Chapter 21 – Coincidence or Destiny (2)

‘He seems to resemble him, but is this man really the Park Jung-ui who will become the President of the Republic of Korea in the future?’

He was a man of short stature, a sturdy build, and quite sharp eyes. He looked very similar to President Park Jung-ui whom Ji-hyuk had seen in photos before his regression.

“By any chance, do you know me?”

As Kim Ji-hyuk put on a deliberately surprised expression, Park Jung-ui asked, feeling puzzled.

“Ah, no. It is nothing. I mistook you for a moment because you resemble an acquaintance of mine, but it seems you are not. I apologize if I was rude.”

“Hahaha, rude? You are the person who saved my benefactor’s life, so how could that be?”

Park Jung-ui let out a hearty laugh.

“Benefactor?”

“Yes. General Min Geon-woo here is the savior of my life. Since you are the doctor who saved someone who is no different from a father to me, what would it matter if you stared or glared at me?”

“What benefactor? That is all Colonel Park’s innate luck. Isn’t it a revelation from heaven to do greater things?”

At that, General Min Geon-woo smiled gently.

“Yes! General! In the future, I will sacrifice myself for the country and serve it selflessly!”

“Yes. You must. In our homeland that has become ruins, mainstays like you and Doctor Kim Ji-hyuk over there must put all your strength into rebuilding.”

General Min Geon-woo nodded his head with a pleased expression.

“Doctor, if it is not rude, could we go outside for a moment and talk?”

Park Jung-ui spoke politely to Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

With that, Kim Ji-hyuk went out of the hospital room with Park Jung-ui.

A moment later.

The two people who went outside sat on a bench and only blinked their eyes, perhaps feeling awkward.

“Is the General’s eye okay?”

The one who opened his mouth first was Park Jung-ui.

“I cannot be sure yet, but I know the surgery went well.”

“That is fortunate. I received a great favor from General Min Geon-woo. One that I cannot repay even if I try for the rest of my life!”

Colonel Park Jung-ui’s eyes seemed to settle down.

‘Around this time, wasn’t Park Jung-ui dreaming of removing Syngman Rhee?’

Because Kim Ji-hyuk had always been very interested in history, he could vaguely trace Park Jung-ui’s footsteps.

“If it is not rude, could I hear the story?”

“Hahaha, it is all in the past, so what is there to hide?”

Park Jung-ui swept his hand over his chest, reminiscing about something.

‘If he almost died at this time, it seems he is talking about that incident…’

“I was framed as a communist and almost died, but General Min Geon-woo saved me!”

‘Indeed, he is talking about the North Korean Labor Party incident! Then it’s correct! He is that Park Jung-ui I know!’

“Did such a thing happen?”

“Yes. I almost died without even achieving my dream. Because I was sentenced to death on charges of being a North Korean Labor Party agent. Just thinking about that time makes my knees shake and keeps me from sleeping.”

Park Jung-ui swept his hand over his startled chest.

‘Wait, as far as I know, the person who saved Park Jung-ui was General Baek Yeop, who was the director of the intelligence bureau back then?’

“Ah, I think I heard that news from an acquaintance as well. However, I know the person who helped at that time was General Baek Yeop…”

“Yes, yes. General Baek Yeop is also my benefactor. However, if General Min Geon-woo, who has the highest trust in the Army, had not guaranteed my identity, I would not exist today.”

‘So this was how President Park Jung-ui’s fate was decided!’

“So that happened.”

“Hahaha, that aside, by any chance, how old are you this year? Looking at your appearance, it seems I am much older.”

“Yes. I am twenty-six years old.”

“It is a good age! I am thirty-four this year. We might have quite a grand connection. Since both you and I have deep connections with General Min Geon-woo.”

“Indeed.”

“Since this is also a connection, how about we form a bond like brothers? Coincidentally, I don’t have a younger brother, so if the doctor only permits it, I would welcome it greatly.”

‘This man is the one who will become the President of the Republic of Korea in the future. I cannot change fate at my own will, and I think I shouldn’t change it either. Because there is no telling how the history of the Republic of Korea might be twisted. There is no need to consider political ideology, his merits and demerits, or any of that. I just need to utilize this person in a direction beneficial to me!’

“I also welcome it. There is no reason for me to refuse if you would become an older brother to me, who am all alone in this chaotic world.”

Kim Ji-hyuk readily accepted Park Jung-ui’s proposal with a bright face.

“Then, since we have now formed a bond of brotherhood, you may call me brother from now on.”

“Yes, brother!”

“Haha, you are very straightforward. Let’s contact each other often in the future, Ji-hyuk!”

Colonel Park Jung-ui grasped both of Kim Ji-hyuk’s hands.

“Yes, brother!”

In this way, Kim Ji-hyuk formed a connection with the ultimate power holder who would control South Korea in the future.

A few months later, Major General Min Geon-woo’s hospital room.

“Congratulations on your discharge, General!”

“Haha, this is all thanks to Doctor Kim Ji-hyuk taking such extreme care of me.”

Compared to the beginning of his hospitalization, Major General Min Geon-woo had certainly recovered his body a lot.

“The treatment must have been painful, but you endured it well.”

“Hmm, putting me aside, I am worried about my subordinates. I worry about how they will make a living in the future after losing their arms and legs.”

Wake or sleep, he was only worried about his subordinates.

“Aren’t they all battle-hardened veterans? They will live well with their indomitable will.”

“They must. Yes! They certainly must.”

Major General Min Geon-woo pressed his lips into a straight line and nodded.

“Yes. They will all do well.”

“Yes. The war will end soon now. Then I will be discharged from the military as well.”

“I see.”

“I intend to devote myself to medical business for our subordinates, as well as for the fatally injured soldiers and our citizens.”

“A medical business?”

“Yes. Looking around here, it seems the most urgent thing for our Republic of Korea to rebuild is the medical system. So, I plan to dedicate the rest of my life to that task.”

“That is a truly wonderful idea. If there is any part I can help with, I will help with all my heart.”

“Hahaha, that is the best news I’ve heard. For the sake of South Korea’s future, many excellent doctors like you must be produced. I, too, will do everything I can.”

“Thank you!”

“Thank you? I am more grateful that heaven sent a talented person like you to me!”

“You flatter me.”

“Ah, and make sure to get along well with Colonel Park, whom I introduced earlier. He is no ordinary fellow. He is a man who will hold a major position in the future. I recognized it when he came to ask for my help early on.”

General Min Geon-woo brought up the topic of Park Jung-ui.

‘It won’t be just a major position. Because he is the man who will become the president of this country.’

“Actually, we became sworn brothers. We are still exchanging letters.”

“Is that so? That is great. Since he is someone who will be a great strength to Doctor Kim Ji-hyuk in whatever you do later, get along well with him.”

“Understood.”

Major General Min Geon-woo’s surgery and rehabilitation were successful. Although he did not fully recover his vision, it was still a great relief. Thanks to the devoted efforts of Professor Linburn and Kim Ji-hyuk, Major General Min Geon-woo was saved from becoming one-eyed.

* * *

Jungang-dong, Busan.

In this way, Major General Min Geon-woo was discharged, returned to active duty, and before they knew it, they were on the verge of the armistice of the Korean War.

However, lives were impoverished to the extreme, and the ruined city of Busan seemed to have almost zero chance of reconstruction.

Even though it was midwinter, women drew water wearing thin clothes that almost exposed their chests. Young children cried in hunger, carried on their backs.

At the Busan Port pier, people waited anxiously for news of their families who had fled from Hamgyong Province late, and unauthorized shanties built by refugees were packed everywhere.

The wounds left behind where the war had clawed through were too deep to be restored.

Still, the seeds of hope were growing in various places.

Students studied hard in temporarily built shacks, and innocent young children gathered in groups on the streets, spinning tops and pulling sleds, losing track of time.

Thus, around the time the news of the armistice was delivered and Busan citizens poured out into the streets to protest against the armistice.

“Mister, chocolate! Chocolate!”

When the figures of Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok in military uniform were spotted, the little kids followed them.

“Look at them! How did they know we brought out American snacks? They have noses like dogs!”

“Indeed. It’s uncanny.”

Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok brought out the snacks, gum, and chocolate provided as supplies without eating them, intending to distribute them to the little kids.

“All right! Here! Share it with your friends!”

Kim Yun-seok took out snacks and chocolate from his bag and distributed them to the children.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

Whoa, whoa—

Then, the children who saw that ran over and before they knew it, they had surrounded the two of them.

“Children of the new nation are supposed to keep order well! If you do not line up, mister will scold you!”

Kim Yun-seok tried to warn them, but the children were not the type to back down at such words. Seeing the other children who received chocolate and gum, the kids went wild and clung to the two men’s arms and legs.

Sigh—

Before they knew it, the bags of the two men were empty.

Although they had packed plenty, even including the shares for their fellow doctors, it took less than ten minutes to be completely cleaned out by the hungry children.

“It’s all gone?”

Yun-seok had a blank expression.

“Yeah, completely cleaned out.”

Hehe, Kim Ji-hyuk also shook out his hands to show they were empty.

“Let’s come out again next time. Since the kids like it so much.”

“We should. How hungry they must be. They are children who can’t even eat one proper meal a day.”

The kids, realizing that Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok’s bags were completely empty, scattered in all directions, and the two men stared blankly at their retreating figures.

“We should go back now, right?”

Tap, it was around the time Kim Ji-hyuk tapped Kim Yun-seok’s shoulder.

“You two were here! I was looking all over for you!”

Upon spotting the two of them, Shin Jung-eun ran over panting.

“Yes. We were distributing snacks to the kids here, but what is the matter?”

“There is trouble! I think you need to return to the hospital quickly.”

Gasp, gasp, Shin Jung-eun pressed her hands on both knees, catching her rough breath.

“What is it? Did Professor Cho Dong-gi throw a fit because we weren’t there?”

“N-no, that’s not it. It’s an accident, an accident!”

Shin Jung-eun said as she slowly straightened her body.

“An accident? What kind of accident?”

“A boat sank near Geobukseom off the coast of Dadaepo!”

“A boat sank?”

“Yes. It’s a passenger ship named Yanggang-ho that departed from Yeosu, and it sank after encountering strong winds. They are doing rescue work now, but the casualties will likely be enormous! The people who were barely rescued are being transferred to our hospital right now! Quickly! We must go quickly!”

Shin Jung-eun pushed Kim Ji-hyuk and Kim Yun-seok’s backs.

‘Sigh, what is this now? A boat sank?’