Chapter 283
Chapter 283
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Rise of Korea
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Despite the friction with China, the Korean economy continued to cruise along smoothly.
The average annual growth rate was still hovering around 10%.
The core driver behind this growth was the EA and the Third World markets.
"What if we sell a bit less to advanced economies? We just pump money into our client states and create a market—that's it."
Korea poured massive capital into these countries to expand their markets, then sucked up the profits, accelerating economic growth.
In contrast, the performances of Korea's competitors were utterly dismal.
The U.S. saw costs rise due to issues with China and Vietnam, causing its potential growth rate to dip slightly.
Compared to Korea's overwhelming growth, America's sluggish pace was clearly a problem.
"We're still number one. Don't you know bigger weight classes grow slower?"
Thanks to its massive domestic market and the base effect of the dollar as the key currency, America could generally maintain an upward-trending economy.
But the EEC was different.
Europe was still running fragmented economies, and its domestic demand was weak compared to America's.
In these circumstances, Europe's growth rates were dismal even against the U.S.
"Ha. We need to block Korean goods somehow."
If they could slyly raise tariffs like America, things might improve, but Europe lacked the clout.
They'd gotten badly burned trying that before, so the EEC couldn't act decisively either way.
Compared to the EEC getting trampled by Korean products, the Commonwealth was faring a bit better.
"Our big son America has a sturdy backside."
The Commonwealth was catching its breath through ties with America and the old Commonwealth network.
The "British disease," once called a "national malaise," had been "appropriately" treated, putting Britain in a better spot than the EEC overall.
But being better off than the EEC didn't mean growth rates were good.
The Commonwealth's economic growth rate didn't even hit 4%.
"Our Western friends must be jealous."
Still, the EEC and Commonwealth were better off than the Soviet Union.
The Soviets were choking on rock-bottom oil prices.
The reason their lifeline was cut off was cheap Middle Eastern oil flowing to the West via the Suez Canal.
The Soviets tried to offset losses with natural gas exports to Western Europe, but even that was tough.
"Factoring in pipeline construction costs, breaking even would take ten years, right?"
With all of Korea's major rivals—America, the EEC, the Commonwealth, and the Soviet Union—struggling, Pyongyang's ascent drew more attention than ever.
"Here are the economic achievements of our Republic this year."
Korea no longer hid its successes by fudging GDP like in the old days.
It flaunted them openly and boldly.
"Take a good look. This is the power of the Republic."
Per capita GDP hit $7,000, with a population of 73.5 million, putting Korea's total economy at 61% of the world's top superpower, America.
Why hide it anyway? They'd face scrutiny regardless. Pyongyang's mindset was to use it to showcase Korea's standing to the world.
Nations were shocked by Pyongyang's announced figures.
Even the leaders of the great powers, who had been estimating Korea's GDP, couldn't hide their astonishment.
"$7,000? Korea's total GDP is $521.5 billion?"
It was an absurd number.
That put Korea beyond the reach of mere suppression.
Korea alone could now trade punches with America.
Add in the fast-growing EA?
At this rate, by 1975, the EA could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with America—no surprise there.
Sure, matching America without bubbles would take until 1980, but the visible economic heft was enough to intimidate the West.
Western societies, stunned by Korea's growth, began pushing claims like this:
"If we don't learn from Korea, we'll be left behind. Let's adopt everything the Koreans have now."
Following Korean-style democracy, Korea's social model started gaining spotlight in the West.
"Sigma Six? The Koreans are doing all sorts of wild things."
"It's these little things that created the gap—we couldn't win because of them. Learning is the answer."
"The Korean emphasis on order and ethics might be the secret to their success. Let's learn Confucianism too."
The more the West buzzed about emulating Korea, the greater Pyongyang's presence grew.
Korean shadows now loomed even over Western movies, novels, and dramas.
Did that mean Korea was portrayed negatively in Western works?
Absolutely not.
You couldn't do business portraying the world's number-two power and a massive market that way.
Korea responded ruthlessly to negative depictions.
"Korea as the villain? You think you can trash our national image and still sell into the EA market? Bold move."
Korea outright denied distribution licenses for anything portraying it as a villain.
Creators couldn't depict Korea as the bad guy.
But that wasn't a big deal anyway.
"We've got the traditional villains: the Soviets. Just make the commies the bad guys."
The real threats to the West were the reds from the start.
Korea's presence wasn't limited to cultural industries like movies and dramas.
Its influence exploded in politics too.
"We declare the 30th Indo-Pacific Economic Forum."
The Indo-Pacific Economic Forum (=Third World) led by Korea had ballooned 1.5 times in size over a few years.
Not just West Pacific and Indian Ocean coastal states—Latin America and inland African nations joined Korea's economic alliance.
Was this alliance entirely Korea's domain?
No.
But listing your name there meant falling under Korean influence, more or less.
Korea wielded this formidable bloc freely at the UN.
"We'll proceed to the vote. Countries in favor of independence for East Pakistan (Bangladesh), please raise your hands."
"Yes, in favor."
When Korea signaled, nearly 30 countries followed.
With only about 100 UN members, that was fearsome power.
"Thank you, Your Excellency. Without your consideration from Pyongyang, we couldn't have resolved this so smoothly."
"No need to mention it."
Korea actively exercised its power this way for Third World allies.
It vetoed unfavorable resolutions and pushed favorable ones through votes.
Of course, such support went mainly to allies who proved their loyalty to Korea.
"The Koreans are way too arrogant."
Grumbles like that came from outside the Third World, but it didn't matter.
Pushing bloc logic meant you wouldn't win favor elsewhere.
As Korea's presence stood out across fields, Pyongyang's stature soared endlessly.
It had fully supplanted the Soviet Union, once the de facto number-two superpower.
Korea lacked only military might, but that too was just a matter of time.
"We launch the 10-Year Military Buildup Plan."
To cover its expanded bloc, Korea announced massive boosts to naval and nuclear forces.
The public gave the plan fervent support.
"Of course. As the world's second superpower, the Republic needs matching military strength."
Korea's goals were clear:
'An atomic navy equal to America's Pacific forces'
'Nuclear arsenal approaching 10% of U.S.-Soviet levels (capable of major power annihilation)'
Korea calculated it would need up to 3% of GDP to pursue this.
"It'll cost a fortune, but no choice."
If Korea were under America's umbrella, maybe not—but as leader of an independent bloc, it couldn't avoid the spending.
To guarantee allies' security in crises, it needed forces that could talk with the superpowers.
Only then would more nations join Korea's camp.
This way, Korea solidified its status as an emerging superpower.
Nations sent floods of students to learn from Korea.
Mostly from Latin America, Africa, and Asia's Third World, but plenty from the First and Second Worlds too.
Tourists surged.
Changing perceptions via media was the trigger.
"Korea? It's sophisticated, forward-looking, and cool."
Korea was now seen as a sleek, world-leading nation.
Admiration for Korea only grew over time.
"Korea is truly great. Rising to number-two superpower as a de facto single-ethnic state—we must follow their example."
White supremacists in Europe and America praised Pyongyang, arguing that recreating Korea's mythic success meant purging 'non-white impurities.'
Of course, plenty viewed Korea negatively too.
"Korean imperialists haven't improved a speck since the 19th century. Still neighborhood thugs threatening neighbors at every chance. How lamentable that such a nation is the world's second superpower."
Whether seen positively or negatively, the global perception of Korea's size kept expanding daily.
"The protagonist of the 20th century is now the Republic. You can't explain the world without it."
The world might be witnessing the moment Korea rises as a pole.