Yes, Prime Minister of Japan

But Hong Zhuangyuan also needs to explain the second situation:

"Another scenario involves women burdened with excessive debt. Local gangs and banks collude to introduce them to transnational marriage agencies, selling them into marriage to pay off their debts. The contract is only lifted after they give birth to a child. Some gangs even guarantee that if they can't have a child, or if they can't have a boy, they can be replaced..."

Zhao Lieshu also clenched her fingers sensitively:

"To put it nicely, she could be called a debt bride. But if things continue to develop, she might become a breeding slave for a gang."

This has directly reached the level of a serious crime involving human trafficking.

Marriages based on debt can still be maintained through private contracts; if the marriage becomes unbearable after having children, the couple can simply leave, assuming mutual consent. However, with deep involvement from organized crime, it turns into a series of forced prostitution. The debt snowballs, never ending, and the prostitute is forced to sell herself from childhood to old age, dying in some unknown corner in middle age.

Those who pay a dowry to buy a bride and hope that she will stay with their fellow Chinese will face a debtor bride who will inevitably run away after a year.

Li Xinghe suddenly had a flash of inspiration and started cursing:

"Wait a minute, damn it, weren't Japan and South Korea already facing student debt problems 20 years ago?"

"Yes, I'm sorry..."

Hong Zhuangyuan and his subordinates hurriedly stood up and apologized.

These corrupt officials even tried to evade the question when talking about the debtor bride.

Li Xinghe isn't mentally challenged.

As early as 20 years ago, Japanese and South Korean women burdened by student loans or other debts were already working for gangs, forced to sell their bodies in the United States to pay off their debts. U.S. Customs directly classified all single Japanese and South Korean women arriving in the U.S. as potential offenders because of the deep-rooted prostitution and debt issues between these women and Japanese and South Korean gangs and financial companies.

It is said that tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of people are forced into this student loan cycle every year. In Seoul's university district, a large number of women are forced to sell their bodies to survive.

Rather than a new problem, today's debt brides are a deeper continuation of the loan problem.

In Japan and South Korea, it is a tradition that women are often the first to be pushed into prostitution when faced with enormous debt pressure, resulting in situations like the "Tangxing Girl" and Japanese brides and Korean girlfriends near US military bases.

Sweating profusely, Hong Zhuangyuan earnestly begged Li Xinghe for guidance:

"Should we stop it? But if we do, the debt bombs in the community will..."

Li Xinghe covered his face speechlessly:

"Stop talking, I know which provinces' people went to South Korea and Japan to buy debt brides."

If people are so fixated on having children and getting married, and pursue traditional folk contracts, then where else can they be besides the brothers from Shandong and Henan?

Given the ever-increasing dowries in these two provinces, it's understandable that the main force of childbirth would go to South Korea to buy brides. Although most families cannot survive, at the very least they can afford surrogacy and have a child.

This is the current situation.

In the current global economic climate, promoting people-to-people exchanges has resulted in transactions involving money and sexual favors.

Because the bride price in China is too high, men in China might as well look for a partner abroad. With the appreciation of the RMB, they can easily buy one for a few hundred thousand yuan.

Everyone knows that foreign brides are likely to run away, so having a child is some consolation. If they can stay and live there permanently, that's a real win.

Whether male or female, Li Xinghe will be saved.

Debt-ridden brides have to be sold, otherwise they won't receive the dowry money to cover the losses incurred from the US stock market crash. Debt-ridden men, on the other hand, are truly helpless, with a large number flowing overseas.

"Forehead……"

Li Xinghe could only start from the most crucial factors: productivity and population.

"We can't let South Korean male workers be tied down by debt like this. It seems we have to take strong measures."

Hong Zhuangyuan also needs to remind:

"But the debt problem..."

If Li Xinghe were to forgive the debts of these millions of people, things would get much more interesting.

Are you still a bastion of capitalism?

Li Xinghe frowned and flew into a rage:

"Do I look that kind? Women are sold to China to give birth, and men are sent overseas to serve in the military!"

Chapter 793: Massacre: Creditors All Gone, Loan of Millions to Slavery Owners (5700 words)

5 month 10 day.

Li Xinghe angrily flew to Seoul and, surrounded by Su Yumin and the 101st and 707th Special Operations Battalions, entered the Yongsan Fortress.

Cho Gu-hwan, with a grin, brought Lee Chang-yong, the governor of the Bank of Korea, to request an audience.

Lee Chang-yong released some confidential data that the central bank and the Ministry of Finance dared not disclose to the public:

“We currently have about 350 million people who, whether or not they are forced into employment, are completely out of the labor market and have no desire to work. In addition, there are about 500 million residents who are heavily indebted, half of whom are unable to make ends meet and the other half are struggling to survive. These approximately 850 million people are the poorest, most vulnerable, and most destitute in the entire society. We must take action as soon as possible, as their debts could explode at any time.”

Li Xinghe rubbed his forehead.

In other words, 350 million people who are capable of working but are not are simply unable to find jobs and have been swept out of the workforce. Ahead of this are over four million people who are heavily indebted and are barely surviving on loans. If their debt-paying cycle completely breaks down, it will trigger another localized debt-driven economic crisis.

This doesn't seem like Li Xinghe is trying to default on his debt to the Federal Reserve.

The reason Taiwan's economy is riddled with problems is that they converted a large amount of their assets into US dollars and invested in US stocks and bonds. At least this part can be recovered.

These South Koreans used Korean won to exchange for US dollars and then leveraged their investments in US stocks and cryptocurrencies. After their money was repeatedly exploited by market manipulators, they were left with Korean won debts, owed to banks, relatives, gangs, and underground banks. Their debts were all within South Korea.

But South Korea doesn't have enough good jobs for them to work and pay off their debts.

Li Xinghe had no choice but to turn his attention to the Federal Reserve:

"The Federal Reserve has provided a $3000 billion debt window. This window must be utilized."

To be honest, the US has a plethora of overnight lending tools, window tools, policies, and methods, with one set of financial instruments after another. To this day, the exact amount of dollars the Federal Reserve has issued and the number of financial instruments it has flexibly set up remain a mystery with no concrete figures.

In comparison, other financial institutions do not have such high flexibility.

This enormous debt was primarily used to assist Taiwanese businesses in relocating, Taiwanese citizens in immigrating, and to provide the Taiwanese military with some of its weapons and equipment.

While Li Xinghe wouldn't swallow it all and rob the Taiwanese people of their money, it would be reasonable for him to set aside a portion for policy tools.

Upon hearing this, Lee Changyong was overjoyed and told Lee Seong-ha a terrifying number:

"If we can raise about $100 billion, I think that would be more than enough to solve the debt problems of nearly 10 million people."

Li Xinghe suffers from aversion to stupidity and immediately began cursing:

"You fucking think $1000 billion is like drinking water, something you can just take whenever you want? South Korea's annual budget is only a little over $4000 billion!"

The figure for South Korean household debt is very clear: over $9000 billion.

Lee Sung-ha could have diverted a portion of the funds intended for resettling Taiwanese people, but it wouldn't have been necessary to cut a third of it to help South Korean residents with their debts. Putting aside the living conditions of the Taiwanese people, why should they be treated so well?

You lost all your money trading stocks and cryptocurrencies, and you still want Brother Li to bail you out completely? How could you be so happy?

Lee Changyong wanted to ask Lee Sungha for money, but Lee Sungha gave him policy tools instead:

“We’ll give you a share of the debt, which is about 104 trillion won. First, we’ll take all the claims on the debt into the Special Debt Resolution Department and freeze the interest on usurious loans. We’ll package this debt and redistribute it, making them work to pay it off. The government, military, and police will work together to monitor gangs across the country, and if necessary, wipe them all out in one fell swoop.”

The Korean won has expanded significantly and its currency has depreciated severely, currently trading at approximately 1:2600 against the US dollar and over 50% against the Chinese yuan. The money Li Xinghe gave was only enough for a down payment to pay off his debts.

But policy tools are much more effective.

After all, killing the creditor directly is not a bad idea.

……

The next day.

Lee Kaka's "Kindness Project" made headlines across major media outlets, becoming a top news story in South Korea.

"A special debt relief foundation!? A life-starting project!?"

People who were heavily in debt suddenly heard about such good news and rushed to inquire about it.

With May 1st of this year as the deadline, the rampant usury loans across the country were completely frozen, and a one-month economic adjustment period was implemented to reduce debt.

The public was naturally delighted, and many celebrated online:

"Those who jumped off buildings did it too early! If they hadn't jumped, they could have started their lives over and taken another gamble."

However, the number of people applying for debt relief quickly decreased.

Because the gangs that owed them money sent debt collectors to warn them not to apply for government projects.

These more than four million people are important cash cows for South Korean gangs, criminal organizations, local councilors, and gray businesses. These people often owe high-interest loans that they can never repay in their lifetime.

The Special Debt Resolution Center issued another notice:

"Self-initiated complaint system".

All ordinary citizens who are not business owners and have suffered losses due to stock market crashes or investments must immediately and secretly report their total debt to the government. During the debt interest freeze period, they must apply for a "start over" program through a designated government app. Furthermore, it must be confirmed that the financial collapse was caused by the stock market or cryptocurrency crashes, coupled with high-interest loans that made it impossible for them to continue living.

On the other hand, all banks, gangs, relatives, and underground banks must report their usury accounts to the government before the June deadline. The government will provide tax-free compensation of approximately 50% to buy out the debt, preventing excessive compounding of interest.

The entire process requires both the debtor and the creditor to cross-reference each other before the money can be paid.

Once June arrives, any private usury projects undertaken before that date will be considered illegal and unrecognized by the courts.

In other words, this itself constitutes the evasion of a large sum of money from gangster accounts with unclear sources.

The bank was naturally delighted. They found the debtor, presented their vast amount of accounts, and happily applied for compensation. Loans from various relatives were also barely enough to cover the repayments.

But the gangsters weren't happy.

The bigwigs angrily cursed:

"Damn it! Robbery!"

Those are over four million debt slaves. If handled well, they could be money cows for life. How could they possibly hand them all over to Li Xinghe?

Gangs, city councilors, and local power brokers from various regions began to cause trouble, either openly or covertly, to prevent the entire debt settlement project from proceeding.

So, on the night of May 14th...

The 101st Special Operations Brigade, the 707th Special Operations Brigade, and the First, Third, and Fifth Air Transport units secretly assembled at the Longshan Base.

Police officers from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency who are familiar with the situation of the gangs, and employees from various finance departments who have information on the gangs' gray businesses, have also regrouped.

Lee Sung-ha did not appear today, but Cho Yeol-sook, Su Woo-min, and many people from the South Korean military carried a large portrait of Lee Sung-ha to the high platform.

Zhao Juhuan personally took the stage to mobilize the audience:

"Brothers, the two-week economic adjustment period has begun. Lee Ka-ka has worked tirelessly to raise funds so that the Korean economy can escape its massive debt and start afresh. However, some gangs, political families colluding with them, local councilors, and shady businesses have been obstructing our cause of justice. They prevent the people from acknowledging their debts, believing they can exploit them for life. Some of you are among them, undoubtedly under immense pressure from the stock market and currency crashes, suffocated by high-interest loans. Tonight, let us end this suffering."

"Bullets loaded! Let's move out! For the sake of our people, let's use force against them!"

The soldiers roared with excitement:

"loyalty!"

Although the South Korean army inherited the old problems of the Japanese invaders, for the young soldiers, being loyal to the Japanese and fighting for the people is also a kind of righteous loyalty.

Guided by police officers from the National Police Agency and employees from the Ministry of Finance, the soldiers rode in various vans, shuttling through the brightly lit streets of Seoul.

Although signs with the Chinese characters "Hanseong" have been erected, Koreans still habitually pronounce it as "Seoul," since Seoul itself has no inherent meaning and simply refers to Hanseong. Today is May 14th, Yellow and Rose Day, a popular day in Korea for couples to travel and then enjoy a romantic getaway at their hotel.

The vibrant K-pop music reverberated through the streets, and couples drank and ate barbecue, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

The soldiers who jumped out of the van, armed with rifles, rushed into the branches of small loan shark companies, eliminating the gangsters inside one by one, and then left with ledgers and cash.

"Everyone take some cash. This is a little money for milk tea that Li Kaka specifically instructed us to keep." The team leader distributed the cash in the car.

As a result, the soldiers were more motivated and more willing to pull the trigger.

A bloody night, bullets left bloody bullet holes in the walls.

Couples on the roadside were still making tender confessions, and young high school students were imitating scenes from TV dramas in milk tea shops on the streets and alleys. Meanwhile, upstairs not far away, the sounds of smashing, breaking bones, and gunshots were heard without a second thought.

A bloody corpse fell from the sky, landing in the dark alley, startling cats and dogs into flight. Passersby, however, remained oblivious, still lost in their own worldly affairs.

Only along the Han River do high-speed chases occur, with soldiers in tanks and infantry fighting vehicles brandishing batons and rifles to intimidate fleeing gang leaders into dismounting and facing their doom. However, if the vehicle in front stops, the tank simply runs it over, crushing the entire vehicle into a metal sandwich.

In just one night, more than 4,000 mid- to high-ranking gangsters were killed and more than 30,000 criminals suspected of gang violence were arrested on both the north and south banks of Seoul.

The corpses flowing in the Han River even formed a turbid current, stuck under the bridge piers and refusing to leave. According to Korean fortune tellers, this was because their debts had been taken by Lee Sung-ha, and they lingered on the earth, unwilling to depart. In response, the government proactively dispatched a large number of Onmyoji (yin-yang masters) to collect the corpses under the pillars and place exorcism stakes to suppress the evil spirits.

After a bloody massacre, silence fell over Seoul and its surrounding areas.

Subsequently, military police, military police, and special agents from Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, and Ulsan also drove through the streets in military vehicles, demolishing the notorious gang buildings or running them over with tanks.

South Korean media dared not speak out, but the public, or rather, Europe and America, were already eager to label it:

The Yellow Day massacre.

More than 10,000 people were killed across the country. This immediately eliminated a large number of creditors in the private usury problem. The accounts of gangs, local political families, and regional councilors were all collected by the courts, their assets were confiscated, and their claims were handed over to the government.