Baeguk

[beifengxiaoxiao]

'Tiger Cub Diplomacy' as Xsampa Invests into KGB Microchips

5566.7.12. - Gongmangdo - Following the conclusion of a summit in the Xsampan capital of Metz-Leonid, the Xsampan Democratic Republic (XDR), a long-respected partner of the Kingdom of Great Baeguk (KGB), today announced that the XDR People's Committee of Foreign Affairs would award a foreign investment fund to the Microchip contractor Hanulro Group, mediated by the Baegukese government. The deal will see the fund granted to Hanulro in return for mandatory minimum shipments of the finished products to Xsampa. 

During the summit, General Secretary of the Xsampan Communist Party, Wangchen, met with Baeguk's own Prime Minister Yiri Dalbodeurae to hash out the details of increased economic cooperation. Baegukese soft power has proven a powerful influence in that nation, as the once-strict state censors permitted the broadcast and even filming of selective Baegukese K-Dramas whilst Baegukese beauty companies continue to export massive amounts of cosmetics and skincare products. Besides this, Baeguk and Xsampa trade raw materials, rare earth, minerals, machine parts, chemicals, and produce with each other. Xsampa's rise as a developing economic producer has also created strong need for Baeguk's coveted machinery and synthesized chemicals, whilst Baeguk in turn is increasingly reliant on Xsampan manufactured goods. As economic ties continue to grow, Xsampan stakes in Baeguk's microchip production capabilities will likely play a key role in promoting the technological development of both nations as Terra continues to digitize.

The summit saw the emergence of what some have called 'Tiger Cub Diplomacy'. It appears to be a response to the Xsampan wedding gift of Dhondup the Yak - whose name means 'good fortune' and 'prosperity' - to the newly married Imperial Couple years ago in 5547. Now, using the rare Dovanian Tiger - Baeguk's national animal, only present on the Dan Peninsula and the western section of the Great Dovanian Plain - Baeguk is reciprocating this generosity. The government announced after the conclusion of talks that it would transfer two Baegukese Dovanian Tiger cubs to the Xsampan delegation as a goodwill gift.

His Imperial Majesty the Hwamu Emperor Himself presented the tiger cubs Woori (우리, female, 9 weeks old) and Daegan (大干, male, 7 weeks old) to General Secretary Wangchen. As for Dhondup, he is now 19 years old. He continues to reside on the Jesu Palace grounds, but often tours at a special exhibit at Gongmangdo's Seoul Mahdang Zoo, and continues to be kept after by the Imperial Family. Crown Prince Dohoon, who has pursued education upon his return from the military last year, also posted a selfie featuring himself and Dhondup on the social media site Kofitalk during the time of the summit, exciting many on the status update.

Nonetheless, even though the mood was good between the two governments, many Baegukese are concerned about the intimate nature of interstate relations. Human Rights Groups criticized the move, claiming that Xsampan investment was 'dirty money' and that closer ties will mean ignoring the poor humanitarian situation and lack of civil rights in Xsampa. Xsampa remains a Metzist-Leonidist nation that does not allow non-communist parties to participate in its' political system, with authoritarian tendencies to suppress free speech and opposition. Many question how Baeguk, a nation with liberal democratic values and human rights enshrined in its constitution, could possibly see fit to continue to accept increasing entanglement with Xsampa, an authoritarian communist party-state. PM Yiri Dalbodeurae did not respond to The Gongmangdo Times' efforts to ask for her comment.