099 : Breaking News
“It is said to be the trending CS Woo. I would like to meet Ambassador Winthrop Brown.”
“Did you promise?”
“No, instead there will be a three-way meeting by phone with General Van Flint of BR Corp. Please tell me that.”
“Oh, wait a minute.”
Van Flint is like an unofficial US ambassador.
It was only natural for the US ambassador to help the tycoon of the military-industrial complex.
“Haha, boss Wu. Come on, eat inside.”
After a while, Ambassador Brown appeared and greeted me. They shook hands and led us into the reception room.
“Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.”
“It’s the first time I’m seeing it, but it looks like an old friend. Finally meeting the man who amended the Brown Memorandum.”
“Thanks to you, I had a hard time in Vietnam. Still, it was helpful to the friendship between the two countries, right?”
“sure. The United States and Korea are now more special than ever. Having a three-way meeting with General Van Flint today would be comparable to that, wouldn’t it?”
Ambassador Brown quietly pressured me.
Even so, he was a high-ranking diplomat himself, so he meant that he should not be involved in trivial matters.
“Yes that’s right. As you are well aware, Korea also decided to build an integrated steelworks. Now I have to purchase equipment, but I have something to discuss with BR.”
“It is a historic day. Building a steel mill worth 170 million dollars in Korea is really special.”
It sounds like a compliment at first glance, but it was a provocation in such a way that such a large-scale project was carried out in such an underdeveloped country.
Ambassador Brown, stop whining.
You’re here to take care of your share.
“It was quite annoying when a Japanese company sneakily tried to put a spoon on such a large project.”
“Haha, I was a little concerned. Still, it doesn’t directly harm American companies, and Korea-Japan relations should be resolved between the parties involved.”
Even the US ambassador to Korea tends to view Japan’s status higher than Korea’s in Northeast Asia.
It will change over time.
“Of course, this is something our government has to solve. However, in the meantime, there was something beneficial to Ambassador Brown, so I visited him like this.”
“Is it profitable?”
“When I was researching data to attract investment, I found out that there is a special provision in the US Foreign Aid Act.”
“okay?”
“Look at this article. Countries that have received AID loans have a restriction condition that, when processing and exporting steel products, they must import the corresponding scrap metal or machine parts from the United States.”
I presented the relevant documents to Ambassador Brown.
“Huh, was there such a clause? Interesting.”
If anything trades like the dollar on the international market, it’s crude oil and steel.
Therefore, the provision is a law that prevents money laundering by the recipient country of the loan under the guise of steel exports. Steel mills are required to export steel.
In the original history, when Korea’s steel exports increased rapidly in the late 1970s, it was a provision that the United States pushed in to protect its own steel industry.
It was originally a poison clause in history, but things are different now. Depending on how you put the first button on, poison can turn into medicine.
“It’s not about having fun. When we export steel, naturally, US machinery exports increase. How big is the loan we borrowed.”
“Oh, does Korea’s integrated steelworks serve the national interest of the United States?”
“That’s right. It is to prove that foreign aid can create a virtuous cycle that boosts the US economy. Moreover, did American companies invest a little too much in steel mills? Japan puts a spoon on the table prepared by Korea and the United States. It’s not something the ambassador can sit idly by.”
The way to get the US government to do this is to represent the US national interest.
That Japan is eating America’s pie.
“Ugh, I was just waiting to see if the US government would be misunderstood as meddling in Korea-Japan relations, but that’s not the case. You can say that the integrated steelworks is not just a Korea-Japan relationship, but a US-Korea relationship.”
“Of course. Furthermore, it will have the effect of promoting technical cooperation between the two countries in mechanical parts. How long do you intend to subcontract only to Japan? A tipped pendulum is bound to cause problems.”
“Hahaha, every word you say is wonderful.”
It was a number that Ambassador Brown had many things to say to the American political world.
The logic of a virtuous cycle is being created: when American companies invest in Korean steel mills, sell their equipment, and the Korean steel industry grows, the American machinery industry also prospers.
“Since the situation is like this, we need to consult with General Van Flint of BR and quickly bring the facilities to Pohang Iron and Steel to eliminate the noise.”
“Come on, call me. I will be listening by your side.”
Ambassador Brown chuckled and held out the phone to me.
In the ’60s, there were only three places to make international calls to the United States. Eighth U.S. Army, U.S. embassy, and Korean telegraph and telephone office headquarters.
Even the Blue House did not have a direct phone line with the United States.
＜Where can I connect you?＞
The operator’s voice was heard over the phone.
“I’d like to speak to General Van Flint in New York.”
＜Wait a moment.＞
Embarrassingly, I heard a connection tone even though I didn’t give out my phone number.
I thought Van Flint was a big shot.
“General, this is CS.”
＜Haha, this is the first time in my life that I have received an emergency telex to answer the phone. Had I left late, I would have missed the call.＞
“Sorry for waking you up. I had to confirm the equipment purchase order for the integrated steelworks right away.”
＜You can announce it right away. It is free to announce the original draft. The purchase order will be distributed to each company immediately, and as long as BR is in charge of construction supervision and has a 35% stake, it is sufficient.＞
Of course you have to be satisfied.
Since we replied to Telex that we would build a steel mill according to Böst’s blueprint, there is no need to design a steel mill that BR has never done before.
As a construction supervisor, he holds the handle to control investors, and all the small things are subcontracted by Korean construction companies.
“We stipulated that the stake in association with Silverstein was 35%. You need to be clear.”
＜That’s what it means. There’s no need to be fooled, so tell me. What can I do?＞
“We will hold an official press conference in Korea, so please make an official announcement in the US as well. They said that they negotiated to import as much machine parts from the United States as steel mills in Korea export steel.”
＜What is it? When did you negotiate that?＞
“Ambassador Brown found that provision in the US Foreign Aid Act. I can’t tell you how fortunate I am.”
Saying that, I held out the phone to Ambassador Brown.
‘I thought I found that clause?’
‘Shouldn’t I do that?’
‘???!!!!!’
Ambassador Brown and I exchanged glances for a moment.
Aren’t politicians so ignorant?
“Ha ha, General Van Flint. It is the basic duty of an ambassador to look up Korea-US laws and regulations.”
＜Ah, come to think of it, I remember that Cassinger inserted that clause. After all, Jews are good at making things like that.＞
what? Was this provision made by Cassinger?
At any rate, Ambassador Brown intervened and it took shape to resemble a trilateral meeting.
“Since BR is supervising the construction, please send the site supervisor and plant technicians as well.”
＜I’ll send you a lot. How many will it be?＞
“Please send about 300 people. Select veterans and send them, and if necessary, you can send your family members as well.”
＜What? Up to 300 people and a family?＞
“I think I can afford some money, so I will build a housing complex exclusively for foreigners. We will also provide schools and other amenities, so it would be nice if you could share your skills and experiences while staying comfortable.”
It was also necessary to prevent Japanese companies from dispatching large numbers of personnel under the pretext of technical support.
If you build a housing complex, name it as a loan apartment after withdrawing, and sell it to the general public, that will also be an income.
＜I feel like I’m determined to do it right.＞
“I have to do that so that there is no back talk. They bluffed so much, saying that Japan would give them cheap blueprints and transfer original technology.”
＜Haha, I see what you mean. help me It’s natural for a soldier to support someone who wants to fight head-on.＞
It was also a statement worthy of a tycoon of the military-industrial complex.
“thank you.”
＜Change the Brown line next to it. I have something to say.＞
“Please take it, Ambassador.”
“I see.”
Ambassador Brown accepted the phone as if nothing had happened, said yes, and ended the call.
Now all we have to do is hold a press conference.
If the press conference is aired, the Blue House will have received official support from the United States, so it will be happy to think about how to use it politically. On the other hand, the Deputy Prime Minister’s party will get a shit line.
***
Blue house.
“Your Excellency, Rep. Kim Joong-pil and Suseong President Do Byeong-cheol came to see you urgently.”
“What? together? let it in.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The president hurriedly moved to the reception room, wanting to know what was going on. It was very rare for a tycoon from the political and business world to visit the Blue House together.
“Your Excellency, I’m sorry I barged in without contacting you in advance.”
“Lord, what is so urgent?”
“It’s nothing else, Deputy Prime Minister Cho Ki-young went down to Pohang to hold a groundbreaking ceremony.”
“What? A groundbreaking ceremony?”
The president was dumbfounded.
It was the largest construction since Dangun, and I wondered what kind of bullshit it was that the deputy prime minister, not himself, held the groundbreaking ceremony.
“I have to execute a Japanese loan of 30 million dollars within this month, so I will hurry up and sign a technical service with Japan and start construction.”
“Your Excellency, this is probably a ploy to hand over the interest in Integrated Steelworks to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation.”
“The Deputy Prime Minister at least took a bribe, what the heck!”
The president was furious and pounded the table.
“It seems to be as you think. If not, how could there be such an irrational number?”
Kim Joong-pil told the deputy prime minister’s behavior in a worried tone, as if he had nothing to do with him.
“Your Excellency, the concerns of the business world are also serious. If you tolerate this kind of thing, there will be no proper bidding for future national grand construction. Companies will be busy bribing high-ranking officials rather than competing on technology.”
Do Byung-cheol fanned the president’s anger from the side.
Every politician knows that a bad precedent sets a worse precedent.
“How dare the Deputy Prime Minister interfere with my work! How much effort did I put into this!!!!”
“Your Excellency, you have to hit the ball. If left as it is, it is like giving the opposition a powerful offensive weapon in the upcoming presidential election.”
At Kim Joong-pil’s words, the president’s anger went to the extreme. The integrated steelworks is a hot topic, but is it stained with a bribery case?
Beyond the internal gun quality, it was a great trait among the traitors.
“Chief Secretary!!!”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
Out of nowhere, the chief of staff jumped in with a hook.
“Hey, did you know that Deputy Prime Minister Cho Ki-young went to Pohang? I did not know?”
“I didn’t know. I apologize.”
The chief secretary fell flat on his face.
It was the first time I had seen the president so angry.
“Your dogma is certain! Fire that bastard!”
“Have… dismissed…”
The chief of staff was shocked at the word dismissal.
Even for the president, it was not easy to dismiss the deputy prime minister ignoring the procedures.
“Don’t you understand me? Take off that bastard’s clothes! right now!”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
The chief of staff jumped up and bowed 90 degrees.
“Report immediately on TV news and radio so that all citizens know.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“Call the middle class! Investigate the surroundings of the deputy prime minister, and investigate all the people who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. So that there is no doubt about it! You know what I mean!!!”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
To mobilize all the way to the courtyard, I properly drew my sword.
Do Byeong-cheol broke into a cold sweat, wondering what would have happened if the knife had been pointed at him.
‘Go… Thank you. President Do.’
‘Me too… thank you. Congressman Kim.’
The two glanced at each other and exchanged grateful glances.
“Look at the boss. Representative Kim remains.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
The president took Kim Joong-pil and headed toward the Oval Office with a bewildered look.
Do Byeong-cheol bowed his back 90 degrees and left the Blue House only after the president disappeared.
I managed to calm my trembling body with a deep breath and climbed into the car.
“Kim Knight. Radio… Turn on the radio.”
“Yes, boss.”
I was going to listen to the breaking news of the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister Cho Ki-young, but a completely different breaking news came out on the radio.
＜This is breaking news. Following the success of the Korean government in technical cooperation with the Austrian government, the United States also officially announced its intention to cooperate in technology. It is said that the reason for reviewing the integrated steelworks for a long time was the agreement between the countries.＞
It was absurd.
Now, there is no chance of Japan shaking up the integrated steelworks.
It’s a shame that he hurriedly entered the Blue House, but if he hesitated, this would have been a backlash.
“Kwon-hee, I lived because of him.”
Do Byung-chul said to himself without even realizing it.
***
Read at noblemtl
Jeonpo-dong a few days later.
“Wow, Mr. Woo is coming.”
“Hey, our predictions were correct.”
When I entered the ironworks street in Jeonpo-dong, people flocked like clouds.
Happily, there were many students who saw it at Daesae Shipping Library.
“Boss, are you ringing the golden bell today?”
When I arrived in front of Jindalae Ironworks, my mother greeted me.
“Oh, you look very full.”
“Yes, now next month…”
“You should tell President Kim to come in soon.”
“no. He sent me a letter asking if it would be better to make a lot of money than to be by my side, so I replied.”
“This… oh…”
It was the conclusion of the 60’s.
“Boss, more than that, people are waiting for you, so you have to ring the golden bell first.”
My mother smiled and handed me a small hammer.
Our family history has changed.
The year I was born was the year after me.
Baby, receive lots of love from mom and dad for a long, long time, and grow up happily.
“Now, Golden Bell seniors. Can the person here today choose the 3rd Golden Bell?”
I climbed up on the big anvil and checked it first.
Those who were selected by hitting the golden bell sang themselves as 1st and 2nd groups.
Some of the first and second class personnel who went to Vietnam and the United States were doing business in this ironworks alley.
“Sure, this is a military academy to get into the mainstream. No one can come in.”
“Some guys can’t even survive here. Anyone here will do their part.”
The pride was great.
In fact, there were a lot of various machine tools and jobs here that far exceeded the level of the 1960s.
“Then let’s begin!”
Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!
“Wowaaa!!”
“It’s a golden bell!! The golden bell rangaaa!”
The whole alley was cheering to the point of shaking.
“president! What is it this time!”
“Please tell me.”
“It won’t be easy this time either!”
“Waaa! They say it’s difficult! hurray! hurray!”
It seemed that the more difficult it was, the more likely it was to become rich.
“I will devote my youth to hot molten iron! Right side!”
“Waaa!”
“I will try to build the best ship in the world! left!!!”
“Wowaaa!!!!”
“You know all the rules of the trend, right? We work as a team, and we pay for what we do.”
“Don’t you know!! Waaa!”
Teams were formed and lined up from all sides.
There seemed to be about 500 people on both sides.
It was just right.
“After all, it’s a steel mill! Men are molten iron.”
“Kyaha! A man should build a boat!”
Yes, let’s work with this feeling
“Come on, let’s all shout together! We will be rich!”
“We will be rich!”
“Waaa!”
I have only one promise to keep.
Everyone gets rich by working hard.
