The Chaebols Are Back

"What I learned when I came to the Republic of Nauru was that the population of the Republic of Nauru is only 8,000."

"so?"

"Who would mine that harsh phosphate?"

The Republic of Nauru already distributes 10% of the profits from mining operations to its citizens who own land in the mining area, setting a per-ton amount.

So the people of the Republic of Nauru no longer need to work in the mines.

"If nationalisation happens, Indian workers employed in Britain or Australia will leave."

The President of the Republic of Nauru nods his head to my words.

"Please hire those mine workers as Korean workers."

"It's not a difficult request."

"Is it possible?"

"Okay, let's hire Koreans as phosphate mine workers."

One succeeded.

"Thank you. Then I will establish a corporation in the Republic of Nauru to mobilize manpower."

"Hahaha, so that's what you're trying to fill in the missing 10%."

"Yes, as long as I can achieve my target 30% return in any way possible."

This would mean that Korean miners, like the German miners, would come to the phosphate mines of the Republic of Nauru in the central Pacific to earn dollars.

'A rolling stone gathers no stones.'

And then you pull out the stuck stone.

'You can control all the commercial districts.'

This is a plus.

And earn foreign currency.

"You're smart."

"Your Majesty, my heart really raced when I saw the sea of ​​the Republic of Nauru."

"The sea is beautiful."

"It looks like there are a lot of fish."

After speaking to the President, I saw the Minister of Economy.

"Lee Seong-su, are you requesting fishing rights from His Majesty?"

Just like I heard from senior Kim Gwang-pil, he is indeed smart.

"Yes, Your Excellency, I apologize for the presumption, but the island that is part of the Republic of Nauru is an island made of guano."

"What do you want to say?"

If you've made a profit, you have to give a little help.

"The more you mine phosphate, the more you will run out of guano. You have to be prepared for that."

"It's not like the phosphate mine will run dry overnight, so you're already worried about that?"

The President of the Republic of Nauru snorted at my advice. But the Minister of Economy could not hide his surprise at my words.

"If Your Majesty prepares for the future in advance, wouldn't he be able to reign as the ruler of the Republic of Nauru for a long time?"

Most rulers of newly independent countries dream of staying in power for a long time.

'It's a situation where that can't be helped.'

And then you get this bad disease where you have to have someone else.

Like who?

Like the president.

"Oh, I see. That's what I hear."

He immediately showed a positive look, perhaps because he thought that preparing for the future could affect his long-term rule.

"The Republic of Nauru is located in the middle of Asia and the New World. Australia is also nearby."

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"so?"

"If we make it a transit point for various large ships, it seems like it will generate significant profits even after the phosphate depletion."

"Build a bigger port?"

"Yes, that's right. That port can also be built by a Korean construction company."

"Just give me the money?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Hahaha, hahaha!"

The construction of the port can be subcontracted to Daehun Construction.

"What do you think?"

"Not a bad idea."

"Shall I look into it for you?"

"Your company will build it, right?"

"Of course."

I intend to stick my nose into the Republic of Nauru for the time being.

"I'll decide in the right direction."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and Your Excellency."

"Do you have any other suggestions?"

"It would be a good idea to build a coastal road along the island of Nauru, along with the port, so that the phosphate from the mines can be transported quickly to the new port."

When it comes to road construction, Daehyun Construction, which led the construction of the Gyeongbu Expressway, comes to mind.

'You can make a profit of more than 30% here too.'

The work is to build Daehyun.

A significant portion of the profits will be made by Korean workers who will be established in the Republic of Nauru.

"Yeah. That's a good idea. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"I will come back and tell you again when I think of it."

"You said your name was Lee Seong-su, right?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will consider you a friend. So you will be welcome anytime from now on."

"Thank you. Then I will go back now."

"Okay."

* * *

Outside the Presidential Residence of the Republic of Nauru.

"I thought we were on the same side?"

When I spoke to the President of the Republic of Nauru about similar methods of long-term rule, the Minister of Economy's eyes turned cold.

"It was because we were on the same side."

"what?"

The Minister of Economy is once again making an impression.

"Aren't we all blood relatives, family, and brothers?"

The population is only 8,000.

Then it means that we all know each other.

Even if the people do not know each other, those in power know each other.

"so?"

"Shouldn't there be a justification? A justification that only the Minister can give to oust a long-term dictator who is obsessed with greed."

When a politician I choose takes power, the profits I gain are bound to be greater than those of the existing ruler.

"It'll take quite some time to build up that reputation."

"It won't take long. The Republic of Nauru is an island blessed with natural resources."

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The Minister of Economy of the Republic of Nauru nods as if he knows what I am talking about.

"But, Minister."

"Do you have any suggestions for me?"

"Of course, you're rich, right?"

The Nauruan Minister of Economy chuckled at my words.

"why?"

"There must be slush funds too."

"So, why?"

"How about investing in Korean manpower that I will establish in the Republic of Nauru and also investing in Korea?"

This is the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Nauru, who stares at me intently at my words.

"How much should I invest?"

"Just invest $5 million."

There is a reason why the investment amount was small.

Regardless of the amount of investment by the Minister of Economy, all I have to do is to look after the Korean human resources corporation that I will establish.

"Investors are true partners only when they share the equity."

"That's right. You said we need fishing rights, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

The President of the Republic of Nauru has already told me that the outcome will be positive.

"Once you secure the fishing rights, what are you going to catch with your fishing boat?"

"Tuna. Hahaha!"

"The tuna in that sea is now yours and mine, Seongsu, hahaha!"

It's a success.

It was worth risking my life to come here on a light plane.

* * *

Inside the Nauru Republic Hotel.

"Sergeant Jang."

I called Sergeant Jang and checked the translucent floor plan that I could see.

I made sure there was no red color indicating an enemy.

"If we were to unite in one company, we could take over the airport and port within three hours, and even take control of the presidential palace."

Everyone was surprised by Sergeant Jang's report.

'In 40 years?'

The Republic of Nauru's very existence as a nation is now uncertain.

'There's no reason why it shouldn't happen.'

What if the Republic of Nauru could be incorporated into the territory of the Republic of Korea after 40 years?

Because the vast seas of the South Pacific become Korea's maritime territory.

Of course, for that to become a reality, South Korea would have to be 10 times richer than the South Korea I experienced, and it would also have to have a military that is 10 times stronger.

'The Rose of Sharon must bloom.'

Of course, I know that the novel I read, 'The Rose of Sharon Has Blossomed', is fiction.

And I also know that Dr. Lee Hee-so, who appears in that novel, was a person who opposed nuclear weapons.

'But what if I want to make the Rose of Sharon bloom?'

We need to prepare from now on.

The final stage, as I see it, is progressing one by one like this.

"Are you exporting coups too?"

One thing for sure is that Kim Gwang-pil has a problem with his tongue.

"Senior, no, Mr. Kim Gwang-pil."

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This is where we need to correct Kim Gwang-pil's bad habits.

"Mr. Kim Gwang-pil?"

When I became serious, Kim Gwang-pil looked embarrassed.

"Mr. Kim Gwang-pil, do you think you look different when you act like that? Do you think of yourself as an enlightened democratic citizen?"

I said, glaring at Kim Gwang-pil.

'and.'

We are also checking the color of the dot that represents him.

'It's still dark blue.'

It's really important to check things like this.

Because people can betray you at any time.

But if there is one mistake I made, it is that there were people around me when I was criticizing Kim Gwang-pil.

"Hmm."

"What did you say when you held my hand?"

"That's it, that's it."

"Let's just look at one and go. I'll make you a conglomerate. Then it's done. Who is the president and who is the dictator doesn't matter to me right now. The Republic of Korea is still poor and needs to develop further. Can't we use it? Even if it's a dictator, if we can use it, we should use it."

"I made a mistake."

This is Kim Gwang-pil, whose expression changes drastically.

He is the one who respects me the most.

"You admit it?"

"Yes, I admit it. And please keep your promise to me."

"Be careful with your tongue. A reed will sway, but a broken reed will not sway."

"I will keep that in mind."

I think Kim Gwang-pil will be respectful to me from now on.

"I'm sorry for being so serious when there are other people around." "No. I just came to my senses. I'll just think about one thing." "Go ahead. I have a lot of work to do."

* * *

January 27, 1972, inside a hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

I arrived in Japan from Australia yesterday, but I didn't return home right away and waited for Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol.

And now I am meeting with Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol.

"$28 million was deposited into Eunseong Trading's account."

"Mitsubishi Oil, right?"

"Okay, when can I transfer the $28 million to my domestic account?"

Japan exists for a purpose.

"Please transfer only $10 million, and transfer the rest to a Japanese account."

The cannon bank account should also be played internationally.

"Is the $18 million his slush fund?"

This is the moment when misunderstandings arise.

"No. Of course, he said he didn't have any secret funds, but I don't know exactly. Anyway, the $18 million isn't his secret fund. It's mine."

"Seongsu-gun's slush fund?"

"Yes, to be exact, it's money to invest in Japanese real estate."

Japan has been enjoying its greatest prosperity since the 1970s.

With him, the real estate market explodes.

'Even in the late 80s.'

Japanese banks were lending up to a surprising 110% of real estate's appraised value.

'so.'

A gum manufacturing company became Japan's largest conglomerate through real estate speculation.

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There is no reason not to take advantage of the bubbles that will be created.

"You want to invest in Japanese real estate?"

"Yes, with the remaining $10 million, I will establish a shipping company."

And out of the $100 million received from the Iranian Prime Minister, $80 million, excluding the $20 million given to the Republic of Nauru, there are many places where you can use it, such as buying land and establishing a Korean oil company.

Of course, all of this can only be done with the President's permission.

"Mr. Chairman, you also invest quite a bit in real estate."

Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol is a person who became a major shareholder through real estate speculation during the Japanese colonial period. And now, he is developing the Yongin Integrated Forest Complex and turning it into a natural farm.

"Me? Heh heh heh!"

"You created a comprehensive forest complex in Yongin, right? That will develop into a recreational facility. Something like an amusement park."

"That's sharp."

"I guess you've created a considerable amount of slush funds."

Chairman Kim Byeong-cheol just laughs at my words.

"Are you thinking of building an amusement park in Japan?"

As expected, not just anyone can become president.

'Tokyo Disneyland.'

As far as I know, it opened in 1983.

What if I do that?

Japan will have a solid slush fund by 2023, when cash usage will outnumber cards.

'Will I always look so pretty?'

In a country ruled by a dictator, everything is forgotten when the dictator changes his mind.

'That's what international companies did during the Fifth Republic.'

There is no law that says something like that can't happen in my country.

Anyway, we can't continue to shake hands with the dictator.

Of course, I intend to voluntarily force the president to step down, but how easy would that be?

"If possible, I would."

"Hahaha, it's really different. It's really different. It's amazing. It's really amazing."

"thank you."

I will return home tomorrow.