Chapter 692: New winds - 3-1 Complications in international affiars

September 7th, 2023, 10:00

The South State, Seoul, Jongro-ku, the Blue House (the President’s office)

The Blue House’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was busy dealing with Turkey about the Republic of Kurdistan in the Middle East, with Russia for the handing off of Hokkaido, and now the internal affairs regarding Kim Jong-un.

President Choo Un-hee was now in her third year of presidency. Since she had her work cut out for her in both domestic and international affairs, she called over the ministers of each department for a meeting.

“Madam President! We must at least improve relations with Turkey among the three Middle East nations.” Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-hee, who was busily working around the clock, started off the meeting.

“Of course. Do you have any suggestions on how to do so?”

“Yes, Madam President. In truth, any nation will not back down from a territorial dispute, even if its future is on the line. Our nation also fought fiercely against Japan for Dok-do Island, did we not?”

“Yes. That’s something that cannot be given up so easily.”

“However, our government is supporting the Republic of Kurdistan and its claim on Turkish territory.”

“Yes. For Turkey, that must be very upsetting,” President Choo Un-hee nodded while answering her.

“Yes, exactly. Most of the territory the Republic of Kurdistan is claiming are harsh mountain ranges. It’s not as if there are natural resources that would profit the nation either. Therefore, I believe we must offer Turkey an irresistible reward to persuade them to give them up.”

“Minister Kang, what do you mean by that?” National Security Director Kang Hyun-soo, the previous minister of national defense, asked with curiosity brimming in his eyes.

“We should offer them a plasma power plant.”

Silence fell in the room after everyone heard Minister Kang Kyung-hee. The national security director shook his head and responded coldly.

“Minister Kang, don’t you know the export of the plasma power plant’s technology is forbidden until 2050 under the Anti-scientific Technology Leak bill?”

“Yes, I am aware. Currently, Turkey is scheduled to operate three nuclear power plants until 2030, and they have begun construction for the second nuclear powerplant. The Turkish government has already spent 17 billion dollars for the construction of two nuclear power plants, and the third is estimated to cost an additional 8 billion dollars. What if we offer to build them a plasma power plant for free? I think Turkey will give the territory to the Republic of Kurdistan if we give them something like the power plant.”

Minister Kang Ui-sik, who had led the country to victory during the East Asian War as the chairman of the joint chief of staff, asked a question, “Do you think Turkey will just be content that we can save them 8 billion dollars and give them a single plasma powerplant that is worth 12 billion dollars?”

Minister Kang Kyung-hee answered calmly, “We should not put a price on the plasma power plant. This is something that cannot be built outside of Corea no matter how much money is spent by a nation. If the plasma power plant, which could not be bought by any other nation, were to be first built in Turkey, it could serve as a national symbol, and there would be no need to build any additional power plant for another 80 years. Once we make Turkey aware of this fact, wouldn’t they give the useless eastern territory to the Republic of Kurdistan? What if we also add the rail gun technology to sweeten the deal? How does that sound?”

Minister Kang Kyung-hee shrugged her shoulders and looked around the room.

“Hmm, after listening to you, I think that’s a good idea. What does everyone else think?” The president expressed her support and asked the other government officials.

Minister Kang Ui-sik raised his hand to express his opinion. “I think Minister Kang Kyung-hee’s suggestion is a good idea. I just have one slight suggestion. How about we see how Turkey responds when we offer them the plasma power plant, and if that doesn’t work, we use the railgun technology as a hidden card instead. If we can reach an agreement with the plasma power plant alone, I don’t think we need to give them the rail gun technology also.”

“Hmm, I didn’t think about that. That’s a great idea.” When Minister Kang Kyung-hee responded with a bright smile on her face, the other ministers also expressed their agreement.

“I also think that’s a good idea.”

“I agree as well.”

President Choo Un-hee seemed to have made up her mind and answered, “Very well. Minister Kang, please go through additional meetings with the related departments and visit Turkey once you come to a final decision.”

“Understood, madam president.”

“Now! Let’s talk about the next topic on the list.”

“Yes, up next is about the handing off of Hokkaido.”

“Hmm, that’s a hard one. To be honest, whenever that topic comes up, I can’t help but feel hate against President Suh for making that agreement.”

President Choo Un-hee’s joke lightened the mood of the office, and the other ministers and officials all laughed. However, this was no joking matter. Russia was on its last straw, and they had to give them a sure answer now.

“As you are all aware, we must give Russia an answer about Hokkaido. We have already received another phone call from Ambassador Titov this morning.”

Minister Kang Kyung-hee, who had suggested an elegant and wise plan about Turkey, also did not seem to know what to do about the Hokkaido matter.

“Madam President, why don’t we just give Russia Hokkaido?” Chief secretary Kim Jong-won asked as if to complain. The matter about Hokkaido’s handoff was like a thorn in the Choo Un-hee administration’s side.

“It’s…it’s not that simple. The previous government did sign a secret treaty with the Russian government promising Hokkaido, but we cannot just hand off Japan’s territory that is 2/3 the size of the southern state so easily without causing political ripples,” National Security Director Kang Hyun-soo summarized simply.

“Director Kang, which ripple would be greater, the one from handing off Hokkaido or the one Russia would cause for not upholding our promise?”

Director Kang could not give an immediate answer to Chief Secretary Kim Jong-won’s question.

“I think Russia’s ripple would be greater,” Minister of Political Affairs Lee Dong-hyun answered carefully. However, everyone else was completely silent. They were unsure which would cause more issues.

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“Hmm, if we are unsure of what to do, why don’t we offer something to Russia as we will do for Turkey?” Chief secretary Kim Jong-won thought simpler solutions would be best for complicated manners.

“What kind of offer?” When the minister of foreign affairs asked, the chief secretary shrugged and answered her.

“We could build a plasma power plant for Russia as well.”

“That can’t happen. That would be to send a wolf to guard the sheep. Russia will do everything in its power to steal the technology of the plasma power plant.”

When Minister Kang Ui-sik answered while shaking his hands, Prime Minister Lee Youn-yeon spoke in a lamenting tone. “Well, it’s not like we can handle this as if picking something to buy in a market. I really can’t think of an alternative offer for Hokkaido.”

The entire office fell silent. Everyone seemed to be thinking of ideas on what to offer Russia.

A moment of silence passed, and President Choo Un-hee spoke after tapping her chair’s arm. “How about we let Russia think about it for us?”

“Ma’am, what do you mean?”

When Minister Kang Kyung-hee asked, the president continued, “Let’s ask what Russia wants instead of Hokkaido.”

“Madam President, that could cause tremendous issues. What if they make unreasonable demands? We could burn down the house while attempting to rid of fleas. You know how President Putin is?” National Security Director Kang Hyun-soo intervened.

“Ha ha ha, Director Kang, calm down. I meant we should do that to buy some time. While Russia thinks about coming up with its demands, we could use that time to form our own offers. What do you think?”

“Ah! That’s brilliant, Madam President!” Chief Secretary Park Jong-won answered while smiling.

After the meeting was over, Minister Kang Kyung-hee gave the Corean government’s final answer to Ambassador Yegor Titov. Russia was now painstakingly coming up with demands after hearing the unexpected offer.

“Now! Let’s move on to the next topic.”

“Yes, Madam President. I would like to tell you about my visit to Kim Jong-un,” Prime Minister Lee Youn-yeon, who had met with Kim Jong-un yesterday afternoon, answered her as he pulled his chair close to the table.

“Yes. Did it go over well?”

“Ha ha ha, I think so.”

Prime Minister Lee Youn-yeon then summarized the hour-long conversation he had had with Kim Jong-un.

“Hmm, Kim Jong-un is smarter than we expected.”

“Well, we can’t be certain. He might be doing that to make us put our guard down.”

“Could it be? Well, based on his actions from the past, that could be the case…”

“I think we should keep the ACS going for a while, ma’am.”

The meeting was over past midnight after the ministers all suggested their ideas and opinions.

* * *

September 7th, 2023, 19:00 (Russia Standard Time 13:00)

Moscow, Russia, the Kremlin (the President’s office)

“A different demand instead of Hokkaido…”

Minister Valeri Karpin finally heard back from the long-awaited Russian embassy in Corea. He was a bit suspicious about the Corean government’s unconventional offer, but he gave up and immediately headed to the Kremlin to report it to President Putin.

President Putin reacted angrily at first by saying that it was unacceptable while swearing, but then his expression changed after sinking into thought. His face seemed to suggest he was having a good time trying to come up with what to demand of the Corean government in place of Hokkaido.

“Hmm, I wouldn’t mind the attack satellite that even the Americans don’t have or the technology for the 6th generation fighter jets. I really can’t decide.”

“Mr. President! How about discussing with the other ministers before coming to a decision, sir? I think the minister of defense’s input would be important,” Minister Valeri Karpin, who had been feeling pressured this whole time, smiled brightly as he spoke to the president.

“Hmm, I suppose so.” President Putin, who wielded charisma despite his short stature, seemed to be in a good mood and smiled.

“Mr. President, when will you call for a meeting, sir?”

“Hmm, I suppose tomorrow afternoon would be good.”

President Putin pressed the button for the intercom and called for his secretary, “Schedule a meeting with all ministers for 2:00 pm tomorrow.”

“Yes, Mr. President. Right away.”

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