Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 99



Only Krnovel

#99. What on earth is this?

United Nations (UN).

Strangely, it became ‘United Nations’ following the Japanese translation, but it is more accurately ‘United Nations’.

The League of Nations, which was born as a result of reflection on World War I, was proven to be trash during World War II.

It had no choice but to do so because President Woodrow Wilson of the United States insisted on establishing it, but the United States was unable to join because the Republican Party, the majority party in the Senate at the time, rejected the membership plan. It was defeated by Germany, the Ottoman Empire, and the Communist Party. Because the Soviet Union was refused membership.

In addition, the operating system was so broken that a unanimous system was adopted, and there was no means of militarily sanctioning member states if they made a mistake.

This made it even more strange that things were going well, and World War II eventually broke out.

This is why Roosevelt called for the creation of the United Nations.

And the reason Kim Gyu-sik went to New York was because the UN founding general meeting was held.

According to history, the UN would have been launched long ago in 1945, but everything changed when President Roosevelt learned from Lee Kang-cheol what a retarded international organization the UN would become after his death.

“Minister, thank you for your hard work on the long journey.”

Hong Jeong-soo, the father of Colonel Hong Jin-taek, was there to meet him at the airport as the Korean ambassador to the United States.

“ha ha ha! Ambassador Hong, has it been two months?”

“haha! Yes, it is.”

“how is it?”

“Well, I’m out of my mind right now. Because it’s like starting everything over again. Still, it is worth doing because the United States is very considerate in many ways. Secretary of State Marshall is also paying a lot of attention.”

“ha ha ha! “I am very thankful for that.”

“Please go quickly. “Accommodation has been prepared at the embassy.”

“All right.”

“ah! “There is one thing I need to tell you first.”

“hmm? What’s going on?”

“If you go to the embassy, ​​there will be some trouble.”

“yes? “Are you saying it’s a bother?”

“The King of Thailand has been stopping by the embassy for the past few days. “He said he really had to see the minister.”

“Huh, you mean King Bhumibol Adulyadej?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Well, I’ll take a look when the time comes…” … .”

Kim Gyu-sik frowned when he heard that King Bhumibol of Thailand was waiting for him.

Because I know why you want to see yourself like that.

There was only one reason: officially, they wanted to be rid of the yoke of being an Axis power and a defeated country, but they probably wanted to maintain their dynasty.

Thailand is an Axis country.

Officially, there were several Axis powers in Southeast Asia, but the countries except Thailand were effectively puppet states that were not treated as countries, so they could be considered the only Axis powers.

However, in the original history, he was not punished.

The victorious countries with ties to the Asian region, such as Britain, France, and the Netherlands, insisted on punishment, but they clung to the United States and were forgiven after much criticism.

However, history changed, and Thailand also failed to throw off the yoke of the Axis powers this time.

Of course, Lee Kang-cheol was against it.

As a result, Thailand was currently in a fairly ambiguous state.

Although it was treated as a defeated country as an Axis power, the circumstances of its participation in the war and its war crimes were a bit vague, like Thailand’s excuse, and, above all, Britain, which insisted on punishment, was too focused on other colonies and had no time to look back on a defeated country like Thailand.

So, although a small number of British and American troops were stationed in the country, war criminals were not punished except for a few, such as pro-Japanese Prime Minister Flaek Phibunsongkhram, and the country was in a state of indifference.

In this situation, why does King Bhumibol want to see Kim Kyu-sik?

Of course, it was to gain support for the monarchy.

Thailand was an absolute monarchy, but was changed to a constitutional monarchy when the pro-Japanese faction Phibunsongkhram staged a coup. Even though the king changed, an ambiguous system that was neither this nor that was maintained.

Therefore, it was an attempt to preserve the dynasty and confirm its legitimacy in Korea, which was newly crowned as the leader of Asia.

* * *

The next day, as expected, I received a call that King Bhumibol of Thailand had come to visit.

“Well, he’s someone I have to see at least once anyway. Please take us to the reception room.”

“All right.”

After a while, a young man in a formal suit was ushered in with two companions, and Kim Gyu-sik held out his hand.

“Nice to meet you. “My name is Kim Gyu-sik, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.”

“… … .”

Two of King Bhumibol’s attendants were about to convulse, and although it was momentary, the corners of Bhumibol’s eyes also twitched.

It seemed displeasing that a Minister of Foreign Affairs dared to hold out his hand rather than kneel in an audience with the King.

However, Thailand’s protocols and laws were not something that Kim Gyu-sik had to worry about, and he did not want to worry about them.

Kim Gyu-sik also knew what Thailand would be like in the future, and under the influence of Lee Kang-cheol, who thought Thailand was suspiciously unworthy, he was displeased with the young king’s collusion with the military to rule the people for 70 years.

So, although I knew it was far outside of Thai royal etiquette, I deliberately pretended not to notice and held out my hand.

Anyway, Bhumibol seemed to be holding up well.

With a glance, he stopped the attendants who were about to convulse next to him and held out his hand.

“This is Rama IX, the King of Thailand.”

“Please sit this way.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as King Bhumibol sat down, Kim Kyu-sik got straight to the point.

Because I didn’t think there was any need to have unnecessary conversations with the King of Thailand.

“I heard you were looking for me before I arrived. “Why are you looking for me?”

“Nothing else, I wanted to discuss the situation in Thailand.”

“Why do you want to discuss the situation in Thailand with the Republic of Korea?”

“Whoa! We, Thailand, became an Axis country under Japanese coercion, regardless of our will. Thanks to this, we are now treated as a defeated country. “This is a very unfair thing for Thailand.”

“Our government doesn’t know much about the situation in your country. And if you feel wronged, you should tell the United States or the United Kingdom, or even France and the Netherlands. I don’t know why you’re telling me that.”

“Don’t do this, Minister Kim. Of course, we complained about the injustice to the US, UK, and France, but they all refused to listen. “What he was saying was, if you really feel unfair, you should tell the Republic of Korea.”

“yes? No, these people… … .”

It is true that South Korea is treated as a leader in Asia, at least not in relation to Thailand.

Lee Kang-cheol only opposed the idea of ​​ridding himself of the yoke of a defeated nation, and after that he had no involvement whatsoever.

However, if you feel unfair in the US, UK, and France, you should go to Korea and tell them.

In other words, isn’t this the same as saying that the Republic of Korea is still treated as a defeated country because it opposes it?

What Lee Kang-cheol opposed was something that only Roosevelt knew about, but other countries did not know about.

This is because he asked Roosevelt to keep it a secret for fear of hearing complaints later.

An unnecessary villain is an emissary.

“I think there must have been some kind of misunderstanding about this. We, the Republic of Korea, have never intervened in your post-war affairs. No, think about it, why would we want to pretend to have nothing to do with your country?”

“We know that, but I heard that South Korea’s opinion is the most important in East Asian affairs in the current U.S. policy.”

“It is true that our country plays a small role, but not to that extent.”

“Minister Kim, don’t ignore Thailand too much.”

“Ignoring you? “There has never been anything like that.”

“If you are not ignoring it, why are you so avoiding our request for a meeting? “Why are we getting along so well with Vietnam?”

“That was because Thailand was almost the only independent country in Southeast Asia, so there was no need to rush. “Isn’t that right?”

“As expected, you continue to ignore us. We, Thailand, also have ears to listen. “Your country, the Republic of Korea, has already begun to replace Japan throughout East Asia.”

“Are you saying scary things? “When did we invade another country and create a colony?”

“That’s not what you’re saying, is it? In any case, it is true that the United States listens to your words.”

“… … .”

Kim Gyu-sik started to get irritated by the repeated words.

From what he says, it is clear that he has no idea what Lee Kang-cheol told Roosevelt to do to make the country lose, so how can a man called the King be so persistent?

“Ha, this is true. So what does the King want from our Republic of Korea?”

“Please help us take off the yoke of being a defeated country. In addition, we ask for the continuation and recognition of our royal family.”

“Why should we make such a request to the United States? Although the king is still young, I heard that he is well-versed in the world because he studied abroad for a long time. When we ask America for something, it all becomes a debt. “I’m sure you know it well, right?”

“of course. I know it well. So we are not asking for nothing in return.”

“I’m sorry, but no matter how much I think about it, I don’t think Thailand has anything to offer our country.”

“Think about it carefully. “I’m sure there will be.”

“well? “I can’t remember?”

“For example, even if it’s small, it’s like an island… … .”

“yes? Are you saying you are going to give me territory now?”

“I’m just giving an example.”

“Huh… … .”

Kim Gyu-sik was really fed up.

This bastard must be offered a territorial proposal.

He spoke of the yoke of a defeated nation as if he was thinking about the country, but in the mind of this young king, that was a secondary matter, and more than anything, he wanted to receive clear recognition and guarantee for the monarchy.

Even if it means selling the territory.

I couldn’t understand the way of thinking of Kim Gyu-sik, who dedicated his life to his country, and I found it disgusting.

I thought I knew why Lee Kang-cheol hated it so much.

However, the point is that this offer is absolutely not bad for Korea.

No, in some ways, isn’t it like falling asleep while you’re sleeping?

Although Thailand was not able to shake off the yoke of being a defeated country, it was not without some unfair aspects, and it was not an inferior country in terms of size or position, so it was a country that would establish diplomatic relations on its own if it stayed quiet and would remain an ally even if it despised it inwardly.

In any case, it is right for Korea to do so if it wants to occupy the economic position originally occupied by Japan in history.

But, what on earth is this?

In the end, Kim Gyu-sik decided to remain faithful to his duty even though it was disgusting and bitter.

From now on, it is business time.

“After listening to His Majesty the King’s words, it certainly seems like Thailand is being unfairly treated.”

“I think we can have a conversation now.”

“Then how far do you want? To be clear, we cannot guarantee your country’s political system. “It will not be possible to return a constitutional monarchy to an absolute monarchy.”

“I don’t want to go that far. “I will take care of it appropriately.”

“The minimum level of democracy must be implemented. If it’s too repressive, communism will sprout, and that’s bad for everyone. If that happens, the United States, which would hate communism, might intervene.”

“That is also a given. “I will be a monarch who loves my people.”

“Hoo! The Thai people are very fortunate. “I see you under the rule of such a wise king.”

“That’s too much praise.”

“Then how about doing this? It is doubtful whether the United States will listen to us, but within this year, Thailand will take into account the unfair circumstances and exempt Thailand from all punishment as a defeated country. And, we, the Republic of Korea and the United States together recognize His Majesty the King as the only leader of Thailand.”

“also! Minister Kim’s insight is amazing! ha ha ha!”

“ha ha ha! That’s too much praise. In any case, to do so, South Korea must concede a lot to the United States. About this part… … .”

“Our chamberlain will tell you that.”

“ah! “I paid my respects.”

This loach-like bastard would not directly sell his territory.

As soon as Bhumibol finished speaking, the chamberlain next to him wordlessly unfolded a map of Thailand, and on the map there was an island with a red circle drawn on it.

It was Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

I thought that combining the two islands would result in an area about the size of Geoje Island, so it seemed like it wouldn’t be a bad deal.

I didn’t want to go to the mainland anyway, and the island was neither small nor large, so I didn’t think it would be a target of criticism.

It’s just right.

“Hmm, I don’t know much about this. “If the Chamberlain visits again tomorrow, I will consult with the home office and give you an answer.”

“Then I look forward to a good answer.”

“Maybe there will be a good answer.”

“Let’s see each other often in the future.”

“Yes, I will visit you often. “Please take a look.”

That’s when I turned around after seeing off King Bhumibol.

Director Park Jae-seung, who had been sitting next to him until now and had not spoken a word, shouted.

“it’s crazy! It’s so crazy! “Koh Samui and Koh Phangan!”

“Hehehe! You seem to know it well. “What kind of place is it?”

“This is a great place for a vacation getaway. “I go here a lot for my honeymoon.”

“Right.”

“But that person is really amazing. “It’s an island in the world, but you’re selling your territory?”

“It’s truly a shame. I think I understand why the President views Thailand so negatively. “I feel sorry for the people.”

Right in front of us, we were a happy people, but as soon as we turned around, we immediately fell into unhappy people.