Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 228



Only Krnovel

#228 Please give me that first.

What is Hong Kong in the UK?

At first glance, it is about 40% larger than the city of Seoul, and is literally a small piece of territory in the British Empire, which was called ‘the country where the sun never sets’.

This means that if you simply think about it, it can seem like it’s enough even if you don’t have it.

But Hong Kong’s value was not that insignificant.

Hong Kong is a strategic point that connects the Asia-Pacific and Europe by sea. It was developed with great effort by the United Kingdom for a long time, and commerce, trade, and finance have developed extremely well, and Hong Kong is called the ‘Pearl of the Orient’.

Especially when India and Burma became independent, it could be said to be Britain’s only bridgehead in East Asia.

Meanwhile, South Korea has secured more than 10,000㎢ of Hong Kong’s hinterland and attached it to Hong Kong, so its value has increased tremendously compared to the time when it was just a booger.

If it were developed well, including the hinterland area, it would become a truly miserable land.

Because it was such an important strategic point, even in history, Britain was very disappointed about returning Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China, and even attempted to delay the return as much as possible.

Moreover, it was not entirely without basis, because in 1898, when the New Territories were ruled for 99 years, the phrase “as good as forever” was written at the end of the treaty.

At the time, in 1898, it seems that they thought that if they roughly set it to 99 years and added one more line like this, they would be able to rule forever, which is a shame.

In the meantime, the once powerful British Empire collapsed, and the entire Chinese mainland was swallowed up by the Chinese Communist Party.

Therefore, it is now inconceivable to refuse the return of Hong Kong based on force.

Because Britain cannot fight the Chinese Communist Party with its power.

In the first place, the Chinese Communist Party did not recognize both the Nanjing Treaty and the Beijing Treaty, saying they were both illegal treaties.

Anyway, this time, things changed a lot with the emergence of South Korea.

Although the Republic of Korea has cast a spell, British Hong Kong and its hinterland are actually like a curse to the Republic of Korea.

This was all the more so because it was decided to swallow up Hainan Island and the Neuzhou Peninsula, but the reason they bothered to rip off the hinterland from the Republic of China was to keep the Republic of China in check.

They did not want to see Hong Kong, which Britain had grown like Altoran, being taken over by the Republic of China and giving them power.

Britain is well aware of this situation, and has been persistently begging for it ever since the end of the Second Chinese Civil War.

However, no matter how clever they were, they could not give it for free. The problem was that Britain had nothing to give to Korea.

Because England was really a mess during this time.

“You want Hong Kong for free? Hey, you should be a little shameless, right?”

“shit! What do you want? “Tell me.”

“If there’s anything we want, can you give it to us? What are you trying to give me? money? “Do you have a lot of money?”

“Holy shit… … .”

money?

Is there any money in the UK?

All of the country’s capabilities were put to shame in World War II.

Afterwards, even though we won the war, we were completely devastated. If there had been no US Marshall Plan, we would have had to live as beggars.

Therefore, the rationing system is still in effect today, and even Queen Elizabeth II, the most dignitary, had to collect ration cards to buy a wedding dress when she got married in 1947.

“Where’s our money! Even if you try to eat and die, there is no point! “What’s wrong with someone you know so well?”

“No, why are you so angry? “If there’s anything you want, just tell me?”

“Ugh! “I don’t have any money, so tell me something else.”

“Then what is there? Since it is a ‘country where the sun never sets’, does it even have land? Even in New Zealand?”

“Ah-oh! Why are you doing this? Who do you want to see die?”

“No, this doesn’t work, that doesn’t work? “Then what replaces it?”

“damn!”

Churchill cried out, thought for a moment, and then spoke again.

“Hey, could it be Antarctica?”

“Antarctica? “You mean Antarctica?”

“We have some land in Antarctica? How can we not do that?”

“Are you kidding me? What kind of British land is there in the south! “That is not even recognized, and I know for sure that there is a move to prevent any country from claiming sovereignty over Antarctica through a treaty in the near future!”

“… … .”

It would be better to believe what they say that they will sell the Taedong River water.

In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was concluded under the leadership of the United States, and there was no way Churchill did not know that such a movement was already underway.

But are you trying to sell Antarctica?

“What a adventure! Why get angry over something I just asked? … .”

“That’s because you’re trying to scam me!”

“Then what about the Falkland Islands? There’s a really nice island off the coast of the South American continent. It’s geographically amazing, right? “I mean, this is a huge strategic point because it’s the passage from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, right?”

“Winston.”

“yes?”

“Do you think there will be a chance for our country to cross the Pacific Ocean and then into the Atlantic Ocean?”

“… … .”

“and! “The Falkland Islands are a place where there is a territorial dispute with Argentina, so you’re going to hand them over to us?”

“… … “If you don’t like it, don’t drink it.”

“… … .”

The Falkland Islands are a place of considerable value.

This is especially true since a huge oil field was discovered in 2011.

However, this only applies when it is entirely British territory.

Would they call me crazy for having a territorial dispute with Argentina to the point of going to war?

Even though the UN’s Decolonization Committee decided that it was Argentine territory?

“Ha, I’m going crazy. Then where? Cayman Islands?”

“Right next to America? “Are you crazy?”

“Gibraltar? Virgin Islands?”

“Now you’re just calling me?”

“… … .”

No, really no.

After giving up colonial management, there was really no land left.

“Ha, then tell me yourself.”

“… … .”

Hong Kong was going to be given over to Britain anyway.

It was too much of a mistake, and although it may be a scenario where the Chinese Communist Party eats the entire continent, it is difficult for the Republic of Korea to manage as long as it is embedded in the territory of the Republic of China.

Moreover, if it is given to Britain, Britain will have no choice but to unconditionally agree with Korea’s policy toward China.

No matter how much it is collapsing, England is England.

Having a country the size of the UK as one team in policy toward China was an advantage that could not be ignored.

So, Lee Kang-cheol held a meeting to deal with the Hong Kong issue during his visit to England, but he had to struggle for a long time because he had nothing to bring, as Churchill is now in a difficult situation.

This was the place I chose.

“There are Seychelles and Chagos Islands, right?”

“Seychelles and Chagos Islands?”

“Yes, please give it to me first.”

Seychelles and Chagos Islands.

Both are incredibly small islands.

Seychelles is an island located in the Indian Ocean in Africa and has a total area of ​​only 455㎢, of which the largest island, Mahe Island, is only 155㎢.

However, it was so beautiful that it was called a paradise in the Indian Ocean, so it was perfect as a resort.

The Chagos Islands were even worse.

It is an atoll in the south of the Maldives, and its total area is only 56㎢.

Anyone could see that this was unbalanced, but of course there was a reason why Lee Kang-cheol requested it.

Strategically important location.

Although Seychelles has some value as a tourist and resort area, Chagos is actually a place where it is difficult for people to live properly.

Because the population was only less than 2,000 people.

But here was the ‘Diego Garcia’ island.

In modern times, there is an airfield under the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, the US Air Force’s B-52 strategic bomber unit, the US Space Command’s satellite tracking station, and the Royal Navy’s Indian Ocean Support Unit.

That place is Diego Garcia Island.

Thanks to the Diego Garcia base, the United States was able to keep vast areas, including the Middle East, East Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, within bomber range.

It is truly one of the most important strategic locations, and South Korea is trying to occupy it before the United States takes it.

Of course, the Republic of Korea’s policy was to attract attention west of Burma, but considering the current growth rate of the Republic of Korea, there would inevitably be a need to exert influence in the region from the Indian Ocean to the Middle East.

Although it may not be the world’s police force like the United States.

In addition, if this area is secured, it will be possible to secure a safe maritime route to the area leading to Suez.

That is why they wanted to receive the Chagos Islands and Seychelles.

The Seychelles also had significant strategic value, although not as much as the Chagos Islands.

And these two islands had little population, so there was no pressure.

The population of the Seychelles at this time, not to mention the Chagos Islands, was only 37,000.

So, when the government reviewed the islands to be received in exchange for Hong Kong, islands such as the Maldives and Mauritius were excluded.

Because the British have already brought in a lot of Indians to develop these islands.

In any case, despite this strategic value, it was still not suitable as a price for the Hong Kong region, and Churchill also had doubts and questioned it.

“Is that okay?”

“Of course not.”

“Then yes. Then, where else?”

“The land is done. Well, since I don’t have any land to give… … .”

“What a adventure! “Then what are you asking for?”

“I mean Australia.”

“Ho, Australia? No, are you crazy? Why does Australia appear here? And Australia is no different from an independent country where we can no longer do what we want!”

As soon as the Australian word ‘ho’ came out, Winston Churchill had a fit.

“Who knows how to appease Australia?”

“yes? “Then why are you mentioning Australia?”

“Australia’s underground resources. “I want to develop it exclusively in Korea under the best conditions possible.”

“No, Mr. Lee. Even though Australia is a self-governing territory, as I said before, we can’t say this or that. “You would know, right?”

“Who doesn’t know that?”

“Then why are you telling me that?”

“Even if it’s not like this or that, it’s still enough to exert influence, right?”

“Of course that’s it… … .”

“And I’m not asking for it to be given for free, I’m asking for mutual assistance. “We just want to secure stable resources in the long term.”

“In that case, well… … .”

The Australian continent had abundant reserves of all five major resources: oil, natural gas, iron ore, coal, and copper.

In particular, iron ore, coal, and copper are of the highest quality in the world, and in addition, all kinds of underground minerals such as nickel and zinc are available at inexhaustible levels.

That is why Korea is trying to take the lead in advance.

“It allows us to negotiate with the Australian government. The Australian economy will also be able to develop together.”

“You should have said that a long time ago. “My heart almost dropped when you mentioned Australia first, right?”

“Ah, that’s enough. Anyway, Winston should use his strength to negotiate on better terms.”

“ha ha ha! Don’t worry about that. I will allow you to develop it exclusively on very good terms. “I am Churchill, Churchill!”

“And if we hand over the New Territories and the newly acquired hinterland to your country, President Chiang Kai-shek will be outraged. “You can handle that on your own.”

“Hahaha! Chiang Kai-shek is my food!”

“… … .”

In this way, Hong Kong and 10,000 square kilometers of surrounding areas permanently became British territory.