Chapter 49 – US Vice President Richard Nixon (1)

National Medical Center, Director Lee Tae-soo’s office.

“In about two hours, Vice President Nixon will arrive in Yeouido.”

Director Lee Tae-soo continuously checked the time with a tense expression.

“Yes. By the way, when is Professor Jeong Gi-ryeo coming?”

On the other hand, Kim Ji-hyuk seemed to have little interest in Vice President Nixon’s visit.

“My friend! It’s a summons from Gyeongmudae! Can you not see that car sent from Gyeongmudae outside?”

“Well, would they kill me?”

“Hahaha, that is true, but… My heart is beating so fast I could die, but are you really unaffected?”

“It’s not like being nervous will solve anything. By the way, do you know why they want to see me?”

“How would I know that? Anyway, I’m saying this out of concern, but no one must know about today’s matter.”

“Yes. Do not worry.”

“Yes. Anyway, have a safe trip, and report to me immediately when you return from Gyeongmudae.”

“Understood.”

“Make sure to avoid words and actions that would displease the President.”

“Yes.”

A moment later, in front of the main gate of the National Medical Center.

A black car stood waiting for Kim Ji-hyuk.

President Syngman Rhee showed such sincerity as to send a car directly, reflecting Eisenhower’s deep affection for Kim Ji-hyuk.

“Are you Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk?”

A man wearing dark black sunglasses approached Kim Ji-hyuk.

“That is correct.”

“Please get in. We will escort you safely to your destination.”

“Yes.”

An attendant opened the door, and Kim Ji-hyuk climbed in with an awkward expression.

“Professor, will Ji-hyuk be able to return safely?”

Watching that scene from afar, Yun-seok showed a worried expression. Director Lee Tae-soo said it must be kept a secret, but there was no need to hide it from Yun-seok and Professor Lee Gil-sook.

Besides, who else in South Korea would send such a conspicuous car?

“Well… You said so, Dr. Yun-seok. That Ji-hyuk has a deep friendship with President Eisenhower. What could happen?”

Professor Lee Gil-sook also had a slightly anxious expression.

Inside the car.

“Do you know where you are going now, Doctor?”

The man sitting next to Ji-hyuk asked in a low voice.

“Yes.”

Ji-hyuk nodded and answered briefly.

“Then do you know why you are entering Gyeongmudae today?”

‘I know. But I can’t say that, can I?’

“No. I don’t know well.”

“I see. You will meet a very precious guest today.”

“A precious guest?”

Kim Ji-hyuk played dumb.

“Vice President Richard Nixon has arrived from the United States. Today, you will meet him, Dr. Kim.”

“Vice President Nixon? Why must I meet him?”

“Well, we don’t know that far either. We were just instructed to escort you safely to Gyeongmudae, Dr. Kim.”

“I see.”

“Do not worry too much. If you are careful about a few things, there won’t be any problem.”

As Kim Ji-hyuk showed an anxious expression, the man smiled.

“What should I be careful of?”

“First…”

The man’s advice was nothing special.

It was just not to say useless things to Nixon that would embarrass the President.

A moment later, when the man’s advice ended, the car became quiet again, and not long after, the car carrying Kim Ji-hyuk arrived at Gyeongmudae.

* * *

At the same time, Yeouido Airport.

November 12, 1953.

Finally, Richard Nixon arrived in South Korea.

President Syngman Rhee warmly welcomed Vice President Richard Nixon, who had landed at Yeouido Airport.

“Welcome, Vice President Nixon!”

“Mr. President, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Vice President Nixon’s thick hand overlapped the thin hand President Syngman Rhee extended.

The robust Nixon in his forties and the old, frail Syngman Rhee in his eighties formed a strange contrast. As if implying the future of both countries.

“You must have had a hard journey coming such a long way.”

“Not at all, Mr. President! I arrived comfortably.”

“That is a relief. It might be inconvenient, but I will escort you in my car.”

With that, President Syngman Rhee guided Nixon to the protocol vehicle.

“It’s Ford’s Lincoln Cosmopolitan! Inconvenient? It’s a very fine car.”

Nixon smiled brightly and gave a thumb-up toward the car as he climbed in.

The protocol vehicle prepared by President Syngman Rhee was Ford’s Lincoln Cosmopolitan!

It was a large car with a length of over five meters, a width of approximately two meters, and a height of 1.6 meters.

Equipped with a Ford flathead V8 engine, it was a luxury car decorated with chrome molding along the sides and a unique C-pillar.

A moment later, Nixon and President Syngman Rhee moved to Gyeongmudae in the vehicle, looked around, and shared a conversation, after which they moved to hold a conference.

“Mr. President, what kind of tea is this? The fragrance is very pleasant.”

Vice President Nixon held the teacup with both hands.

“It is called Cornelian cherry tea. Cornelian cherries are referred to as the spirits of spring. It not only prevents diabetes but is also good for the liver and kidneys, particularly for eye health.”

“Oh! It’s a truly fantastic tea.”

“Indeed. They say the flower language of Cornelian cherry means ‘unchanging love.’ Just like the relationship between our South Korea and the United States.”

Hahaha, President Syngman Rhee laughed brightly, letting out his characteristic laughter.

“Hahaha, that is correct! Our United States is South Korea’s eternal ally.”

The smooth Nixon responded shrewdly.

“I came here as a special envoy of US President Eisenhower.”

Having cleared the awkward atmosphere while drinking tea, Nixon opened the gate for a serious conversation.

“I know.”

“First, before we enter into the main conference, I will deliver this to you.”

Nixon took out a handwritten letter written by Eisenhower from his breast pocket.

“What is that?”

“Yes. This is a handwritten letter from President Eisenhower to you, his friend in South Korea. He specifically instructed me to deliver it to you directly. Please read it.”

Nixon smiled gently and handed the envelope containing Eisenhower’s handwritten letter to President Syngman Rhee.

“Hmm, understood.”

Accepting the letter, President Syngman Rhee opened the envelope and took out the letter.

Eisenhower’s letter began with ‘To my respected friend, President Syngman Rhee.’

It contained a message that the United States would no longer tolerate a tragedy like the Korean War on the peninsula in the future, along with a demand that President Syngman Rhee officially guarantee this.

As if showing his dissatisfaction to Vice President Nixon, President Syngman Rhee read it aloud clearly.

“Then will you do so?”

Vice President Nixon asked with a expressionless face, observing President Syngman Rhee’s expression.

“It is a good letter.”

Having read the entire letter, President Syngman Rhee answered irrelevantly with a grim expression. President Syngman Rhee did not like Eisenhower’s letter.

“What will you do? Will you officially announce this?”

At that, Nixon pushed for an immediate decision.

“Then what should we do about our compatriots in the North?”

It was President Syngman Rhee’s characteristic way of speaking.

In other words, it was a roundabout way of expressing his dissatisfaction with the content of Eisenhower’s letter.

“…….”

Vice President Nixon’s expression was dark.

He was not trying to pass over this important matter lightly, but he could roughly guess President Syngman Rhee’s inner thoughts.

“If we divide the South and the North like this, our compatriots in the North will never escape the clutches of the North Korean puppets and will remain separated from their families in the South. As the father of this country, how can I endure such a tragedy?”

It was President Syngman Rhee’s clear answer to Vice President Nixon’s question. President Syngman Rhee’s intention was directly implied in this single sentence.

If he signed a peace declaration now, the unification of the South and the North would be gone.

In other words, even if it meant risking another war, they had to achieve unification—this was President Syngman Rhee’s intention, which contradicted President Eisenhower’s wish.

“…….”

Recognizing President Syngman Rhee’s intention, Nixon closed his lips tightly.

“Hahaha, my friend Nixon! Relax your expression. I will not take independent actions without Eisenhower’s approval.”

The experienced President Syngman Rhee changed the subject and placated Vice President Nixon.

“Hmm, of course you wouldn’t.”

Groan—

Richard Nixon still could not hide his displeasure.

“I emphasize again, you must never take independent actions without US approval…”

“I know! What can the president of weak South Korea do without US cooperation? Rather, since you have come to Gyeongmudae, let’s have a meal first!”

He didn’t want to hear it.

Although President Syngman Rhee was the president of a weak country, he was highly displeased by Nixon’s excessive remarks.

In that way, President Syngman Rhee glossed over the situation.

“First we must conclude the conversation…”

“There is a Korean proverb that says even Mount Geumgang is best seen after a meal. I have prepared a traditional Korean meal with all my heart, so let’s go to the main dining hall and eat first.”

It was as if the eighty-year-old Syngman Rhee was playing the forty-year-old Nixon like a fiddle.

“No. Before that, I want to meet President Eisenhower’s friend.”

However, Richard Nixon was not someone to be handled easily.

“A friend?”

“Yes. If he is President Ike’s friend, I suppose he will be my friend as well.”

“Hmm… You mean Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk of the National Medical Center?”

President Syngman Rhee’s expression stiffened slightly.

“Yes! There was an instruction from the President to meet him without fail when I enter Korea.”

“I see. Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk is already here, so I will invite him to the dining table.”

“No! I want a private meeting with Dr. Kim.”

“A private meeting?”

Even if he was the Vice President of the United States, President Syngman Rhee was displeased by Nixon’s attitude of ignoring the meal he proposed.

“Yes. I have something urgent to discuss with Dr. Kim, so if it’s not a discourtesy, how about we have the meal afterward?”

Groan—

This time, Syngman Rhee revealed his displeasure openly.

“Understood. Do as you wish. Tell me when your conversation with Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk ends. I will have the banquet prepared in the main dining hall and wait.”

The banquet in the main dining hall. It was the very place where they had prepared a banquet for Dulles, who visited South Korea as Eisenhower’s advisor a few years ago.

“Thank you, Mr. President!”

‘A shameless man does shameless things without a care!’

As if indirectly reproaching Richard Nixon’s rudeness, President Syngman Rhee muttered to himself.

A moment later, Gyeongmudae VIP room.

Vice President Nixon entered the room with just an interpreter.

“Are you Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk?”

“Yes. I am. Welcome to South Korea, Mr. Vice President.”

At that, Kim Ji-hyuk stood up and replied.

“Your English pronunciation is extremely good, Dr. Kim!”

“As long as your Yorba Linda accent is not too severe, we probably won’t need this gentleman.”

“You know Yorba Linda?”

Kim Ji-hyuk pointed to the interpreter next to Vice President Nixon. Yorba Linda was the birthplace where Vice President Nixon was born.