Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: A Deal is Struck
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[Is that all? You couldn't even stop them from possessing nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities. As a result, Japan now holds tens of tons of plutonium that can be converted into nuclear weapons at a moment's notice. And you're telling us you won't even allow us to abolish our missile range guidelines?]
She couldn't bring herself to respond, merely biting her lip.
Judging by the atmosphere, this was as far as I could push.
It was time to shift the conversation from pressure to the advantages of lifting our missile range restrictions.
[If we possess missiles capable of striking all of China, the United States can keep them in check without much effort. So, wouldn't it be better to completely abolish the guidelines on this occasion, rather than making some half-hearted revision?]
[China may be one thing, but what about Japan? You don't actually believe the Japanese government will just stand by and watch, do you?]
[Of course, a backlash from Japan is to be expected. But as you just mentioned, Madam Secretary, isn't that something the United States can sufficiently control? In the worst-case scenario, we must emphasize that Japan already possesses de facto long-range missile technology.]
[...]
Her gaze slowly began to waver.
Just as I was wondering what she was thinking, she suddenly shot up from her chair.
[Excuse me, but I need to gauge the mood at the White House for a moment. Oh, but before that, let's clarify one thing. It goes without saying that the technology transfer for the HVP includes the guidance system and the AESA radar, correct?]
[But of course.]
Fwip!
The moment the words left my mouth, she rose to her feet.
After excusing herself, she promptly left the room and didn't return for a long while.
"Haa... This is nerve-wracking. Although His Excellency left it to us, I'm sure he's on edge right now as well."
The NIS Director said, wiping away his sweat.
I glanced down at my own hand; it was also drenched.
As I reached into my pocket for a handkerchief, the NIS Director slipped a note into my hand.
-By the way, you're not planning on handing over the AESA as is, are you?
Of course not.
The AESA we built was designed to intercept ballistic missiles falling from high altitudes.
Moreover, we used gallium nitride-based elements for the TR modules for efficient power management. Trading that away for just a revision of the range guidelines was out of the question.
-Of course...
I, too, glanced around before handing the paper back.
For a moment, the NIS Director's eyes widened as he stared at me.
"Is it possible?"
"More than possible."
For example, by switching the TR module elements back to gallium arsenide… or removing a few other functions, it's perfectly feasible.
Well, it didn't really matter.
There wouldn't be a dramatic drop in performance, anyway.
Just enough to meet their desired specifications. That's all.
Besides, they had no idea what the exact specs of our AESA were.
The NIS Director showed a look of relief.
Inwardly, he too must have wanted to avoid playing all our cards.
-But what do you think, Senior Managing Director Jin? Will the U.S. really accept a complete abolition?
-It's probably impossible. Especially with the Democratic administration, where Japan's influence is immense. But they can't propose terms we find unacceptable either, so we'll have to wait and see.
The NIS Director clicked his tongue and crumpled the note we'd been passing back and forth.
I could understand how he felt.
China, Japan... I'm sick and tired of them always getting worked up over every little thing that happens on the Korean Peninsula.
Click!
Just then, the Secretary of State, who had stepped out to take a call, re-entered the room.
She suddenly took off her jacket, draped it over a chair, and put on a very solemn expression.
[Hmm...]
She let out a long sigh before speaking.
What was she thinking? She looked at me and slowly shook her head.
[First, let me convey the White House's opinion. A complete abolition of the ROK-U.S. Missile Guidelines is impossible.]
[...]
[However, we propose a complete removal of the warhead weight limit. And an extension of the range to a maximum of 3,000 kilometers. In other words, we will permit the development of MRBMs.]
It was exactly at a level we could accept.
It's not like we were going to war with the U.S., so a longer range was practically meaningless.
Just as I was about to nod, thinking it was a relief, she suddenly twisted her lips and continued.
[And, as Mr. Jin argued, in consideration of parity with Japan, we will also permit the development of solid-fuel-based space launch vehicles. How about it? Are you satisfied with these terms?]
Swoosh.
The NIS Director and I looked at each other at the same time.
In effect, terms like these meant the guidelines were as good as abolished.
If it weren't for the setting, I would have been shouting for joy.
[Now, then, let's finish our earlier discussion about the technology exchange.]
The Secretary of State observed our expressions for a moment before adjusting her posture and speaking.
Right, there was still that.
[I'm just saying this to be sure, but Mr. Jin, you're well aware of what it means for Pratt & Whitney's turbine blade technology to be transferred to Jaewoo, aren't you?]
Of course, I was.
Handing over engine technology meant the U.S. would no longer interfere with Jaewoo's independent fighter jet development.
In fact, that was why I was pushing so hard for it.
Because in the worst-case scenario, if we failed to acquire Motor Sich, this could be our next best option.
[Of course.]
[Then I'll tell you the result. Vice President Janssen of Pratt & Whitney is on his way here now. I'm sure you know what that means, right?]
A shiver ran through my entire body.
Equally surprised, the NIS Director suddenly grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard.
"I didn't think they'd allow that."
I, too, had been of two minds about it.
After all, as she had just emphasized, the engine technology was more symbolic than anything.
But the reason they finally permitted it was likely practical.
In other words, it stemmed from their confidence that even if we acquired the turbine technology, we would be incapable of developing an engine on par with theirs.
[Congratulations. In the end, you got everything you wanted.]
But she was underestimating my presence.
I already had a significant amount of future technology in my possession.
Therefore, there was a high probability we could actually build it, and when that became a reality, they would surely regret today's decision for a long, long time.
[Thank you for your decision.]
[No need for thanks. As you said, Mr. Jin, it was simply a reasonable transaction. Of course, the technology transfer will have to go through congressional approval, but you needn't worry about that. Congress is well aware that the benefits to us are greater, and they won't be able to refuse the Army's demands indefinitely.]
Swoosh.
I immediately extended my hand toward her.
Her handshake was firm.
******
"This is killing me..."
Waking up this morning was exceptionally painful.
The result of a late-night drinking session.
If I was in this state, Vice President Janssen must be a corpse by now.
Heh.
Memories from the previous day slowly surfaced.
The technology exchange agreement, mediated by the Secretary of State, was concluded in an instant. Afterward, Vice President Janssen insisted on following me back to the hotel, despite my protests.
And then came the drinking.
He left around 3 a.m., meaning we'd been pouring drinks for a solid five hours.
'If I'd known it would be like this, I should have tried to squeeze something more out of him...'
Pratt & Whitney's response had been more enthusiastic than I expected.
Well, they wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to expand their business.
Furthermore, it seemed Japan's rapidly advancing technology was no longer something they could ignore.
-Japan will soon be producing engines at a level close to ours anyway. No, given their technological level, they might even create something superior in terms of power generation. So, for us, it was best to get a good price while we still could. We just couldn't do it before because we didn't have the government's and Congress's approval.
I suddenly recalled what he'd said during our drinks.
I was so surprised by his words; it was as if he knew the future.
Historically, Japan would later succeed in developing the XF-9 engine, creating an engine with a turbine inlet temperature of a staggering 1800 degrees and a power generation capacity of 180 kW.
'Still, the fact that the Motor Sich issue never came up must mean Japan's lobbying is really intense...'
That part was truly regrettable.
But there was no need to despair. I had already blocked any interference with our own engine development.
In other words, even if we couldn't acquire Motor Sich, the burden in that area was lessened.
"Hmm..."
Not that I intended to give up just like that.
The reason was, as always, their expertise in manufacturing large aircraft.
We needed that to build tactical control aircraft or anti-submarine patrol aircraft in the future.
'I can't miss this chance to overturn the balance of power with them.'
I immediately got up and called Ryan.
His voice, thick with exhaustion, came through the phone. Did I wake him?
[You still sleeping?]
-Don't even ask. I was out all night, and my head feels like it's about to split open. I actually met with Republican Senator Michael yesterday.
[Because of Motor Sich?]
-You think I'd be crazy enough to drink all night with some old man otherwise?
[So, what happened?]
-I got a positive response, of course. Senator Michael is a well-known anti-Japan hawk, so I approached him first. Sure enough, the moment I brought it up, his eyes changed.
[Why does that old guy hate Japan?]
-Apparently, his father was killed by Japanese soldiers in the Battle of Saipan.
A cliché, but the most solid of reasons.
The emotional wounds left by those who led one's parents to their death are not easily healed.
[Good work. So, does it look promising?]
-What does?
[I'm talking about finding the weaknesses of the congressmen who took money from Japan.]
-You don't have to worry about that. Senator Michael is an old hand at that sort of thing.
[Well, that's a relief for me. Oh, and don't worry about the expenses. I'll send the funds as soon as I get back to Korea.]
The call ended there.
The time was already 11 a.m.
With only an hour left until the assembly time for the return flight, I hurriedly packed my bags.
"Come over here."
Most of the members of the business delegation were already gathered at the airport.
Chairman Lee Yong-moon was waving at me.
From his expression, it seemed he too had achieved something quite significant on this visit.
"Looks like you had some satisfying results, didn't you?"
"More than satisfied. I must have met a truckload of people from related industries over the past two days. Of course, not all of it will lead to results, but among them were many potential partners who could help Samjung's development."
At the end of his sentence, he glanced at me.
His eyes seemed to ask how I had fared.
Just as you'd expect from the best-informed man in the business world, he seemed to have guessed that my visit to the U.S. had a special purpose.
Heh.
I answered with a smile and stood up.
[Members of the Republic of Korea business delegation, please begin boarding now.]
An announcement came just then, urging us to board.
Eager to rest my weary body as soon as possible, I was the first to get on the plane.
"Senior Managing Director Jin. A word, please."
But just as I was about to find my seat, the NIS Director stopped me.
So much for resting.
Just my luck.
"What is it?"
"His Excellency is looking for you."
[...]
******
"Excellent work."
The President's face was etched with fatigue.
After all, going on an overseas tour at his age couldn't be easy.
Moreover, he must have been plagued by the missile range issue for a full day; it would be stranger if he wasn't mentally exhausted.
"You did a great job yesterday. Thanks to you, the government now has something solid to show the public."
"It was nothing, really. I was just acting in my own self-interest. Once the range restrictions are lifted, Jaewoo will naturally be the one to handle the newly developed missiles, won't we?"
That was my way of hammering the nail in.
To put it bluntly, I couldn't just do all the work and let the government reap all the rewards.
Understanding my meaning, the President showed a faint smile.
"That's true. But actually, the reason I called you separately is that I have something to discuss."
"What is..."
"I heard that once you secure the turbine technology, independent fighter jet development will be possible at any time. Is that true?"
"Yes, it is."
"In that case, how about we proceed with South Korea's next-generation fighter acquisition project as a domestic development program? Just as you argued last time, Senior Managing Director Jin."
[...]