chapter 138
Lee Cheol-jin said with a puzzled expression.
“You mean you want to start a bank? Targeting the people?”
“yes.”
I said with a confident expression.
“Currently, North Koreans have no way to receive financial services, right? If you look at China, you will know how important finance is in reform and opening.”
Today’s China was born with a combination of a rapidly growing economy and enormous financial support supporting the economy.
Of course, it owed a huge amount of debt in return, but without that debt, China would not have been able to gain the driving force for growth.
“Of course I know, why are you so flustered. Because the revolutionary government knows better than anyone else the fear of debt. But that’s why we need banks that are more targeted to the general public.”
I looked at Cheoljin Lee and said.
“The current situation in North Korea is that the revolutionary government is supporting the entire country with debt. Receive credit for goods on tax and borrow money from the US and Korea. Isn’t it?”
“It is, but… … .”
“However, it is not only the state that borrows money. If you look at Korea right now, household debt is as significant as government debt. But this debt is not necessarily a bad thing. Excessive debt will one day fly like a boomerang, but moderate debt will boost the economy.”
It’s not a lie.
Even if it’s not necessarily a life-changing story, because there are loans like this, many people buy a house with insufficient money and lead a comfortable life, and in the process of buying a house, the real estate market is activated and the economy grows.
Of course, it is true that excessive debt leads to hell, but paradoxically, thanks to the absence of a financial system, North Koreans now have no household debt, except for those who have used private finance, so they will not be burdened too much.
“Isn’t it going to be privatized soon anyway? In addition, they were forced to cooperate with North Koreans unconditionally, but the problem is that everyone has no money? Isn’t a loan the only way to give such people a chance to turn their lives around? Look at this.”
I handed over the documents I had made for the staff and said.
“These are predictions of changes that would occur in North Korea if the private loan market was opened through Saeron Bank. People have the ability to consume, and when they have the ability to consume, the market grows accordingly. And if the domestic market grows like that and the domestic market becomes solid, private companies will spring up, and those private companies will go into production activities even for their own benefit. And when the game is active… … .”
I said with a smile.
“We come to the conclusion that the burden on the revolutionary government will be much less. Because private capital will take care of some of the work that the revolutionary government has been doing.”
In the first place, the revolutionary government now straddles between communism and capitalism, so the government is completely solving everything, but if complete reform and opening are achieved, the private sector will lead the industry.
Whether it’s oil or food, everything.
“I am not saying to pass the debt on to the people. This means that the government and households must share the burden and grow together. At the same time, it gives North Koreans a chance to succeed through self-reliance.”
I said while flapping the banknote with the faces of the Kim family.
“Right now, the situation is not going well, so these Kims are spending money, but didn’t they say that they will reform the currency soon? The same goes for this. If the world has changed, the system must also change, into a system that allows you to rise higher if you have the ability and opportunity. Isn’t that why the revolutionary government drove out the Kim family?”
Lee Cheol-jin, who was silent for a moment at my words, spoke.
“I understand what you mean. We also know the need for finance. But 100 percent stake is difficult.”
“Hey.”
I clicked my tongue and said.
The bank’s need has been appealed enough, and now it’s time to press.
“General companies can start a business with small capital, but banks are not. I need a lot of money, but to be honest, is there anyone in North Korea who can invest 5 to 5 with me?”
I shook my head and said.
“Of course, it should be possible if several companies and asset owners join forces. But isn’t that why management rights aren’t too dispersed, and now is the time to hit hard.”
“Um… … .”
“Besides, if you keep coming out like this, I don’t know how I’ll go out either?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The reason I want to open a bank right now is because there is no place to spend North Korean money, because there is no place to spend it. It’s only agricultural products and raw materials that will be imported into Korea, but that’s not enough. So, rather than just hoarding money, I thought it would be perfect if I set up a bank to run the money and activate the North Korean economy.
Then Lee Cheol-jin said with a shocked expression.
“That, that is absolutely not possible!”
If North Korea’s money, which has a low national credit rating, is indiscriminately poured into the foreign exchange market, the exchange rate will inevitably fall like crazy, and of course, this will be a fatal blow to the North Korean economy, which is still in its infancy.
“Right? can’t you? Then at least, shouldn’t I make a way for me to use this money? isn’t it?”
The advantages of banks and the carrots and sticks that may release North Korean money into the foreign exchange market.
“So you just do it like this? Let’s give each other just one. Instead of allowing a 100% stake bank, the revolutionary government keeps North Korean money in North Korea. How is it?”
* * *
In the end, the revolutionary government accepted my proposal.
I immediately established Saron Bank, scouted a former executive at the Bank of Korea as the bank president, and then set up Saron Bank branches here and there in North Korea.
Of course, many North Koreans in need of money visited the bank, and through that, I released the North Korean money accumulated so far through the first commercial bank in North Korea, Seron Bank.
“No problem?”
At my words, the CEO of Seron Bank nodded and said,
“of course. On the contrary, it is embarrassing because it is so much easier to work than in Korea.”
“Ohh? Why?”
“Since most North Koreans are debt-free, there is no need to worry about hidden debts, and above all, since most North Koreans work for public corporations, the verification time is much shorter.”
Since North Korea has been closed and operated by the state, everything is standardized, meaning that it is easy to understand the financial situation of customers who want a loan.
“In addition, unlike South Korea, where growth is stagnant and interest rates are at a rock bottom, North Korea also has high interest rates, so the rate of return is much higher. Dollarizing this money is another matter, of course.”
“Dollar, when the North Korean economy stabilizes later, it is not too late to slow down. It wouldn’t be a big deal if the money was tied up in North Korea right away. So just focus on rolling within North Korea.”
“All right.”
“Anyway, I’m glad you didn’t have any problems. But don’t lend too much, only enough that you can afford it within your monthly salary. Did you know?”
“Of course. I will never do anything that would disgrace Seron.”
“okay.”
The development of Pyongsan is progressing smoothly, and the economy is being revitalized by the creation of jobs by Korean companies, including Seron Shoes, and the inflow of capital through the Seron Bank, so the North Korean economy will grow smoothly in the future.
And as the North Korean economy grows, the Seron Bank, which has financial power, will also grow together.
I said with a smile.
“ruler. Grow up quickly.”
That way I can make money too.
* * *
North Korea’s growth has been a smooth ride.
Under the support of the United States, South Korea, and the world in a blank state, essential energy, food, and even capital are supplied, so North Korea absorbs and grows indefinitely.
As North Korea became more and more tainted with capitalism, the South Korean government, determined to have gotten its nose right now, joined hands with the revolutionary government to pursue a long-cherished project in Korea.
It is the land connection business with the continent.
As Korea is located at the far end of the Asian continent, it has the best geographical conditions to serve as a hub for sea and land routes.
However, even with such optimal geographic requirements, Korea was virtually cut off from the continent because of North Korea and was in an island state.
However, with the arrival of the revolutionary government, hope was finally seen, and they joined hands with the revolutionary government in earnest to establish a road connection.
The overland connection project was promoted in earnest.
And, of course, the main contractor for the project was Seron Construction.
Dalgrak. Dalgrak.
Numerous skeletons build highways and railroads day and night at insane speeds.
“Would it be worth watching if this is connected?”
Although there is nothing as cheap as a ship, land is still one of the main means of transportation because it is simple and fast.
If such an overland route is activated, North Korea, which is the middle point, will be able to enjoy considerable benefits, although not as much as the end point, Korea.
That’s why the connection between the railroad and the highway was important to me, who dipped my feet in both South Korea and North Korea.
“Anyway, these Japanese guys are greedy.”
Overland connection project between Korea and the Revolutionary Government.
When this project was promoted, there was one country that was impatient, and that was Japan.
As soon as Japan heard the news of the project, it contacted the Korean government and actively proposed the construction of an undersea tunnel connecting Korea and Japan.
They even said that they would bear the astronomical cost of tunnel construction.
Naturally, the reason Japan came out like this was because they wanted to enjoy the geographical advantage Korea would enjoy instead.
Just as the land price at the terminal point is the most expensive among train stations, in order to take over the hub status of land and sea routes, there must be a geographical advantage of being the easternmost point, but the moment the undersea tunnel is connected, the easternmost point becomes Japan, not Korea.
“I liked it quite a bit, but this time I was too greedy.”
In the game of chicken with OPEC, Japan has built a good relationship by providing stockpiling facilities, but that relationship is not important in terms of original profits.
Anyway, the Korean government is not stupid, so of course I refused, and I have no intention of accepting it in the future, so it seems like I was greedy for nothing and only accumulated one more unlikable stack on me.
After erasing Japan from my mind, I looked around the construction site and said,
“It seems to be going well without me now, so let’s go back and rest.”
Sleeping at home is the best.
If it flies, it’ll be soon, so go home quickly… … .
Just as he was about to go back and rest, he receives a phone call from Deokbae Kim.
“Yes, I am.”
-President! It was a big deal.
what is it again
North Korea and South Korea are all neatly organized, so what else is there to worry about?
-The border between North Korea and China is closed!
“yes? suddenly?”
What kind of nonsense is this?
Now that the construction is in full swing, just connect it and it’s done?
“Who shut down? It wouldn’t be a revolutionary government, could it be China?”
-That’s right. China unilaterally notified the closure and controlled the border!
* * *
A revolutionary government was established after expelling the Kim family, which was supported by the Chinese government.
Of course, the revolutionary government stayed away from China and reached out to the US and Korea, but China did not want to see this.
“All diplomatic relations are suspended because the revolutionary government is not recognized as an official government?”
North Korea, which borders China and was one of its few allies, turned pro-US and now tried to connect land routes, but China cut off all land routes.
“It’s ridiculous. What should I do to resume diplomatic relations?”
At my words, Deokbae Kim said with a troubled expression.
“China seems to have a descendant of the Kim family. If these collateral descendants form a revolutionary government and a coalition government, they will recognize it.”
“They are crazy.”
It’s not even a real monarchy, so bring in collateral descendants and create a coalition government?
The moment the revolutionary government, which puts the expulsion of the Kim family as its core cause, accepts this proposal, this cause will be in vain, and cooperation with South Korea and the United States will crumble, so it is an unacceptable proposal.
“I don’t think you really thought you’d accept it, so you’re saying you’re trying to secure influence in North Korea by grabbing the pod somehow.”
“Most experts are guessing that way too.”
“Tsk.”
The problem is that there is nothing the revolutionary government can do if China, which occupies most of North Korea’s borders, releases force.
“Even if you talk about it well and open the border, you don’t know when the border will be locked again if things go wrong.”
Using the overland road connected to the continent, ‘lock it, pipe.’ It was obvious that he would wield the technique like a report from the former family, so it would not be easily solved using normal diplomatic means.
“What is the Korean government?”
“For now, through the official line, the revolutionary government says it will protest, saying that it is the official government.”
“It’s not China where you’d be embarrassed to hear that you protested against that.”
I know this because I experienced it myself.
In China, you can’t talk, you have to beat up to understand.
“Even if the US government came forward, it would be at the same level of protest, right?”
“Perhaps. Because there are so many things involved.”
A situation that is not easy to resolve in a short period of time through normal diplomatic routes.
I said with a smile.
“Do I have to step in after all?”
Because the de-China has been completed, and the Seron Group, which has spread energy purchases in China, is not rough.
“The South Korean government, could it be that you have taken these things into account and let Seron advance into North Korea? If it’s really like that, do you have a good head?”
Because I have invested a lot in North Korea and I am at an age where North Korea needs to grow, so I can’t help but step out.
It is like solving a difficult problem that is difficult to solve diplomatically by using the uniqueness of me and Seron.
“Well, no matter what, we have to move as much as the situation is.”
I got up and said.
“By the way, Chinese guys don’t have very good memories, do they? Have you already forgotten my temper?”
You’re bothering me again after giving me the Awoken as a gift.
When they trapped me with a fake SS-level gate, the Seron Group and the Undead Corps were in their incomplete and very early stages, so I compromised moderately and passed on, but not anymore.
Because now I have gone beyond a one-man army and become a one-man nation that is self-sufficient in everything and even has an army called the undead army.
It shows how terrifying a nation that moves in perfect order under the command of only one person can be.
I said raising my eyebrows.
“I need to do a memory update again. But it will be different from then. I’ve grown a little bit.”