Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 257
Only Krnovel
#257. It has to be you
January 9, 1957.
A third government plane landed at Gimpo International Airport, and an unusual scene was created when a Southeast Asian couple with slightly dark skin, not Koreans, opened the door and came out.
“Welcome, President Magsaysay! Welcome to the Republic of Korea.”
“Hahaha! Vice Prime Minister Kim! It’s good to see you still looking healthy.”
The person who got off the South Korean government plane was none other than the President of the Philippines, Ramón Magsaysay y del Fierro.
He was invited by Lee Kang-cheol to pay a state visit to South Korea, but when he actually tried to come, the Philippines did not have jets yet and all they had were C-47 Skytrains and C-54 Skymaster transport planes donated by the US military, making the long trip inconvenient.
So the South Korean government showed its goodwill by sending me one of their government planes, and I came on that plane.
“Thank you for your hard work in coming such a long way.”
“Hahaha! No, I really enjoyed the plane you sent me. I came really comfortably. I’m really jealous of this plane.”
“Hahaha! Then you can just buy it later?”
“Oh my! Our current situation in the Philippines is beyond our reach.”
“It is like that now, but one day, the Philippines will also be prosperous.”
“Will that day really come?”
“Of course. President Magsaysay is ruling well, and he will continue to do so. We will make good airplanes for you, so buy them unconditionally within five years. We will give you a special discount.”
“Hahaha! I really can’t stand Prime Minister Kim.”
“Heh heh heh!”
Kim Kyu-sik and Magsaysay were very close friends, and this was possible because Kim Kyu-sik, who had been visiting Southeast Asia as if it were his own home, had been taking pictures of Magsaysay from the beginning and had developed a close relationship with him.
The reason for this was, of course, that Magsaysay knew in advance that he would become one of the most reformist and honest presidents in Philippine history.
Because he was historically considered to be the last chance for the Philippines to make a leap forward.
After a grand welcoming ceremony at the airport, President Kim Kyu-sik and President Magsaysay and their wife headed straight to the Blue House in a huge limousine.
“Wow! This is truly amazing! I didn’t know Seoul was such a developed city?”
“Is that so?”
Kim Kyu-sik opened his mouth as he watched President Magsaysay and his wife, who were speechless at the sight of the highly developed Seoul.
“Hahaha! It’s all thanks to the combined efforts of our President Lee Kang-cheol and the entire nation.”
“I’m jealous, I’m really jealous. I thought South Korea was at a similar level to us when the war ended, but how in the world did they make such progress in such a short period of time… … .”
“Don’t be too jealous. The Philippines can also develop if it tries.”
“I really hope so.”
“Of course, we must continue to push forward with the reforms that President Magsaysay is currently pursuing.”
“I will do it! Even if this body crumbles!”
“Hahaha! Our Republic of Korea will also help you as much as we can.”
“please.”
When the group finally arrived at the Blue House, Lee Kang-cheol and his wife came out and warmly welcomed them.
“Welcome, President Magsaysay!”
“Nice to meet you, President Lee Kang-cheol!”
“Hahaha! I hope you will feel as comfortable as if you were at home during your visit to Korea. Aren’t we comrades who fought together against Japan?”
“I heard that you have made a great contribution to the liberation of the Philippines. Although it is late, I would like to thank you on behalf of the Filipino people.”
“No, President Magsaysay. We just fought together. That’s why I always thought of the Philippines as my comrade, my ally, and my friend. Hahaha!”
“Go, thank you.”
President Magsaysay was a bit taken aback.
I knew very well that South Korea was particularly friendly to me.
This is because even before he became president, Kim Kyu-sik had been visiting the Philippines and taking special care of him, and had even secretly supported him.
And he also felt grateful towards the Republic of Korea.
This is because I always heard from American soldiers who fought alongside me while leading anti-Japanese guerrilla forces during the Battle to Reclaim the Philippines that the reason they were able to drive out the Japanese army so quickly was because Korea provided information like a ghost.
After the war ended, South Korea developed so amazingly that it was considered a miracle and became a superpower.
The country that was no longer even worthy of being looked at was South Korea, and in fact, it could be said to be the leader of Asia. However, even though the South Korean government had risen to that position, it continued to treat the Philippines as one of its comrades.
At first, Maksasaysay was not entirely grateful to the Republic of Korea.
It was because he knew very well how cold the international community was, so he was also wary that South Korea might think of dominating the Philippines like Japan.
But that wasn’t it either.
As time passed, South Korea showed no greed, and only then did he have to admit that South Korea was truly friendly to the Philippines and had been especially kind to him.
But this level of hospitality?
Kim Kyu-sik and I were already close friends, but now it was questionable whether the president of South Korea, the world’s second largest country after the United States, could be this happy.
In fact, his current country, the Philippines, was a country that would fly away if South Korea blew.
“Come on! Our honor guard is waiting for you, Mr. President. Please attend the ceremony first.”
“yes yes.”
Even after finishing the event including the inspection of the three military honor guards at the Blue House yard, I was still out of my mind.
I felt like I was possessed by a ghost as each and every high-ranking government official in the South Korean government greeted me warmly.
This goodwill continued in the subsequent expanded summit.
They said that they would give the Philippines the loans and economic cooperation it wanted if possible, and compared to other countries, the conditions were quite good.
And a solo summit.
Thinking this was an opportunity, Magsaysay cautiously asked Lee Kang-cheol.
“Excuse me, Mr. President.”
“Yes, please feel free to speak.”
“I have a question, can you be honest with me?”
“Hahaha! Feel free to ask me anything. I’ll be honest and tell you what I know.”
“I’ve always wondered, why are you welcoming me like this?”
“Hahaha! Were you curious about that?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Well, first of all, I did it because I had a liking for President Magsaysay as a person.”
“Do you like me? No, why?”
“We and the Philippines have something in common: we were both ruled by Japan.”
“Yes.”
“That’s why I respect those who fought against Japanese imperialism with unyielding will. Just like our country’s independence fighters.”
“Oh, I see.”
He nodded as if he understood, but that wasn’t really enough of an explanation.
“Haha! I think the explanation is lacking?”
“Yes, a little bit… … .”
“Let me continue. Our government of the Republic of Korea sees great potential in the Philippines.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, first of all, it has a large territory and a large population. Considering that the majority of your people are devout Catholics, the population will increase even more in the future. In addition, it is not far from our country. It only takes about 4 and a half hours by jet plane. In addition, it is a considerably large country among neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. It is also beneficial to the national interest of our Republic of Korea to get along well with such a neighbor with great potential.”
“Thank you for your kind words about our country. Really, the development of your country that I saw while coming here was shocking. I hope that our Philippines will become a prosperous country, even if it is not as good as your country.”
“The President is doing well. Our South Korean government is quite positive about the future of the Philippines. So, shouldn’t they lend us money? Hahaha!”
“Thank you very much. And I appreciate your positive outlook on the future of our Philippines.”
Maksaisay was in a good mood after hearing Lee Kang-cheol’s words.
But Lee Kang-cheol’s face hardened at his next words.
“Of course, it’s not just about brightness.”
“yes?”
“What if the reforms the president is currently pursuing fail?”
“What if it fails?”
“The Philippines will never have another chance to develop. And with most of the people living in poverty, women will be forced to sell their bodies to foreigners or do odd jobs overseas.”
“Oh, no, what you said was a bit… … .”
“Why? Don’t you think so?”
“… … .”
Magsaysay couldn’t come to his senses at all.
What kind of nonsense is this after giving it so much airtime?
But still, in a conversation between presidents, Filipino women will become prostitutes?
“No matter what, are you saying that if I fail, our country will become a country of beggars and prostitutes? That’s going too far. Even if it’s not me, the next president… … .”
“Absolutely not.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“If the president fails to reform, the Philippines has no chance. Do I sound like I’m just saying that? Do you think we don’t know the Philippines?”
“No, why on earth do you think that?”
“It’s because of those clans of local magnates. Isn’t it?”
“… … .”
For a moment, Maksaisa was at a loss for words.
I never imagined that something like this would come out of the mouth of a foreign president.
“You know, those numerous clan patriarchal families who are still fiercely resisting reform. Do you think they will stay still? Do you think they want the Philippines to develop? Tell me.”
“… … .”
“The reason the president is pushing for reform is because he led the military during the anti-Japanese struggle and has the support of the military, and he is highly trusted by the Filipino people. But do you think that even after this period of time, a reform president like the president can emerge? No, even if he does emerge, do you think the new president will be able to overcome the resistance of the local magnates?”
“That, that is… … .”
“You’re basically a feudal lord from the Middle Ages, right? In the 20th century.”
“… … .”
“We are hopeful for the future of your country, but only if the president succeeds in reforming. And after that, I can guarantee you, there will be no more. Those guys will obviously take turns eating it, so who will reform it? Have you ever seen someone reform themselves? A vice minister? There will be conditions attached to that. Conditions such as the condition of destroying the clan-based tycoon families through land reform. If that fails, we will immediately stop providing the loans and begin to recover them.”
“Then, can I succeed?”
“You must succeed! With the same passion you had in the anti-Japanese struggle! Sweep away all those who resist reform! The future of the Philippines for 100 years, no, 1,000 years, depends on it!”
“ha…….”
After a moment of silence, Magsaysay opened his mouth again.
“I understand. I will work hard with the determination that this is a second anti-Japanese struggle. I mean, with the determination to die.”
“Everything is fine, but you can’t die. There are many cases in the world where a country is ruined by the wrong idea that it can’t be done without you, but this is not the Philippines. President Magsaysay! It can’t be done without you.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“I’m glad you understood.”
“I sincerely thank you for thinking of me and our Philippines in this way.”
“Okay, what do you drive in the Philippines?”
“yes?”
“There are a lot of islands, so you’ll be taking frequent flights, right?”
“Yes, but we are still poor, so we fly the C-47.”
“Change it. I’ll give you one of our newer planes that’s suitable.”
“No, not like that… … .”
“Oh! Listen to me. It’s not that expensive. It’s a new military transport plane, and I’ll give it to you. The plane you came on is too expensive to give it to you.”
“… … .”
Lee Kang-cheol said he would give him the plane because he knew he would die in a plane crash soon after, but Magsaysay thought it would be better if it was the plane he came on.
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