Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 170



Only Krnovel

#Episode 170 That must be their weakness

Originally in history, when the three leaders of the right wing, Kim Gu, Kim Kyu-sik, and Syngman Rhee, returned to Korea after liberation, the residence of the three became a problem.

These people were also heads of families, and above all, all three were big figures representing the Republic of Korea at the time, so they needed a base in a situation where they inevitably had to engage in political activities.

But is there any money?

However, it was obvious that tens or hundreds of customers would come every day, and it was impossible to live in a shack somewhere.

They were people whose status they should not have been.

The problem was solved easier than expected.

Since all three were giants among giants who were sure to exert great influence in the Republic of Korea after liberation, there were people who needed their influence.

And that too desperately.

They were anti-nationalists who feared punishment because their actions were clearly pro-Japanese.

If they were to survive, they needed a protective shield, and they had to grab a lifeline before the punishment began in earnest.

First, Baekbeom Kim Gu’s residence was decided to be Jukcheomjang (竹添莊) in Pyeong-dong, Jongno (future Saemunan-ro Kangbuk Samsung Hospital).

This is a building built by Choi Chang-hak, a pro-Japanese businessman who made a fortune through gold mining and donated a huge amount of money to the Japanese Empire. He also quickly donated it to Kim Gu when he returned to Korea after liberation.

He said he repented his pro-Japanese actions.

In short, I am asking you to save me.

But this time there was no need for that.

Choi Chang-hak’s family assets had all been confiscated long ago, and because he was a great man whose anti-national activities were so obvious, he was imprisoned.

So, anyway, the Muju communist government and the government of the expedition team renovated not only Jukcheomjang but also the hanok of Choi Chang-hak, who lived right next to it, and the nearby houses, and handed them over to Kim Gu.

And the name Jukcheomjang, which was built to flatter Japan, was changed to Gyeonggyojang, so it was similar to the original history and treated with even more respect.

Kim Gyu-sik’s case was a bit different.

Although this was not intentional, the government tried to provide housing in places where they originally lived, if possible.

Kim Gyu-sik’s original house was in Samcheong-dong, owned by Min Gyu-sik, the youngest son of pro-Japanese leader Min Yeong-hwi, but it was too close to Gyeongmudae, where Lee Kang-cheol lived, so it was a burden, and it was an even more strange location for the future construction of the Blue House.

So, we opened, renovated, and renovated several Hanoks in the Bukchon area to provide a fairly spacious house.

He was now to become the head of Bukchon, but Kim Gyu-sik did not give him a name.

Woonam Lee Seung-man originally had a lot of twists and turns.

Originally, unlike Kim Guna and Kim Gyu-sik, Syngman Rhee experienced the ‘sorrow of being homeless’ as he moved house several times after returning to Korea.

At first, I stayed at the Chosun Hotel for a while.

However, both then and now, hotels are a place to stay for a while and are not a place to live properly.

This is especially true for older people.

The person who held Syngman Rhee’s lifeline was Jang Jin-young, president of Chosun Tire Co., Ltd., also a pro-Japanese entrepreneur.

He allowed Syngman Rhee to use two of his three houses located in Donam-dong, and while Seungman Rhee was living there, the house became Donamjang, as it was said to be in Donam-dong.

However, when Syngman Rhee had a disagreement with Lieutenant General Haji, the commander of the US Military Government at the time, Jang Jin-young thought that the line he had taken was rotten and told Syngman Rhee to leave.

The house they moved to because it was dirty and unsightly was a house that Takeo Tanaka, the Chief of Political Affairs at the Japanese Government-General of Korea, had used as a summer home through the arrangement of Lieutenant General Haji.

The era of the so-called Mapojang began, but Syngman Rhee himself disliked it because it was shady and humid.

In the end, Ehwajang was the place where pro-Japanese businessmen, including Kwon Yeong-il, a pro-Japanese descendant, and several philanthropists pooled their money together to buy a house and transfer it to Lee Soong-man’s name.

And this time, it was obvious that Syngman Rhee would suffer as there were no pro-Japanese businessmen left, so Lee Kang-cheol told him to buy it out.

This is because discord is discord and respect should be given.

Ehwajang (梨花莊) in Jongno.

Not only Syngman Rhee but also his wife, Francesca, liked it very much.

The land was large, reaching a whopping 1,800 pyeong, and the government renovated the kitchen and bathroom to a modern style for Syngman Rhee and his wife, who were accustomed to life in the United States.

Plus, the garden was very well decorated.

In the heart of Ewhajang, Woo-nam was having a conversation with some of his close associates.

“Sir, the government has finally approved political party activities and said they will hold a presidential election in the second half of next year.”

A middle-aged man with half a bald head and glasses said.

“Right. They couldn’t have ignored the public sentiment either. “Then, look at Dongsan (東山).”

Dongsan is Yun Chi-young’s pen name.

“Yes, teacher.”

“Shouldn’t we move slowly too?”

“Yes, sir. “Even though next year’s presidential election will be difficult, we must now move forward in earnest for the subsequent House of Representatives election and the next presidential election.”

“haha! Yes, yes. “Now we have to move.”

“All my comrades are also happy.”

“I guess so. Does this make any sense? “In the new Republic of Korea, a soldier is serving as president without even holding an election?”

“That’s right, teacher.”

“The flower of democracy is elections, elections. “I think the country will finally run properly now.”

“Yes, sir. “Hey, what should our party name be?”

“Didn’t we decide on the name of the party last time? “Let’s decide on the Liberal Democratic Party.”

“Liberal Democratic Party! “It’s the Liberal Democratic Party!”

“Yes, yes. Freedom and democracy! “How good is this?”

“That’s right, sir. “I’m sorry, but what should we do with people who can’t move?”

“I will resolve that issue alone with Lee Kang-cheol. Oh, horrible people! When you evaluate a person, you have to look at his or her entire life. But why are you giving me a living corpse for pretending to comply with the Japanese coercion for a while? That’s a dictatorship, a dictatorship! “This cannot happen in a liberal democratic country!”

“Then, I will only trust you with that matter.”

“Yes, yes.”

After finishing talking with Yun Chi-young, Woo-nam looked at the middle-aged man sitting across from Yun Chi-young.

“What about Mr. Park? Are you still looking into that?”

“Yes, teacher. “We are investigating in secret with the help of our comrades.”

“Do you have any income?”

“Not yet. But I’ll have to figure it out somehow sooner or later. Unless they fell from the sky, they must have come from somewhere.”

“Teacher Park, this is really important.”

“Of course, sir.”

“what? River people? Tell him to say something that makes sense. “Does it make sense that a group with that level of military power suddenly fell from that corner of the river?”

“That’s right, sir. According to the testimony of people in the Ganggye region, one day he suddenly appeared in the direction of Gaema Plateau, and at that time, he went around saying that he had been hiding in the Maritime Province and developing his skills. “After retaking Gyeongseong, we said something similar to our independent governors.”

“What nonsense is that? Is there a place like that in the Maritime Province? “Is this a town where the Soviets are wide awake?”

“What’s even more strange is that they say they contacted the US military in the Maritime Province and received help, but that makes absolutely no sense.”

“It’s all nonsense, nonsense! In any case, Mr. Park will take responsibility and continue to investigate. What those guys are! “That must be their weakness.”

“I completely agree.”

“I don’t know how our country fell into the hands of people whose identity we don’t even know. Do you understand? “This is a national issue.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Park Heon-young answered while bowing his head.

* * *

Knock! Knock! Knock!

“Come in.”

“Mr. President, I received another call from Mr. Woonam.”

“also? why not?”

“I don’t know about that, but I just ask to be allowed to see the President.”

“Huh! “I’m so busy, I don’t know why you’re doing this?”

“What should I do?”

“Whoa! I can’t help it. “Schedule for tomorrow afternoon.”

“All right.”

A few days ago, Seungman Lee kept contacting Kangcheol Lee, saying that he had something to talk about and asking to meet him.

Of course, Lee Kang-cheol didn’t want to see it, so he ignored it, but it seemed like he couldn’t avoid it anymore.

“Welcome, Mr. Woonam.”

“Hehehe! How are you?”

“Yes, thanks to you, I am well. “Then why did you ask to see me?”

“It’s no different, isn’t it now possible to engage in political party activities?”

“Yes, it’s natural because we have to hold elections now. But why is that?”

“There are people who have been unfairly banned from political activities, and I want the ban on political activities to be lifted.”

“yes? People who are unfairly banned from political activities? What do you mean? “There are no such people?”

“Why not? Aren’t there people who are banned from all public activities because they make a small mistake? For example, people like Inchon Kim Seong-su and Jang Deok-su contributed to the anti-Japanese struggle throughout their lives, but were they not able to withstand the last-minute coercion of Japanese colonial rule and were deprived of their fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution just because they wanted to add some flavor to their actions? And simply because I attended the Japanese Military Academy… … .”

“What on earth are you talking about? “They were condemned as pro-Japanese?”

Lee Kang-cheol’s eyebrows twitched.

It’s a habit that comes out when you’re really angry.

But Woo-nam didn’t even know that and continued talking.

“That’s not the case. How can a person live his entire life without making any mistakes? And how big are their balls? These are people whose merits go far beyond their merits. “Please lift restrictions on political activities.”

“No!”

“what?”

“If they have the credit, they took full account of it and didn’t put them in prison! But what are you talking about? “Isn’t our government also being lenient?”

“Uh-huh! If a person acts through intimidation or coercion, doesn’t the law punish him or take great account of it? Moreover, most of these people are people who have learned a lot, so they are the talents that our new Republic of Korea also needs. How long do you plan on keeping them alive? “Let’s let it go now.”

“There is no need for such talented people. Even without those people, our country is doing well right now. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. If you’re going to say something like that, go back.”

“Why don’t you think again? “Is this Woo-nam asking you this much?”

“Oh, really! “You’re in trouble for keeping something alive that was supposed to kill everyone?”

“W-what?”

Woo-nam was greatly taken aback by Lee Kang-cheol’s sudden change in tone.

“Mr. Woonam.”

“… … .”

“Don’t test my patience. “Don’t forget that the Republic of Korea is still under military rule.”

“Oh my… … .”

“They just reaped what they sowed. If you forgive them, how can you show respect to the martyrs who fought against Japan until the end and were brutally killed by the Japanese? “This is absolutely not possible, so just go back!”

“Don’t do that… … .”

“Are we really going to kill them all?”

“… … .”

Woo-nam froze at Lee Kang-cheol’s murderous words that sounded like he was talking to himself.

It seemed like he had forgotten that Lee Kang-cheol was still a soldier.

This guy is a person who will do something if he really says he will.