Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 221



Only Krnovel

Episode 221 – EDICC

“Yes. I think the boss has something to say.”

“Yes, I am a bit cautious, but…”

“Don’t worry and speak comfortably.”

“that is ···.”

“?”

“The President would like to meet you, Mr. Representative.”

“No, then why don’t you convey your intentions to us officially? Why are you conveying it through CEO Han?”

“That is…. From what I can interpret, it seems like he thinks it would be embarrassing to bring it up first.”

“Ha~ I still haven’t come to my senses. Anyway, there must be some purpose, right? What’s the reason?”

“There is no particular reason.”

“Chairman Han, why do you think I have met the US President and Kim Jong-un, but not the South Korean President?”

“Well, I guess you don’t have any particular regrets···.”

“Of course there is a reason for that. When the government changes, the things that the previous government did or created···.”

“…”

“It is because of political selfishness that completely ignores or overturns all promises, agreements, and laws. So no agreement or negotiation can be trusted.”

“…”

Without realizing it, I was venting my frustrations about the inconsistent Korean political culture to CEO Han Kyu-dong.

“Ah… That’s America too….”

“At least the US is not ignoring the procedure. And even if it is overturned, the effect of the promised period will remain.”

“That’s right. It’s been decades since the dictatorship fell, but it seems like we still haven’t been able to shake off its ghosts.”

“Korean politics… no, the current president does not have the capacity to match the size of the Korea brand created by the people.”

“…”

“No, do you keep your promises? Do you inspire trust? Do you have any diplomatic charisma? You’re just a goner all the time, just like the emperor with no clothes in a fairy tale.”

“…”

“Just standing next to that fat body would be embarrassing to me.”

“The CEO hasn’t said anything for a while…”

“That person is using the power and mission given to him by the people only to please himself. You can see this just by looking at the way he met with the CEO.”

“No matter what, if you come to Korea like this and then go straight to the North···.”

“The only thing the current South Korean president is good at is staggering and blustering.”

I am venting my pent-up dissatisfaction with the president and the Korean political world to CEO Han Kyu-dong.

“It is regrettable that the efforts of countless workers, engineers, scientists, soldiers, and civil servants are being wasted, or rather, used for the fleeting spiritual victory of a single human being.”

“I understand your feelings, sir. But I wonder why you, sir, do not intervene in domestic politics despite having so much power.”

“… Up until now, the Republic of Korea has experienced countless politicians who were below par. However, the people themselves have been able to change them, or at least develop the country and overcome crises.”

“…”

“I believe it. I just wanted to be one of those people and work to solve energy problems and ease tensions with North Korea.”

“ah ···.”

“I don’t have the presence of mind to interfere with the childish games that some idiots are playing.”

“I’m glad I got a glimpse into the scope of your thoughts today. Thank you for speaking frankly.”

Director Kim Jun-myeong, who had been listening to the conversation, opened his mouth while looking at his watch.

“Sir, there is still some time left. I can postpone the schedule a bit.”

“No. Can I go right away?”

“Yes. Both South Korea and North Korea have coordinated and taken measures to allow passage through the air defense identification zone. Chairman Kim Jong-un is also said to be coming down to Kaesong.”

After exchanging greetings with President Han Kyu-dong, I boarded the MV-280 again.

Seven vertical takeoff and landing aircraft took off from Okpo Shipyard and flew straight toward Kaesong, North Korea.

The MV-280 formation that rose into the sky of Geoje Island crossed the Military Demarcation Line in just 50 minutes at a cruising speed of 520 km/h. (Top speed: 565 km/h)

‘Our country is really small…’

It took less than an hour to cross South Korea by propeller plane, not jet.

The formation landed one by one at a temporary landing pad set up on the outskirts of the Kaesong Industrial Complex.

As I got off the MV-280 aircraft, I saw the Chairman of the Second Economic Committee of North Korea and the Minister of the People’s Armed Forces waiting to greet me.

I exchanged a few brief greetings with the group and followed them. Not far away, there were a dozen or so Cadillac Escalades that we had brought in advance, lined up, and North Korean escort vehicles lined up in front and behind.

The convoy of vehicles headed to the meeting place set up in the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Looking at the simple scenery of Kaesong unfolding outside the window, I thought it looked somewhat sentimental rather than backward.

I arrived at the small plaza in the Kaesong Industrial Complex and got out of the car. Kim Jong-un had already arrived and was there to greet me.

“Your Majesty. I am deeply moved to see you again like this.”

“Chairman. You don’t have to come down here…”

“No problem. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend your wedding in person.”

“I was surprised to see you, Young-ae. Anyway, I’m glad to see you after safely getting through the winter.”

* Yeong-ae (令愛): A term used to honor another person’s daughter.

The group headed to the conference room for the ESSO defense industry consultation. The conference then began, with Secretary General Jin Min-gyu giving a keynote speech.

…

Secretary-General Jin Min-gyu’s remarks were as follows.

The idea was to coordinate the supply of conventional military weapons produced by ESSO countries and OSS, as US influence worldwide was weakening and OSS was taking its place.

After the keynote speech was over.

The South and North Korean delegations expressed their gratitude to me in turn.

This was because OSS solved East Asia’s energy and food problems, and even the urea crisis in South Korea and the fertilizer shortage in North Korea caused by China’s ban on urea exports to RICE Pact countries were resolved.

After the formal greetings were over, the microphone in front of me turned on, and everyone’s eyes turned to me.

My speech has begun.

“… Now, the Korean Peninsula’s military industry is becoming an important axis of the world order.”

Several people gathered in the conference room were nodding their heads.

“In addition, the production capacity of OSSel, which was created through cooperation between defense companies in the South and the North and OSS, has also leaped to the world’s highest level. The military industrial complexes in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, Najin, and Sonbong Districts are also operating without stopping.”

I continued speaking while looking at the North and South Korean officials in turn.

“Now, ESSO’s defense industry production capabilities can be expected to deliver more than just economic benefits.”

-…

“In that sense, I proposed this meeting to gain the power to coordinate the international order through mutual cooperation.”

After the speech, Kim Jong-un took over the baton.

“Ah, also, thanks to the help of the Marshal and the OSS, we were able to resolve the conflict and animosity between the North and the South. Now we must cooperate with each other to protect Far East Asia from the threats of Russia and China.”

There was a series of statements in which everyone acknowledged and agreed that OSS was a balancer of power in Asia and the Pacific.

They agreed to maintain the fence called ESSO and to coordinate the export of military weapons through ESSO to increase mutual benefits.

South Korea’s Minister of National Defense took the microphone and expressed his opinion.

“Mr. Chairman! However, I have one concern.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“We have succeeded in domestically producing a considerable number of weapons, but we are still highly dependent on the United States. I am concerned that our actions may cause disruptions in the supply of American weapon parts.”

The influence of the United States still remained in many places, and this was a cause for concern for Korea. To ease such concerns, I had to inform them of some facts.

“Yes, of course there may be such concerns. To allay such concerns a little, let me first inform the people gathered here of some facts.”

The eyes of the audience were once again focused on me.

“Over the years, OSS and OSL have been steadily accumulating stakes in U.S. defense companies.”

– Oh~

– So you had an alternative.

– As expected… the enemy…

“In particular, Raytheon, which produces Tomahawk, Maverick, and Patriot missiles and has significant technology in the aerospace industry, has acquired shares that could be considered part of OSS.”

-Wow~

– Raytheon…

– How was that possible?

“Since Raytheon’s merger with United Technologies, there have been various ups and downs in management due to the contraction of the U.S. military industry, etc. Each time, funds from OSS were directly or indirectly invested.”

– Hey~

– great.

– Now I understand why you proposed this meeting.

“However, it is just that I did not participate in management publicly because it could influence public opinion in the United States. And I also acquired significant shares and influence in Boeing, Bell, and Lockheed Martin.”

– If so …

“In other words, for U.S. defense contractors, OSS is as big a customer and business stakeholder as the U.S. government.”

– Then there will be no problem importing American parts or weapons.

“It’s more than that. Without OSS and ESSO, half of the U.S. defense industry might have to close down. The U.S. government is well aware of this fact, and is building a system of mutual cooperation.”

– ah …

“Also, if the US restricts exports, we have created a situation where the production base itself will be relocated overseas.”

– This means that ESSO can control all conventional weapons of the free world, except nuclear weapons.

– We will influence the world order…

“Yes, that’s why we’ve arranged this meeting today. The countries of the free world are friendly, but…”

– …

“In many situations, each country will choose to prioritize its own interests. At that time, ESSO can serve as a lever to coordinate its defense industry.”

…

The meeting went well and everyone agreed to the proposal.

An independent organization called EDICC was created under ESSO to coordinate the military industries of member states and OSSEL and to manage arms exports.

* EDICC (ESSO Defense Industry Cooperation Council): ESSO Defense Industry Cooperation Council

This created a means to gently and indirectly pressure Poland.

And a device was also created that allowed OSS to easily export North Korean weapons.

…