1953 Bare-handed Tycoon - Chapter 346



Only Noblemtl

346 – To Korea

On the morning of November 19th, US time, Keynote and Chairman Park boarded a US military transport plane.

On a US military transport plane from New York to San Francisco, Chairman Park stayed in the back of the plane, which was decorated as a lounge.

The keynote speaker sat on the passenger side, close to the U.S. Secret Service agents and United States Information Service (USIS) personnel who were on board.

It was a long-awaited break.

The schedule in New York was as hectic as in Washington.

In New York, the economic center, we met with economic figures on an hourly basis.

We also met General Van Fleet, who will connect American companies to invest in Korea.

I also met with people from the business association who came to New York to promote investment.

During that time, he met with General MacArthur, who was 82 years old, and held an event to comfort 500 Korean residents and students in New York.

Fortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Han Sang-guk, who had recovered his health, took on the role of interpreter, which reduced the burden on Kijo.

The flight from the East Coast to the West Coast took 12 hours, and Gizo decided to use that time to rest.

As Kijo was about to close his eyes while watching the American Secret Service agents and U.S. public information agents sitting nearby playing poker, Protocol Secretary Cho Sang-ho called Kijo.

Let’s go to the lounge at the back of the plane, Chairman Park put down the documents he was reviewing and smiled while looking at the keynote speech.

“Once we get to the West, you don’t have to follow me. Just get some rest at the hotel.”

Now, the word ‘master’ came out naturally from Chairman Park’s mouth.

“This is what I’m going to talk about in a speech I’m giving to American businessmen in San Francisco. Take a look and tell me from a businessmen’s perspective.”

Kijo received the document and checked its contents.

The content was to encourage investment in all areas of manufacturing, including mining and food, and to ensure the safety of investment.

Specifically, it was a promise to allow free remittance of profits earned in Korea, exemption from taxes and duties, and not to establish state-run enterprises in industries where foreign investment companies had entered.

“Okay, Mr. Chairman.”

“Is this enough?”

The keynote speech suggested one thing after some thought.

“How about offering to provide the land for free?”

“Land?”

“Yes, Korea will establish an industrial complex and provide electricity, water, and roads, so come in with confidence. The biggest concern for foreign investors will be Korea’s lack of infrastructure.”

Chairman Park nodded and asked, “Since the government has a limited infrastructure budget, we should focus that money on industrial complexes to see if it is effective.”

“Is there anything else?”

Kijo thought he should bring up the story of Lee Hu-rak.

In addition to his outstanding sociability, Lee Hu-rak was also a multi-talented person.

It was also related to the economy.

“Please release Director Lee Hu-rak.”

“what?”

Chairman Park stared intently at the keynote speech.

While we were talking about the economy, Kijo suddenly brought up politics, and his expression seemed like, “What is this?”

“After this?”

“We need him to build the steel mill.”

“What is the connection between Lee Hu-rak and the steel mill?”

The keynote speech explained the reasons for its preparation.

“Mr. Lee Hu-rak is from Ulsan. And among those from Ulsan, there is a businessman who has become very successful in Japan.”

“Who is that?”

“In Japan, he is called Shigemitsu Takeo, and his original name is Shin Kyukho.”

“Singyeokho? Is that person close to Lee Hurak?”

“We will know each other well.”

The two lived close to each other, just over a hill from each other, knew each other, and went to an agricultural school, although not the same one.

We became like brothers to each other.

“Are you saying we should take Lee Hu-rak out of prison and send him to a man named Shin Gyeok-ho?”

“Yes. It will be difficult to obtain a loan for the construction of a steel mill. Even if you can obtain one, the interest rate will be high. The best option is to find a company that will invest directly in the steel mill.”

“What does this guy named Shin Kyuk-ho do in Japan?”

“We sell gum and candy.”

“Did you make a lot of money selling that?”

“That person’s company is the number one company in Japan. 70% of the gum sold in Japan is from that person’s company. And that person studied chemistry in Japan and has experience producing rubber and oils.

Yes, we can. Even if it’s not a steel mill, we can build a soap factory.”

Chairman Park had time to think.

The keynote speech was that Chairman Park wanted to give his permission, knowing that Shin Kyuk-ho had the intention of building a steel mill in Korea.

Any means necessary to build the steel mill had to be used.

Chairman Park, who had been thinking for a while, took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth and said.

“You’re saying the same thing as Manager Kim.”

Kim Jong-pil was mentioned.

“They say the same thing, but for different reasons. Director Kim said that Lee Hu-rak was close to the United States, so Lee Hu-rak had to be released to reassure the United States.”

Chairman Park blew out smoke and rubbed his bloodshot eyes.

“Not only did they let him go, they also wanted to give him a place to live. He was a talented person, so it would be a shame to just throw him away, and since he has good relations with the United States, it would be good to keep him by my side.”

The keynote speaker nodded.

Lee Hu-rak was a man trusted by the United States and was so smart that he was called ‘Zhuge Cao Cao’.

And Chairman Park, who met him, seemed to like him and appointed him as Chief of Staff and then as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

If it weren’t for the Yoon Pil-yong incident, he would have been a person who could have continued to rise for a longer time.

“But since you also want to release Lee Hu-rak in order to attract investment, I think that’s what we should do.”

Chairman Park chuckled.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Chairman Park smiled when he heard the words, “Your Excellency.”

“It seems like you only call me Your Majesty when you like me. Anyway, if you release Lee Hu-rak, let’s go to Japan together.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Chairman Park coughed throughout his speech.

I think it was because I had accumulated fatigue.

* * *

The delegation, who stayed in San Francisco until the 21st, arrived in Hawaii by plane that morning.

Upon arrival at Honolulu Airport, the Hawaiian governor and other Korean residents came out to greet us.

Chairman Park was shaking the hands of each of the overseas Koreans and greeting them, when security guard Park Jong-gyu roughly pushed Chairman Park.

And then he struck down with his hand a black object sticking out from the crowd, and it was a microphone.

The U.S. Information Agency camera crew holding the microphone looked at Park Jong-gyu in disbelief.

Although his compatriots were shocked and the entourage froze, Chairman Park, who had been pushed away, looked at Jong-gyu Park and smiled, saying, “You’re quick at times like that.”

Kijo felt uneasy looking at the sight.

It was because of the historical fact that Park Jong-gyu was not a very good bodyguard.

Reporters at the Honolulu airport asked Chairman Park questions.

“Are you not considering allowing Dr. Syngman Rhee, who is in exile in Honolulu, to return to the country?”

“I’ve never thought about that,” said Chairman Park bluntly.

However, Kijo knew that he had sent his protocol secretary, Jo Sang-ho, to Syngman Rhee to convey his greetings.

At 1:45 a.m. on November 24, the Korean delegation boarded a British Airways passenger plane and headed to Tokyo.

The time of arrival in Tokyo was 5:20 in the morning on the 25th.

A special KNA plane was scheduled to be arranged, but Japan did not grant permission for the special plane to land, so there was no return flight.

The Korean delegation, who had been stranded at the airport for an hour, were finally able to depart for Korea after the Korean mission in Japan secured a U.S. military transport plane.

As they entered Korean airspace, F-86 fighter jets flew in to protect the transport plane carrying Chairman Park.

Kijo finally felt like he had returned to Korea when he saw the Korean Air Force fighter jets through the transport plane window.

The time of arrival in Gimpo was around 9 in the morning.

Kijo was the last to get off the plane.

This was because the head of the delegation judged that if Kijo, a private enterpriser, came down with the government delegation, there would be misunderstandings from the media.

There were also threats to reporters who knew about Keynote’s activities in Washington not to feature him in their articles for the time being.

It seemed like they were worried that it might look like collusion between politics and business.

While the welcoming ceremony took place, the keynote speaker watched from inside the plane.

On the runway of Gimpo Airport, not only were there military bands and students holding the Taegeukgi, but also government officials including the head of the cabinet Song Yo-chan, and Mrs. Yuk Young-soo, holding Park Ji-man, was waiting for her husband.

After the event, Chairman Park and the entire delegation left the airport, and Kijo got up from the empty passenger plane and headed toward the exit.

As Kijo was coming down the airplane trap, Young-eun’s voice was heard saying, “Dad!”

Pilgrimage and the children were seen, with Sunyoung and Ma-ryang standing next to them.

And all the heads of Cheongsan, including Kim Seo-kwang and Seong Dae-ik, came out and welcomed Kijo.

“A special treat for our CEO Lee, who has returned from his business trip to the United States!”

When Kim Seo-kwang shouted, the managers were momentarily flustered and then saluted.

“Bampaparara baam papababam~”

When Kim Seo-kwang imitated the fanfare with his mouth, the managers burst into laughter.

Kijo, who hurried down the stairs, hugged Seol-rim, the youngest, Young-jun, and hugged the children tightly as well.

Yeong-eun was so busy kissing Gi-jo on the cheek.

Kijo had a hard time getting Yeong-eun off and shook hands with the managers, starting with Ma-ryang.

“Thank you for picking me up at the airport. Thanks to you, I had a great trip.”

Kijo left Gimpo Airport with his family and took a bus brought from Cheongsan Transportation to Seoul.

Kijo got off the bus that stopped at Jongro and walked down the alley, holding Youngsoo and Youngeun’s hands, toward home.

The managers followed him.

As Kijo entered the main gate, the manager’s wives were preparing a feast in the yard.

“Is the president here? I’ve prepared a meal. Come up to the loft.”

The wife of Seo Gwang, the leader of the women, said.

Kijo went up to the main hall and looked at the food laid out on the table.

The hard work of the people who prepared the food was clearly visible.

As soon as the host took his seat, the meal began.

The keynote speaker took a few drinks and asked people questions.

Everyone wanted to hear the story of my trip to America.

“Sir, how was America? Tell me about America. How was Washington and New York? Did you go sightseeing with Chairman Park?”

Seo Kwang asked.

“Ah, that’s… … .”

Kijo, who was busy just working and following the entourage around, didn’t have much to say.

He said that the Lincoln Memorial in Washington was very grand and that the White House was also large and beautiful.

I couldn’t tell you an impressive story.

Then Seo-Gwang asked again.

“Sir, you must have bought a present. We don’t want anything for us. Let me see what you bought for your family. Did you buy something like a sewing machine for your wife?”

The tone was awkward.

Normally, I would buy small souvenirs when I go on business trips abroad, but this time it was different.

As I was moving with the desperately moving troupe, I didn’t have time to buy anything, and even if I had the chance, I couldn’t buy anything because I was worried about what would happen.

“that is…….”

When Kijo couldn’t answer properly, Ma-ryang scolded Seo-gwang.

“You’re only interested in the ashes, aren’t you? I hope you return safely. What about the gift?”

“Ma-ryang, why are you saying that? I’m the only bad guy. I just took up arms because I thought everyone would be curious.”

“I’m not curious. Manager Kim, the CEO seems to be in good health. That’s enough for me.”

Ha Sim-su said with a smile.

Then Seong Dae-ik also struck the janggu.

“No, what? Why is it only me… … .”

When Seo-gwang was at a loss, Ki-jo said.

“I forgot to bring you a present, so I’ll sing a song to make up for it.”

“Wow! Brother-in-law is singing!”

Sunyoung clapped her hands.

Kijo stood up and picked a song.

“I’m going~ I’m going~ I’m going~ holding my young son’s hand~”

Seo Kwang, who was clapping along to the beat of Park Jae Hong’s “Yu Jeong Cheon Ri,” which Kijo likes, said.

“Sir, where are you going as soon as you get here?”

Everyone laughed at Seo Kwang’s words.

And everyone sang the keynote song in unison.

-Even if I can’t live, I like it~ Even if I’m lonely, I like it~

After the feast was over and everyone had left, Kijo smoked a cigarette in the yard.

My head was spinning because of the time difference.

Pilgrimage approached and said to that keynote.

“You must be tired. Take a rest. I’ve prepared a seat for you.”

Pilgrimage took the keynote to the house next door.

There was a bedding spread in the empty room where Han-soo and Hyeon-gyeong and Kim Jong-pil lived.

Pilgrimage had laid it down because they were afraid the children would disturb Kijo’s sleep.

“I’ll wake you up around dinner time.”

“thank you.”

Kijo went into the room alone, took off his clothes, and lay down on a thick mattress.

Although I was tired, I couldn’t sleep, perhaps because it was the height of work in the US.

The squat desk in the room caught Kijo’s eye.

It was Youngsoo’s desk.

‘Youngsu studied in this room while I was away… .’

Kijo thought that he should let Youngsu, who would be a middle school student in two years, use this room.

Right now, the three children share one room, so I thought it would be a good idea to give Youngsu his own room so he can focus on his studies.

Kijo got up and opened the book on the desk where Youngsoo was studying.

It was a social studies textbook for the second semester of the fifth grade.

There were traces of my son’s studies here and there.

I smiled as I looked at the notes I had underlined and taken so diligently.

The keynote speech was reviewed all the way to the last page of the textbook.

At the very back

This book was printed at the Daehanmunkyo Books Printing Factory, which was established with a donation of printing machines from UNESCO and UNKRA.

Minister of Education

It was written like this.

The reality in Korea was that textbooks could not be published without the help of UN organizations and aid agencies.

Kijo sighed deeply and closed his textbook.

Korea still has a long way to go.

And the changes that occurred during the visit to the United States weighed heavily on Keynote’s mind, as positive and negative things could happen at the same time.