When the asset seizure procedure for the forced labor compensation ruling began, the opinions of the ruling and opposition parties diverged sharply.
The governnt and the New Politics Party maintained it was a rightful execution following due legal process, but the Liberty Korea Party clearly voiced its opposition, stating it would drive Korea-Japan relations to ruin.
A fierce war of words erupted in the National Assembly over the issue.
LKP leader Yeon Nakyeong protested vehently.
“Where is the sense in seizing assets like this, rushing it through without any consultation with the Japanese governnt? The whole world is watching, aren't you ashad?”
“This isn't the Japanese colonial era. A sovereign nation is enforcing its laws; why should we consult another country?”
“But the damage to our companies is becoming a reality! Are you saying it's okay if businesses go bankrupt and the economy collapses?”
“Even if there are practical problems, now that the Supre Court ruling has been issued, enforcing it is the natural course. It's absurd for the executive and legislative branches to dictate to the judiciary regarding its decisions.”
Yeon Nakyeong shouted in frustration.
“The governnt is trying to divide the people into pro-Japan and anti-Japan factions like this! You all rember how deeply the nation was divided after liberation due to the Banmintukwi (Special Committee for Investigating Anti-National Activities). Now is the ti for everyone to unite!”
At her remark that the committee established to punish pro-Japanese collaborators had divided the nation, New Politics Party mbers, unable to contain themselves, rose in unison and shouted.
“The Banmintukwi? Are you seriously saying that now?”
“How exactly are we supposed to unite?”
“Are you suggesting we pursue the Japan-Korea Annexation or 'Naisen Ittai' (Japan and Korea as one body)?”
As the controversy escalated, the National Assembly session ground to a halt.
***
Japan had consistently maintained a hardline stance on historical issues. Regarding the forced labor compensation ruling, it had repeatedly stated there would be absolutely no compensation. It had even gone so far as to instruct the relevant companies not to pay, even if they were willing.
However, when South Korea proceeded with the asset seizure, a backlash erupted, and public opinion within Japan was significantly stirred. Boycotts against OTK Company subsidiaries and Korean products gained montum.
- Just how much more money are they trying to extort from Japan?
- If we keep giving them money, they'll only develop bad habits. They'll extort us this ti, and later, just like they nullified the comfort won agreent, they'll change their tune and beg for money again.
- All Koreans are thieves!
- Don't use Korean products, and don't go to Korea!
South Korea, however, seed largely unfazed by Japan's boycott.
- Seriously, what Korean products do they even buy to boycott?
- Do you guys use Korean phones, watch Korean TVs, or drive Korean cars?
- Is there anything for them to even boycott? Are they going to campaign against eating 'kimchi'?
- Still, won't OTK Company be affected?
- Let's be honest. Even if Japan acts like this, how many people here would stop watching Japanese AV? It's the sa thing. No matter how much you hate Kang Jin-hoo, do you think you can quit FaceIt?
- Hey, so are you going to stop watching porn?
- LOL, a person's gotta watch porn and play gas to live.
In response, Korean consurs also launched their own boycotts. However, many Japanese brands entering the dostic market had established joint ventures with Korean companies. Moreover, all employees working in their stores were Korean, and so products were manufactured in countries other than Japan. Given the complex entanglent of the global economy, the impact of the boycotts was limited.
A more direct blow was felt in tourism. Political issues aside, the number of Korean tourists had been steadily increasing, but this ti was different. As the Japanese governnt continuously fanned anti-Korean sentint, anti-Korean protests were held in various city centers, and Korean tourists, feeling threatened, gradually stopped visiting.
A bigger problem was China. Chinese state-run dia extensively reported on Kang Jin-hoo's remarks pointing out Japan's financial cris during the Sino-Japanese War. So outlets even aired special features covering the damages China suffered at the ti or the Nanjing Massacre. Consequently, anti-Japanese sentint boiled over within China. Japanese travel packages disappeared from Chinese travel agency websites, and Chinese companies that had been planning large group tours to Japan, involving hundreds of employees, canceled them for undisclosed reasons or changed their destinations to South Korea.
Japanese local governnts, which had been excited about welcoming large groups of tourists, were left in a state of utter bewildernt.
Adding to this, Russia continued to take issue with the earlier remark, demanding a direct apology from the Pri Minister. Both China and Russia seed to be subtly siding with Kang Jin-hoo.
The Japanese governnt agonized over counterasures. Initiating sanctions against South Korea had been intended more as a warning not to act rashly. However, South Korea had ignored it and responded even more forcefully. Yet, retaliating with additional sanctions seed likely to only harm Japan further.
According to their original predictions, by now, cries of distress from South Korean companies, along with condemnations of the South Korean governnt, should have erupted. Instead, the cries of distress and condemnations were coming from Japanese companies. Japanese business leaders lanted why they had provoked Kang Jin-hoo, who had been minding his own business, leading to this situation. They had tried to boost the regi's approval ratings by targeting South Korea, but the move backfired, causing their ratings to fall instead.
***
The Liberty Korea Party declared an "extra-parliantary struggle" (public rallies and protests) and held an ergency eting with business leaders. Their intention was to highlight businesses suffering from the deteriorating Korea-Japan relations, thereby fueling public criticism of the governnt's policy failures.
However, hardly any business leaders showed up at the eting. The reason was that Kang Jin-hoo had already gathered them and ford a task force. With solutions already being developed and implented, no business leader was willing to side with the Liberty Korea Party and criticize Kang Jin-hoo.
Regarding this, Yeon Nakyeong once again made a bizarre claim.
“Business leaders are so afraid of governnt scrutiny that they daren't even attend this eting. Doesn't this situation prove that this governnt is a violent and oppressive dictatorship?”
Then, she went to a conservative group's rally demanding the release of Park Si-hyeong, took the microphone, and shouted.
“The Heo Chang-min administration is unnecessarily provoking Japan. We must refrain from cornering Japan. I am concerned that activist-turned-politicians are dragging our diplomacy down a solely anti-Japanese path. Considering our stagnant economic growth rate and the ever-present threat from North Korea, now is not the ti to bicker or fight with Japan. Maintaining friendly relations with our neighboring country benefits our national interest. My remarks, as they reflect the voice of the people, may deliver a painful truth that hits close to ho, but you must heed them.”
The majority of the public reacted with disbelief.
- It’s not that her words deliver a painful truth reflecting the people's voice; it feels more like she's the one inflicting pain on the people by hitting them where it hurts.
- When Japan was beating us down, you stayed silent, and now that we're fighting back, you say we should get along? What kind of nonsense is that?
- LOL, when Korea was taking a beating, you said we shouldn't do things that provoke them.
- Shut up! What's wrong with cooperating with Japan?
- Representative Yeon Nakyeong truly is a genuine patriot!
- That figures. If she considers herself Japanese, then calling her a patriot is correct.
- The 'tochak-waegu' (hogrown Japanese sympathizers) are at it again today~
- What's her connection to the Kurushima pirates?
- Is she still denying attending the JSDF anniversary ceremony?
- JSDF? From Yeon-kazaki's (Yeon Okazaki) perspective, they're the proud national army that invaded the Korean peninsula!
Even conservative dia outlets showered her with criticism. Public opinion worsened, and voices of concern erupted even from within her own party.
In response, Yeon Nakyeong offered an aggrieved explanation.
“The dia's practice of cherry-picking such provocative words to attack is an attempt to kill the leading opposition party. The framing of the Liberty Korea Party with far-right, reckless remarks has gone too far. While they hardly report on the radical statents made by the New Politics Party or CEO Kang Jin-hoo, they selectively feature comnts from our party mbers on their main pages for days on end. This can only be seen as intentional. If I made inappropriate remarks, I will, of course, be more careful. However, as evident from the number of reports, as soon as I say anything, they biasedly report it, calling 'tochak-waegu' or 'Yeon-kazaki,' and portals amplify and reproduce these articles. I believe this biased framing with far-right, reckless remarks is a joint effort by the dia, which is controlled by the New Politics Party and the Blue House, and the portals, which are kowtowing to CEO Kang Jin-hoo.”
However, this statent, far from calming the criticism, only intensified it, and the Liberty Korea Party's approval ratings plumted.
- How can the LDP's (Japan) approval ratings and the LKP's approval ratings move in perfect sync?
- Yeon-kazaki's grand plan to not let the LDP's ratings fall alone ㅜㅜ
- With both Russia and China turning their backs, Representative Yeon Nakyeong is the only one looking out for Japan this much.
- The astounding patriotism of an Imperial Japanese subject.
- Banzai charge towards OTK Company!
***
Taekgyu, the vice-president, stayed behind at the company, while I headed to Europe. Fortunately, Ellie could co along.
Ellie said with a smile,
“This is our first ti going to Europe together, isn’t it?”
“Co to think of it, you’re right.”
Though it was a business trip, not a vacation.
“I’m sorry it’s for work. Next ti, let’s definitely go on a real trip.”
“You promised.”
On the private jet, I reviewed the Golden Gate report. It detailed the import/export volus and items of South Korea’s trading partners. As expected, the US, China, and Japan accounted for an overwhelmingly large share. Japan was the largest source of imports, and China was the largest export destination. This was why one couldn't easily speak ill of China, but could say whatever one wanted to Japan. After all, the seller is usually more desperate than the buyer.
“Trade volu with ASEAN countries is on a continuous rise.”
ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Combined, the ASEAN countries have a population of about 650 million and a GDP of $2.8 trillion. They were experiencing rapid growth of nearly 10 percent annually, and with their young demographic structure, stable future growth was anticipated.
Next, I looked at the data on Europe.
Currently, Europe was entangled in a complex web of issues, including polarization, refugees, terrorism, and Brexit. On top of that, economic growth rates were declining. The economic growth rates of Germany and France, the powerhouses of the EU, barely exceeded 1 percent. The reason was that they had already grown as much as they could. Furthermore, aging was a serious problem. A smaller productive population inevitably leads to diminished economic vitality.
Ellie said with a smile,
“Still, Europe is Europe.”
It was the birthplace of Western civilization and the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. It was also where two world wars had taken place.
Even with Britain’s departure, Europe, along with the US and China, still constituted one of the world's largest single markets.
As Ellie and I talked, our bodies naturally drew closer. I looked at Ellie’s face. Even with minimal makeup, her features were distinct and beautiful.
We were inside the private jet. The crew cabin was separate, so it was just the two of us in this space.
As I casually placed my hand on her shoulder and leaned in for a kiss, Ellie covered her mouth and yawned.
“Are you tired?”
Ellie wiped a tear from her eye with her finger and said,
“I didn't get much sleep because I was finishing up work and handling the handover.”
“Co to think of it, you left work really late yesterday, didn’t you?”
Due to the nature of investnt banking, there were tis when work piled up and tis when it didn't. When we were both busy, we hardly had any dates. At least we lived in the sa house, so we saw each other every day.
“It’ll take about 10 hours to get there. Do you want to lie down and get so sleep?”
“Hmm, should I?”
The private jet also had a bedroom. I’d lain down a few tis; it was soft and comfortable, and I slept well. There was even a shower inside.
Ellie got up and headed towards the bedroom at the back. Then, she opened the door, turned her head, and looked at .
“What’s wrong?”
“Are you just going to stay there?”
“Huh?”
Ellie looked like she was pouting slightly.
A mont later, I realized what she ant.
“Ah…”
“Hmph! Too late.”
Ellie stuck her tongue out, closed the door, and went in. I quickly got up from my seat.
“Wait a minute!”
***
The private jet arrived in Berlin.
Cars were waiting at the airport, and everyone gathered at their reserved hotels. The official schedule began that very evening.
Originally, it was supposed to be a eting among business leaders, but surprisingly, Chancellor isner’s office proposed a eting first.
Chancellor isner, who appeared at the banquet hall, greeted warmly.
“Welco to Germany, CEO Kang Jin-hoo. I was planning to visit South Korea soon, but you’ve co to us first.”
Eleonora Regina isner.
Outwardly, she appeared to be an ordinary middle-aged white woman. But she was the first Chancellor from East Germany (German Democratic Republic) since German reunification. She had been in office for an impressive 15 years, serving consecutive terms, but her long tenure was far from dictatorial. In a Europe where far-right forces were rampant, she pursued moderate and inclusive policies. It was said that if not for her, the EU might have disintegrated long ago, demonstrating her overwhelming influence not only in Germany but across Europe.
I grasped the hand she extended and said,
“Thank you for your hospitality, Chancellor. I’ve very much wanted to et you.”
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