1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 172
Only Krnovel
Episode 172
“Thank you, President Yudhoyono. Indonesia’s cooperation will really help Korea and the AEU a lot. It may be a little painful now, but I believe that in the near future, this pain will eventually turn into sweet fruit.”
After a while, other countries said they would join Korea.
Most countries, including Japan, China, Buyeo, and Russia, either have good relations with Korea or, even if they do not have good relations, are economically intertwined with Korea, and have said that they will share the pain with Korea.
I bowed my head and expressed my gratitude to the countries that had agreed to share in my suffering.
“Thank you, everyone. Your sacrifices will surely pay off in the near future. Korea will never betray its friends.”
However, there are countries that say they cannot do it and will withdraw from the AEU.
The first country to declare its withdrawal from the AEU was India.
“I’m sorry, but we have to leave the AEU. Trade with Europe and the US is more important to us than trade within the AEU.”
India is a recent member of the AEU with Russia, and has not yet changed its currency to the won because it has only recently joined.
‘Still, I think you must have gained quite a bit from joining the AEU… … .’
Diplomacy between nations is always cold, but it is still unavoidable that there are regrets.
“Prime Minister Singh, can you reconsider this? If we endure just a little bit of pain, victory will be ours in the end.”
But his attitude was firm.
“I’m sorry. I can’t risk the future of my country on something I don’t even know what it is.”
It’s a pity to say that, but it wasn’t wrong.
But this too was his choice, and their choice.
They also have to take responsibility.
“If we leave the AEU, tariffs will be restored for trade with AEU countries. Are you sure about that?”
“That’s okay. Trade with the West is more important to us.”
His attitude seemed irreversible.
“All right…….”
When I agreed, he apologized and got up from his seat.
“I’m sorry, everyone. But I don’t think this is the place for me anymore. I’ll be going now.”
Prime Minister Singh stands up and walks out of the conference room.
I asked him again after he left.
“Is there anyone else who disagrees with my opinion?”
Then, several countries, including the East China State, which was established in Shanghai and Yinhui Province, stood up and declared their withdrawal from the AEU.
A total of seven countries withdrew from the participating countries.
Although the number of countries may not seem large, India’s participation has significantly reduced the overall size of the AEU.
When all the countries that wanted to withdraw had left and the room had become somewhat more organized, I spoke to the people again.
“Everyone, I will speak here. Korea will never forget those of you who have protected the AEU and supported Korea during these difficult times. Korea promises it and I, Kim Jong-guk, promise it.”
Kim Jung-guk promises.
People cheer at these words.
During his 20-plus years in power, everyone in the world knew about him.
The fact that this man named Kim Jung-guk has said the word promise means that it will definitely happen.
* * *
With several countries, including India, withdrawing, the overall volume of trade within the AEU has declined.
When several countries, including India, withdrew from the AEU, Trump boasted that he was right and that he was the only president who could beat South Korea.
– Didn’t I tell you? Hahaha. If I step forward, Korea will be no match for America. In just a little while, Korea will kneel down, apologize, and declare defeat to America!
Despite his arrogant and rude attitude, some Americans cheered Trump, saying that a strong America was back.
Although he is trying to exert influence through various routes in Washington politics, the atmosphere in Washington politics has become more similar to Trump’s since the size of the AEU has been reduced.
No matter how much I knocked on the door, it seemed like they had no intention of negotiating or anything.
‘Trump’s approval rating is actually rising… … .’
In fact, Trump’s approval rating has risen above 60% since the tariff bomb.
I put the newspaper down for a moment and lost myself in thought.
‘Should I try to conquer Europe a little first?’
There may have been a spleen, but there was no way to know how much time was left until that time arrived.
Improving relations with the United States is a long shot, so if relations with Europe are restored before then and exports to the EU resume, the countries remaining in the AEU, including Korea, will not have to share as much of the burden.
‘I guess we should at least talk about it.’
* * *
Through our networks in Europe, we were able to participate as an invited country in the EU summit.
Although there were some countries that were reluctant to have Korea come, public opinion that they should at least listen to the story gained strength, and Korea was invited to the EU summit as an invited country without any major problems.
The EU summit was held in Brussels, Belgium.
It was a place also called the capital of Europe.
Normally, not all heads of state participate, but today, all 25 EU countries are present as the invitation is given.
“Mr. President, are you feeling okay? Are you overdoing it?”
Director Oh looks at me with a worried expression.
Recently, after meeting with Trump, he has been working very hard and has been showing signs of fatigue, so many people are worried about his health.
“It’s okay. I also hold myself back when I feel like I’m pushing myself too hard. Don’t worry too much.”
“Okay… But I’ll always have my doctor on standby, so if you feel very tired, please let me know right away.”
I walked into the conference room, telling him I appreciated his concern.
Heads of state enter the European Summit conference room one by one.
The first to arrive was England.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, which originally withdrew from the EU and is no longer an EU country, but is still an EU member state.
And the Prime Minister of Italy and the President of France, who form one axis of the EU, are also coming in.
Even though it seems like no one cares, they come in every once in a while looking my way.
And starting with Greece, other countries gradually joined, and the heads of 10 countries that recently joined the EU, including the Czech Republic and Estonia, also joined.
And finally, we have German Chancellor Merkel, who is effectively leading the EU.
The original Merkel I knew was a woman with quite a long career as chancellor, but the current Merkel is a rookie who has only been chancellor for a little over a year.
Everyone comes in, and Merkel takes the microphone first.
As the EU summit is not yet officially established, German Chancellor Merkel will chair the summit.
“Good morning, respected EU member states. This is Angela Merkel. As you all know, the reason we are gathered here today is the tariff issue in trade with Korea. I would like you all to feel free to share your opinions.”
One by one, countries are coming out and denouncing their trade deficits with South Korea.
“Our country has a trade deficit of 13 billion dollars with Korea every year! For a small country like ours, this level of trade deficit is really serious!”
Most of them were complaints about Korea.
Of course, some countries took Korea’s side, but as expected, more than 90% of the comments were strongly dissatisfied with Korea.
After the countries finished speaking, Chancellor Merkel took the microphone again, looked at me and said:
“It seems like everyone is dissatisfied with Korea. As you know, President Kim Jong-guk of Korea has come as the guest of honor today. How about we hear his story first?”
I slowly walked up to the stage and gave a quick greeting to the people.
“Hello. This is Kim Jung-guk.”
After a brief greeting, I got straight to the point.
“I think you all know why I flew all the way to Brussels. Everyone, this EU measure is so unreasonable and does not fit with international relations.”
Chancellor Merkel, who was acting as moderator, asked me:
“President Kim Jong-guk, what do you mean by saying that the EU’s measures are unreasonable and incompatible with international relations?”
“It is difficult to understand from a common sense perspective the Korean government’s behavior of unilaterally imposing such absurd tariffs without any negotiation with the countries involved.”
Boos erupt from some countries.
And Chancellor Merkel answers firmly.
“We have suffered enormous losses due to Korea’s ridiculous competitiveness. And tariffs are a matter for the EU to decide on its own, not something to discuss with Korea.”
Voices of support for Chancellor Merkel are heard throughout the conference room.
-you’re right!
-Why should we negotiate with Korea?
I leave that noise behind and ask the people.
“Do you think Korea’s technological competitiveness is the reason for raising tariffs?”
But Chancellor Merkel, encouraged by the sympathy of the people, turns to me and makes an absurd suggestion.
“There is one way we can eliminate this tariff problem.”
I looked at her with eyes that didn’t seem to be expecting much and asked.
“What is it?”
“If Korea shares its technologies with us, we will also pretend that this measure did not happen.”
‘Those guys are crazy. They’re trying to take my liver and gallbladder.’
I flatly refused her offer.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot accept such a ridiculous proposal.”
Her eyebrows twitch again.
“Then, in the end, what we can do is to impose even higher tariffs on Korean products entering Europe to protect the European economy.”
I ignored her words, looked forward once more and shouted.
“Everyone! This measure wasn’t taken by the EU itself. It was taken under pressure from the US, or more precisely, under pressure from the Trump administration.”
Chancellor Merkel answers in a very angry voice.
“That’s very rude. We always decide for ourselves in the EU. It has nothing to do with the US.”
“I’m not being rude, I’m just telling the truth.”
Although I’m not sure, it seems clear that there is some kind of deal going on between the US and the EU.
Chancellor Merkel’s expression hardens as she listens to my story.
“If you have said everything you wanted to say, would you please come down now? It seems that the other countries still have something to say.”
I gave a short reply to his request to come down.
“Let me say one last thing.”
“Please do so. However, I cannot give you much time.”
I couldn’t have been so rude to the host country, but I nodded in understanding and began to speak.
“To be honest, you all know that the current situation is a power game between the US and Korea. And the EU is betting on the US. But if you bet on Korea this time and trust us, we will repay the country that trusted us with sweet fruits.”
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