Chapter 699: Not a Stubborn Person

As time passed, the flames in Koizumi’s eyes intensified, his white hair now even more pronounced.

“Hiroyuki, what are you doing? Why are you meeting my guest?”

Upon Koizumi’s entrance, Hiroyuki quickly concealed the fanatic look he had just been wearing.

He then smiled at Koizumi with a relaxed demeanor.

“I was just trying to pass the time with a guest from Japan, engaging in some light conversation.”

“That’s quite an unnecessary interference. I’m questioning why you’re taking my guest away without my permission!”

“Haha. Prime Minister, I can’t quite grasp why you’re reacting so defensively. Is there a reason I can’t meet with President Kim Mu-hyeok? Am I missing something here?”

Hiroyuki questioned, seeming perplexed, as Koizumi glared at him.

“What do you mean? What’s that supposed to imply?”

“I’m unsure why you’re acting out of character, Prime Minister. I explicitly spoke with your secretary and brought him here. In that brief time, all I spoke with President Kim Mu-hyeok about was simply exchanging greetings, nothing more.”

The animosity between the two was more apparent than expected.

Koizumi showed no intention of hiding his feelings in front of me, clearly displeased with Hiroyuki.

It was an uncharacteristic display for someone who typically kept his emotions in check.

‘Even with Koizumi in power, it seems he can’t completely ignore his opposition.’

Still, it’s quite difficult for one person to hold absolute power in a democratic country.

That only happened in authoritarian regimes like Russia or North Korea.

“…Mind your manners, Hiroyuki.”

“Yes, yes. Understood.”

Seeing Hiroyuki’s slippery reply made me smirk.

The Hiroyuki who had just fixated on me with crazy eyes was nowhere to be seen.

With a grin plastered across his face, Hiroyuki addressed me.

“Remember what I said, President Kim Mu-hyeok. This is our opportunity to become friends.”

“What exactly are you trying to accomplish!”

As Hiroyuki initiated conversation with me, Koizumi lost his temper and shouted.

He seemed concerned that I might be developing a rapport with the author.

“Why is our Prime Minister acting so out of sorts today? Even when I speak quietly, I can hear everything.”

Despite receiving Koizumi’s seething glare, Hiroyuki merely shrugged it off.

If left unchecked, it seemed the argument between the two would escalate, so he quickly answered.

“Let’s think it over. I’ll take my leave for now.”

I stood up and walked toward Koizumi.

“It’s been a while, Prime Minister. First, let’s change rooms.”

While continually glaring at Hiroyuki, Koizumi nodded and turned away.

“Let’s go to my office.”

Just before stepping out of Hiroyuki’s office, I glanced back to see Hiroyuki.

Gone was the amusement in his eyes; they now slithered around me like a snake.

‘What a truly madman. Definitely not someone to provoke.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly and followed Koizumi silently.

He led me into his inner office.

“Hah.”

As soon as he entered the office, Koizumi let out a deep sigh.

Seeing this, I cautiously asked.

“It seems you don’t have a good relationship with Hiroyuki, do you?”

“You have no idea. He meddles in everything I do…”

Koizumi shook his head, perhaps venting his frustrations from past incidents.

Then seemingly regaining his composure, he awkwardly smiled and extended his hand.

“Let’s greet each other properly. It’s been a long time, President Kim Mu-hyeok. It truly has been ages since we faced each other in Japan.”

I grasped his hand for a light handshake before letting go.

“Indeed. It took quite a while for me to return to Japan.”

“Let’s forget the bad memories and have a seat.”

I settled down alongside Koizumi, who immediately brought up Hiroyuki.

“What did you talk about with Hiroyuki?”

“Nothing of significance. Just a bit about me. Among Japanese politicians, good or bad, there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know me, so I suggested we maintain a good relationship.”

I had no intention of sharing any information with Koizumi until I understood the exact relationship between Heaven Church and Hiroyuki.

Koizumi nodded along, seemingly without suspicion.

“Of course. However, would it be challenging to push forward with the research of the Seven Islands if Hiroyuki’s faction opposes?”

“Did they express any opposition?”

“Hmm. They hinted at it. This holds for the Seven Islands and North Korea’s claims against Japan as well.”

Koizumi let out another deep sigh, likely overwhelmed.

“The Seven Islands research should proceed smoothly. Restoring relations with Korea is our cabinet’s top priority.”

“Yet, aren’t there rather favorable winds blowing now? The Prime Minister has mentioned apologies several times regarding historic grievances and dropped claims over Dokdo.”

“…That has indeed strengthened Hiroyuki’s position.”

The majority of Japanese politicians did not acknowledge the colonial damages caused to Korea.

They insisted that comfort women never existed, claiming that Korea prospered under the Japanese annexation.

They referred to Dokdo as Takeshima, insisting on territorial claims, continuously clashing over various issues with Korea.

But Koizumi was different.

Perhaps because he had made a promise to me, or perhaps he genuinely thought this way; he had publicly apologized multiple times regarding the colonial era.

As a result, while his popularity had taken a hit, his ties with the governments of the U.S. and Korea remained relatively favorable.

“We must acknowledge the past while aiming for the future. However, Japan is not ready to look towards the future yet. Many still view changes in the Korean Peninsula as mere fleeting winds. Underlying this thinking is nostalgia for Japan’s past from a century ago and disdain for Korea.”

The Japanese government’s neglect towards Korea had been a long-standing issue.

“Well, that’s an internal matter, so I won’t interfere. But you must keep your promises.”

“…Don’t worry about that. Instead, I have a few requests for you to consider.”

“Requests?”

I raised an eyebrow at the mention of requests, guessing what he might say.

“Yes. I heard about the construction project for a oil and gas pipeline stretching through the Korean Peninsula that’s starting in Russia.”

Just as I expected, he was going to suggest Japan be included in that deal.

“Please ensure the gas pipeline ending in Korea connects to Japan by sea. Our government will cover all associated costs.”

“You would need to discuss that with the Russian government. What power do I hold?”

“Why are you putting it that way? You’re the one designing this project, President Kim Mu-hyeok, are you not? I’ve already contacted the Russian government, but they outright rejected our proposal to alter the set plans. We even offered a handsome investment to connect with Russia via the gas pipeline but were refused. Eventually, they confirmed the project going through Korea instead.”

The Japanese government was bowing low in front of Russia, offering to invest yen.

After all the effort exerted to push for the gas pipeline connection, Russia chose Korea over Japan.

In my past life as well, there was never an instance where Japan and Korea’s pipelines interconnected.

Yet this time, I managed to change that flow. And, since Russia wasn’t at odds with the U.S. for now, I could start the project.

They wouldn’t abandon a project already underway just because relations soured.

“If President Kim Mu-hyeok wishes for the connection, it can certainly happen. Am I wrong?”

“Well, it would be difficult, but not impossible. However, I doubt the benefits of making such a choice would outweigh the costs.”

I had already obtained the rights to reprocess the natural gas coming from Russia.

Currently, the contract for the trade of natural gas between Korea and Japan was filled with unfavorable terms.

We had signed a long-term contract lasting over twenty years and had to unconditionally purchase the set annual amount under the so-called TOP clause, which was absurd.

Even if we couldn’t take in the set amount, we still had to pay for it.

‘For our country that must import all natural gas, that was a necessary evil.’

The most significant issue, however, was the delivery point restriction clause.

After designating a location to receive the gas, it prohibited transferring or reselling the purchased natural gas.

Additionally, there was a ridiculous clause restricting pricing adjustments based on gasoline prices solely applicable to Korea, Japan, and China.

The clause was absurdly structured to increase the price of natural gas based on gasoline pricing.

“But…”

“I’d consider establishing a contract allowing the resale of the reprocessed natural gas imported from Korea. The Prime Minister understands how significant that could be for us.”

If I could reprocess the PNG imported from Russia into LNG and export it to Japan, it would yield massive profits.

Giving up such profits to connect the pipeline with Japan would require another incentive.

“Please don’t even think of tying this project to the Seven Islands exploration and development. It’s two separate matters. If you wish to connect the pipeline, feel free to propose a deal that would entice me. As you know, I’m not a stubborn person.”

The Seven Islands exploration was already agreed upon on the condition that Japan would be involved in the Six-Party Talks.

I reiterated the importance of not attempting to leverage that for additional gains.

“Today, let’s discuss the Seven Islands and North Korea’s claims against Japan. We’ll consider the pipeline issue later.”

Koizumi nodded thoughtfully.

He was well aware that it wouldn’t benefit him to upset me unnecessarily, so he didn’t push extra commentary.

The actual negotiations were finally set in motion.

Since the re-exploration was already determined, and a verbal agreement to task Yugansk Oil with the exploration had been pre-set, we could reach an agreement without any dissent.

We decided to draft a contract when ready and discussed adding other companies.

“In addition to Yugansk, I’m considering involving Chevron in the exploration effort.”

“Chevron?”

“Yes. Including Chevron would likely increase the odds of this project succeeding. Plus, it would help fend off any interference from China.”

Koizumi nodded along, agreeing.

“China is indeed a significant problem.”

“It would be hard for China to meddle in a project involving oil companies from the U.S. and Russia.”

Since it was a deal encompassed by these two superpowers, China would find it difficult to disrupt.

It would be foolish to forgo a reliable energy import route for the uncertain developments surrounding the Seven Islands.

While things could change if China’s economy and power were to expand, currently, they remained merely a potential threat.

“As for Chevron… they are likely quite friendly with us. Wasn’t it Michael? One of Chevron’s directors was keen on oil procurement efforts.”

“That’s correct. Michael came to see me. He also requested Chevron’s involvement in this project. When I crunched the numbers, it seemed incorporating both companies would benefit both Korea and Japan in the long run.”

After a moment of deliberation, Koizumi inquired.

“If a major oil company joins in, won’t that split the profits even further?”

“If oil and natural gas are discovered and extracted, most of the profits will go to the governments of Korea and Japan. The profit that goes to Yugansk and Chevron will be minimal. The additional benefits gained from sharing profits will likely outweigh the dissatisfaction they may have.”

Yugansk and Chevron both possessed some of the finest technologies in exploration and drilling worldwide.

Having top-tier tech meant lower extraction costs.

Compared to Japan and Korea, which lacked such technology, the extraction costs would undoubtedly be higher.

“Are you in agreement with involving Chevron?”

“Proceed as you wish.”

Koizumi consented without any significant opposition.

“Then I’ll contact Chevron myself. Let’s plan for next month when representatives of the Korean government, Japanese government, Yugansk, and Chevron will gather to draft the contract.”

Koizumi was more cooperative than I had anticipated.

Perhaps underlying his thoughts was a concern about Japan potentially isolating itself.

Since the scheme I laid out was unlikely to promote Japan in a favorable manner, I smiled as I wrapped up our conversation regarding the Seven Islands.