Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 31



Only Krnovel

#31. That doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

July 16, 1944, 10 a.m.

“Oh shit!”

As soon as he got to work, Lee Kang-cheol frowned severely after being briefed on the incidents and accidents that occurred on the Korean Peninsula yesterday.

Although it was expected, indiscriminate violence and looting against ordinary Japanese people was reported across the country yesterday alone, and attempts were made to destroy major facilities.

In addition, the expeditionary force, taking into account the resentment that had built up over the years, turned a blind eye to a certain degree of violence and deviant behavior against those reputed to be pro-Japanese, but it is said that there were often those who crossed the line.

Even if punishment is imposed, it is right for the expeditionary force to follow the procedures.

Lee Kang-cheol raised his voice and immediately gave instructions.

“We issue a strong warning and take strong action! There is no tolerance for those who want to take advantage of liberation to commit violence or plunder property! It’s an exhibition now! “What kind of people dare to go on a rampage!”

In response to the Commander-in-Chief’s displeased order, the General Staff hurriedly wrote and announced a proclamation containing a strong warning.

“This is a notification from the General Headquarters of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Violence and looting against Japanese people in Japan or Korea are prohibited under any circumstances. The General Headquarters will be responsible for punishing malicious Japanese and confiscating their property. Private violence against pro-Japanese and anti-nationalists is also strictly prohibited. I fully understand that resentment runs deep, but personal punishment is not tolerated in the new Republic of Korea. We promise that the General Headquarters will pursue these people to the end and severely punish them. 3. Unauthorized access to major infrastructure facilities such as transportation, communications, and ports is not permitted. If this is violated…”

As radio broadcasts continued to be broadcast in Korean and Japanese, reports were posted that the number of incidents was clearly decreasing in the afternoon.

“no way! There really is no moderation, just moderation!”

“Well, you expected this, right?”

“But still! “What is this guy that starts the fire?”

“That was a bit harsh.”

“I can’t do it. We need to bring in civilian personnel as quickly as possible and organize new police to take charge of security. “Our troops can’t be tied down to security forever, right?”

“I agree. “We will rebuild our security system as quickly as possible.”

“Okay, good luck.”

And it was after 3 p.m.

“Commander”

“Yes why?”

“Guests have come to see you, Commander.”

“Guests? “I guess you said you were not allowed to visit people who claim to be leaders?”

“Look, those are too big to send back.”

Only then did Lee Kang-cheol take his eyes off the monitor and turn his head toward Hong Jin-taek.

“Who is it?”

“Yeo Woon-hyung, Kim Chang-suk, Song Jin-woo, Ahn Jae-hong, Park Heon-young, Jang Deok-su, and even Kim Seong-su…”

“Huh…”

It was natural that Hong Jin-taek could not send it back.

Because all the biggest names at the time came here.

No, there are people among them who have serious problems due to their actions at the end of Japanese colonial rule or their later actions, but at least people like Simsan Kim Chang-suk are people who should not be treated as harshly.

“I can’t help it. “Please take everyone to the conference room.”

“all right.”

“ah! Teacher Kim Chang-sook took care of her because she lost the use of her legs due to her torture.”

“Yes, I know.”

“okay”

After a while, after about a dozen people had taken their seats in the conference room, when Lee Kang-cheol entered, everyone except Kim Chang-sook, who had trouble with his legs, stood up.

“ah! Please sit down. My name is Lee Kang-cheol, Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. “It is an honor to meet these renowned independence activists.”

“Oh oh! Calm down!”

Those gathered in the conference room were first impressed by Lee Kang-cheol’s tall stature.

He is 180cm tall, which is tall even by modern Korean standards, and his body was built through exercise and training while serving as a soldier his entire life, so it was inevitable.

Among those who came, except for Mongyang Yeo Woon-hyeong, who boasted of unrivaled size, it seemed like he could only reach Lee Kang-cheol’s shoulders.

“I am a writer named Kim Chang-sook who knows how to read old lines. “It is an honor to meet you, Commander-in-Chief.”

First, Simsan Kim Chang-suk, the eldest member, introduced himself.

“You mean Pilbu poetry? Who dares say that about Mr. Sim San, a great saint of our people? I have admired her for a long time. “I am rather honored.”

As Lee Kang-cheol bowed deeply towards Kim Chang-suk, the people gathered in the conference room were in a stir.

In reality, I had no idea that the Commander-in-Chief, who replaces the position of Governor-General and is currently the most powerful person on the Korean Peninsula, would do something like that.

In fact, the reason Lee Kang-cheol showed such an extremely respectful attitude towards Kim Chang-suk was because he thought that he deserved it.

The last scholar, the last Confucian scholar Simsan Kim Chang-suk.

He is a person who devoted his entire life to the struggle for independence and democratization without a single suspicion, making him unique among those who are here today.

I don’t know why it’s strangely not well-known in modern Korea.

“haha! Don’t do this, Commander-in-Chief. Would it be possible for someone in the highest position to bow down so easily?”

“No matter how high I am, will my spirit be as high as yours? “On behalf of the General Command of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, I would like to thank you for your dedication.”

“Do you think the Commander-in-Chief is going too far by painting this old man’s face with gold?”

“ha ha ha! “If you’re Teacher Shimsan, you’re qualified to do that, right?”

Next to him, Mongyang Yeo Woon-hyeong joined in, chattering.

“My name is Yeo Woon-hyung. “Even though I’m not as well-known as Teacher Simsan, I’m also somewhat known. Do you know me too?”

“haha! Don’t you know Mr. Mongyang? Thank you for your hard work, too.”

Although he was not as good at engineering as Kim Chang-suk, Yeo Woon-hyeong was greatly pleased when Lee Kang-cheol still took a respectful attitude.

“Hahaha! I am so happy that the Commander-in-Chief recognizes someone like me. “May I ask the commander-in-chief’s age?”

“I am 53 years old this year.”

“Oh, really? “I thought you were in your forties at best?”

“haha! What would you do by lying about your age? Not only me, but most of the members of our command are baby-faced. “The chief of staff over there looks like he’s in his 30s by standards here, but he’s actually 49 years old.”

“Huh…”

Not only Yeo Woon-hyung, but everyone else had an absurd expression on their faces.

This is because the commander-in-chief, Lee Kang-cheol, was in his late thirties, but at best he looked like he was in his forties, so I thought to myself that the young general was great.

Considering that the soldiers generally looked older than modern Koreans, this seemed to be overturned when looking at the civilians in the expeditionary force.

“My name is Song Jin-woo.”

“I have heard a lot about Mr. Song’s courage. Thank you for your hard work.”

“thank you.”

Starting with Song Jin-woo, he was virtually the same age as Lee Kang-cheol, so he did not praise him too much and praised him for his dedication to the independence movement.

“This is Ahn Jae-hong.”

“Ah, Teacher Ahn. I’ve heard a lot from you. “I was impressed by the teacher’s courage.”

“thank you.”

however.

“My name is Seongsu Kim.”

“hmm? Inchon?”

“haha! “I recognize it too…”

“This is a bit…”

“yes?”

When Lee Kang-cheol’s expression suddenly hardened, Kim Seong-su was greatly embarrassed.

However, I left Seongsu Kim alone and asked the person right next to me.

“What about you, teacher?”

“My name is Deoksu Jang.”

“Ha, this is really difficult…”

“Yes, what are you having trouble with?”

“Who is the teacher next to you?”

“My name is Park Heon-young…”

“…”

He even furrowed his brow at the name Park Heon-young, and the air in the conference room became heavy.

Lee Kang-cheol, who had been silent for a moment, opened his mouth again.

“Teacher Seongsu Kim”

“Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”

“I’m sorry, but you need to get out of here.”

“yes?”

“Please be patient just a little longer… “I feel sad too.”

“…”

Seongsu Kim’s face brightened as he finally realized what he was talking about.

“I know that you have contributed a lot. And, due to the position of having many people, there may be circumstances that made it unavoidable. Still, that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. You will not be punished, but you will not be able to hold any public office in the future. Please leave.”

“All right.”

Seongsu Kim left the conference room with his shoulders slumped.

“Teacher Jang Deok-su!”

“Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”

“The same goes for teachers. In the case of the teacher, there are quite ambiguous aspects, so there may be controversy, but for now, I cannot be here. “If the committee that meets later makes a decision, we will follow suit.”

“All right.”

When even Jang Deok-su was kicked out, the atmosphere in the conference room froze.

“Hey, Commander. Although Inchon and Seolsan have been forced to comply with Japan’s will several years ago, they are basically anti-Japanese people. Moreover, their talents will be needed in the liberated homeland. “They are very capable people.”

Song Jin-woo, who was special to the two people, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Teacher Song Jin-woo”

“Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”

“If you break down your principles because you think your talent is a waste, one day you will have to live in pain again under the rule of others. I know very well that these two people are capable. However, as a social leader who must lead by example, the sin is by no means small. “If there had been no previous merit, he would have been severely punished.”

“…”

“These are the principles of our new Republic of Korea. “I hope you will not discuss this further.”

“Oh, I understand.”

“Hahahaha!”

“yes?”

Suddenly, Teacher Kim Chang-sook burst into laughter and everyone was confused.

“How can you be so lucky? Actually, the reason I came here today is because I was very curious about your true identity. One day, it suddenly fell from the sky! And then fall and easily wipe out the Japanese Imperial Army, which was so powerful? “I was wondering if this made any sense.”

“…”

“But since the Commander-in-Chief is so bright and clear, it seems like the old man’s worries were unfounded. Who do you think? You must be our compatriot? And the Commander is right! “If you start using this or that just because you’re talented, the sky’s the limit, and if you miss a single bedbug, the whole house will be polluted again.”

“thank you sir”

“Hehehe! If you ever need this old man’s strength in the future, please let me know at any time. “I will be happy to help.”

“Just saying thank you so much. I hope to receive much guidance and encouragement in the future.”

Soon, Lee Kang-cheol’s eyes turned to Park Heon-young.

He was someone who really wanted to blow up the bamboo tube right now.

Many socialist or communist independence activists were not properly evaluated due to being swept away by the waves of the times, but not this one.

Because this guy is a war criminal of the damn Korean War.

However, there was nothing he could do ‘at this point’.

Park Heon-young was clearly a person who participated in the independence movement, if only considering his actions until today, July 16, 1944.

If they were to judge him based on his past before they arrived, that would be a direct violation of the basic policy of the expeditionary force he led.

Always judge from the local point of view!

This is the principle created within the expeditionary force.

In other words, regardless of whether that person later becomes a devil, a madman, or a hero for saving the country, we should only judge him based on his actions up to today, July 16, 1944.

Since this person will become great in the future that the expeditionary force knows about, let’s pardon him?

Or should we get rid of it now because it will turn black later?

This is nonsense.

How can we judge people based on a future that has already begun to change?

However, I couldn’t emotionally forgive Park Heon-young.

I’ll try my best to not show it on the outside as much as possible.

“Teacher Park Heon-young!”

“Yes, Commander-in-Chief.”

“First of all, I am grateful to you for your dedication to independence under Japanese colonial rule.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“However, we also inform you that your thoughts are so radical that you cannot be with us in your current state.”

“yes? What are my thoughts that make you say that? “Then what is Mr. Mongyang?”

“A distinction must be made between socialism and communism in the general sense. Teacher Mongyang is known to be a moderate socialist. I understand that the Communist International and others have approached it if even that helps independence. Isn’t it? “Mr. Mongyang?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So you’re saying that socialism is acceptable and communism is not?”

“Not even that. Let’s get one thing clear. “To be honest, our Republic of Korea Armed Forces Command is not very happy with it, but we have no intention of rejecting it for its existing socialist and communist activities.”

“Then what is it? how! “The bottom line is, I’m the only one who can’t do it!”

Park Heon-young seemed to be getting a little feverish, and his voice became louder.

“Please lower your voice.”

“…”

“I am not saying that only teachers are prohibited, but that radical communism that follows the Communist Party of the Soviet Union is prohibited. Do you understand? “You don’t know what kind of man that human butcher from Georgia is.”

“Huh…”

“Then just leave now. Unless the teacher clearly converts, he or she cannot work with us.”

“damn!”

Park Heon-young huffed and tried to kick down the door.

“for a moment! Teacher Park! “Just listen to one more word and then go!”

“What is it?”

“I ask you to remain quiet. If you try to make a fuss or contact the Soviet Union, something very bad will happen. “Keep in mind that we are not stupid Japanese soldiers.”

“profit!”

bang!

Park Heon-young slammed the door and left.