Chapter 262
Chapter 262
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Chapter 262 - 동맹을 지키는 법
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Translator: crow
Chapter 262: How to Protect the Alliance
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The failure of the Argentine coup did not lead to a U.S. retreat from Central and South America.
U.S. influence in the region remained intact.
“No, why? Didn’t you see the hypocrisy of those American imperialists?”
The secret to maintaining U.S. influence lay in the overwhelming trade dependence on America.
“I hate the sight of those American bastards. But that’s separate—if we stop selling to them, we’ll starve to death.”
Central and South America had been entangled with the United States for nearly two centuries.
Severing that connection based on emotion alone was simply unrealistic.
Even Illia, who had suffered the coup in Argentina, never declared a complete break from the U.S.
“I hate America for shedding the blood of this nation’s people. But if we let hatred dictate our diplomacy, our citizens will go hungry.”
I never expected Central and South America to break free from U.S. control overnight.
From the start, striking there was meant to show that if they touched our backyard, we could strike theirs too.
And the warning had worked.
Through back channels, the U.S. proposed resolving the conflict they had initiated with their preemptive strike.
“Honestly, it wasn’t a major clash worth Pyongyang and Washington clashing directly over, right?”
Of course, America wasn’t extending a genuine hand of reconciliation.
This was just buying time.
‘They want time to regroup.’
“We agree that there’s no need for unnecessary friction between Washington and us.”
I readily accepted their proposal.
‘After all, we need time too.’
The Republic of Korea and the Third World bloc needed time to reorganize our forces.
With mutual interests aligned, negotiations proceeded smoothly.
Since it wasn’t an official direct clash between our nations, there were no grand handshakes or photo ops with high officials.
Everyone knew this truce wouldn’t last long anyway.
“The truce won’t last more than a year at most.”
Intelligence agency heads predicted America’s next attack within one year.
I agreed it wouldn’t exceed a year, but I was curious about their reasoning.
“What’s the basis?”
“The various treaties we signed while rallying the Third World alliance are up for renewal within the next year. If America targets our alliance, they’ll move before then—it’s obvious.”
It made sense upon hearing it.
“If they’re aiming to dismantle our Indo-Pacific alliance by interfering with treaty renewals, that tracks.”
I pondered.
If America tried to break the alliance by sabotaging treaty renewals, how should we counter?
Of course, with the solid foundation we’d built, the loyalty of Third World allies wouldn’t shake easily.
But it wasn’t absolute.
If America poured money in with real intent, countries like Ceylon could waver.
‘When you back persuasion with stacks of cash, waverers are inevitable.’
We needed a sturdier wall.
“Im Ja.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We should buy up some media outlets in the Third World alliance countries. Borrowing others’ megaphones only works so many times.”
To wage a proper opinion war in the Third World, securing media was essential.
Of course, we’d need influence to avoid censorship, but we’d already laid those connections.
“Are you considering propaganda to topple regimes, by any chance?”
What do they take me for?
Anyone hearing that would think this Lee Seong-jun was Goebbels.
I’m no such dangerous figure.
“Of course not. It’s just about shaping public opinion in our favor in advance.”
What I had in mind wasn’t anything grandiose.
Use opinion to foster pro-Third World alliance voices.
I planned to make it hard for politicians to flip policies arbitrarily by leveraging pro-Korea public sentiment.
‘If they ignore opinion and try flipping policy anyway, the military could step in using it as justification.’
I ordered the media acquisition to begin.
“Just one per country. No need for more.”
As media buyouts started, the Agency for National Security Planning came with a suggestion.
“Sir, while we’re at it, how about buying media in America too?”
Not a bad idea, but media draws too much scrutiny.
If shadowy figures of unknown nationality controlled outlets spewing only pro-Korea lines, what would Americans think?
Controlling media was plenty in Third World nations where public info access was limited.
The buyouts proceeded quickly.
Once rulers heard we wanted to buy media, they cooperated eagerly.
“We have nothing decent to offer—my apologies.”
“Any old newspaper will do. As long as it can print, that’s fine. Not looking for anything fancy.”
“No, just start your own.”
“That’s not a bad idea either.”
What we wanted was the media outlets themselves.
Why not prestigious ones?
The answer lay here.
“Newspapers for free? Really free?”
“Free, so take them easy. Not too many sheets, though.”
We distributed free newspapers across the Third World.
Distribution spots were limited to places like markets.
“If there’s no one guarding them, people will haul off everything.”
We flooded areas with freebies.
“It costs a bit, but think of it as alliance maintenance—not too steep.”
“Understood, sir.”
Of course, these weren’t slapped together carelessly.
They incorporated 21st-century creativity.
“Four-panel comics? What’s this—pretty fun, huh?”
In the Third World with high illiteracy, papers packed with comics quickly gained popularity.
“You don’t need to read to get the point.”
“Sir, do we have to limit this gem to the Third World?”
We do.
“Im Ja, think of the costs.”
God doesn’t foot the printing bill.
It all came from the Republic’s treasury.
Free papers sufficed as shields for the alliance.
‘Of course, this alone isn’t enough.’
Against such an opponent, preparations had to be thorough.
“Prepare to deal with pro-U.S. figures too.”
We identified U.S. contacts via illegal wiretaps on embassies and surroundings.
The Agency compiled dossiers on these figures.
I reviewed the list and signed off on the kill list.
“Anyone in our backyard siding with America deserves death.”
Unfortunately for pro-U.S. figures, Korea was no benevolent nation.
From the start, the Korean Agency for National Security Planning was the outfit that stuffed Chinese scientists—potential adversaries—into drums to neutralize them on U.S. soil under the guise of countering China.
“Handle it quietly, no noise.”
“Will do.”
The Agency left big shots under public eyes alone.
Instead, they swiftly vanished select figures as warnings to pro-U.S. elements.
No disappearance reports reached my desk right away.
Only after substantial progress and mid-review did numbers hit my table.
“Sixty already? Good work from the Agency.”
“No trouble serving the nation.”
America naturally caught on to our moves.
How could they not, with their contacts vanishing?
But they couldn’t condemn us.
No evidence linked the disappearances to us anywhere.
Through experience, we’d advanced greatly in mysteriously vanishing people.
“Ever hear of the Mysterious Human Body Exhibition?”
Such Agency activities terrified pro-U.S. figures.
“We’ll drop talks with Washington—pretend they never happened.”
Wiretaps confirmed pro-U.S. figures abandoning America; we cheered.
“America’s grown more covert, likely aware of our surveillance.”
“They’re not dumb enough to keep taking hits. Coordinate with Intelligence Command for comms intercepts too.”
“Understood.”
Opinion, pro-U.S. figures.
We reviewed America’s potential plays against the Third World alliance, turning their cards into our shields.
We spared no standard moves either.
“Sir, good to speak after so long. How’s your health?”
“Thanks to your concern, sir, much improved.”
I maintained hotlines with Third World allies, calling regularly.
Ruler-to-ruler rapport was key to alliance upkeep.
Foreign minister meetings, defense minister meetings—ministerials across the board—convened periodically.
These events hammered home to citizens and leaders that the Third World was a unified bloc.
“America can never match what we do.”
Never.
How could they lavish this time on Asia-Pacific nations while managing Europe and the Anglo-Saxon alliance?
Under these conditions, could America shatter our alliance?
Impossible.
‘At best, they shake one or two countries.’
We wouldn’t sit idle for that either.
But I didn’t get complacent.
Lower our guard with America right in front of us?
That’s something Lee Seong-jun would never do.
I began rechecking America’s possible plays once more.