Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 61
Only Krnovel
#61. The Republic of Korea Air Force.
9 a.m. May 31, 1945.
Chongqing Airfield, China.
“Ambassador Hurley. “I didn’t know you would come here to see me off.”
“ha ha ha! “The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, our top ally in the United States, is returning home, so of course I have to show up.”
“By the way, I still don’t understand. “How on earth is this going on?”
Kim Gu still couldn’t believe that his country’s independence wasn’t enough, and that the United States was treating South Korea as its top ally, overtaking not only China but also countries like Britain, with which it had fought and shed blood together throughout World War II.
“You will hear more details when you return to Seoul.”
“seoul?”
“Yes, it is said that the capital, which was originally Gyeongseong, was renamed Seoul.”
“okay.”
Kim Gu nodded.
“Anyway, I don’t know the details. However, I only know that the ROK Armed Forces made a remarkable contribution by helping our US troops defeat Japan in the Pacific War. Thanks to this, the army leaders, including Marshal MacArthur, and the navy leaders, such as Admiral Nimitz and Admiral Halsey, are said to be willing to give in to Korea. They say that hundreds of thousands of American sons are alive thanks to the Republic of Korea.”
“Huh…”
“President Roosevelt has even given instructions to treat matters related to the Republic of Korea as if they were American matters.”
“Keuung!”
Everything is full of questions.
In Kim Gu’s opinion, a powerful force that could not have emerged from the Korean Peninsula not only drove out the Japanese army and achieved independence, but also helped the United States and made a great contribution in the Pacific War.
No matter how weak it may have been, it was once called the ‘Invincible Kwantung Army’ and it defeated the Kwantung Army that ruled Manchuria and took over Manchuria.
No matter how much I thought about it, it was something that couldn’t have happened.
“Whoa! By the way, doesn’t the current Korean government feel burdened by us?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that at all. Calling him the country’s most distinguished guest, he asked Washington to treat him well. This means that the United States’ support for the provisional government has not been in vain. “Today, they said they would not only provide a transport plane donated by the United States, but also dispatch a much more comfortable transport aircraft from the Republic of Korea.”
“…”
Kim Gu could not find anything to say in response to the words of U.S. Ambassador to China Patrick Hurley.
Because that was the truth.
Last year, when Patrick Hurley came as special envoy and was appointed ambassador to China, the U.S. Embassy fully supported the provisional government.
Not only did the lives of the Provisional Government members and their families become incomparably richer by providing enormous funds that had never been seen before, but the U.S. Embassy’s treatment of the Provisional Government members was also better than that of President Chiang Kai-shek’s government. He was treated much better and had to receive an unwarranted glare from President Chang.
And more than anything, I almost lost my eldest son, Kim In, to illness, and somehow an American embassy employee brought me an unknown medicine.
They gave it to him, saying it was medicine provided by the government of the Republic of Korea, and after taking the medicine, the eldest son, In, woke up as if he had washed himself.
In short, the current government of the Republic of Korea has been very friendly to them.
Even though it would be politically burdensome.
“Then I’m glad.”
“ha ha ha! Please take good care of me when you return to the country. “Please do not forget that we, the United States, are a strong ally of the Republic of Korea.”
“Of course. I doubt whether I will have anything to do in the new government, but if I take even the last seat, I will not forget the kindness your country has shown me.”
“haha! Thank you.”
Wooooow!
“Oh, there are planes coming. Would you like to go out?”
“Let’s do that.”
Wooooow!
Three C-27J Spartan transport planes with black-grey military paint landed on the runway first, making a quieter-than-expected propeller sound, followed by about 10 C-54 Skymaster transport planes.
Purr!
Eventually, I slowly came to the boarding area and stopped the propeller, and I saw a strangely shaped propeller that I had never seen before.
and.
“Hey, over there! “It says Republic of Korea Air Force!”
“It’s true! “The Taegeuk symbol is also clear!”
“Hehehe! “Oh my god, I never thought a day like this would come!”
Clear letters and roundels are written on the sides of all transport planes, including the first three.
REPUBLIC OF KOREA AIR FORCE.
And a roundel that was clearly made from the Korean national flag.
Provisional government officials and their families shed tears at the sight.
“Three, oh my god, the Republic of Korea Air Force…”
“Hehehe! Korea horray! hurray!”
“Long live Korean independence!”
In an instant, the boarding area was filled with people shouting “Hurrah,” unable to contain their emotions.
And the eyes of Vice President Kim Gyu-sik, who was watching this, twitched slightly and became increasingly wet.
“Republic… Yes, South Korea is a republic… “Huh…”
Soon, the rear of the transport plane opened, and a tall man wearing a Korean military uniform came down, looked around, and then approached Chairman Kim Gu.
“insect! castle! This is Hong Jin-taek, Colonel of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces! “It is a great honor to meet President Kim Gu!”
Hong Jin-taek had already been promoted to colonel, and since he was over 180 cm tall, key figures in the Provisional Government other than Kim Gu, who was treated as a giant at the time due to his height reaching 180 cm, had to look up.
“Nice to meet you, Colonel Hong. I’m Kim. “Thank you so much for coming to pick us up like this.”
“It’s natural. “They are our Republic of Korea’s most senior citizens and people who have devoted their lives to our country.”
“haha! “This is Vice President Kim Gyu-sik.”
“It is an honour!”
“Lee Si-young, former head of finance and currently head of the inspection department…”
“Noblesse oblige! “Thank you to our elders and brothers for their endless sacrifice and dedication!”
“Thank you.”
“And U.S. Ambassador to China Patrick Hurley…”
“oh! Pleased to meet you, Sir!”
“Oh, your English pronunciation is very good?”
“haha! “My mother has been saving me money since I was young.”
“yes?”
“Oh, no.”
After the greetings, Hong Jin-taek stood in front of the people.
“Our government of the Republic of Korea sincerely welcomes the return of the Provisional Government figures. In particular, General Lee Kang-cheol, Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces and President of the Government, instructed us to treat you with the highest respect.”
“Hoo! “Do you also have a tin system?”
“Yes, it is. However, we are receiving a lot of feedback that the tone is not good, so we plan to change it to president soon.”
“You mean it doesn’t sound good? “What about tin?”
“haha! “There are some circumstances to that.”
You couldn’t say that because some damn bastard in the north used tin.
After the greetings were over, Hong Jin-taek hurried to board.
For some reason, I didn’t want to stay in China for long.
“The President and Vice President of the Provisional Government, members of the State Council and the National Assembly, and the elderly and infirm, please board Air Force Units 1, 2, and 3 at the front! You will be much more comfortable!”
Like almost all airplanes of the time, the C-54 transport plane donated by the U.S. military did not have pressurization equipment.
Therefore, the elderly and infirm may experience considerable pain when the altitude changes, so they were assigned this way.
“Then, Chairman, Vice Chairman. I hope you have a comfortable journey back home. “I will see you soon.”
“Ah, Ambassador Hurley. Thank you so much for coming to see me off. And I have a favor to ask.”
“You can tell me anything.”
“President Jang was very uncomfortable…”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. It seems that Manchuria has irritated the Chairman on several occasions, and that will end soon.”
“But that’s not it. “There are a lot of things we are indebted to.”
“It is a great offense to me, but America has not broken any of its promises. Our U.S. position recognizes that the Korean military defeated the Kwantung Army for the Allied Powers and took over the land through their own efforts. “This is something that the current Korean government and the Chinese government will discuss later.”
“ah···.”
“And we, the United States, have a principle of not getting involved in territorial disputes between allies. Why are you so angry with the President and me when you cannot even go near Manchuria due to lack of strength? There’s nothing to worry about. “The current government of the Republic of Korea will handle it well.”
“All right. “Then let’s meet again in Naju.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Wooooow!
Soon, transport planes took off one after another, and it was said that for the time being, they would come to Chongqing every day and take away the members of the Provisional Government and their families who were unable to leave today.
Ugh!
Inside Air Force Unit 1.
About 30 minutes after takeoff, Kim Gyu-sik spoke quietly to Kim Gu.
“This plane.”
“What do you think about this plane?”
“I’ve been traveling overseas and been on a lot of airplanes.”
“I did.”
“But this is my first time on an airplane so quiet and comfortable.”
“is it so?”
“Yes, as airplanes get higher in altitude, they tend to be cold, noisy, and very painful to the ears. “An airplane like this would be rare even in the United States, but Ambassador Hurley said earlier that it was originally owned by the Republic of Korea, right?”
“you’re right. “It certainly was.”
“This is truly an unusual force. So I’m really curious. “How on earth did such a force exist on the Korean Peninsula?”
“…”
Kim Gu did not answer but looked out the window.
Because I was really curious about that too.
May 31, 1945, 4 p.m.
Yeouido Airfield, Seoul.
Wooooow!
“It’s coming.”
“Yes, I think it took almost four and a half hours. “It’s slower than a commercial jet airliner.”
“Where is this anyway?”
“That’s right. “By the way, it’s Mr. Kim Gu…”
“Hehehe! “Are you nervous?”
“little. “Not only Mr. Kim Gu, but all of them are people you only read about in national history books.”
“I’m a little like that too.”
Lee Kang-cheol and Go Seok-man were quite excited to see the legends of the independence movement that they had only seen in national history books.
Purr!
Eventually, Air Force Unit 1 stopped and the door opened.
As Kim Gu took the lead and got off the rear ramp, the South Korean military band began playing.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kim Gu and most of the members of the Provisional Government had expressions of great emotion as they were stepping foot on their homeland for the first time in decades.
How much were you missing the mountains and rivers of your homeland?
But to be welcomed with the Korean national flag like this.
It was something I couldn’t help but be moved by.
At that time, a group of people in military uniform approached them.
“We sincerely welcome Chairman Kim Gu and other members of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea! Welcome back!”
“And you?”
“My name is Lee Kang-cheol, and I am currently leading the government and military of the Republic of Korea. Nice to meet you, President Kim Gu!”
“Now we are just useless old people, but I sincerely thank you for welcoming us like this, President Lee Kang-cheol.”
“Oh my, what are you saying? We truly welcome you. ha ha ha!”
“Hehehe! Thank you.”
Kim Gu and key figures in the Provisional Government were relieved to see that Lee Kang-cheol was clearly welcoming them sincerely.
I was worried that I might be kicked out, but now it seems that I won’t be treated as an uninvited guest anyway.
Lee Kang-cheol welcomed each of the key figures of the Provisional Government by shaking their hands and then led them to the podium.
“A small but simple welcome ceremony has been prepared. “Please go.”
“thank you.”
As we passed the place where the welcoming crowd was gathered, shouts of hurrah were ear-piercing.
“welcome! Teacher Kim Gu!”
“hurray! Long live the Provisional Government!”
“Long live Korean independence!”
Lee Kang-cheol went up to the podium first and gave a welcome speech, followed by Kim Gu, who gave a moving speech on behalf of the Provisional Government.
and.
“Next there will be a brief review of the Armed Forces.”
“Inspection?”
“Yes, you can think of it as a formality paid to the nation’s most senior citizens.”
“Oooh!”
“The review will be conducted by the Capital Division’s Fierce Tiger Unit. Then, review the Armed Forces!”
“Inspection!”
Grrrrrr!
Grumbling!
Chief of Staff Go Seok-man rode at the head of the K-151 small tactical vehicle and exposed his upper body.
“Look right!”
“insect! castle!”
“Wow wow wow!”
“Well, like that…”
About 10 M48 Patton tanks followed behind Go Seok-man.
While boasting a majesty that could not even be imagined by those in the Provisional Government.
This was followed by the K-21 infantry fighting vehicle, K200 armored vehicle, K55 self-propelled howitzer, and K9 self-propelled howitzer.
“That’s huge!”
“Such a powerful army…”
“oh my god! “What about that gun barrel?”
Kim Gu and other members of the Provisional Government were thrilled, but at the same time felt chills.
This was a sign of welcome, but I also sensed that it also included a bit of warning.
The current Republic of Korea has a government with such a powerful military, so don’t think about unnecessary things…
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
