1953 Bare-handed Tycoon - Chapter 357



Only Noblemtl

357 – 1962

January 1, 1962. The government decided to abandon the Dangi (檀紀) calendar that it had been using and officially use the Western Calendar (西紀).

Therefore, the short-term system was no longer used by governments after 4294.

In addition, they changed their policy to calculate based on age alone.

The idea was to use age as the basis for national administration and to calculate the age for conscription and school entry.

Although everyone was happy that they didn’t get a year older, everyone struggled to calculate the year they were born in the solar calendar.

The keynote speech was that even if the government adopted Korean age as the official standard, people would still use Korean age.

It was hard to break old habits.

After breakfast on January 1st, Kijo passed around a calendar made by Cheongsan Group with his family.

He went from house to house, greeting the townspeople and giving them calendars that had both the Dangi and Gregorian calendars written on them.

The townspeople were embarrassed and grateful that Kijo personally delivered the calendar.

But the keynote wasn’t to receive such gratitude and to improve his and his company’s reputation.

It was done for the sake of children’s education.

The first step toward socialization was to teach children to greet neighborhood elders first rather than pretending not to know them.

I thought that learning love and manners from parents at home was not enough.

I thought that manners should be practiced by greeting the elders of the neighborhood outside the house.

Youngsoo and Youngeun, who learned first, greeted the neighbors in a familiar manner.

He was well socialized, sharing food with his parents and neighbors.

The youngest, Youngjun, also greeted his mom, dad, older brother, and older sister.

When Kijo had Youngjun greet Yeong-jun alone, he laughed because his appearance was different from Yeong-su and Yeong-eun.

Youngsoo tried to greet them carefully so as not to make any mistakes.

Yeong-eun was so shy that she would often run away behind her mom and dad even after greeting them.

But Youngjun greeted him cheerfully without any hesitation or shame.

The neighbors who saw that also smiled and praised Youngjun.

“The youngest son is very general-like.”

“The child is really confident and good.”

Kijo and Pilgrimage also laughed, wondering how children born from the same boat could be so different.

Kijo spent precious time with his family during the three-day New Year’s holiday, including taking them to see a musical performance.

After a three-day holiday, Kijo went back to work, had a quick opening ceremony, and went into the CEO’s office.

As I sat down, I heard the military band playing the national anthem from the Supreme Council building near the Cheongsan headquarters, followed by Chairman Park’s speech.

It was the sound of the opening ceremony of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction.

―Since this year’s policies will determine the fate of the country and the people, let us play a pivotal role in completing the revolutionary task… .

Hearing that, Kijo wondered when Chairman Park would fulfill his promise to Kennedy.

Two weeks have passed since Kim Jong-pil left for the United States.

I was a little worried about what kind of impact the major changes that Chairman Park would bring about in 1962 would have.

Chairman Park’s major announcement was made on January 9th.

Speaker Park summoned domestic and foreign reporters to the National Assembly and announced an emergency address to the nation.

“I am considering changing the Korean power system from a cabinet system to a presidential system. I think it would be better to make the term of office of the president four years and to allow the president to serve a maximum of one term. I am thinking of holding a national referendum to amend the constitution in this way.”

From the first announcement, everyone present listened with tense expressions and held their breath.

“And before holding a presidential election, I am thinking of holding a general election first. I am thinking of holding the general election in December of this year when the busy farming season is over, and then having the National Assembly decide on the presidential election schedule once it is formed.”

“In order for the general election to be held democratically, political parties must be free to conduct their activities. I think this fall would be a good time for that. Only after the old politicians’ corruption charges are over and the old evils are completely cleared away will free political activities be meaningful.”

The keynote speaker listened to the emergency statement on the radio.

Kennedy’s demands were reflected, but not completely followed.

It seemed that they decided not to release all political prisoners, judging that guaranteeing sudden freedom of political activity and immediately releasing imprisoned politicians did not fit with the reality of Korea.

The next day, Kijo was able to hear about the atmosphere of the emergency statement that the reporters witnessed through Jang Gi-yeong whom they met.

“They say that the expression on the face of the Central Intelligence Agency Director Kim Jong-pil was extremely serious.”

Jang Gi-yeong informed that Kim Jong-pil was present at the event.

Chairman Park learned that his political partner Kim Jong-pil had chosen not to make the announcement while he was in the United States, but rather to make the announcement immediately upon his return to the country.

It seemed like a choice to reduce the impact of making important decisions alone.

“Even the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency seemed flustered. He must not have known because Chairman Park made that announcement right after returning from his overseas trip.”

Jang Ki-young relayed the atmosphere at the time of the detailed announcement.

“When reporters asked Chairman Park if he was thinking of running for president, he said that all soldiers who participated in the revolutionary government would either return to their original positions or retire.”

“That means….”

“He said he intends to run. It was shocking that he would hold the general election first, but I think he put a lot of thought into it. He said he would ease up on political activities in the fall, when the general election will be held in December. It seems like the soldiers are preparing for the general election in the meantime.”

“What do you think, brother?”

“what?”

“Chairman Park is running for office, and the revolutionary forces are engaging in political activities.”

“I agree. Haven’t you seen the behavior of the existing politicians? There is no hope for them. A new force needs to come in and bring a breath of fresh air to the political scene. I think the military has done well so far. I hope they will continue to do so.”

Jang Ki-young, who took office as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Finance in the Third Republic, was favorable to the military government.

After Chairman Park made his emergency speech, the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction announced economic policies one after another.

Tax exemptions for Americans and American companies will continue to be promoted, and laws such as the Special Act on the Creation of National Industrial Complexes and the Bonded Processing Trade Promotion Act, which will allow Japanese companies to receive commercial loans and conduct stable transactions without establishing diplomatic relations with Japan, have been enacted and announced.

This speed was possible because the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction had legislative power.

If this many laws had been passed in the National Assembly, it would have taken at least a year for the ruling and opposition parties to fight over them.

It was a sight that revealed the military government’s greatest strength: efficiency.

And all of those laws were laws that Kijo had suggested or were related to projects that Kijo was promoting.

A few days later, an announcement was made that would be accepted.

As expected, when the second round of applications began, more applicants flooded in than in the first round.

In line with this, Kijo ran a newspaper advertisement offering to sell TVs on a 12-month interest-free installment plan.

Then, the area in front of DBC was also crowded with TV applicants.

Kim Seo-kwang, who was in charge of TV sales, was surprised to see that more than 5,000 people showed up to buy 258 units.

“No, these people didn’t buy anything in the 50s, so why are they suddenly flocking in… … .”

Kim Seo-kwang, who had been talking to himself, climbed up on a chair with a loudspeaker and shouted at the crowd.

“The TVs that Cheongsan sells are not the latest models! They are inventory items purchased in the 50s!”

As Seo-kwang shouted, shouts of disapproval were heard here and there.

“These days, if you don’t have a TV, you’re not considered rich even if you have a car. Instead, if you have a TV even if you don’t have a car, you’re considered rich in the neighborhood!”

“Now that we know everything, let’s make the drawing fair!”

Seo-kwang got down from his chair at the words that he knew everything.

‘That’s really strange… This is a big deal.’

When Seo-gwang shook his head, Han-soo, who came out to support Seo-gwang, spoke.

“Brother, I heard that the TVs that Cheongsan sells are much cheaper than the TVs that the government sells, so if you win, you can resell them. You can get the same price as the new products that the government sells. Since you can earn more than 20,000 won just by sitting down, I think people are flocking to buy lottery tickets.”

“Really? 20,000 won is one person’s monthly salary, so it’s worth it….”

Seo-kwang, who was scratching his head, asked Han-su.

“Hansoo, do you understand the current situation? As you know, TV popularity wasn’t like this.”

“Well, I guess it’s just a trend. The house next door and the house in front are buying houses, so I think we should buy one too. Isn’t that it? These days, even if you live in a three-room apartment, there are people who buy TVs.”

“Trend? Well, people in our country can’t stand trends.”

“The government has received 65,000 applications for TV purchases. They say they earned 6.5 million won just from the application revenue.”

“Wow, that’s great. Should we have sold application forms like the government? Hahaha.”

Seo-kwang thought about how the world has really changed a lot, as he recalled selling smuggled TVs at Dongdaemun Market in the 1950s.

Seo-kwang, who returned home from work that day, was surprised by the money his wife gave him and asked.

“What’s all that money for? Did you get your own money?”

“What is the deposit? The neighbors, even the neighbors’ relatives, came and gave money. It’s called a deposit.”

“What deposit?”

“I want to buy a TV from Cheongsan. I said I would pay 10,000 won first, so I asked for priority selection.”

“What if I get that? The CEO said he would draw fairly and sell it.”

“I didn’t want to accept it either. But what can I do when he just throws the envelope away?”

Seo Gwang’s wife also spoke as if she was hurt.

“Oh my, I’m screwed. The CEO will think of me as someone who took bribes. Give me that money right now!”

Seo Gwang put the envelope in his bag and went with his wife to return the money.

Some people accepted it back without any hesitation, but others were upset by Seo Gwang’s actions.

“Oh, can you do that for me? It’s not like we’ve only known each other for a day or two!”

“We’re close, but this is a TV that Cheongsan sells, hyung. Cheongsan doesn’t do business that way.”

“You’re the real boss? You can’t even steal a single TV?”

“I became a powerful person because I worked conscientiously, hyung.”

“So you’re saying I’m not conscientious? Why am I being so shameful?”

“Ah! I don’t know. I can’t help it even though it’s disappointing!”

Seo Gwang threw down the envelope of money and came out.

Seo Gwang, who returned after returning all of the deposit, lay down on the mat in his room.

Yeong-bae said while massaging Seo-gwang’s legs.

“Father, are you tired from working?”

Seo Gwang was so dependable that his eldest son, Young Bae, was not jealous of the CEO’s son, Young Su.

“Youngbae, it doesn’t matter to your father if you don’t go to a good middle school. Just live healthily and vigorously like you are now. A man can live a fulfilling life if he has a strong will.”

“Yes, Father. I heard at school that I have a great humanity.”

“Yeah, you little punk! Whose son are you? Hahaha!”

Seo-Gwang sat up, hugged his son, and patted his back.

‘This is what it’s like to raise a son!’

Seo-kwang was proud.

“Father, please wait a moment.”

The baby came out of my arms and went towards the kitchen and brought a basin of warm water.

“Why did you bring the bowl into the room?”

“I want to wash my father’s feet.”

Yeongbae brought a chair, sat Seogwang down, took off Seogwang’s socks, and soaked his feet in warm water.

As Youngbae washed Seogwang’s feet with soap, the second and third twins also tried to help their brother.

Then Youngbae said.

“Today, I will wash your father’s feet, so tomorrow and the day after, you will wash your father’s feet.”

At Youngbae’s words, all the fatigue and anger that had built up in Seogwang disappeared.

“Oh my… What kind of glory is this… … .”

Seo-gwang was happy just looking at his three sons.

That was a time when a filial son was the best.