1979, Manager Kim is Inheriting Dictatorship! - Chapter 64



Only Krnovel

Episode 64

Before I could finish speaking, the business leaders were talking loudly about their respective Olympic promotional plans.

“Mr. President! Our company is preparing a new TV commercial related to the Olympics!”

“Our company is preparing for the influx of foreign tourists coming to the Olympics this year!”

Corporate leaders are competing with each other to promote themselves in a way that will look good to the government.

“Good. The successful hosting of the Olympics will be a great help to your companies’ future overseas expansion. I hope you will make an effort to promote it, even if it is not simply shared by the National Technology Agency. Of course, that does not mean that there will be no technology sharing.”

And in this noisy banquet hall, Chairman Hyun Joong and Chairman Oh Wang-guk were quietly drinking beer without saying a word.

I looked at him like that and asked.

“Oh, Chairman. How are things going with Hyundai these days? Are car exports going well?”

“Yes. It is growing rapidly every year. Especially with the engine that the National Technology Agency recently brought us, we have achieved amazing performance improvements.”

“I see. That’s good. But lately, I don’t think you’ve been seen at the business site.”

Chairman Oh says he’s taking another sip of beer.

“I think it’s time for me to step down now. I’m preparing to hand it over to my children. I’ve been spending more time in my hometown recently. As I get older, I find myself thinking about the past a lot.”

Chairman Oh’s eyes well up with tears as he thinks of the past again.

“I see. Then you must have a lot of worries about the succession process.”

“Hahaha. It would be nice if there was one person who really stood out like Samjeong···.”

When Chairman Oh talks about succession, his expression hardens.

‘As expected, there’s already a problem.’

Originally, in history, Hyun-joong suffered from quite a bit of confusion for a long time due to the succession structure after the death of Chairman Oh Wang-guk.

As president, it wasn’t my concern, but I think I should give him some advice, considering his track record and his contributions to the national economy.

“Hmm… This may be presumptuous, but I think it would be better for Chairman Oh to trust one person and give him strength and drive.”

“Haha. I would like to, but which of my children is more precious and which is less precious?”

“But wouldn’t it be better for Chairman Oh to sort things out clearly rather than seeing them fight over Hyun Joong in the future?”

When he heard that Chairman Oh could be seen fighting with Hyun Joong, he began to ponder something deeply.

Then he speaks to me in a voice that seems to have made up his mind about something.

“That’s right. Now that I think about it, what the President said is right. Even after I die, I can’t stand seeing my children fighting each other. I guess I should sort things out in advance.”

“Yes. You thought it through well.”

Chairman Oh seemed to hesitate for a moment, then asked me directly.

“Mr. President, which of my children did you think looked the most outstanding?”

“Hmm… I don’t know if he’ll be able to make a good judgment on this, but from what I’ve seen, the second person that Chairman Oh introduced me to last time seems to be very good at management. If he inherits Hyunjoong in the future, I think he’ll make it even bigger.”

As the second story comes up, Chairman Oh’s face brightens.

It seems that the person he had in mind was also the second.

“As expected! It’s the President! You’re thinking the same way as me! Secondly, that guy has outstanding management skills! Who does he resemble? Hahaha!”

Chairman Oh drank his beer in gulps despite his old age, perhaps feeling good about his child’s praise.

‘I’ve told you everything I need to tell you. I hope you’ll sort it out so we don’t have a fight this time.’

###

December 1991.

Even though Korea was unified, the major trends in the Soviet Union did not change.

The biggest problem for the Soviet Union was, of course, economic problems.

Falling oil prices and the protracted war in Afghanistan sent the Soviet economy into a tailspin.

As nationalistic tendencies began to emerge in the countries of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union finally disappeared into history with Kazakhstan as its last state in December 1991.

This effectively meant that the United States had achieved a complete victory in the Cold War.

I called the United States on the day the Soviet Union was finally declared dissolved and congratulated them on their victory in the Cold War.

“Congratulations, President Bush!”

Bush seemed quite excited, his voice sounding quite pleased.

“Hahahaha. Thank you. How did you call me right away?”

“Aren’t we blood comrades who fought together against the enemy called communism? This victory has great significance for Korea as well.”

“As expected, President Kim Jong-guk. You are a great leader.”

Bush maintained good relations with South Korea even after the last nuclear attack.

Although I couldn’t see through his true feelings exactly, I could feel that he really hated the country of Japan.

“But now that your term is coming to an end, who will be your next successor?”

In the United States, presidential terms were limited to two terms.

That’s why Bush’s term was his last.

“Well, well, the word successor doesn’t really fit America, but there are a lot of Republicans who are preparing for the presidential election.”

“Haha. I don’t know who can do as well as President Bush.”

I did my best to make him feel better by getting him on the plane.

“Well… but I’m worried because the next Democratic candidate is popular.”

“If you’re talking about the Democratic candidate, are you talking about Clinton?”

“Yes, that’s right. President Kim, you even know American politics in detail.”

A man who once again led the U.S. economy to become the world’s best, but who was also embroiled in scandals throughout his term.

“As the President of Korea, I must always be aware of powerful American politicians.”

“Haha. Is that so? Oh, I have another schedule, so I’ll hang up now. I guess we might see each other after my term ends.”

“After your term ends, please come visit Korea for some leisure.”

“Thank you. As always, President Kim is my best friend. I will hang up now.”

‘Clinton···.’

It didn’t matter whether it was Republican or Democratic.

However, if Clinton becomes president, there is definitely a way to control him, so it would be better for him to become president if possible.

‘And Korea originally owed Clinton some debt.’

Korea originally owes Clinton a debt of gratitude in terms of the IMF.

‘I have to pay you back for sure this time.’

Anyway, the Cold War is over.

And in this process, Korea now had to reap the benefits as well.

The collapse of East Germany in 1990 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 were also green lights for the Seoul Olympics.

This was because several communist countries that had previously been hesitant to participate clearly expressed their intention to participate.

And the collapse of the Soviet Union was a huge blow to Korea as well.

Because in a country in shambles, anything could be bought for cheap.

Whether it’s territory or resources, nothing has ever been more affordable than it is now.

‘I guess I’ll have to skip something…’

The best thing, of course, was the territory.

Resources are good, but the best thing is territory.

The narrow territory of the Korean Peninsula has always been a source of great dissatisfaction among its people.

Although it is said that the territory of the Korean Peninsula expanded considerably after unification, it was still narrow.

Considering that the population would continue to increase in the future, a slightly larger land area was needed.

The best thing would be to expand the land towards Manchuria, but this was impossible.

China would not sell its land even if a huge amount of money was offered.

This is because their most important policy is the One China policy.

They would have gone to war if they wanted to, they weren’t the kind of people to hand over their land to others.

Then, of course, the target to aim for was the easy Russia.

It was a country that had already sold Alaska to the United States in the late 19th century.

Of course, the concept of buying and selling territory between countries has become less common since the 20th century, but considering the chaotic political situation in Russia and its economy at rock bottom, I thought it could be quite possible.

If the territory including Vladivostok were to be purchased, it would certainly be of great help in surrounding China when it developed in the future.

‘I think I’ll have to make a deal after the Olympics.’

Big deal with Russia after the Olympics.

It is not yet known whether it will be territory or resources, but it is certain that it will be of great benefit to Korea in the future.

###

July 25, 1992.

Finally, the opening ceremony of the 1992 Seoul Olympics was held.

A large number of foreign players, coaches, and officials enter the country.

Since diplomatic relations were established with the Soviet Union, which is now Russia, and China, some people entered Korea by taking the newly opened high-speed train instead of Gimpo Airport.

Athletes from China, Russia and former Soviet Union countries will transfer to high-speed trains in Sinuiju and arrive in Seoul.

“Wow.. why is this so fast?”

“Isn’t this going to go off the rails like this?”

Players are amazed by the incredibly fast speed of the high-speed train.

Departing from Sinuiju, you will arrive in Seoul in just 2 hours and 30 minutes.

“Are you here already? Considering the time it takes to get there and back, it might be faster than flying.”

A Chinese athlete sighs as he compares his train to South Korea’s high-speed train.

“Yeah, oh my… Our trains are dirty and smelly, but Korean high-speed trains are really clean and nice···.”

The players arrive in Seoul one by one.

And finally, the opening ceremony begins.

After the various performances of the opening ceremony, the highlight of the Olympic opening ceremony, the torch bearer, enters the stadium.

“Oh, the torch bearer is now entering the stadium. Who will be the first torch bearer to enter the main stadium of the historic Seoul Olympic torch relay?”

As the anchor’s tense progress continues, a silhouette of a person begins to appear.

The torch relay that began three months ago is finally coming to an end.

The torch arrived at Gimpo Airport and, as usual, was carried by a Greek athlete, followed by Cha Bum-gun, a popular soccer player.

Afterwards, many sports stars, broadcasters, and people from all walks of life took on the role of torch bearers.

Among them, people of national merit from all walks of life, including independence activists and veterans of the Korean War, participated, creating an even more meaningful atmosphere.

Among the government officials, Prime Minister Lee Hwa-sung and Chief of Staff Lee Dae-sik were among them.

Both were embarrassed by this incident as soldiers, but both were warmly welcomed by the people as war heroes and successfully completed the torch relay.

In this way, the torch relay started in Gimpo, took a plane to Jeju Island, then traveled to southern regions such as Busan and Gwangju before moving on to northern regions one by one.

He toured Kaesong, Pyongyang, Sinuiju, and Hamgyeong Province.

In the northern region, a significant number of original northern residents participated in the torch relay.

The enthusiasm grew hotter as ordinary citizens, especially factory workers in the northern region, participated in the torch relay.

And in the process, the development of the northern region was reported by media around the world.

Its amazingly developed appearance was enough to astonish the world.

Although it had not even been 10 years since unification, there was no trace of the former communist dictatorship anywhere.

Only rapidly growing cities remained here.

“Is this really what North Korea looks like?”

“Wow… It wasn’t like this even when the Pope was gone···.”

It was no wonder that people all over the world were amazed.

And finally, the day of the opening ceremony.

A runner carrying the torch into the stadium marks the start of the historic Olympics for a unified Korea.