＜ Chapter 43. two elections ＞
Chapter 43. two elections
Both Korea and the United States seemed to have the same election that would have a profound impact on the fate of the Republic and Jeong-hwan, but if you look into the facts, things are going to be a little complicated.
In the case of Korea, it was practically a one-side game of Park Yi-sam, the leader of the Democratic Party.
As if to prove his resolve to ‘I will go into the tiger’s den and catch tigers’, he is receiving even support from all over Korea.
In fact, most experts predicted that even if Min-jung Yu stepped in, there was no big chance of winning.
Jeong Mun-young, who had split a lot of votes in the original history, is now living a second life in North Korea.
It was almost certain that Park Yi-sam would become president, unless there were any surprises, but Jeong-hwan knew well what was going on at the end of Park Yi-sam’s tenure.
‘I’m not sure if the IMF will come here too, but… … It’s a matter of conflict.’
IMF foreign exchange crisis!
One of the worst crises in Korean modern and contemporary history, which came just before the turn of the 21st century, the monster that caused a huge loss to the nation and destroyed countless families even on an individual basis was spreading its jaws in the future only five years later.
Of course, the unprecedented economic hardship was never the fault of Park Yi-sam alone, but there were countless debates among luxuries about whether the IMF could have been prevented if another president had been in office at the time.
Junghwan himself, while at KDI, one of the parties to the incident, was still vivid in his memory of conducting numerous studies on the cause of the crisis, the government’s response, and whether the response was appropriate.
Of course, at the time, I never imagined that I would go back in time and face the foreign exchange crisis again, even standing in the position of the leader of North Korea.
Ahead of the biggest crisis of the Korean economy, which came just five years later, Junghwan smiled bitterly and fell into trouble.
If here he takes advantage of the crisis of the past ‘homeland’ and takes advantage of the present ‘homeland’, would that be an acceptable act?
From his point of view as the current leader of North Korea, the present Republic of Korea, that is, South Korea, was an enemy of an incompatible system and (yet) a country in which the risk of unification by absorption had not disappeared due to its superior economic power compared to North Korea.
Of course, it has been a while since he took the pro-American route under his leadership, and as there was a big variable of reform and opening, the level of arch-enemy has passed as before, but if you go to downtown Pyongyang and ask children, ‘What do you think about South Korea?’ The reality was that the answer was ‘a bad country that becomes a puppet of the US imperialists and makes the people groan from tyranny and hunger’.
Of course, this view is not unique to North Korea, and Jeong-hwan was well aware that even if he changed his position in downtown Seoul and asked, the answer would be ‘a country of cunning rednecks with horns on their heads’.
In other words, South Korea is a potential adversary or, if viewed favorably, as the next industrial competitor from North Korea’s point of view. .
Jung Hwan was not close to blind patriotism or nationalism, neither now nor in his past life, but rather close to hating.
Come to think of it, there was one more person that came to mind when I think about economic sovereignty and restructuring.
‘Actually, I don’t know if an IMF will happen here too, so even if I take some time to think about it, one thing is certain anyway. You can’t let this kid Clinton become president.’
In order to sell North Korea’s current strategic position at the highest possible price, even in the current position of Jeong-hwan, apart from using all kinds of knives on the Korean economy under the pretext of restructuring in order for global (written as U.S.) capital to enter the Korean financial market, President Bush It was advantageous in many ways to do one more time.
In fact, it wasn’t too difficult, because Bush’s popularity was at an all-time high with his victories in the Gulf War and the Cold War following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
At first glance, it may seem like a one-sided game as much as the Korean presidential election, but Jung Hwan knew that early intervention could prevent Clinton from overturning everyone’s expectations and ascending to the presidency.
“Then where would you like to see Mrs.’s craftsmanship? It’s also my debut stage as a lobbyist, so I’ll have to only assist and leave the rest to you.”
* * *
“Whether when I was Prime Minister or now, my unwavering commitment to the values of democracy and the beliefs of the free world has never changed! We, the Northeast Asian Balanced Security Foundation, will move forward through continuous human exchanges and actions in politics and academia to realize this great goal. Members, thank you once again for attending today’s event.”
Clap clap clap!
With applause, Thatcher came down from the podium and shook hands with the guests one by one.
The line of Washington guests to shake her hand was so long that she could only move after her secretary signaled her that she had to move now for her next appointment.
Although he resigned from his current position, and although he was in America, not his home country, England, it was still proof that the worldwide fame of ‘Iron Lady’ was still there.
“Chief Thatcher! There’s a lot of talk in Washington about the background to why you took office as director of a foundation you’ve never heard of before! Can you tell me who introduced you to this foundation?”
“Chief! Some say the purpose of this foundation is to lobby, and to influence Republican and Washington politics through your personal connections and influence. What do you think of that?”
“Now that the US presidential election is only a few months away, can you tell me which candidate you are supporting, the Balanced Security Foundation and the director?”
Shortly after taking office as the director of the Northeast Asian Balanced Security Foundation in the UK, Thatcher resumed activities as ambitious as fish returned to the water.
As if trying to convince others and herself that even though she has retired, she is still young enough to step down as an old-fashioned back-room grandmother, she said that day by day, she appeared in all sorts of events and media interviews, regardless of Republican and Democrat. It was shown to the public and to Washington, where the name of the Northeast Asian Balanced Security Foundation was imprinted.
As the Soviet Union collapses and the new millennium approaches, think tanks that predict how the world of the hardened Pax Americana will develop have grown like crazy, but they are more popular than the Balanced Security Foundation, which recruited a politician among the giants called Thatcher. nothing turned off
As if to prove the reputation of the Balanced Security Foundation, which is quickly establishing itself in Washington, Thatcher politely pushed out the microphone baptism and got a flash baptism, and got into the private car, and soon received a call from the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
“Fufu, oh my, I am welcome. Still, I didn’t really like that Arkansas Loach, which I had pulled off. It will be a lot better for the United States and the rest of the world if George does it one more time.”
-ha ha ha. Then thank you.
It was a short call, but the message was clear.
Bill Clinton shouldn’t be president of the United States, no matter what.
In fact, Margaret Thatcher’s personality itself was at odds with Bill Clinton in the first place, even if it wasn’t directed by the person who first put her in her seat, and even if she worked with a similar George Herbert Walker Bush while in office. .
‘That saxophonist who plays the saxophone and evades drafts, even breaks his own words as if he were eating rice. I am so grateful that this opportunity came to me.’
Thatcher’s thought was that Clinton, leaving the conservatives, would be disqualified as a politician, at least as a politician aiming for the president of a country.
From her point of view, Clinton was nothing more than a top notch kid on a night TV show who knew no duty, no responsibility, no dedication, no sacrifice, trying to win votes for the viewers without spitting on them.
And, decisively, there was a time when China expressed a positive opinion about the redemption of Hong Kong.
Even without Jeonghwan’s instructions, she wanted to go ahead and campaign for support for her father, Bush, and she thought it worked out.
“This guy, Bill Clinton, is obviously from Oxford, isn’t he?”
“Yes, it is. It was during the Vietnam War, and there was a bit of an issue that he had fled to England to avoid conscription.”
“Then you are my junior. Make an appointment. You can do an interview or whatever in the name of the foundation. I’m not going to turn it down because I’m a person who never misses a chance to ride the radio.”
As he instructed the secretary, Thatcher put a chilly smile on his lips.
It was the eyes of a lioness aiming for prey.
* * *
“ha ha ha… … ! Thatcher Mrs. It’s really nice to meet you. It’s been a while since I heard a British accent, so I’m already missing London’s fish and chips, right?”
“I wish I could call you Director, not Mrs. candidate. Now, shall we begin the meeting held by our foundation to hear from Candidate Clinton on foreign and security policies in Northeast Asia?”
‘Cool old man. I didn’t expect you’d be on my side… … .’
At Thatcher’s cold demeanor, Clinton stuck out her tongue and put her outstretched hand back in.
But it didn’t matter, just looking at the number of reporters gathered here to avoid missing out on the great story of the meeting between the Iron Lady and the Democratic presidential candidate of the United States, this meeting is by no means a waste of time.
As an unknown politician, you should not miss the baptism of a camera flash.
As he said, at the headquarters of the Balanced Security Foundation located near Georgetown, Washington, which was recently completed, there were a lot of reporters holding cameras and paying close attention to every move of the two giants.
From national broadcasters such as CNN, ABC, and CNBC to local broadcasters, cameras followed wherever Clinton went, as if to prove the heat of the US presidential election.
Even if incumbent President George W. Bush’s popularity was unprecedented and his incumbent premium followed, Clinton was confident enough to win.
Because George Bush and George Bush’s ideology and promises are now obsolete.
‘What kind of Cold War is this in these days? Shouldn’t you be fighting the Soviet Union for a long period of time? Americans now want to hear something else. Now the problem is something else, something else.’
And from his point of view, there was no doubt that this British grandmother, who now sits next to him with her devouring eyes, was also a piece of junk that had missed the time to retire.
It was the era of pop songs, Michael Jackson, Madonna, MTV, and the Super Bowl.
Clinton’s election strategy was also focused on showing this unpretentious and post-ideological figure.
His approval ratings have been on an upward trend until now, to the point where the initial scoffing that he knew he was not a politician but a Hollywood actor was easily heard.
And as if to prove Clinton’s confidence, even in the discussion with Thatcher that day, his speech was smooth and unobtrusive.
“No! Warden. The United States must now get out of the confrontational structure. The chronic U.S. government deficit that hasn’t been addressed since the Reagan and Republican eras stems from aggressive policies, starting with its unrealistic Star Wars initiatives. Now is the time to focus on the economy.”
To a packed audience and reporters, Clinton spoke her policies and visions with constant smiles and winks.
Thatcher, on the other hand, lost the grass or whatever, and where the old rhetoric went, he was just listening to Clinton’s one-man show.
Then yes, Clinton exclaimed inwardly.
Although Thatcher was British, not American, her neo-conservative ideology and ideology closely matched that of her rival, incumbent President George W. Bush.
For viewers across the country who are sitting in their seats watching the show, today’s meeting will be a qualifier that predicts the outcome of an upcoming TV debate between him and George W. Bush.
Clinton mumbled inwardly, trying to feel a little sorry for Thatcher for showing her voluntarily being smashed in her front yard.
‘Hill, you’ll soon be the first lady, too!’
“… … So, Candidate Clinton, before we close today’s debate, may I ask a brief question about your personal qualities? As far as I know, it’s because you didn’t give a clear answer to the problem of marijuana use… … .”
“That matter I have already explained to all the Democrats in the primary. I have never violated any ‘United States and State’ ban on drugs.”
‘It’s not a lie. Not like that.’
Bill Clinton rationalized his words in this way, admiring himself for the artful speech he was proud of.
However, Thatcher was tenacious, trying to make up for the disgrace he had suffered today, even if it belatedly.
“U.S. or Zura, then can you guess what it would have been like in England?”
“… … yes?”
Clinton asked again with a slight frown for the first time in today’s debate.
Calm down, I don’t think this old woman can even figure out what I did in Oxford.
“In England. I know you’re from Oxford, but… … Isn’t England part of the United States of America?”
“It is, but… … .”
“Then I would be grateful if you could explain clearly not only in the United States but also in foreign countries. Candidate Bill Clinton. Can you solemnly swear in front of the American voters that you have never been exposed to any kind of antipsychotic drug after birth, be it British or American?”
“… … !”
Clinton bit her lip at Thatcher’s sharp question and glanced around.
Reporters like hyenas, who had just sensed that the Democratic Party candidate’s expression had begun to change, all at once set off flashlights and whispered in their ears.
Many of them will already take pictures of their hardened faces and publish them tomorrow morning with an embarrassing headline on the front page of Newsweek.
Determined to stop the situation before it escalated, Clinton spoke impulsively.
“Yes, I have never touched marijuana or anything like that in any country or country since I was born. I can promise you .”