Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 293



Only Krnovel

#293. There is no such thing as a secret plan.

2:00 p.m., September 22, 1959.

Indonesian Presidential Palace.

Kim Kyu-sik visited to negotiate surrender, escorted by a special delegation.

“Deputy Prime Minister Kim Kyu-sik.”

“Minister Subandrio. No, what should I call you now?”

“What would it matter what you call me? I think it would be easier to just call you Minister as you usually do.”

“Okay. For now, let’s call him Minister. Anyway, Minister Subandrio, thank you for your hard work.”

“ha…….”

Minister Su-Ban-Drio sighed with a complicated expression.

“What can a defeated country say? Let’s get straight to the point.”

“Okay. So, where is President Sukarno?”

“For now, I’ve sent them back to their original residences. I’ll ask for their opinions and then decide what to do. Also, the Minister of Defense and several high-ranking generals are under house arrest. What do you plan to do?”

“Hmm, do as you wish.”

“Huh? Do it yourself?”

“It literally means that you should take care of it in your own country. Our Republic of Korea has no intention of getting involved in punishing former President Sukarno and those who led this incident.”

“Oh, no, why?”

“Why would we touch people who are already politically finished? So kill them or let them live, do as you see fit. However, they must never hold public office again.”

“Really?”

“Yes, that’s right. However, the instigators of the riots we brought in will be punished according to our law.”

“That’s obvious, but… … .”

Subandrio thought for a moment and then opened his mouth again.

“As expected, you are wise. You mean there is nothing to gain by touching it?”

“Haha! I won’t deny it. And although this incident may not have a positive effect on the sentiments of the people of both countries for the time being, we are thinking about the future.”

“I know what you mean.”

He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of a country.

There is no way that a person of this level would not know the true nature of the Republic of Korea.

“Whew! Then, I will understand that. I will tell you in advance that President Sukarno will be expelled from public office and placed under house arrest for about 10 years. Is that okay?”

“I think that’s about right.”

“What is the next condition?”

“Please inform the Indonesian people of the whole story of this incident in detail. It should be reported in newspapers and on TV every day for at least this year. And it should be included in your country’s history textbooks as it is. Of course, you must consult with us in advance.”

“… … .”

In short, it is a call for self-criticism, and this is very important so that the Indonesian people will know the truth and not be hostile to South Korea.

It would be quite a humiliation for Indonesia.

“Okay, let’s do that. Then there’s the practical compensation requirement left.”

“Yes.”

“Let me tell you in advance that there is not much we can give you. As you know, Indonesia has only been an independent country for 10 years. Even if we wanted to give you something, we don’t have much to give you. However, if you squeeze us, it will only create antipathy, which is inconsistent with your statement that you are thinking about the future with Indonesia. As you know, I ask you to remember the Treaty of Versailles.”

The Treaty of Versailles, the end treaty of World War I, was heavily criticized and condemned for inevitably leading to World War II.

The reason was that it was too harsh and yet too lenient on the defeated country.

Although it is a statement with a contradictory meaning, in a way, this statement is correct.

The victorious nations, including France, which had made enormous sacrifices, tried to mercilessly tear Germany apart so that it would never rise again, which provoked the hatred and anger of the German people, but they were unable to thoroughly prevent Germany from being resurrected.

Yet nothing was discussed about rebuilding the economy of Europe, so World War II was only a matter of time before it became inevitable.

It is said that it was neither here nor there, but it only fostered the hatred of the defeated country for no reason. Regarding this, the now-defunct Henry Kissinger expressed it very well.

“It was too punitive to be called reconciliation, and too lenient to prevent a German resurgence.”

In short, if they were going to trample on it, they should have crushed it for sure, or they should have shown proper tolerance and established a peace system, but they did neither.

And this was also the reason why Subandrio insisted on bringing up the Treaty of Versailles.

If you value the future and don’t plan on directly punishing Sukarno, then you should just tear it down to an appropriate level.

And Kim Kyu-sik responded to those words.

“Hahaha! I was thinking of doing that anyway.”

“Then, what should I do for you?”

“We will maintain the profit ratio of resource development rights such as oil.”

“Excuse me?”

“However, we will extend the current concession contract period from 30 years to 40 years.”

“That’s fine. Thank you.”

Su-Ban-Drio sighed in relief, knowing what a generous gesture this was.

“And you have to give up a few islands.”

“I was prepared for that, but where would you like to go? Sumatra and Java are definitely guaranteed, right?”

“Haha! Did you really think I was going to ask you to give up Sumatra?”

“I am in a losing position. I heard that you verbally guaranteed Sumatra and Java, but I still don’t know.”

“I am a person who keeps my word, even if it is just a verbal promise.”

“Then, which island are you talking about?”

“Bali, you have to give it up.”

“Ugh! Is that where you ended up?”

“Don’t make that face, it’s not ours to take.”

“Huh? What do you mean? You’re telling me to give it to you when I’m not taking it?”

“I plan to take it and give it to the Sunda Federation. Bali was not an island that you should have taken from your country in the first place. At that time, President Sukarno requested it so earnestly that we decided to take it from Indonesia, but how can we unite when the religions are so different? I can’t say that this has no disciplinary nature at all, but if things were as they were, Bali should have belonged to the Sunda Federation.”

The Lesser Sunda Islands are also strong in Islam, but not to the extent of Java.

East Timor, Sumba, and Florence are predominantly Christian and Muslim countries where Muslims are not overly strong.

So, it would not have been a big problem if Bali, a Hindu island, was included here.

“Can we just hand Bali over to the Sunda Federation?”

“Haha! Then wouldn’t we be so upset?”

“Then, where else?”

“We will take the Natuna Islands.”

“Me, Natuna? Where is that… … .”

Even Subandrio couldn’t seem to remember where the Natuna Islands were.

“Why, there is… between Borneo and the Malay Peninsula… .”

“Ah! Natuna! There? Those are small islands that are of little use. And, although Indonesia has unknowingly ruled them and made them its territory, the Malay Federation has also claimed sovereignty over them, so they are effectively occupying them.”

Subandrio asked back with a bewildered expression.

I thought they would give me a large island like Bangka Belitung, but they said they would give me something like Natuna Islands, which are far away from Indonesia, have no use, and do not have full sovereignty.

“Haha! So you don’t like it?”

“No, that’s not it… … .”

How could you not like it?

Even I had to think about it for a long time before I realized that such an island existed.

It is truly an island that can exist without any problems.

“Look at this location. It’s in the middle of the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. We plan to build a naval base here. That way, we can protect the southern shipping lane.”

Of course, I also knew that the surrounding countries would be cautious, but I didn’t show it.

“Oh, I see. In that case… … .”

“Then, can we take it?”

“Are the Natuna Islands your last claim as a territory?”

“Yes, I will not demand any more territory.”

“Then I will give it to you.”

Subandrio answered with a bright expression.

If the negotiations can be concluded at this level, it will be a truly successful negotiation.

“Haha! Good idea.”

“Is this all?”

“There are some minor things, but that’s the gist of it.”

“Whew! Thank you so much. I didn’t know you would be so generous.”

“Haha! I told you, didn’t I? Our Republic of Korea’s only goal in this war was to retaliate? We had no interest in territorial or economic interests from the beginning.”

“You said that, but how can the international community be like that? Honestly, I really didn’t know they would be this generous.”

“Our government has made a decision with the intention of getting along well from now on. Let’s be truly friendly from now on.”

“I would like to do that, but… … .”

Subandrio trailed off.

The current status of Subandrio is temporary.

Because he was close to Kim Kyu-sik, he entered into negotiations as a provisional president, but after the negotiations were over, there was a high probability that he would become one of the ordinary ministers or an outsider.

Because he had no political base.

“So what I’m saying is, Minister Subandrio.”

“Yes, Deputy Prime Minister.”

“Our South Korean government hopes that a moderate and rational person like the minister will continue to lead Indonesia. What do you think, minister?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“What this means is that our government wants Minister Subandrio to continue to rule Indonesia officially, not interim.”

“That is not something I wish to happen. I am a person without a political foundation. And, it is embarrassing, but our country has a strong military influence. Although the military has been disgraced by this war.”

“Haha! If it’s not enough, we can fill it up, right? If, if, what if. If our Republic of Korea fills that part? Wouldn’t that be enough?”

“… … .”

At Kim Kyu-sik’s words, Subandrio’s expression hardened.

Now I understand what Kim Kyu-sik is talking about.

“Are you telling me to be your country’s puppet now? Deputy Prime Minister, I too was a member of the independence movement. Even if you are Deputy Prime Minister, please refrain from saying such things.”

“Tsk tsk! Who told the minister to be a puppet?”

“Isn’t that what you’re saying? You’re saying that South Korea will be my background?”

“If we become the background of the minister, does that mean he will definitely become our puppet?”

“Yes? No? In return for your support, wouldn’t there be conditions?”

“Of course there are conditions.”

“Look at that. I don’t like it.”

“Haha! Why don’t you listen to the conditions first and then decide?”

“yes?”

“The first is a strong secularization policy. In general, countries that believe in Islam tend to have a strong tendency for religion to get involved in politics, which prevents the country from developing properly.”

“I agree with that. So it’s not a condition either?”

“The second is that we must never again be greedy for the former Dutch East Indies countries.”

“Ha, are we crazy? We got treated like this and now we’re going to swear again? Since your country exists in Asia, how could that happen?”

The situation became increasingly absurd.

The conditions that support you are not actually conditions.

“Haha! The third is to establish a clear principle of civilian control over the military.”

“No, that’s obvious. It’s a shame that I can’t do that!”

“The fourth is to rule for about 10 years and then transfer power to a government formed through democratic elections. Oh! Of course, if democratic elections are guaranteed, the minister can continue to rule. Other than that, if possible, to the extent of asking the international community to support our Republic of Korea’s position? That’s all. What do you think?”

“… … .”

Subandrio now had a completely dumbfounded expression.

Conditions are not conditions.

In some ways, it matches the direction of Indonesia’s development that you ideally envision, but what are the conditions for this?

“Is that all? If I do that, you’ll push me?”

“Yes, that’s all.”

“No, that doesn’t make sense! What kind of condition is that! Why on earth are you doing this to me?”

“Hahaha! I’m serious. I don’t have any ulterior motives.”

“Why on earth?”

“Minister, our Republic of Korea wants a large country like Indonesia to grow steadily and achieve democracy maturity. That way, Southeast Asia, which can be called our front yard, will also be quiet. If we are a little more ambitious, your country will develop and its income level will increase, and then it will become a market for our Republic of Korea.”

“… … .”

“But if the military’s influence remains strong like it is now, it’s obvious that there will continue to be trouble. Coups will happen from time to time, and someday, someone from the military will become a long-term dictator and trample on the country. We just don’t want that kind of situation. That’s all we want from Southeast Asian countries. They should be friendly to our country and, in the long run, be good markets.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am not a person who jokes about such lines. What do you think? If the minister has the will, our Republic of Korea will become the background for the minister.”

It felt like I was dreaming.

If this is true, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, like a golden rope from heaven.

If he has the Republic of Korea behind him, he will be able to reform the military as he pleases.

Who would dare to oppose the Republic of Korea after going through this?

But when you look at what Kim Kyu-sik said, it really seemed like this.

Because as far as he knew, Kim Kyu-sik was not a person who talked nonsense.

“Is it really okay for someone like me?”

“Of course.”

“Okay, I’ll try my best.”

“Hahaha! Good idea.”

This is how the life of an Indonesian politician and cabinet member named Subandrio changed.

Originally, he was sentenced to death after being framed by Suharto and falsely accused of being involved in a coup after the fall of Sukarno.

Although he survived thanks to British rescue efforts, he was destined to spend 29 years in prison.