Chapter 145
Chapter 145
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 145
Chapter Title: Shifting Alliances
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If that were possible, there was truly no reason to hesitate.
I was just a little disappointed that my own plans for domestic development had been scrapped due to a lack of time.
But what could I do when the situation was what it was?
If I had one wish, it would be to get involved in the future large transport helicopter or the army's tactical helicopter projects in some form, but that too was a matter of budget. It seemed I would have to wait for the next administration to have any hope.
‘Still, these moves from the U.S. are quite unusual.’
The reason they were elevating us to a first-tier ally and making so many concessions.
Could it be a sign of a shift in their military policy for Northeast Asia?
Were they planning to use us as their regional spearhead instead of Japan?
If that was the case, this country was about to undergo significant changes, and we would have to be on high alert from now on.
“I agree.”
At my words, which came after shaking off my thoughts, the President and the key military commanders brightened.
Their reaction was likely due to the fact that they could now secure maritime operations helicopters without any trouble and at a low price.
Indeed, for the government and the military, who were always wrestling with budget constraints, resolving that issue alone must have been a huge relief.
‘This feels a lot like when we acquired the Apaches before my regression.’
Seeing their expressions, that thought suddenly occurred to me.
Back then, we had also managed to get a drastically lower price per unit by piggybacking on a large additional order from the U.S., right?
If I remembered correctly, the price per unit, including armaments, had dropped to around 50 billion won.
Because of that, Japan, which had acquired them for a staggering 250 billion won per unit, was widely ridiculed.
‘Of course, Japan’s absurd actions were the result of their misjudgment and corrupt system.’
A fool’s errand carried out under the pretense of ensuring the survival of their domestic defense companies.
And of technology acquisition.
‘Come to think of it, I’m suddenly curious about Japan’s situation. Medox and Abe’s meeting should have started by now.’
My thoughts drifted in that direction.
Medox had left promising to secure an apology from Japan.
I wondered just how he would persuade the Japanese cabinet.
*******
*Bang!*
“What are you talking about! You’re telling us to unilaterally apologize and put this to rest.”
The demand for an unconditional apology to South Korea sent Abe into a rage.
Even though South Korea and the U.S. had been enjoying a close relationship recently, Japan was traditionally one of America’s core allies.
To demand that Japan offer an unconditional apology was tantamount to asking it to abandon its national pride, a request he simply could not entertain.
“If anyone should be upset, it’s me.”
But Medox’s response was cold.
The thought that flashed through Abe’s mind was that Medox’s composure meant he was holding a winning hand.
Sure enough, Medox let out a dry laugh and pulled a photograph from his pocket.
“You know who’s in this picture, don’t you?”
Abe casually took the photo and was startled.
That he himself was in the picture was one thing, but the location and the other person were the real problem.
He tried to control his expression to hide his inner turmoil, but Medox’s smile remained cold.
“The man you’re talking to in that photo is Ri Yeon-ho, head of North Korea’s Guard Command. Is that correct?”
“W-Well, yes, but this was simply a discussion about the repatriation of our citizens abducted by North Korea…”
“Why would you discuss the issue of abducted Japanese citizens with someone from the Guard Command?”
Abe silently admitted his mistake.
As he struggled for words, Medox’s voice cut in again.
“Let’s say, for the sake of argument, you were really discussing the abduction issue with them. Don’t you know that members of North Korea’s Guard Command are subject to sanctions? How did they manage to enter Japan so openly?”
It was the final nail in the coffin.
This was a problem that no excuse could solve.
Abe’s face turned pale, and Medox slammed the photo onto the desk.
“You seem to be under some misapprehension. It’s not that we didn’t know the truth. We let it slide because there was no hard evidence like this out in the open.”
“You mean…”
“It means now that we have proof, our hands are tied. Frankly, there’s no reason for us to be humiliated on the international stage along with you.”
“Then what in the world are we supposed to do?”
Abe asked, swallowing dryly.
His tail was now tucked firmly between his legs, a stark contrast to before.
Seeing that the conversation would now be easier, Medox’s expression brightened.
“As I said before, there’s only one way. Japan offers an unconditional apology and lifts the economic sanctions first.”
“To lift the sanctions, we should do it simultaneously…”
“Tsk, do you really think this is the time for pride? You have to lift them first to give the other side a reason to do the same.”
The words were humiliating enough.
Medox’s attitude, so different from usual, was as well.
It felt like being forced to sign a surrender document at the end of World War II.
But then, an even more shocking statement came from Medox’s lips.
“The U.S. government will soon be elevating South Korea to a first-tier ally.”
“A first-tier ally? Even we haven’t… Don’t tell me this is compensation for the recent incident?”
“Why would we compensate South Korea? And does it make sense to elevate a country’s ally status over something so trivial?”
“Then why?”
“Because circumstances have changed that much. In addition, the expectations of the U.S. government and its key figures for South Korea have grown.”
“Circumstances have changed?”
“That’s not a topic for you and me to discuss right now. If you’re really curious, have your intelligence services find out what China is up to. In any case, we can no longer tolerate continued disputes between our allies in East Asia.”
“…”
“Therefore, the U.S. government formally requests that Japan issue an apology to South Korea as early as tomorrow and resolve this matter.”
Abe felt his insides rotting.
He didn’t know what China had done, but it felt as if the U.S. had now officially chosen South Korea over Japan as its military and economic partner in Northeast Asia.
What, then, had all of Japan’s efforts been for?
No, what in the world had been happening for the last decade?
“And one more thing, just in case. There should be no provocations regarding Dokdo in the future.”
That one sentence sent his already rock-bottom pride plummeting into an abyss.
Honestly, who didn’t know that bringing it up now would be impossible?
Yet, his emphasis on it was a roundabout way of saying not to get on South Korea’s nerves. If that issue was also taken off the table, the collapse of his administration was only a matter of time.
The current government’s biggest supporters were ultranationalists.
They would never accept shelving the Dokdo issue, a long-cherished goal of theirs.
‘Damn it. They took everything they wanted. No, judging by how things are going, who knows what else they’ll demand.’
The thought only fueled his sense of injustice.
The U.S. would surely try to get compensation from Japan for the concessions it made to South Korea, and there was no telling what form that bill would take when it arrived.
“There’s something else you should keep in mind.”
Just then, Medox spoke again.
Looking up from his guilty conscience, Abe saw Medox issue another warning with a deeply serious expression.
“Jin Hyun-seung of Jaewoo Group. As long as we don’t classify him as an enemy, don’t you ever think of touching him.”
“…”
“I’m telling you not to make the foolish mistake of repeating what happened in Russia.”
Abe felt a cold sweat run down his spine.
The thought that immediately followed was, why would the U.S. protect him?
Medox spoke again.
“The official position of our government is that Jin Hyun-seung is an indispensable figure to the United States right now. Although he has a tendency to walk a tightrope between Russia and us, he ultimately benefits American interests. So, you’d do well to remember that.”
With those words, Medox stood up.
It felt as if he had heard something utterly surreal.
Abe remained frozen in his seat, not even thinking to see him out.
********
Moscow.
“It’s been a while, Natasha.”
It had been exactly two years since Natasha’s last visit to the Russian presidential palace.
Having spent the entire time by Jin Hyun-seung’s side in South Korea, she had recently been ordered to return temporarily.
The first person to greet her was, as expected, Alexei, the Director of Foreign Intelligence.
“You’re looking much younger these days.”
“Do I? Well, I suppose Russia itself is getting younger.”
Natasha found his words strangely meaningful.
Russia getting younger.
Was he referring to Russia’s growing wealth from the recent surge in oil prices?
It was true that today’s Russia felt vibrant in every aspect, a stark contrast to before.
“By the way, when is this hypersonic missile collaboration ever going to end? The intelligence service is a mess without you.”
“The development is practically finished. I’m only staying there on President Putin’s orders.”
Natasha let out a dry laugh at his banter.
Glancing at her expression, Alexei casually tried to probe her thoughts.
“To be honest, I don’t quite understand His Excellency’s intentions. Why is he deliberately dragging this out?”
“He must have his reasons.”
“That’s what I’m asking. What are his reasons? Putting that aside, I’m worried you might get attached to South Korea.”
*Pfft.*
Natasha scoffed as if the idea was ridiculous.
But what flashed through her mind was her life in South Korea.
She could feel that she had changed in many ways from before.
“Anyway, why did His Excellency summon me so suddenly?”
She quickly changed the subject, as if to shake off the thought.
As if he had been about to bring it up anyway, Alexei gestured toward a door across the room.
“You can ask him yourself. He’s waiting for you inside that room.”
Without a moment’s delay, she walked over.
Opening the door, she approached with a short salute. Putin, who was spending time with his dog, greeted her with a warm smile.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“I am only doing my best for the eternal glory of Russia.”
Putin chuckled at her words.
What was he thinking? He gestured for her to sit and then simply watched her in silence for a long time.
“Your reason for summoning me so suddenly is…”
Unable to bear the heavy gaze, Natasha finally broke the silence.
Putin brought a cup of hot tea to his lips, then spoke after a small sip.
“What do you make of this situation?”
“What situation do you mean, sir?”
“The economic war between Japan and South Korea. And this absurd turn of events where Japan, against all expectations, has to apologize to South Korea.”
“I believe it was inevitable.”
Natasha replied without a hint of hesitation.
Surprised, Putin’s gaze returned to her.
“Why inevitable? You know Japan’s economic power and potential, don’t you?”
“While it’s true Japan’s economy is superior, I can’t agree that their underlying strength is greater. Above all else, South Korea has Jin Hyun-seung.”
“…”
“Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying Chairman Jin Hyun-seung solved this problem all by himself. I’m simply emphasizing that because of him, South Korea had many more cards to play.”
“I acknowledge that point. It’s true that after he took control of Jaewoo Group, South Korea’s military capabilities and its economy have developed by leaps and bounds. Frankly, if he were Russian, I probably would have eliminated him long ago.”
Putin’s expression changed in an instant as he spoke.
His chilling words made Natasha swallow dryly. Putin smiled again and continued.
“If he were Russian, he would be more than capable of threatening my position, wouldn’t he? Why would I let him be?”
Natasha forced an awkward smile.
Ignoring it, Putin took another sip of tea and continued in a low voice.
“In any case, I’m admitting he’s a remarkable man. Which is why I need you to stay by his side a while longer.”
“…”
Not understanding his intent, Natasha blinked.
As if expecting her reaction, Putin maintained his smile and casually handed her something.
“He is necessary for Russia’s revival.”
“In what way, specifically?”
“His astronomical fund, for one. Continued cooperation in various military fields wouldn’t hurt either. And crucially, I intend to discuss the development of natural gas with him.”
“Natural gas?”
“The natural gas on the Yamal Peninsula. As you know, the Yamal Peninsula holds up to 30% of the world’s natural gas reserves. I plan to bring South Korea in for its full-scale development.”
Natasha stared at Putin with a blank expression.
It wasn’t the situation itself that was shocking, but the realization that she had no idea how much longer she would have to stay in South Korea.
But what was this feeling?
Instead of frustration at having to leave her home country again, she felt a sense of anticipation.
“Anyway, I plan to discuss this matter with Jin Hyun-seung soon. And if it comes to fruition, you and Director Alexei will have to stay in South Korea to represent our side.”
“…”
“And, of course, you’ll also be responsible for Jin Hyun-seung’s safety for the time being.”
Natasha nodded immediately.
As she turned to leave, a faint, inscrutable smile played on her lips.