Empire of the Ring

At the Port of Atyrau, icebreaker freighters were the first ones that arrived followed by four small and large vessels. The last one arriving was a car ferry.

Two 5,000 ton vessels and three 3,000 ton vessels filled the port. At the dock, governmental staffs were all gathered. They were extremely excited to receive free American military supplies and to have a strong ally.

They had different intentions in mind. Some had come to see the supplies in their own eyes and some even came to inform Russia about what it was like. Nonetheless, the arrival of the first U.S. military supplies was a great issue.

It was a difficult decision for Kazakhstan since it was always under Russia’s influence but the government finally stepped up because of the pressure of establishing a self-reliant nation. It was because Russia’s attitude toward Uyghurs made it less reliable. On the other hand, it was a struggle to be freed from Russia.

Since most of the manufacturing industry and mining industry of the land was owned by Russians, it would have to suffer some economic damage but the government had seen more advantage in expanding its diplomatic channel for the future.

As the first cargo was unloaded to the dock by a crane, everyone looked at it in hopeful eyes. The first cargo consisted of support equipment only, since Youngho knew that the first delivery would draw a lot of attention. The self-propelled artilleries and towed artilleries would be transported for last. The U.S. also would not like it if it became global news. Keeping that in mind, the U.S. government had made Youngho in charge of shipping.

All of the equipment was well taken care of, that they were still shiny. Although they were idle supplies, since it was given to another country, the U.S. government had cleaned and polished them ahead. They were as good as new.

The military staffs applauded as they saw the new sophisticated equipment since they were only used to old Russian trucks and rough bulky Jeep vehicles. They were either impressed or glad that they got free stuff. People began to leave one by one after watching the equipment getting loaded on a train.

At that moment, a man in a suit approached Youngho and handed a cellphone.

“Mr. President is seeking you, Mr. Lee.”

It surprised Youngho. He wondered what the president was about to say.

“Mr. President? This is Lee Youngho.”

“You did a great job. I just received pictures of the military supplies. You’ve given me a huge gift.”

“You’re welcome. I just wanted to live in peace that I had to do something.”

“Hahaha. I heard that there are offensive weapons in the list as well.”

“Yes, sir. I’m not an expert in this area but they look like powerful arms. Those will be transported in silence later.”

“That is a great idea. Please wrap them well so that Russia won’t find out about them. Also, why don’t you stop by at the palace sometime soon? I’d like to drink your fresh wine.”

“Alright, sir. I’ll be there soon.”

Since the old president was not a heavy drinker, he probably had something in mind when he was calling Youngho. If what he had was gifts for the autonomous state, Youngho would be receiving those with open arms, as long as they were not more land to develop.

***

“Ah, Lee. You’re finally here. You must’ve gone through trouble to come in this cold.”

“It was not a problem, sir.”

Youngho was at the presidential palace in Astana.

He did not take time to visit the president thinking that there must be an important matter that the president wanted to discuss.

“Hahaha. So, did you bring some wine that I asked?”

“I brought a little too many bottles this time.”

Since Youngho brought as many that could fill up a whole pickup truck, a staff of the presidential palace had to come to help move the wine boxes.

“I didn’t mean to rush you. What brought you so fast?”

Youngho wanted to come when the president was still in a favorable mood. Now was the best time to meet him since all Youngho would hear would be some compliments.

“Are you sure you were not scared by the dictator’s call?”

“I don’t recall doing you wrong, Mr. President. All I remember is doing something that would receive your compliments. That’s why I couldn’t resist coming so soon.”

“Hahaha…”

Although the president was claiming a democratic government, he was still a dictator-like president who was holding onto his power under the pretext of focusing on economic development. In front of such president who had been in power for so long, one needed to act humble and wise in order to survive.

Youngho thought that if he could gain something from the man, he would do any crawling and flattering for a hundred times. That was why Youngho could receive autonomy of Arirang Farm. The president would not be in power forever, so when he gained the favor of a powerful president, he needed to try his best to establish a high ground for the state. That way, even if the government changed, the state would still stand on high ground.

Youngho was about to leave after having a pleasant time with the president, and the president asked a pregnant question.

“Lee, how do you feel like becoming a politician?”

“Sir, how dare I think of such thing… I have no base here, and how would I earn people’s support? I’ve never dreamed of such a thing.”

“You have a supporting base. You said I’m like your grandfather.”

“…”

“Hahaha…”

It seemed that the president did not forget what Youngho said in vain to flatter him. Since the president was close to 80, he sometimes felt like a grandfather too. That was why Youngho told him that the president felt like his real grandfather, and the president seemed to be amused by that.

The president asked Youngho to become a politician out of nowhere, and Youngho was confused about what kind of expectations the old man had for him.

However, such matter should be decided with caution since it might be a dangerous move.

“Sir, I’m not up to lead someone yet. I still have a lot to learn here.”

“When you’re interested, tell me anytime. We’ve got some Koryoin politicians too, so you won’t be so lonely.”

The old president suggested it casually, although politics were not a child’s game.

It seemed that the president had summoned Youngho to get him involved in politics.

***

The administration building of the autonomous state was a stone building consisted of two underground levels and three levels above the ground.

The underground levels were made to have document storage, heavy firearms armory, and shelter. It was built on a large scale to serve as the face of Arirang Farm, and it carrying its job well.

All of the people who visited the state thought that the towns were larger than they actually were due to the big size of the administration building.

Now, the conference room on the third floor of the building was heated because of what Youngho had brought up. The administration staffs of the farm all had different views about the president’s suggestion for Youngho’s political involvement.

Kim Chun was the first one to support the idea.

Having lived in Kazakhstan as Koryoin for generations, he had a sense of purpose to stand high in the mainstream society.

“Boss. The reason I came to Arirang Farm was that I believed that you and your friends could be a big deal in the world. That was why I served you the best way I could. Now is your chance, why are you hesitating?”

“If I become an opponent to the Kazakh politicians, Arirang Autonomous State will suffer for that. I really don’t see any advantage in this.”

Kim Chun was highly supportive of Youngho’s political involvement that Youngho had to calm him down.

“Boss. You need to do this for all Koryoins here. As a minority, we’ve suffered enough for generations.”

Koryoins had high respect for Arirang Autonomous State for receiving the autonomy status among many ethnic minorities.

Hearing that the autonomous state was born, Koryoins from all over Kazakhstan congratulated it and frequently visited the state. Not to mention, it was named Arirang which was Korean.

Also, the Serbian immigrants who moved to the state all welcomed Koryoins whenever they visited. The Serbian immigrants saw Koryoins as their brothers since the prince consort of their Archduchess was a Korean. As the number of Koryoins who were recruited as intelligence agents of the state increased to 25 people, their families also moved to the state.

When Youngho paid the families a visit after they moved to the state, impressed Koryoins tearfully said that a great era for Koryoins had finally come.

As the atmosphere turned heavy, Old Kim Sungchan opened his mouth.

“Commissioner Kim’s opinion might represent all Koryoins of the state but Arirang Autonomous State is where Serbians and Koryoins live together. Koryoins are not the only ones who suffered here. Serbians also left their home to put down roots in this foreign, deserted place. This will be a major decision that would determine the future of the autonomous state. Why don’t we take time before we decide? He said that the president gave him time to think too.”

Only then, Kim Chan stopped arguing as Old Kim Sungchan, who was an elder from a remote Koryoin town suggested.

As the group agreed on discussing political involvement later, Youngho brought up another case.

“Arirang Autonomous State leans more toward West Kazakhstan than Atyrau Region. We’ve been focusing on Atyrau because of its port but I’m planning to interact with West Kazakhstan as well from now on.”

“Boss. Are you going to run for a state governor in West Kazakhstan?”

“Hahaha. I’m not saying about that. The hospital of the autonomous state will start operating in March. So, I’d like to promote this to West Kazakhstan that the hospital voluntarily service will be open for the region as well.”

“We need to take care of our people first for a while. We’re already fully booked with patients who suffer from pneumonia to herniated disc.”

As Kim Chun opened the new issue, people began to talk about all sorts of things.

“People won’t need to go to Volgograd for appendicitis anymore.”

“They’ll probably able to straighten a broken nose.”

“Can they do an operation for hemorrhoidectomy too?

“Alright, alright. Today’s meeting is dismissed now.”

Kim Chun dismissed the meeting quickly and followed behind Youngho who was leaving the conference room.

“Mr. Commissioner, I thought the meeting’s over?”

“I said I don’t do politics.”

“Boss. Why don’t you listen to me first before deciding it already?”

It seemed like the day would be pretty stressful for Youngho.