I Will Stage A Coup D’état

Chapter 46: Our own version of Democracy (2)

The middle-class voters who were interested in politics found it difficult to judge Lee Sung Joon.

Before the coup, Lee Sung Joon seemed like a person who longed for Western-style reforms and aimed for democracy.

"A sensible person like General Lee should lead this country."

After the coup, Lee Sung Joon was a typical authoritarian ruler who advocated developmental dictatorship.

"See. When a military man grabs power, he becomes Park Han-jin."

Before and after the counter-coup, Lee Sung Joon showed the ignorance unique to military dictators who gave a taste of iron-fisted rule.

"A bastard worse than Park Han-jin."

And now, he says he will implement 'Korean-style democracy'.

People were momentarily confused by the word 'democracy'.

It was also the effect that the original world's Park Chung-hee aimed for.

"What's so special about democracy? It's democracy to recommend someone through procedures."

*****I decided to prepare to run for Prime Minister in order to gain the legitimacy of the regime and also use the packaging of democracy.

I wanted to become Prime Minister now because, as I materialized the ideology, I felt the need to refine the appearance.

Of course, I didn't intend to become Prime Minister by giving the people the right to vote.

Nor was I going to go up there receiving applause from something like the National Assembly.

"Your Excellency. Then how do you intend to become Prime Minister?"

"Wouldn't it look good to become Prime Minister through a parliamentary vote?"

"But there's a one in ten thousand chance, you know."

"You have a point too."

There was nothing special about a parliamentary vote.

If the Defense Security Command just had the weaknesses of the lawmakers, getting votes was easier than eating cold porridge.

Still, just in case, we decided to make 'this kind of constitutional amendment'.

"Prepare for the Military Revolutionary Committee to nominate 1/4 of the lawmakers."

The method of the military nominating lawmakers was exactly the same as that taken by the Yushin regime or the military in Thailand and Myanmar.

This way, 1/4 of the votes were virtually guaranteed on the spot.

If we entice 1/3 of the remaining lawmakers?

Then half is unconditionally guaranteed.

Half means being elected.

This is how I built the 'foundation for permanent rule'.

The current Prime Minister Roh Jae-Woo and the Daejeong Party agreed to fully cooperate with this constitutional amendment.

Persuasion was not difficult, as they promised to share the seats of lawmakers nominated by the Military Revolutionary Committee.

While 'Yushin' was being prepared under the surface, there was also a statement of support from the military.

"Finally, our leader General Lee Sung Joon has made the brave decision to lead this country from the front. Now, we must lend our strength to the General's steps with a united voice and pave the way for him. How about we all pledge our loyalty to the General here?"

"Yes, I agree."

Amidst the applause of the generals, the military unanimously expressed their support for me.

Although nominally the military had no authority to nominate the Prime Minister, the lawmakers had no choice when such blatant pressure was exerted.

On September 5, 1940, the constitutional amendment was announced.

Even the Yushin Constitution took a year to prepare, but we finished the work in just one month.

In fact, since it had the appearance of a constitutional democracy in form, there wasn't much to revise.

As a result of the amendment, our laws became much worse than before.

However, the substantial parts improved a bit.

Still, it's better for the Prime Minister to be in charge of military command than the Army Chief of Staff or his deputy, both in appearance and plausibility.

Immediately after the amendment, Prime Minister Roh Jae-Woo issued an order to dissolve the parliament.

We appointed the Young Officers Party lawmakers, who were the military's share, according to the new constitution.

And an election was held for the remaining 3/4 of the seats.

Since the election game in Korea itself was so unfair, the Daejeong Party, the previous largest party, once again took most of the seats.

When the seats of the Daejeong Party and the Young Officers Party were combined, it showed a more serious party bias than when the Daejeong Party dominated alone before.

It turned out well.

If there was a chance of amending the constitution one more time, the more lawmakers, the better.

Of course, if there was a shortage of lawmakers, we could put incumbent lawmakers in prison to match the ratio, but it was best to avoid such a move if possible.

On September 10, in the election held in the parliament, candidate No. 1 Lee Sung Joon won 284 out of 300 votes and was elected Prime Minister.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister! Congratulations."

"Your Excellency, congratulations."

I first received greetings from the Young Officers Party lawmakers who were sitting in their seats in military uniforms.

Then, I shook hands with the Daejeong Party lawmakers who approached me.

Now the Empire has somewhat taken the form of a proper nation.

Whether it was yesterday or today, it was the same in that it was a democratic country in appearance, but there was a big difference between whether the head of government wore a military uniform or not.

"Congratulations on Your Excellency, the Prime Minister's inauguration."

In the afternoon, congratulatory messages from ambassadors of various countries arrived.

Among them was one sent by Germany's dictator Adolf Hitler.

"I congratulate Your Excellency Prime Minister on your inauguration and hope that Germany and Korea will build a close friendship as before."

I replied with a smile to the letter delivered by Ambassador Eugen Ott.

"Korea also wants to get along well with Germany."

In fact, it's a lie.

Even if we're on a roll now, it's clear that if we join hands with the damn Nazis who are bound to self-destruct soon, we'll be isolated from the whole world.

Just look at Franco, he almost died after the war, but didn't he survive thanks to the Cold War?

Judging from the attitude of the German ambassador today, it wouldn't be surprising if Germany contacts us again soon.

Maybe this Hitler bastard will tempt us to help him attack the Soviet Union.

Of course, no matter what conditions he offers, I have no intention of joining hands with Hitler.

I don't even have enough energy to modernize the motherland, so why would I bother to wage a war?

Even if I absolutely have to go to war, it should be a minimal investment to gain a foothold in the postwar world.

After finishing the ambassador's audience, I prepared for a speech to the nation.

"Dear citizens. This is Lee Sung Joon, elected as the Prime Minister of the Korean Empire."

I kept my voice cold and firm.

If I took a friendly position in public, there could be those who take me lightly.

That would be troublesome.

Although I formally took the position of Prime Minister, it was beneficial for my status to maintain the strict military image.

At first, I explained why I had to become the Prime Minister.

"For the past 3 years, the National Salvation Military Committee I led has been working hard for the modernization of the fatherland in various parts of the Empire and has achieved results. However, there are still many shortcomings. There were many things that couldn't be done from a position wearing a military uniform."

Of course, it was a complete lie.

Power doesn't care about the shape of the uniform.

I was the Army Chief of Staff in name only, but I was a dictator who manipulated all the power institutions of this country as I wished.

What I changed now was nothing more than a business card.

But the world looks at things differently depending on the packaging.

I also sat in the Prime Minister's seat aiming for such an effect.

"That's why I ran for Prime Minister. Fortunately, thanks to the representatives of the people giving me a chance, this lacking Lee Sung Joon has been able to serve you."

I say serve, but in reality, it's rule.

Who would receive service from me?

Even the Emperor can't do that.

"For the next 5 years. This Lee Sung Joon will try to change the Empire greatly. I will innovate the country to the point where the word Yushin will come out. I will protect Korea from the storms of the World War. Please trust this person, Lee Sung Joon, just once."

This was a promise without any falsehood.

Protecting the Empire was the same as protecting myself, so it couldn't be a lie.

If we don't innovate amidst the storm of the World War, we won't survive, so this was also not a lie.

Right after the broadcast, I had the Defense Security Command check the people's reactions.

The reactions were mixed.

The urban middle class who had their expectations betrayed by me,

"Are we going to trust a military dictator again?"

The rural areas that were steadily enjoying the fruits of rural modernization,

"General Lee Sung Joon will do well for us. Yup."

The poor,,

"The General says he'll change the country, so we should trust him once."

Expectation and doubt, goodwill and hostility, trust and distrust intersected.

However, gaining the support of the entire nation was not an easy task even for a dictator.

Even Russia's dictator Putin only received 70% support from 140% of the people.

If even a seasoned dictator of over 20 years like Putin has a batting average of only half, who am I to expect a higher approval rating than that?

I did not harbor such delusions.

I just needed enough approval rating to stably maintain the regime.

In the first place, my support base was not the people, but the military.

As long as I held the barrels that produced power, I only needed enough control to prevent the barrels from turning towards my head.

"Your Excellency. You don't have to worry too much about the people's reactions. No matter how well you treat them, there will always be those who are dissatisfied."

"I know that too. Anyway, you should also take off your military uniform and join the cabinet soon."

Kim Sung-joo was surprised by my suggestion.

"You mean me?"

"Yes. I'm thinking of giving you the position of Army Chief of Staff, what do you think?"

"How could I dare to do that?"

The Army Chief of Staff was the top position in the previous military regime.

"I'm telling you to do it, so what's the problem? Will you do it or not?"

"I will wholeheartedly assist Your Excellency."

"Then, that's enough."

I heavily appointed comrades from the previous revolution to key positions in the military regime.

Such nepotistic appointments undermined meritocracy, but there was no choice.

If you don't want to get couped, you have to use your close aides, what can you do?

By carrying out the cabinet appointments, I announced the beginning of our style (Lee Sung Joon style) of democracy.