Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 36



Only Krnovel

#36. When did I ask for it?

“Our Republic of Korea is not a very big country. “The current population of the Korean Peninsula is about 25 million, and there are about 2 million each in China and Japan, so the overall population can be considered to be about 30 million.”

“okay. “I wouldn’t say it’s small, but it’s definitely not big either.”

“you’re right. It is by no means a country with a large population. The reason I bring up the topic of population is that for a country to become a superpower and stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States, its population must be at least a certain level. When we were in 2027, the population of the United States was 330 million. We were divided and numbered about 50 million, and even if we combined North and South Korea, we numbered less than 80 million. “Japan’s population was less than 130 million.”

“Huh! “Will our American population become that much larger?”

“Yes, it is the world’s third most populous country. But even so, it is still small compared to the population of over 1.4 billion in India and China.”

“These are truly ridiculous countries.”

“Anyway, you get the point I’m making, right? Even if we, the Republic of Korea, regain some of our former homeland in this war, we have no way of reaching a level where we can threaten the United States like China.”

“What is the old land of the past?”

“I’m talking about the current territory of Manchukuo. “A long time ago, it was the territory of our old kingdoms called Goguryeo and Balhae.”

“General!”

Upon hearing Lee Kang-cheol’s words, Roosevelt’s expression hardened and he called out to Lee Kang-cheol.

“Yes, President”

“We already made it clear in our last Cairo Declaration that Manchuria is China’s territory. No matter how much we say we need to keep China in check, we can’t just come and overturn it and hand it over to your country. “There is no justification.”

“When did I ask for it?”

“Then what did you just say?”

“We will regain our lost land. And not everything is lost. Some lands, such as Gando, were still pioneered by our people and they still live there today. In short, there is no need for the United States to betray trust.”

“Huh…”

“Is there a need for the United States to intervene in territorial issues between China and Korea?”

“…”

Roosevelt had nothing to say.

This is not a question of world war, but a territorial issue between China and Korea.

“And now can the Chinese Nationalist Army drive out the Kwantung Army that is ruling Manchuria? “Are you in a life-or-death situation after being pushed back by the Japanese army’s mission to conquer the continent?”

“That is impossible.”

“you’re right. We will reclaim our land by shedding the blood of Koreans. Why should we give that to China?”

“Whoa! “This is none of America’s business.”

“you’re right. It doesn’t matter at all. Moreover, it is in the interests of the United States. By Korea taking over Manchuria, we will have a clear border with not only China but also the Soviet Union. “It’s not the end of the Duman River.”

“I guess so.”

“Then you know what I mean. This means that the Republic of Korea keeps America’s greatest future enemies, China and the Soviet Union, in check on behalf of the United States. Because our Korean blood, not American blood, was shed. Also, if it were not for Korea, we would defeat the Kwantung Army, which the United States or the Soviet Union would have had to deal with. No matter how weakened the Kwantung Army was, it was once a total army called the invincible Kwantung Army. Do you understand? “How much does the Republic of Korea reduce the sacrifices of American soldiers?”

“…”

“…”

Roosevelt and Admiral King looked at each other and nodded.

In order to reduce the sacrifices of American soldiers, they endlessly listened to the demands of the Georgian butcher.

However, not anymore, and instead the Korean military is in charge.

If it is as Lee Kang-cheol said, it is true that Korea has the right.

“General Re is right. If that happens, the rights to Manchuria will belong entirely to the Republic of Korea, and we, the United States, will not care. No, it’s not that we don’t care. Of course, we will support the Republic of Korea to make that happen. “Looking at the current state of Chiang Kai-shek’s national army, there is no chance of them setting foot on Manchuria.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Anyway, the story got a bit sidetracked, but the interests of the Republic of Korea mostly coincide with the interests of the United States. As America’s largest ally in East Asia, it can keep America’s enemies in check. Even without shedding the blood of American soldiers.”

“I admit it.”

“And no matter how much we have the knowledge and technology of the future, Korea is currently very underdeveloped. It will take decades just to raise industry and society as a whole to a certain level. Knowledge and skills of the future? It can also be used only when a minimum foundation is laid. “Look at this laptop right now.”

“hmm?”

“It contains a lot of so-called integrated circuit chips, so-called IC (Integrated Circuit) chips, but this is not something we can make right away even if we have the knowledge and technology. Production can only be achieved when the overall industrial level rises. “It will take decades to create a product of this level.”

“Hmm, but won’t Korea continue to lead the future anyway?”

“That’s why I’m making this offer only to the United States. “Only in America, in the whole world!”

“yes?”

“We will provide some of the knowledge and technology of the future that we bring with us only to the United States. 100% is never possible. As the President said, no matter how much of a blood oath you have, you have to keep what needs to be kept, and the weight of where I am sitting is heavy.”

“Keuung!”

Lee Kang-cheol repeated exactly what Roosevelt had said earlier, but he had nothing to say.

Because that is the cold reality of the world.

“Then how far…”

“First, there is something I want to make clear. Do you acknowledge that the Republic of Korea is a comprehensive and strategic ally of the United States and at least a country that represents East Asia?”

“Comprehensive and strategic? What does that mean?”

“You can just think of it as the highest level of alliance between countries. You can think of it as similar to the relationship between the UK and the US. No, it’s probably more than that. There won’t be much to receive from Britain in the future. And this is not a relationship in which one party receives benefits unilaterally, but rather a relationship in which both parties give and receive equally. “Just from what I’ve said so far, I think the United States will get a lot of money, right?”

“Huh…”

Roosevelt seemed to ponder for a moment and then looked at Admiral King as if asking for consent, and Admiral King nodded without hesitation.

“I admit it. We, the United States, and the Republic of Korea will be comprehensive… “What else?”

“Strategic!”

“Hmm! We confirm that this is a comprehensive and strategic alliance. This is more than our alliance with Britain. And we also confirm that the Republic of Korea is a representative country in East Asia.”

“ha ha ha! great. As America’s top ally, we, the Republic of Korea, will share some of our future knowledge and technology.”

“So, to what extent do you mean to share it?”

“We have no choice but to do this in good faith and at the level we set.”

“yes? “Where is that?”

“So does the President have any way of knowing how much we share?”

“…”

There was no way that could happen.

To put it bluntly, if Korea says that this is all we know, then we should know that they are.

I felt a bit cheated, but I couldn’t help it.

“Why don’t you look so deceived?”

“Keuung!”

“We will release our package based on support from the United States, but we will only release this package to the United States. “There is no need to feel unfair.”

“That needs to be confirmed in writing.”

“of course. And although the amount of support from the United States has not been determined, I will give it to you first as a commemoration of being our best ally. “Please take this.”

Lee Kang-cheol held out a piece of paper from his arms.

“What is this?”

“This is the answer to the question you asked earlier.”

“You mean what I asked earlier?”

“spy!”

“iced coffee!”

“this!”

The paper handed over by Lee Kang-cheol was a list of spies, including Klaus Fuchs and George Koval, who contributed decisively to helping the Soviet Union catch up with the United States in the field of nuclear weapons in just four years.

Roosevelt and Admiral King could not help but be excited.

“Is this really true?”

“Are you doubting what I say?”

“no! Absolutely not! “It was so unexpected…”

“Thanks to their spy work, the Soviet Union succeeded in conducting a nuclear test in 1949, just four years later than the United States.”

“oh! oh my god!”

“Damn you guys!”

“Besides, that Klaus Fuchs also delivers information to England.”

“yes? What do you mean?”

“You can also be a British spy, but let Britain take care of itself. “I can’t say anything because Fuchs is currently a British citizen and there is no British stake in the Manhattan Project.”

“I’m going crazy…”

“In any case, nuclear weapons must be strictly controlled. For now, at least for the time being, there are only two countries on earth capable of possessing nuclear weapons. “Our Republic of Korea and the United States.”

“of course!”

“In particular, those held by China and the Soviet Union must be delayed as much as possible. The same goes for Britain and France. Even if the United States does not help, it will be developed in the near future due to national capabilities.”

“Whew! “I completely agree.”

Roosevelt and Admiral King seemed half dazed.

“Anyway, thank you very much. “You could have been in big trouble.”

“Thank you for your support.”

“Hehehe! Don’t worry. “A significant portion of the support that will go to China and Russia will go to Korea.”

“Let me be clear: we are not a lend-lease company. “Do you agree?”

“Yes, even if you already gave it to us in the United States, the lease is not worth it.”

“I believe it. In that sense, just take care of one more thing and talk about the rest tomorrow.”

“haha! Please do so. What else will you give me?”

“I will give you the President’s life.”

“haha···. yes? “What?”

“I intend to save the President’s life.”

“What on earth is that…”

“If this continues, the President will collapse next year, April 12, 1945, and will never rise again. “You will never see the end of this damn war.”

“Well, that can’t be possible…”

“Huh…”

Although Roosevelt was devastated, Lee Kang-cheol continued speaking.

“I hope the president lives as long as possible and keeps his promise to us.”

“Then what way is there? I expected that I wouldn’t have that long left to live, but I couldn’t die that young! “Is there a way?”

“I told you, right? “You’re going to save my life?”

“iced coffee! thank you! thank you!”

“The group of us waiting outside right now are military doctors and nursing officers. If you call them, they will diagnose and treat you right away.”

“Mr President! That’s a really good thing! “How many people were worried otherwise?”

Even Admiral King, famous for his expressionless expression, was moved.

And Lee Kang-cheol stared at the admiral and opened his mouth.

“Admiral King”

“Speak up, General!”

“I guess this isn’t the time to talk to others, is it?”

“yes? yes? “What do you mean?”

“The president even goes to one room. “The admiral collapsed in 1947 and was in bed for almost 10 years before passing on to the next world.”

“Uh, billion!”

“Just the two of you are receiving special treatment, so please get examined together.”

“…”

“…”

The medical staff who had been waiting right outside came in carrying equipment.