Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 86



Only Krnovel

#86. It’s our heart.

It would be safe to say that the fact that Vietnam achieved complete independence today is entirely thanks to the Republic of Korea.

They provided a huge amount of weapons, and although we do not know what method they used, they provided information about the French army as if they were looking down from the sky, leading to the victory of the Vietnamese army.

In addition, large quantities of food were purchased and provided from the United States for the Vietnamese people who were still starving in the aftermath of the famine, and the food helped Ho Chi Minh’s National Congress receive enthusiastic support from the public.

And, the Battle of Haiphong.

This time, like a ghost, they first informed us of the French army’s landing operation and had them dig a trap, and above all, they even directly dealt with the French fleet, which had firepower that was difficult for them to handle.

By dispatching those ‘suspicious young men’.

Providing weapons and supplies and directly participating in the war are two completely different issues.

If that fact were to become known even in the future, Korea would still be enemies with France, a major European country.

However, South Korea helped Vietnam, even bearing that burden.

And with that level of help, it would not be an unreasonable request to ask for part of the territory, but South Korea simply asked for a useless archipelago 400km away from Vietnam.

To be honest, I doubt whether that place is Vietnamese territory.

why? for what reason?

Vietnam and South Korea do not have a special relationship except for the fact that they both lost their countries to foreign invasion.

First of all, the two countries were too far apart to form a special relationship until modern civilization developed.

But is it because you were friendly with independence activists including Kim Gyu-sik and Hwang Ki-hwan in the past?

That was nonsense.

Although Kim Kyu-sik, who is still alive and is a high-ranking member of the current government of the Republic of Korea, is close to him, the Kim Kyu-sik that Ho Chi Minh knew was never one to interfere in public affairs with personal relationships.

So then why does the Republic of Korea really strive for Vietnam’s independence to the extent that it is said to be so devoted?

We need an alliance with China?

Vietnam has been struggling with China’s Han Chinese for thousands of years.

Vietnam’s history is also a history of struggle against China, with repeated periods of subjugation and independence since the time of Emperor Wu of Han.

Therefore, it could not be said that the Vietnamese people’s feelings toward China were good even with empty words, so honestly, it could not be said to be a condition.

In a way, this is what the Vietnamese also want.

Anyway, Ho Chi Minh was very grateful to the Republic of Korea.

This is sincere, and not only Ho Chi Minh, but all Vietnamese people would have said this.

However, as the leader leading Vietnam, he could not just feel grateful.

I was very curious about Korea’s true identity, and I was also worried that there might be something else behind it.

This is because the strength of the Republic of Korea, which he learned while fighting together, was beyond his imagination.

If they had any other thoughts, it was thought that they would not be able to stop it, or that even if they could, they would suffer great damage.

So rather than suffering alone, I decided to ask Kim Gyu-sik openly.

Ho Chi Minh knew Kim Kyu-sik well.

Although he was a seasoned diplomat, he was not a mean-spirited person who plotted things, so I could expect a proper answer, and even if it wasn’t, I would have been able to guess it based on his reaction.

“hmm? I told you, right? “This is to create an alliance with China in preparation for a time when China stabilizes in the future?”

“Sir, it would be too much to consider that I helped you for that reason. “If you had simply supported us, approved us, and given us a little bit of support, we would have been so moved that we would have been willing to become allies of the Republic of Korea.”

“Huh! “It’s true, but what’s so suspicious about it?”

“You know well, teacher, right? What did we see at the Paris Peace Conference? Haven’t you learned the hard way that powerful countries never help other countries without a reason? And there is no kindness in this world without reason. “That is the law of the world that I learned while wandering around powerful countries for decades.”

“Hey, this is it.”

The world that Kim Gyu-sik experienced was like that, so I was speechless for a moment.

But what to do with something that is true?

In the end, it was the question he had asked Kang-cheol Lee, so he decided to tell Kang-cheol Lee exactly what he said.

“I also asked President Lee Kang-cheol the same question, and I will tell you the answer.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“okay. Our President sees it as an established fact that if China becomes stronger, it will engage in evil acts in its surroundings. “I completely agree with that.”

Kim Gyu-sik is the only person of this era who truly knows what happened in the future.

Unlike Kim Gu, who only knew roughly, he was approved because as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he had to establish foreign policy and therefore needed to know it in detail.

Now that I know the future, I have no choice but to be wary of China.

“Is that so? But China is divided into two and fighting like that, right? Moreover, the Republic of Korea is now a powerful country that controls Manchuria and parts of former Japanese territory, right?”

“Are we a powerful country?”

“Then isn’t it? Since China is divided and fighting, I think there is virtually no enemy in East Asia right now?”

“uh? Does that happen?”

Kim Gyu-sik was dazed for a moment.

Having lived without a country my whole life, I had never thought about it like that, but when I thought about it, it seemed like it.

This is why human inertia is scary.

Kim Gyu-sik’s life was always about being chased, running away, expressing his sadness about not having a country to someone and appealing for support.

As a result, the current government has always thought of us as a prosperous country, even if we were strong, and did not think of us as a powerful nation.

However, when I heard that from an outsider like Ho Chi Minh and thought about it, it seemed like that.

“Hehehe! Right. “Maybe it’s because I’ve been hit so long ago, but I never thought of it that way.”

“haha! Teacher, you are truly amazing. Well, I completely sympathize with you.”

“Anyway, our President believes that the division of China will not last long, and that even if the country is torn apart, it will not be divided into several parts like the Warring States Period or the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. At best, it will be divided into the Kuomintang and Communist parties that are currently fighting.”

“I agree with that. “The world has changed for China to be divided into several parts.”

“That’s the problem. Even if China is divided into two, each is a major country. “The current population of China is estimated at 500 million.”

“Whoa! “There are many.”

“There’s a lot, it’s really gross. “Even if you divide it in half, there will be 250 million people, and with that kind of population, it is said that each will reach more than 500 million people before 30 years have passed.”

“yes? “Will the population grow that fast?”

“Hey man, science is advancing to a high level. The same goes for medicine, and the concept of health and hygiene is improving day by day. Do you know how fast our Republic of Korea is growing on the Korean Peninsula alone? They say the number has increased by 3 million since independence two years ago. “That is pure natural increase, excluding inflow.”

“Well, it has increased that much? “Is that possible?”

Ho Chi Minh was surprised and asked a question.

“That was possible. The current government of the Republic of Korea has strongly implemented vaccinations for infants and young children and has modernized the medical and health system throughout the country. When it comes to basic personal hygiene rules, even I am already hearing about them. Anyway, do you know what the result will be?”

“How is it?”

“First of all, the infant mortality rate has decreased dramatically. It’s the same in Vietnam, but what happens if you have 10 children? The placenta dies when you are young? However, thanks to our government’s introduction of an active prevention system, now less than one person in ten dies.”

“Three, oh my god…”

“In addition, they are required to follow strict basic health and hygiene rules even as adults, and with the advancement of the medical system, not only do they rarely get sick, but even if they do, the government has introduced a medical insurance system, so they can be treated without spending a lot of money.”

“Well, isn’t that communist?”

“Hey, you guy! Did I tell you? You said that there is no need to think about ideologies such as communism or capitalism when it comes to making the people live in peace, right? “The Chairman said that it is not communism, but rather something that is natural for the state to do for its citizens.”

“I really need to go to Korea.”

“haha! I didn’t recommend this for nothing. Anyway, getting to the point, most born children grow up well without dying, and adults rarely die. “How is it possible that the population won’t explode?”

“It’s really amazing.”

“Here, our government is obsessed with increasing the population.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Population is power, and you need a lot of people to run Manchuria properly. Maybe that’s why they were so intent on increasing the population. It is said that having many children makes one a patriot, and they even provide all kinds of benefits to prolific households. 3 million? As time goes by, the population will increase further. “They go around shouting that if you give birth to a child, the government will raise it for you.”

“envious. “I’m really jealous.”

The environment in Vietnam is still poor.

Therefore, Ho Chi Minh was truly envious of the Republic of Korea and thought that he must visit Korea once the domestic environment became stable.

“I missed the story a bit, but once China stabilizes, its population will rapidly increase, and that will be a source of strength. Even after 30 years, it is 500 million, but what if 50 years pass? To put it bluntly, 700 million or 800 million won each would be ridiculous. Imagine if they even developed the economy. Do you understand? “It is only a matter of time before China becomes a superpower.”

“…”

“Do you think that if they become a superpower, they will leave their neighbors alone? And if that happens, we can’t handle it alone. “No matter how much we increase the population, there is a limit.”

“Even though you’re so excited?”

“The beginning is different, the beginning. Is starting at 30 million the same as starting at 250 million or 500 million? Moreover, according to our government, the more the economy develops, the more the birth rate will begin to decline.”

“Why not?”

“As the economy develops, women’s status rises and social participation inevitably increases. In that case, it is said that it is common for people to naturally avoid having children. It is said that the same phenomenon occurs regardless of country.”

“okay.”

“ruler! Take a look. They say that in 30 years, our Republic of Korea will have a population of 100 to 120 million at best. But in China, even if there are two sides, each is 500 million won. No matter how much you overcome quantity with quality, there are limits. That’s why our government wants to form a strong alliance with the countries surrounding China. The first and most important of these is your Vietnam.”

“Why are we the first? And even so, the favor is excessive.”

Ho Chi Minh agreed to some extent, but the doubts were not completely resolved.

“Wasn’t it timely that they declared independence first? They also say that the fact that Vietnam is the only country with a Chinese character culture among Southeast Asian countries also played a role. They are not very different from us emotionally, so it would be good to have them as Southeast Asia’s number one ally. Also, is it too much? They seem to think so, especially because of the suspicious young people, but in fact, there were people within our government who were against it. “The question was, is there a need to go that far?”

“I mean.”

“But the Chairman said: Right now, Vietnam will be our strong ally with this level of help, but I asked whether that will remain the case over time. Then, you said that it would be better to be sure to give help when it comes to helping. “They say it’s much better to fight together at least once and become a clan than to be an alliance for a long time.”

“It’s a blood oath…”

“Yes, it’s a blood oath. We, Korea and Vietnam. Other than that, there’s really no other meaning. I assure you that nothing of the kind you worry about will happen. Is it done now?”

For Ho Chi Minh, the word ‘blood alliance’ touched his heart.

Clearly, Vietnam and South Korea became a blood alliance.

Even if he died in the future, his descendants would not stab the Republic of Korea in the back.

Although he cannot officially announce the deployment of troops right now, it will continue to be passed down to the core of the regime, and he will make it happen.

Ho Chi Minh, who had finally agreed, bowed deeply to Kim Kyu-sik.

“Thank you again. “I didn’t know he had such deep thoughts and I almost misunderstood him.”

“Hehehe! I would have thought so too. “I wonder what kind of plan they have for helping me like this.”

“Are you planning on leaving tomorrow?”

“I’m done with work, so I should go.”

“Hmm, just stay one more day.”

“huh? “Why do you do that?”

“It may be a small gift, but I would like to give you a gift. So please stay one more day.”

“I understand.”

Two days later, when Kim Gyu-sik was about to leave his lodgings, Ho Chi Minh came to see him with key figures such as Vo Nguyen Job and Hoang Van Thai.

“Are you leaving now?”

“haha! I have to go now. “So, what kind of gift did you come to give me in such a grand way?”

“Please take this.”

“huh? What is this?”

Kim Gyu-sik asked as he accepted what looked like a thin hard-covered booklet handed out by Ho Chi Minh.

“It is our heart.”

“Your heart?”

“It was signed by all standing members of the National Assembly, including me, and all the top commanders in this war. It states that we, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, officially recognize the Republic of Korea as a ‘blood alliance’ and that from now on, the enemies of the Republic of Korea will forever be the enemies of our Democratic Republic of Vietnam.”

“Ho, Chairman Ho…”

“And this content will also be stipulated in the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which will be enacted soon. “So that our descendants will never forget.”

“…”

It was not a small gift, but a very big gift.