21st century Goguryeo

Chapter 170

December 30, 2020, 10:00, Yongsan ku B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Command Center), Seoul

At exactly 0900h, the official document from China’s Southern military group arrived at Korea’s Joint Chief of Staff. The contents of the document were about the organization of a meeting with all four military Group Commanders and how they had come to a decision about the Joint Chief of Staff’s offer. China had officially accepted the offer, along with a request to stop all attacks and providing treatment to the Chinese citizens affected by the radiation, with a promise to pay in the future the cost of treatment.

This was a temporary ceasefire, but it was good news that showed China was preparing to surrender.

China’s military was not so damaged that they would consider a ceasefire or surrender. The four army groups, including the 38th Army Group charged with defending Beijing, still had 70 percent of their power, while the 21st Army Group fighting against Korea’s 3rd Marine Division at Tenjin had 90 percent of their forces. By sheer number, China still had 400,000 soldiers ready to fight against the Korean military.

Also, there were seven divisions under the central military that had not been deployed into the war so far, along with local defensive divisions. Counting all of them, China still had a million soldiers in the army. The air force did have significant damages, but 40 percent of their forces had survived. The navy was also defeated at Jeju Island’s southern area, but they still had two aircraft carriers and two fully equipped fleets that were capable of facing off with Korea’s navy.

However, the reason China’s military decided to surrender was due to the psychological warfare by Korea’s Joint Chief of Staff. The scene of Beijing’s citizens suffering from nuclear blasts was being broadcast from Korean networks round the clock to international media outlets. The horrific scenes being shown had caused the citizens of China to distrust and become outraged toward their government.

The Southern military’s Commander accepted Korea’s offer. He decided to arrest Xi Jin Ping under war crimes of destroying Chinese military and civilian manufacturing facilities, along with damaging the lives of China’s citizens. By doing so, the Southern military Commander Han Feng would be able to justify his rebellion, along with saving the lives of his nation’s citizens.

Commander Han Feng gave an official announcement across China. The three military Group Commanders and political leaders called for a meeting to elect new political party members and military Commanders in order to put an end to the war.

After the official document from China arrived, Chairman Kang took the time to eat his breakfast and take a break while drinking tea with the Operations Director.

“Sir! I wonder if China will accept our terms.”

“What do you think?”

Chairman Kang answered the Operations Director with a question instead.

“In my opinion sir, I don’t think China will give up Liao-Ning Province and the Shandong Peninsula.”

“Why is that?”

“Liao-Ning Province is too close to Beijing, and it would be too great a risk to hand it over to our nation. The Shandong Peninsula holds great geographical importance as well, so I don’t think they would be keen on the idea of giving it up, sir. ”

“That may be the case, however, that is why we must get those areas from China.”

“That is right, sir, but—”

“What’s troubling you? We hold the sword, not the enemy.”

“Yes, you are right, sir. Hahaha, I am being concerned for no reason.”

“My, my, you’re a soft one. It’s time for the meeting. Shall we take our leave?”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

December 30, 2020, 10:30, Yongsan ku B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Command Center), Seoul

Fifty military Commanders, two Generals from the Northern State military, and Chairman Kang Ui-sik were gathered to start the meeting.

“Everyone must have heard by now . . . but the Korea–China war is coming to an end. There is still the matter of processing China’s surrender, but that is for the politicians to work on. All we have to do as soldiers is to prepare for any situation that may arise during the proceedings. We are only two days away from reunifying our nation that our people have yearned for.”

Chairman Kang Ui-sik looked at the 50 military Generals and continued.

“Let’s discuss how we will defend the border near Russia and also Japan’s recent movements. The Capital Defense Division will discuss security during the reunification ceremony. If you’re ready, let’s begin.”

When the Chairman finished speaking, the Operations Director went up to the podium and started to speak after clearing his throat.

“We will begin with the status of the Eastern front fighting against Russia.”

* * *

December 30, 2020, 14:30Busan Port International Terminal, Busan, Korea

On December 13, Japan started the war against Korea by sending its naval forces to Dok-do Island. Japan believed that taking Dok-do Island from Korea would be like taking a candy bar from a baby since Korea was busy warring against China. However, Japan suffered a major defeat in the Dok-do naval battle, and when its navy was defeated at the battle of Jeju Island again, Japan had cut off all trade with Korea and began to deport all second-generation Korean immigrants.

The only mode of transportation that both nations allowed was a ferry that went from Busan to Fukuoka three times a day to transport citizens of both nations back home after the aerial and sea routes had been cut off.

At the Busan port, the cold piercing December winds were blowing. At Busan port’s international terminal, the high-speed ferry that had departed from Fukuoka arrived. Students studying abroad and Japanese-Koreans who had been deported were coming back in to be processed by Customs.

Usually, the entry process between the two nations was simple, but due to the war, this had become complicated. Fingerprinting, retinal scans, and additional Customs processing would take over an hour for each person to be processed. The 280 people that had finished processing entered the lobby and hastily moved toward their destination. However, those that were deported from Japan without anywhere to go were escorted by government officials to a bus that would take them to temporary living quarters.

A hundred and thirty-five Japanese-Koreans arrived at Busan port that day from the first ferry, and they were split into groups of four to board the buses. When they got on board, the bus moved toward Gim-hae. Among them was a man in his late thirties. His face was covered with a mask and scarf to hide his sharp features while glancing at his surroundings from time to time. This man, who seemed to be wary of other people’s gaze, closed his eyes after being seated and fell asleep.

* * *

December 30, 2020, 15:30, Kangnam-ku NIS Anti-terrorism Investigation Unit’s meeting room, Seoul

All high-ranking agents, including Director Huh Young-joon, and team leaders from investigation units 1 to 3 were present. They were discussing terror prevention strategies for the reunification ceremony.

Two days from now, the President and many high-ranking officials will be exposed to risks. The location of interest was Gwang-hwa gate where the President would make his official speech on January 1, 2021. The Anti-terrorism Unit cooperated with the President’s bodyguards and searched every building within a 2-kilometer radius while installing cameras and agents at every suspicious location.

The 2-kilometer radius was set since even the latest and most powerful sniper rifles only had an effective range of 1.8 kilometers.

“There are 500 motion-sensor cameras installed in every building within a 2-kilometer radius of Gwang-hwa gate, sir. We have finished diagnostics and made sure they are working properly as well.”

Manager Ahn was promoted to Vice-director, so Manager Kang Tae-young, who had now been promoted as head of Investigation Unit 1 started off the report. Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin was actually next in line for the promotion, but since she was working at the underground research facility, he was promoted instead.

“Deploy every agent tomorrow and have them check every camera, and finish installing any additional cameras we might need!”

Vice Director Ahn Yeon-wu ordered thoroughly.

“Yes, sir.”

“What about Units 2 and 3?”

“All agents from Units 2 and 3 have been stationed at the major buildings. They will be stationed at their locations three hours before the ceremony starts and begin their sentry duty.”

“Aren’t we short on men?”

Director Huh Young-joon asked.

“At certain locations, we have stationed agents from the foreign and north intelligence agencies to fill in for our lack of numbers.”

“That is a relief. Which team will be tasked with guarding the President along with his bodyguards?”

“Teams 3 and 4 from Unit 1, sir.”

When Manager Kang answered, Director Huh asked again.

“Did you get the protective suits?”

“Yes, we received it a few days ago.”

“Very well, I am sure everyone is aware that the reunification of South and North Korea is the moment our people have been yearning for. Since it is a historic day, make sure our agents focus on the task at hand on that day.”

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

December 31, 2020, 13:30, Jongro-ku Blue House President’s office, Seoul

President Suh Hyun-woo was waiting for China’s official surrender. He was seated on the second-floor office of the Blue House and reflecting on his presidency while staring at Inwang mountain.

He only has a month left on his term, and in that time he had to war against China which expanded and compelled the nation to face off against Russia and Japan as well. The past two months of his five-year presidency were the toughest time he had spent as President of Korea.

However, the proud ROK military’s soldiers’ sacrifice and the unity of Korea’s citizenry had helped him overcome this hardship. Most importantly, the nation’s strong yearning for reunification was only a few hours away.

President Suh began to cry when he thought about the past two months that had passed by.

“My, how indecent of me,” he thought.

The interphone rang as President Suh muttered to himself and wiped away his tears with his handkerchief.

“Mr. President! The Northern State’s (North Korea’s) Vice Chairman Kim Yeo-jung has arrived at the front gate.”

“Yes, I see.”

The President answered the interphone and headed down to the Blue House’s main hall on the first floor. Moments later, a few black sedans arrived at the entrance, and Vice-Chairman Kim Yeo-jung wearing a light-colored coat arrived at the entrance. President Suh Hyun-woo approached her for a handshake and greeted her sincerely.

“Welcome, it’s a pleasure to have you here, Vice Chairman Kim!”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. President!”

Vice-Chairman Kim smiled brightly and shook the hands of the smiling President a few hours shortly before the two nations will be unified.

It had been 75 years since South and North Korea was divided. It was a historical moment indeed when North Korea’s leader visited South Korea for the first time.