his hand.

“Hahaha. How could that be, Mr. President? I don’t know the details since I’m not directly in charge of the company’s business, but I heard that the profits from participating in the 7th mine project are at least twice as much as the losses incurred in the Middle East.”

“Is that so? I was worried that I might have made a lot of people unemployed for no reason, but fortunately, I was able to do so.”

Before getting back to the main topic, I asked him what he was called.

‘It’s a bit weird to keep calling me Mr. Hyun-Tae.’

“But Mr. Hyun-Tae, what should I call you? It feels a bit odd to keep calling you Mr. Hyun-Tae.”

“Um, I am currently a member of the Football Association. So, I feel most comfortable as a member of the Oh Committee. Feel free to call me Member Oh.”

As expected, even though history has changed, the love for soccer remains the same.

Now, back to the main topic, I asked him what he thought first.

“Yes. So, what do you think, Commissioner Oh? What do you think it would be like if Korea hosted the World Cup in 2002? Would it be economically beneficial? And what do you think the results would be like?”

Actually, I don’t know much about soccer in South Korea at that time.

My memories of Korean soccer are from after 2002.

It was a time when famous stars like Maradona emerged, but because the position of president was so busy, he had no time to be interested in soccer.

But Commissioner Oh Hyeon-tae was different.

He was one of the biggest contributors to the 2002 semi-finals myth.

You probably know more about football in this era than I do.

Commissioner Oh thought for a moment, then quickly answered his question.

“As a soccer fan like me, there would be nothing more exciting than if the World Cup were held in Korea. However, I am worried about whether we will be able to prepare well for the event by then. However, I actually think that it is worth trying to host the World Cup in Korea. Of course, I am also looking forward to the results.”

“Hmm, I see.”

There was enough money.

The sovereign wealth fund was literally full of money that was about to rot away.

In particular, recently, due to the dot-com bubble, the company has significantly increased its cash reserves in preparation for a decline in overall stock prices, starting with the U.S.

There was an excess of money piling up in the government thanks to the sale of crude oil and natural gas from Block 7.

‘It’s the World Cup… … .’

In fact, it is true that we mainly focused on the economy and national defense and paid relatively less attention to culture.

After the 1992 Seoul Olympics, the Asian Games were not held due to austerity measures, and thus, the scale of Korean sports after the 1992 Seoul Olympics was relatively small compared to its economic power.

There, other media industries, including movies, were not much different from Korea in 1999.

If there is one thing that is different from the original history, it is that regulations on comics and fantasy novels were relaxed and support was provided, so compared to the original history, there were many high-quality works produced here.

However, even so, cultural development was relatively slow compared to the development of national power.

‘We should start paying attention to the cultural industry now.’

I paused for a moment to think and looked at Commissioner Oh and asked.

“You said that we can expect good results, but what kind of results do you expect, Commissioner Oh?”

“I think that if the World Cup were held in Korea, we would have a good chance of making it through the group stage and advancing to the round of 16.”

Round of 16? I didn’t understand.

The Korean national soccer team was definitely the team that made it to the semifinals in 2002.

‘Wasn’t the power at that time that much?’

I asked him back.

“Is that so? But since we are the main characters on this stage, shouldn’t we make it to the semifinals?”

At the mention of the quarterfinals, Commissioner Oh’s expression takes on an indecipherable bitter smile.

“Um, Mr. President. I’m sorry, but if it’s around the quarterfinals, I don’t know how the energy of the universe can really come together. But honestly, with Korea’s current strength, the semifinals are impossible.”

“Is that so? But since we’re hosting it anyway, shouldn’t we make it to the semifinals as we’re the main characters?”

“Haha, that would be really great too. However, the power… … .”

I left Commissioner Oh’s bitter smile behind and started talking about hosting the World Cup again.

“Yes. Anyway, it’s worth discussing. However, time is very limited. If they really do hold it, it’s going to be held in such a hurry that FIFA should make as many concessions as possible on broadcasting rights fees, etc., so we can seriously consider it.”

If it were to be held, it would be with considerable uncertainty, so FIFA should have provided sufficient support.

‘I can’t just pass it on.’

Commissioner Oh hesitated for a moment, then spoke to me with a look in his eyes that seemed to have made up his mind.

“Mr. President, if the government really has the will to host the World Cup, I will try to negotiate in a way that is as favorable to Korea as possible.”

“Is that really possible?”

“Yes, of course. I will try to get as much as I can.”

I found myself trusting what he said.

I don’t know about anything else, but in terms of soccer administration, there was no one in the country better than him.

“Okay. The government will discuss it first, so Commissioner Oh, please negotiate with FIFA to the best of your ability and get favorable conditions.”

“Yes! Just leave it to me. I will get the most favorable terms possible.”

“I look forward to it.”

* * *

“Has there been no contact from Korea…?”

President Blatter continues to ask questions, seemingly uneasy.

I tried requesting it from several countries other than Korea, but all countries except Korea had already rejected it.

Now, only Korea remained.

If Korea had refused, an unprecedented situation could have occurred where the World Cup could not be hosted.

But the secretary shakes her head and answers.

“Yes. We haven’t heard anything from Commissioner Oh yet.”

A little while ago, media outlets around the world reported that Argentina had given up on hosting the World Cup.

[Argentina gives up hosting the 2002 World Cup. The Argentine president said that if they host the 2002 World Cup, Argentina will be ruined. FIFA declared that if Argentina really gives up hosting, they will be stripped of their World Cup qualification. However, Argentina’s position is known to not have changed. – International Sports]

This news will probably spread quickly, and in a few hours the whole world will know about it.

“Mr. Chairman, should we contact the Korean government directly…?”

“No. Let’s wait a bit. We’ll need time to discuss that too.”

“all right.”

President Blatter sighs as if the ground is collapsing.

“ha…….”

‘If this continues, it’s really the end… Please… … .’

* * *

After finishing his next schedule, instead of returning to the Blue House, he headed straight to the Prime Minister’s official residence.

Let’s go to the embassy, ​​Prime Minister Park Dae-chun welcomed me.

“Mr. President, I could have gone if you called me, so why did you come here in person?”

I smiled and sat down next to him.

“Haha. The Prime Minister usually comes, right? Sometimes I should come too. For now, I can go to this extent. Don’t worry.”

It was late in the day.

After taking a sip of the tea on the table, I skipped the introduction and got to the main point.

“Prime Minister Park, do you like soccer? What would you think if Korea hosted the 2002 World Cup?”

When the topic of the 2002 World Cup came up, Prime Minister Park’s eyes grew three times larger.