Racism? Ethnic Discrimination? (1)
The eccentric stunt Yoon-gi planned for the Olympics—it was something that fundamentally required President Reagan’s permission. Strictly speaking, he could have proceeded without it, but Yoon-gi knew that securing approval was the only way to avoid future repercussions. That was why he had deliberately scheduled a meeting with Reagan.
For Yoon-gi, it was an offer he had no reason to refuse. With that settled, he took a moment to visit Japan for the first time in a while.
"Welcome!"
Seo Jong-hun greeted him with great enthusiasm. Originally a bodyguard for Yoon-gi’s father, Choi Cheol-ho, he had become a highly capable figure currently running around to secure real estate in Japan on Yoon-gi’s behalf.
"Is everything going well?" Yoon-gi asked as he sat on the sofa in the reception room.
"Yes, it is going very well. Since we’ve been pouring astronomical amounts of budget into this for the past two years, things have been moving even more smoothly."
"That’s a relief. If I were to sell off the real estate right now, how much profit would I be looking at?"
"Based on the current market, I estimate about four to six times the invested budget. Of course, that’s before taxes."
"That’s less than I thought."
At Yoon-gi’s remark, Seo Jong-hun broke into a light sweat.
"Yes, well. If you look at Japan as a whole, housing prices rose twenty to thirty times between the 60s and 70s, but since 1980, they’ve only doubled. If we had started investing in Japanese real estate back in the 60s, we would have seen massive returns, but unfortunately, we started a bit late. Of course, even this is fast compared to everyone else."
Seo Jong-hun’s words were true. People often thought Japan blossomed in the 80s, but the Japanese had started reaping the rewards ever since the Korean War broke out. Why else would the term "war boom" exist? Moreover, a war boom fundamentally meant a "manufacturing boom." Japan in the 80s was a manufacturing superpower. The butterfly effect was truly terrifying. If the war hadn't happened in Korea, the Japanese people probably never would have tasted such honey. Of course, Korea wouldn't have become what it was today either, due to the countless ills Japan left behind on the Joseon peninsula after their defeat.
"Let’s see... are there any unusual developments?"
"If I had to mention something unusual... land prices in Tokyo tripled during the year 1987 alone."
Hearing this, Yoon-gi felt a hunch.
"How do Japanese land prices compare globally right now?"
"They are undeniably number one."
"And what is the current price of land in Ginza?"
"It’s on the verge of hitting 100 million yen per pyeong."
100 million yen per pyeong. In 1988, the exchange rate between Korea and Japan was 547 won per 100 yen. That meant the land price in Ginza was 547 million won per pyeong. Converting that to 2019 value, it would be roughly 1.6 billion won. Considering that the most expensive land in Korea in 2019 was 183 million won per pyeong, this was nearly nine times more expensive. It was a price tag that defied imagination. Even adjusting for modern value, does 1.6 billion won per pyeong make any sense? What kind of building could you possibly put there to recoup the capital? A restaurant was out of the question, and even a plastic surgery clinic would never recover the investment. Yet, Ginza’s land prices continued to climb. No one could clearly explain why. It was just the madness of the crowd—a vague belief that prices would keep rising, filling Ginza’s land value with bubbles.
'It’s about time.'
Yoon-gi intuited that now was the time to hit the brakes. Of course, it might go up a bit more, but Yoon-gi decided to trust his gut.
"Stop buying land after this year."
"Understood."
Seo Jong-hun didn't offer unnecessary opinions and immediately respected Yoon-gi’s decision. Because of this, Yoon-gi felt very comfortable, as he didn't need to provide any tedious explanations.
"Instead, starting next year, start spreading rumors."
"Rumors? What kind of rumors?"
"Rumors that there will be some major development 'near' the land we bought."
"Not on the land we bought, but 'near' it?"
Yoon-gi nodded.
"Yes. If there’s a development on our land, we’d have to show something concrete. But if rumors circulate that there’s a development nearby, just spreading the word is enough."
"Ah, I understand."
"And I don't care how much budget it takes to manufacture these rumors, so make sure they are credible. They’re lies, but make them the kind of lies people have no choice but to believe."
Seo Jong-hun realized what Yoon-gi was intending. 'He’s planning to sell soon. At four to six times the value, that’s a massive profit.' The amount Yoon-gi had poured into Japanese real estate so far was truly astronomical. Seo Jong-hun knew better than anyone that even a fourfold return on that sum was immense. But Yoon-gi was unexpectedly unsatisfied.
'Would I have made much more if I had invested that money elsewhere?'
The fact that Tokyo land prices tripled in '87 meant the profits before that weren't as high as he’d hoped. But Yoon-gi wasn't just disappointed. He was already making plenty of profit elsewhere. Instead, he was hatching a different plan.
'The second half of '89 is going to be a very interesting year for Japan. Hehehehe...'
Yoon-gi, about to let out a sinister smile, looked at Choi Deok-bae, who was laughing openly in a sinister way. Yoon-gi was generous.
"Oh, by the way, I heard you like plum, so I prepared some plum tea. Would you like a cup?"
Reality, however, was not so generous.
"Thank you so much for coming all the way to Korea to meet me."
At Yoon-gi’s words, Reagan smiled.
"Of course I had to come. Thanks to you, this is the first Olympics in 12 years where both the United States and the Soviet Union are participating, isn't it?"
Before the '88 Olympics, there hadn't been a single Olympics in 12 years where the Eastern and Western blocs participated together. Reagan’s expectations for the '88 Olympics were extraordinary. In fact, even in original history, the US and USSR participated without issue, but in Yoon-gi’s timeline, the joint participation of both blocs was credited to Yoon-gi. Of course, Reagan took the surface-level credit for it.
"As much as Your Excellency protects me, I am merely doing my best. I am always grateful."
"Gratitude, nonsense. If I don't protect someone like you, who would I protect?"
To Reagan, Yoon-gi was essentially a goose that laid golden eggs.
'And a goose needs a bunker that can block nukes, and a bunker needs maintenance costs, right?'
Yoon-gi smiled inwardly and continued his conversation with Reagan.
'It’s a shame Grandfather isn't here.'
The grandfather Yoon-gi referred to was none other than Guster. Guster was already quite old when he first met Yoon-gi. Now, more than ten years had passed since then. Because of this, he had effectively stopped all external activities and was quietly enjoying his retirement at home. The external activities Guster used to handle were being taken over by his direct descendants, so there was no problem getting help, but Yoon-gi still felt a sense of loss. Beyond the mutual benefits, Yoon-gi genuinely liked Guster himself.
"You seem to be thinking about Mr. Guster?"
"Yes? Ah... yes. That’s right."
Struck at the heart, Yoon-gi gave an awkward smile.
"He must be a very precious person to you. That’s why I fear the passage of time as well. No matter how precious and deep a connection is, one must eventually prepare to part ways. I’ve only lived with regrets so far, but I hope you act in a way that leaves you with no regrets."
Yoon-gi nodded.
"Thank you."
Of course, unlike his words, he felt a bit sad inside. Yoon-gi had never experienced the feeling of parting with a precious person yet.
'Whew...'
Yoon-gi let out a sigh inwardly, then brought up the main point of today’s meeting.
"Your Excellency, actually, there is something I would like to ask of you today."
"Ah, right. There must be a reason you requested this meeting. What is it?"
Yoon-gi told Reagan what he wanted. Reagan burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! Are you really planning to do that? The Korean President won't allow it, will he?"
"I have already received an answer that it would be fine if I have Your Excellency’s permission."
"Ho, you’ve even received that answer in advance? Well, I have heard that the relationship between Korea and Japan is quite chilly these days. What was it... 'The Winds of Empire'? That was a masterpiece."
'The Winds of Empire' was something even Reagan knew about. 'In a way, it might be a film that contributed to making Japan known worldwide?' As Yoon-gi was thinking this, Reagan spoke again.
"Do as you wish. Honestly speaking, I don't really like Japan right now either."
What Reagan was talking about now wasn't related to the trade balance with Japan. It was about the Olympics.
"I encouraged them so much to participate, but Japan declared they wouldn't, and they actually didn't participate, did they? I have no reason to respect a country like that."
Reagan was promoting the simultaneous participation of the Eastern and Western blocs in this Olympics as his own achievement. In such a situation, Japan was the only one that had slipped away. It was only natural that Reagan found Japan quite detestable. If you ordered a pizza and one slice was missing, it was a highly unpleasant and unsightly affair.
"Oh, and come to think of it, it seems you need permission not just from me, but from elsewhere as well. Have you received it?"
"Ah...!"
Yoon-gi pretended he had forgotten.
"My, did you forget?"
In fact, he hadn't forgotten. He just hadn't done it because he believed Reagan would handle it even if he didn't. And indeed, Reagan chuckled and opened his mouth.
"Can't be helped. I’ll take care of that matter. I’ve received help from you until now, after all."
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
Yoon-gi smiled cheerfully and bowed to Reagan. And finally, the day of the Olympic opening ceremony arrived.
The Olympic stadium was packed with spectators. As a rule, an opening ceremony must be made as spectacular as possible by any means necessary to satisfy the crowd. And today, Yoon-gi was in charge of the very first sequence of the "show" at the opening ceremony. In fact, Yoon-gi had been offered the torch relay. But he had refused because he wanted to do 'this' instead. So, what was it that Yoon-gi wanted to do?
Whoosh!
A giant Japanese Rising Sun flag unfurled in the center of the opening ceremony venue. And at the same time, Yoon-gi, wearing a Hahoe mask, dropped from the sky and began to fiercely slice the massive Rising Sun flag vertically with a Joseon general’s sword.