087 : Rumored Feast
“Yes, I would like to ask you two things.”
“Tell me, I will listen.”
The president readily replied.
“First, I want to explore the coastal waters of Ulsan. Permission is required.”
“Exploration? Could it be that oil is coming out of the sea off Ulsan?”
“Experts are of the opinion that there is a possibility that a gas field may exist, not an oil field. Since heavy equipment is being used to build the port, I would like to try it.”
Heavy equipment for building ports and equipment for exploration are completely different, but the president won’t care about that.
“What else is a gas field? Is that going to make money?”
“Yes that’s right. Since the petrochemical complex is nearby, it will be of great help if gas is produced even on a small scale.”
“It’s a hole, big or small, as long as it comes out. what about the other one?”
“Comprehensive steelworks need talented people. About…”
“That’s natural. No matter how much President Woo is, alone is impossible. I made a general steelworks promotion committee and gathered all the smart ones. take it there I have no request.”
“Thank you, Mr. President.”
When I tried to recruit Park Tae-jin, president of Daehan Chung-seok, the president first brought up the topic of the promotion committee.
If the committee was set up, it seemed that the recruitment of President Park Tae-jin could be postponed until later. It was burdensome because he was already the president’s closest aide.
Anyway, to create a promotion committee here and there, it seems that there is not enough money, but there are enough manpower.
It was like a Korean general corporation.
“Remember. If the integrated steelworks fails, Incheon Steel will be handed over to its owner… I will get it back even if the law is changed. Got it?”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
In order to safely eat Incheon Steelworks, which will be transformed from my hands, I must do well at the integrated steelworks.
***
A few days later, Cheongungak Pavilion in Jongno, Seoul.
“Oh, Kim Sang. welcome.”
“Haha, Sensei Yatsui. Long time no see.”Read at noblemtl
Japanese lawmakers Yatsui and Kim Joong-pil greeted each other warmly.
Instead of official diplomatic routes, Korea and Japan mainly negotiated behind the scenes, and most of the places were high-end restaurants like this.
Rep. Kim Joong-pil and Yatsui were big-time political brokers representing Korea and Japan.
“Hey, who is this again? Deputy Prime Minister Jo Ki-young and President Do Byeong-cheol also came.”
“I heard that Minister Ujiyama of the Economic Planning Agency is attending. Then, since today is a practical Korea-Japan economy ministerial meeting, can I just skip it?”
“I came after hearing that Mitsui’s Nishijima branch manager was attending. ha ha ha.”
“Come on inside. Everyone is waiting.”
It was the day when all the behind-the-scenes connections between Korea and Japan came together.
From Korea, Congressman Kim Joong-pil, Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Planning Board Minister Cho Ki-young, and Suseong President Do Byeong-cheol attended.
As if in response, from Japan, Rep. Yatsui, Economic Planning Agency Minister Ujiyama, and Mitsui Corporation’s Far East Branch Manager Nishijima visited Korea. They had done a lot of things together until now.
Yasui and his party came in to prepare for the soon-to-be-held ‘Korea-Japan Economy Ministerial Conference’, but in reality, they came running after receiving news from Incheon Steelworks.
It was judged that the time had finally come for the Japanese steel industry to enter Korea.
“You must have had a hard time coming, but you should have a glass of whiskey first.”
“It smells good.”
“This is a 17-year-old from Ballantine’s that Congressman Kim likes. We supported at Mitsui.”
“Feel free and enjoy yourself. It’s not smuggling. haha.”
Nishijima of Mitsui Corporation openly mentioned smuggling. It was the specialty of those who gathered here.
The six Korean-Japanese behind-the-scenes acquaintances exchanged drinks back and forth. It tasted a hundred times, a thousand times better than the makgeolli drunk at the Blue House.
“From what I hear, it seems that there is a bad news in the Korean steel industry.”
“Ah, that’s what Incheon Steel said. The West Germans had an accident… won…”
“Ugh, why didn’t I tell you repeatedly that building a steel mill together with Japan is the wisest thing to do?”
“Who doesn’t know that? On the subject of no money, what kind of conditions do the opposition parties have so many in the Korea-Japan agreement? If you explode that dokdo, that’s all… tsk tsk.”
It was Kim Joong-pil who knew how to say the things Japanese people liked to hear at the right time.
“The Economic Planning Board is of the same opinion. Honestly, don’t both Korea and Japan accept the use of funds for claims against Japan as a fait accompli? I don’t know why we’re holding out against each other.”Read at noblemtl
Jo Ki-young, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Planning Board, stared at Japanese Minister Ujiyama and pressed him.
“We have to untie the knot in the Korean political world to convince the cabinet and send businessmen to Korea. To be honest, there are numerous companies that are willing to help Korea, such as Yawata Steel, Fuji Steel, and Nippon Steel Pipe.”
Minister Ujiyama tilted his glass one after another as if he was really sorry.
In words, he blamed the political world, but he meant to hurry up and create favorable conditions for Japan.
“It is just frustrating to be tied to the past and unable to move forward into the future. Honestly, hasn’t our Mitsui been of great help to Mercury? They provided raw materials and drilled holes in the plate. Now is the time for the Japan Steel Enterprises Association (JG, Japan Group) to find a reliable partner like Suseong in Korea. Let’s go out into the world together.”
The Nishijima branch manager also gave an enthusiastic speech.
President Do Byeong-cheol nodded his head.
At first glance, there was nothing wrong with what they said.
The Japanese government also believed internally that funds for claims against Japan would be used to win the order for the integrated steelworks.
Read at noblemtl
Just not making it official was a strategy to gain an advantage in the Korea-Japan agreement and receive orders from Japanese companies from design, raw materials, plant construction, and subsequent maintenance.
In other words, their strategy was to force the Korean government to accept Japan’s conditions intact, with the Japanese government pretending to keep its footing and the behind-the-scenes political broker throwing out friendly messages day and night.
Shall we say that we are adults by slapping each other?
“Rather than such detailed issues, the problem is that His Excellency continues to push for a Korean-led integrated steelworks.”
“What’s the matter, Your Excellency? The problem is not Japan as a cooperative body, but the Ministry of Commerce and Industry who keep poking at strange places.”
“It is all right. But the biggest trouble is that Woo Chan-su stuffed firewood into the dying fire, isn’t it?”
All three spoke different words.
Such information was stored intact in the heads of the Japanese people in front of them.
“Wouldn’t Woo Chan-soo be the president of Dae-dae Unemployment? 우리 비료공장 프로젝트를 망가뜨린 그 개새끼!”
The Nishijima branch manager inevitably sharpened his teeth.
I bought all the land in advance, pulled out all the construction materials, and made political contributions here and there, but the project itself was blown away.
I was going to take over the entire Korean fertilizer market, but I had to give up at the last minute because of Woo Chan-soo.
“you’re right. Nishijima branch manager. He said he was going to build an integrated steelworks again, and took over as the chairman of the promotion committee. I don’t know what kind of bullshit I’ll do. Deputy Prime Minister, what’s wrong with him?”
“Keuheum, His Excellency is watching…”
Deputy Prime Minister Cho avoided answering by pretending to be drinking.
His interest was to wrap up the Korea-Japan agreement as soon as possible and return the funds for claims against Japan to the integrated steelworks as his achievement.
Chan-soo Woo didn’t like it, but there was no reason to scrape it now.
“No, what if the Deputy Prime Minister says that? Congressman Kim, are you going to keep watching? Isn’t President Dong-jun Dong taking off his clothes because of him!”
Incheon Steel President Dong-Joon Dong was the landlord who provided political funds to Kim Joong-Pil.
Due to the Incheon Steel accident, he had to cut his tail, but it was a very regrettable thing for Kim Joong-pil.
“I have to wait and see for now. Isn’t Woo Chan-soo digging his own grave anyway? All we need to do is plan a proper steel mill together with Japan. Isn’t it a private return?”
“Mr. Kim is right. I hope that JG (Japan Group, Japan Steel Enterprises Association) will at least sign a technical service contract for a comprehensive steelworks so that it can work properly.”
Representative Yasui jumped out with a hook.
Although it did not stamp the Korea-Japan agreement, it was Japan’s strategy to promote practical work behind the scenes.
“Shit, I need something for that kind of thing…”
“Isn’t that why Master Mitsui attended? The US secretly transported flour, but can’t we do something? haha!”
Representative Yasui smiled and looked at Mitsui Corporation’s Nishijima Branch Manager.
Not surprisingly, Mitsui Corporation was playing the role of a landlord for a Korean-Japanese political broker.
Three years ago, they imported 100,000 tons of flour from Canada and stole it back to Korea. This time, it was only if he planned something similar to him.
“Well, it’s not difficult. If there’s anything you want, I’ll bring it to you. Just speak.”
“Saccharin, the phone, bleach… oh, flush toilet please. These days, these are the most profitable items out of the banned import items.”
“I’ll bring you a full load at cost.”
“Huh, since it’s an item that sells 3x, should I get it at cost?”
“How are we doing? All you have to do is build an integrated steelworks. Then Mitsui Corporation can eat some leftovers from the steelworks construction materials. ha ha ha.”
“Hahaha, Suseong will also lobby hard.”
President Do Byung-chul laughed openly, saying that he would lobby politicians.
“Did you know that 10% of the rebate is standard?”
“Hahaha, yes. sure. We always do more than the basics.”
Deputy Prime Minister Jo Ki-young showed a smile on his face as he spread ten fingers.
The construction cost of the integrated steelworks will be at least 100 million dollars, so it will be 10 million dollars even if the rebate is not available.
Depending on what goods Mitsui Corp. brings in, the money will be multiplied.
“For the future!”
“Promote Korea-Japan friendship!!”
“Kampai!”
“Kampai!”
The 6 of them happily drank Valentine’s.
In this era, Japanese people taking money from the Korean market was just swimming on the ground.
In this way, by bringing a Korean behind-the-scenes acquaintance and gently coaxing them with beans as bait, a delicious project was created.
It was difficult to disclose because all of the money was taken from the Korean national treasury or loans, and it was a net exhausting business that did not make any troubles no matter how much it was eaten.
***
Integrated Steelworks Promotion Committee.
“Think only of the comprehensive steelworks and work hard day and night. If it doesn’t work even if you try, drown yourself in the Han River.”
When I went to work at the committee’s office, there was a gruesome slogan stuck to the wall.
I wanted to overdo it, but I couldn’t find a better word to describe the heat radiating from the committee members.
“Chief Seok, please give me data on spare equipment items.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
I reviewed the material without even going home for several days.
For a large project like an integrated steelworks, a ‘General Engineering Plan (GEP)’ should be prepared first.
It is submitted to foreign governments and all kinds of companies to attract investment.
To be honest, I didn’t expect much from civil servants in the 1960s, but when I came here and saw the policy promotion and work ability, I felt ashamed of my thoughts.
Rather, the Blue House’s work style was improvised, and the incompetent organization was the National Assembly.
‘6, 70’s economic development did not just go-stop. These people really work hard and do a good job.’
The proof was in front of my desk.
Milestones from the comprehensive steelworks review stage to completion were written in the General Technical Plan (GEP).
Technology review, economic feasibility review, demand forecast, raw material procurement strategy, financing plan, etc… All kinds of data were prepared.
The only thing I regret is that the process design is somewhat inefficient, but that’s not their fault, it’s something I had to make up for with 21st century technology.
“Chief Wu, I have something to tell you. Do you have some time?”
“Please speak.”
Assistant Secretary Yeom came to the seat.
Dozens of experts from the Economic Planning Board, the Ministry of Commerce, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Korea Development Bank, and others gathered in this office.
The vice chairman was Deputy Minister Yeom Won-cheol, and the fact that he came to the seat like this was pushed by the members and came to ask questions as a representative.
“Chief Wu, why don’t you go to West Germany as a special envoy and go to the Pittsburgh conference? There is a personal letter from His Excellency and a report on the Incheon Iron and Steel Accident. Isn’t that enough to face the West German Prime Minister?”
“Wouldn’t the West German government be able to pay all the money to build our integrated steelworks? You have to go where the money is. I met the West German government and met other companies.”
The Pittsburgh meeting was a kind of conference meeting organized by Coopers Corporation in the United States.
Since it was the 1960s, there were no paper presentations, and it was a social meeting where all kinds of steel companies and investment companies gathered to predict the world economy next year and share their opinions on how to invest. In vulgar terms, it was their own party where only wealthy steel companies gathered.
I sent an official notice that I was attending such a meeting.
Since he expressed his intention to participate as the ‘Chairman of the Integrated Steelworks Promotion Committee’, an official organization of the Korean government, he cannot be told not to come.
“That… if you think so. By the way… Since the host of the Pittsburgh conference is Coopers, can we send an invitation like this?”
After I sent invitations to the meeting everywhere, timid Assistant Secretary Yeom asked on behalf of the other members.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s good if there are many guests at the party. We just sent invitations to each company saying we would like to meet at the meeting, but it is up to them to decide whether or not to participate.”
“With all due respect, our goal is West Germany, but what if the West German government doesn’t come? Isn’t it disappointing?”
“What are you worried about? The West German government isn’t coming to the place where all the competing steelmakers around the world are gathered? I’m afraid we’ll make the report public, so I’m going to run like crazy. The one holding the hilt is crying.”
“Ah… that… I see.”
It’s a problem because conferences like this are so common in the 21st century, but in the 60’s it was rare, so everyone was intimidated.
Rather, I wondered if such a meeting would be held sooner or later.
“Above all, if the West German government paid only 30% of the total construction cost, it would make things a hundred times easier. Other companies, whether in the US or France, will compete to take a few percentage points.”
“Uh, are you going to pay competitively?”
Why are you tilting your head?
Come to think of it, did I not explain?
“All we have to do is make our integrated steelworks a joint-stock company rather than a state-owned enterprise. That’s what you need to do before you go to the Pittsburgh conference.”
“Yes? A corporation?”
“Come on, let’s get together. I will explain the operation.”
