- Oct 3, 2018
- 2,643
Kim Daejung [President]: “Secretary Kim, what are your impressions on the Swedish? You were the one to deal with this, from the three of you correct?” Kim Minseo stepped forward from the group “Yes Kakao, I spoke with the Swedish. However, Vice Minister Kim directed the majority of the discussion. I’ve highlighted his transcripts in yellow, on page five.” President Kim would move back to page five, giving a brief read. “What are your impressions then? The Advisor thought for a second before responding, giving the President a couple of more seconds to finish his overview, and responded when he looked up. “Kakao. I believe they are a hardworking country trying to do change the world.” The President flipped back to page 11, reading the Letter of Dissent by Advisor Kim in the NSC meeting. “You wrote a letter of dissent with Minister Roh over the signing of the Stockholm Treaty, correct?” Advisor Kim bit her lip as she responded. “Yes Kakao, I wrote this letter of dissent.” The President would get up and stand towards the window of his office, outlooking the green fields outside, where civil servants gathered to get fresh air and where government Gardners trimmed the fine edges of the grass. The President would turn and ask the Chief Secretary and National Security Director and their staff to leave, before turn to the Senior Secretary. “Speak freely Ms. Kim.” The Advisor contemplated for a moment, realizing the gravity her words would carry, and the impact on months of back-channeling and discussions with Nordic members, and the wider efforts being taken to advancing the Korean people. “Yes sir. I wrote a letter of reservation because I firmly believe in the principles of a balanced policy not dictated by others. For so long we’ve been governed by what the Americans wanted, and before that the Japanese, and before them the Chinese. I wrote that reservation letter sir, because, just as the State ministers and I believe in multilateralism and cooperation, I do not wish to see us replace the United States with European hegemony. I believe firmly, the Swedish and Nordic Council are our partners in our mission for peace and unification, and partners fo the development of Korea. I have never stated otherwise. I still believe you should be given the full parameter of discussion, including the concerns of a Nordic-lead foreign policy.” President Kim nodded as picked up the Treaty. “Then what do you truly believe?” He asked Special Advisor Kim. “Kakao, I believe that…I believe that this is an opportunity to show the globe our nations strength and triumph. That from the ashes of colonial oppression and subjugation, the trauma of the War by the North , and through a long and brutal military dictatorship, the Korean people have prospered. I believe that hope Kakao, is what Korea’s representation in the Nordic Council would represent. Hope that every humans dedication to their nation will eventually land them into greater places. I know it sounds idealistic Kakao, but, I did not join the civil service with a vague notion of status quo…the President would smile, and interrupt her “Our destiny is not some false reality, it is int he present, on our peninsula, where we finally are united as one nation…I remember your words very clearly from that day. He laughed, cracking a smile for the first time in weeks as the stress of the opposition boycotts and corruption scandal began to crack at the iron wall of the President. “I remember clearly….I agree with you. We can not allow Europe to become the new America that dictates to Korea how things will be run. Yet, I believe as you have told me, the Nordic Council will not become a new institution of leverage over Korea, but…as you eloquently put it, a beacon of hope to all, on the payoff of hard work and perseverance, Balanced approaches to this alliance will be maintained, I believe that the uncharted future will be an exciting journey. We can accomplish a great deal more Minseo with friends, than alone…call the others back in. The Blue House staff entered with unease across there face, as the President turned back to them. “Director Moon.” Director Moon waited for directions ”Call the Swedish Prime Minister. Let’s take this giant leap.” He said as he began walking back to his desk. The Director nodded, hiding his smile as he turned his face down. “Yes Kakao, right away.” The Blue House staff would prepare the room for the official call, bringing in Vice Minister Kim, a translator, a supervising legal aid, and members of the bureaucracy responsible for the treaty signing process. The Opposition and Prime Minister would be notified as well of the process, as part of their legislative oversight, having been notified weeks earlier with the contents of the treaty and the intention to sign it.
The Swedish Prime Minister would receive a phone call from the Blue House, the encrypted line would be secured by the Presidential Security Service as Director Moon picked up the phone to ensure it would be given to the Prime Minister before putting it on speaker for the President to speak. Inside the room, the Presidential Secretary Kim and Chief of Staff Kim remained behind the President to respond to any gaps he may have. All wondering what would happen now, and some, eager to see the future that would entail the Korean people.
Connor
