I Became Park Jeong-ui’s Nephew - Chapter 74



Only Krnovel

He became Park Jeong-ui’s nephew. – (74)

“What is Korea like now?”

“Kim Won-bong has been imprisoned. And he is maintaining a hostile stance toward the communist camp.”

“This is it… Haa~ Is Korea the only real ally?”

This is America,

President MacArthur sighed at the reports coming in from all over the world.

During World War II, the United States recorded an average annual economic growth rate of 10.8%, and as its industrial capacity exploded, it gradually emerged from the nightmare of the Great Depression.

What about now, when we are fighting fiercely against communism?

The U.S. annual average growth rate was 4.2%, and the unemployment rate was 2.8%, which is relatively stable.

Not only the United States but also other liberal countries were growing smoothly, the world economy grew by an average of 5.6% per year from 1948 to 1957, and international trade increased by 7.3% during the same period.

The combined GDP of major advanced countries increased sixfold, and national income more than quadrupled from $1,400 to $6,000.

Then, can’t we achieve economic development while fighting communism?

We have overcome more difficult times than the present, but our allies are just whining. This time, it was France that really got on the wrong side of the United States.

“Now we will not be hostile to the Soviet Union. And we will develop nuclear weapons independently.”

“Stop moving!! What are you going to make?”

France gave up its systemic competition with the Soviet Union and began developing nuclear weapons.

When Poland and Hungary became communist, Western Europe was gripped by fears that communism could overtake Europe, and NATO deployed troops to prepare for this.

The problem is that the cost of maintaining this army is not small.

France decided that it was much cheaper to develop nuclear weapons than to station NATO troops in its country.

So, the United States gave up its systemic competition with the Soviet Union and began developing nuclear weapons. Of course, the United States was not going to just sit back and watch.

“France, your economy grows by 4% every year. So why are you crying? Aren’t you able to make a living?”

“We just don’t want to waste money on NATO. We can defend our country more cheaply by developing nuclear weapons. Are we stupid?”

France, which expelled NATO troops and started developing nuclear weapons,

As France fell, Germany and Britain followed suit.

“Germany: We also need to compete with the systems a bit now… It costs too much money.”

“UK: The UK’s economic growth rate is only 2.8%, so I think it needs to invest more in the economy rather than the military.”

“USA: Germany, this is not right!! Who is it thanks to that you have grown by 7% every year? Isn’t it thanks to the US? England, you guys do the same thing. Are you backing out now?!!”

Everyone is running away because it is a waste to invest in military spending, and this is why strange rumors are starting to come out even within the United States.

“Let’s stop fighting communism and focus on the economy!!”

“American troops should all withdraw and each country should defend itself!!”

If anyone heard the public opinion that all American troops stationed overseas should be withdrawn, they would think that the United States was currently experiencing a Great Depression.

But as explained above, the US’s average annual growth rate is over 4% and the unemployment rate is less than 3%.

So are you suggesting that we give up the fight against communism?

Americans want that.

“We need to make more money.”

“Now is not the time for America to go to war; it is time to develop the economy.”

The U.S. economy was once so large that it accounted for 37% of the world’s economy.

But now it’s down to 29%, so is America doomed?

The United States is now home to 114 multinational corporations with annual sales of more than $6 billion.

The problem is that as the United States grows, other countries grow too. In 1948, global exports were less than $5 billion; now they are over $30 billion.

The pie has grown a whopping six times, and in the process, Korean companies have recorded an insane average annual growth rate of 11.8%.

“Wow~ the war effect is sweet~”

“I’m honestly sad that the war ended so quickly. Can’t we fight more?”

How did national income change as Korean companies grew explosively while supplying supplies to the Allied Forces?

The United States is currently at around $6,300 in per capita national income, while Korea is close behind at $5,200.

Germany, which has achieved economic growth of 7% every year, has already surpassed $6,000, which is why there is chaos in the United States.

“If we continue like this, we will be overtaken by Korea. How long are you going to allow US troops to be stationed in Korea and provide economic support?”

“Enough is enough. Korea has the power to defend itself.”

“Withdraw US troops and give up competing systems with the Soviet Union.”

The United States is currently suffering from anxiety that it might lose its top spot, and its goal is to eat well and live well on its own without helping other countries.

So, are we going to withdraw all American troops from here and reconcile with the Soviet Union?

At that moment, there is a high possibility that South Korea will immediately take the route of developing nuclear weapons.

France is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons even though it does not even share a border with the Soviet Union, while South Korea is now in a position where it must keep North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union in check.

But the US military is withdrawing? That’s just telling us to develop nuclear weapons.

MacArthur was concerned that if the United States turned to isolationism, it would likely backfire.

So MacArthur never allowed the withdrawal of US troops, and as a result, his approval rating continued to fall.

“Is MacArthur the President of Korea or the President of the United States?!!”

“MacArthur is a warmonger!! He is a person we don’t need in this era when we need to pursue peace!!”

American public opinion is throwing out the man who stopped communism for 10 years.

Will the United States give up its fight for hegemony?

Surprisingly, the Soviet Union grabbed America by the shoulder and shook it.

“America!! France is developing nuclear weapons. Are you going to let that happen?”

“What do you want me to do? Didn’t you bring this upon yourself?”

“If you admit that, even dogs and cows will have nuclear weapons. We have to stop them!!”

The Soviet Union was foaming at the mouth when France developed nuclear weapons.

Nuclear weapons are meaningful only to the Soviet Union and the United States, but if everyone starts having them, will the threats of the great powers work?

But France had already begun to slip out of American hands.

When the United States imposed economic sanctions, he sent people to the Soviet Union to argue the legitimacy of developing nuclear weapons, and even expelled American troops stationed in France to stand on his own.

“We, France, have no intention of becoming a vassal state of the United States, nor do we intend to fight the Soviet Union. However, for the sake of French national interests and peace, we will develop nuclear weapons, so the Soviet Union should turn a blind eye to this.”

“No… That’s also a bit difficult. If you have nuclear weapons, what are you going to do about communizing Western Europe?”

France’s nuclear armament, which even the Soviet Union does not want

If this continues, won’t Korea get angry and develop nuclear weapons?

As the United States withdrew its troops, the argument for nuclear armament arose here and there. If this were the case, the Soviet Union would no longer be able to expand communism.

The Soviet Union is saying that it is advantageous for the United States to continue stationing troops overseas and wasting energy, so the US military should not withdraw.

As the world situation became increasingly strange, the Soviet Union’s concerns became reality.

Korea, which has invested its national power that has grown like crazy into military spending, further strengthened its national defense when news of the withdrawal of US troops from Korea was heard.

The nuclear weapons development project is one of them, and this would be an even greater burden to the Soviet Union.

Even the United States, the world’s number one country, is trying to reduce its military spending, citing economic difficulties. How can the Soviet Union further expand its military spending?

The Soviet Union, which was in a state of shock as the United States moved lukewarmly,

It has now become important to restore diplomatic relations with Korea.

“Let’s not fight each other. An arms race won’t do any good for the people’s economy, right?”

“I can’t trust those communists. You never know when they’ll hit you in the back.”

“Let’s go all the way, whether you die or I die. We’re also going to develop nuclear weapons.”

South Korea, which is constantly forcing a war of attrition on the Soviet Union, how long can this war of attrition continue?

What is clear is that Korea’s per capita income has caught up with that of the United States.

No matter how powerful the Soviet Union was, it was truly useless to engage in a war of attrition with South Korea, which accounted for 9.7% of the world economy.

For reference, last year, Korea’s net export profit to the US was 2 billion dollars. At this level, it is not impossible for Korea to grab the Soviet Union by the scruff of the neck and beat it.

The Soviet Union, which could no longer raise its voice even in front of South Korea, let alone the United States, proposed a summit meeting to South Korea.

The idea was to stop confrontation and nuclear development and move toward reconciliation, but South Korea’s response was lukewarm.

“Hey… Korea, aren’t nuclear weapons a bit much?”

“Can’t we just talk in our own language? Let’s just make up now.”

“Instead of fighting, let’s focus on economic development and have a fair competition. What do you think?”

The US is also trying to appease Korea.

Didn’t you say that you were reducing the number of US troops stationed in Korea, not withdrawing them? You made it clear that US troops will continue to be stationed in Korea.

***

“Your Majesty, what are you going to do about Kim Won-bong? The people’s petition….”

“I don’t have time to worry about such a bunch of crap. More importantly, what will be the reactions of the Soviet Union and the United States?”

“They say we should just reconcile. The Soviet Union also agreed to the continued stationing of American troops in Korea.”

“That alone is not enough. The United States should deploy nuclear weapons in South Korea. That is the best compromise.”

The same routine that repeats itself today,

I discussed foreign affairs with ministers at the State Council.

Who would have thought that the United States, which had been fighting communism to the death, would suddenly give up the war? This is America’s problem. When the time comes, the regime changes, so the strategy toward the Soviet Union cannot help but change.

During that time, President MacArthur, who was hostile to the Soviet Union, was in power, so Korea followed suit, but now the United States is thinking of throwing MacArthur out.

Even if the president changes, can South Korea fight communism together with the United States?

I expressed my frustration with America’s actions.

“It’s really just a little bit, and you’re giving up here!!”

The Soviet Union’s insistence on reconciliation means that it has lost a lot of its strength.

The Soviet Union would collapse if it were to push just one more time, and with the liberal democratic camp securing 80% of the world’s oil, this war is already over.

While other countries profit from exporting manufactured goods abroad through multinational corporations, the Soviet Union had nothing to export except resources.

At best, all we can do is grow the domestic economy, which means we have to continue to induce a war of attrition and induce the Soviet Union to abandon communism.

Now, there is not much time left, but the US is joking.

How did the United States, the world’s strongest country, become such a paper tiger?

I would love to develop nuclear weapons and continue fighting the Soviet Union, but the $2 billion I get from the United States every year is too much for me to do that.

France is originally a poor country, so it doesn’t matter if it is subject to economic sanctions from the United States, but Korea is a country in danger if its trade with the United States is cut off.

So I can’t go into full gear either.

Is reconciliation with the Soviet Union the right answer?

Here, the uncle advocated nuclear development.

“Your Majesty, we can’t just trust the United States forever. We too must now develop nuclear weapons and defend ourselves…”

“I know, Mr. Political Director. I know what you want to say. But keep in mind that at that moment, $2 billion will disappear.”

Korea’s per capita national income is right under the US’s nose.

I am a human being who cannot give up nuclear weapons or per capita national income.

I’m shaking with anger because I can’t catch two rabbits at the same time. Is it true that I can’t have everything in this world?

I threw the ballpoint pen I was holding onto the table.

“Let’s stop developing nuclear weapons.”

“Ha… But Your Majesty, then won’t the Korean economy continue to be dependent on the United States?”

“Will that little pride feed you? Our country’s national income has now risen to the fourth place in the world. If we suddenly cut ties with the United States, the damage to our people will be too great. It would be better to be a well-fed servant than a poor dictator.”

I decided to accept America’s offer.

However, this was only a superficial reconciliation, and investments in national defense continued steadily because it was unknown when the Soviet Union would draw its sword.

Since I had money, I could use a two-faced tactic, so I waited for the right time.