Chapter 158: Reunification! Korea: The Shandong Occupation

December 19, 2020, 12:30 (China Standard Time 11:30), Weihai Port, China

On December 17, two days after the success of the Yentai landing mission, the 3rd Mobile Marine Division (fire drake) and 6th Marine Brigade were finishing up unloading their latest equipment in the Shandong Peninsula.

The 3rd Mobile Marine Division’s 10th Armored Brigade headed west of Yentai as soon as they finished unloading and checking maintenance in order to aid the 2nd Armored Battalion from the 2nd Marine Division.

The 3rd Marine Division’s main task was to strike the heart of Shandong Province using their mobility to disrupt the Chinese forces before taking over Qingdao—their final target.

The Shandong Peninsula’s defending forces were the 26th Army Group and the 12th Army Group marching north from Lianyungang. The Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff had suggested to wipe out the 26th Army Group before the 12th Army Group could establish a defensive line at Qingdao. The 3rd Mobile Marine Division (fire drake) planned to use their mobility and choppers to quickly take over the Shandong area.

“That should be more than enough for us to occupy the Shandong Peninsula, sir.”

The Operations Director from the 3rd Mobile Marine Division finished his briefing with the closing statement.

“I also believe that this is a good strategy. Leave the rear to us and strike the enemy down for us.”

Major General Ahn Gang-joon, Commander of the 2nd Marine Division, spoke as he glanced at Major General Jo Gyu-jong, Commander of the 3rd Mobile Marine Division.

“Very well, have the 10th Armored Brigade join forces with you for now. When the 8th Armored Division under the 26th Army Group has been eliminated, we will deploy them into battle.”

“That would be great for us.”

“It’s a matter of time now, so we will head out. I will see you again soon.”

Major General Jo Gyu-hong shook hands with Major General Ahn Gang-joon and left the temporary Command Center.

“Is the unloading finished?” Major General Jo Gyu-hong asked his aide-de-camp as he got on the Hummer.

“Yes, sir. All our equipment has been unloaded, lined up, and is ready to move.”

“Great! Let’s move our forces according to schedule.”

“Yes, sir. I will give the order.”

The large field at Weihai Port that was supposed to be full of cargo containers was filled with 400 armored vehicles, tanks, MLRS vehicles, and self-propelled guns all lined up and ready to move.

Moments later, the Division Commander’s orders must have been relayed to the entire force for the tanks at the front line began to move after starting their engines. Up in the skies, the 3rd Mobile Aerial Force’s attack choppers were flying across the sky and blowing up dust.

Meanwhile, west of Yentai, the sounds of cannon fire rang out and caused flashes of light that could be seen even in the daytime.

* * *

December 19, 2020, 15:00, the 8th Special Forces Corps (aerial and land force brigade’s training grounds), Kangdong County, Pyeong-nam, North Korea

The 8th Special Forces Corps consisted of four light-armored mountain sniping brigades, eight aerial and land brigades, thre sniper brigades, and four reconnaissance brigades. Among them, the eight aerial and land force brigades had a training center at Kangdong County. On these training grounds, 30,000 men had trained with the latest Korean weaponry to become familiar with the latest equipment.

Also, at Kangdong airfield, 20 of Korea’s KC-501 transport planes and five KC-503 large transport planes were taking off and landing to help train the Northern Special Forces.

“Keep it up. Is that all you got? Hurry up.”

Despite the temperature falling under 20 degrees Celsius and snowing, the soldiers from the aerial and land forces were fully equipped and running up a mountain.

The soldiers carried high-tech equipment and KS1 laser rifles along with their protective suits. Despite the heavy load, the soldiers moved swiftly across the steep mountain pass. However, the major who was leading the men did not seem to be pleased with their pace and shouted at his men while looking behind him.

After they had waded through the snow and run 10 kilometers, the soldiers from the aerial land forces arrived at their base’s field. All of them had run a distance that made them breathe heavily and hurt their knees. There were 30,000 men in the base following their schedules, training on the training grounds in their companies.

The men from the aerial land brigades were shorter than their Southern counterparts. But after consuming more nutritionally balanced meals, they regained strength and used their mental fortitude to overcome the hardships of training. Unlike in the past, now they were given the latest equipment and fed regularly. As a result, their morale was higher than ever compared to the times when they received malfunctioning equipment and irregular meals. Also, when they started getting paid, which was a foreign concept to them, they started to hide their injuries in fear of getting kicked out. Many of the men trained while injured, causing their injuries to worsen.

“Have the injured men sent to the hospitals immediately to treat their wounds. Our higher-ups are particularly concerned about this.”

After the coup by Lee Byung-chul, the 8th Special Forces Corps Commander General Oh Dong-ho was executed and replaced by Kim Yeo-jung’s cousin, General Kim Un-chul. To personally see the training progress himself, he was observing the goings-on by visiting the area.

“There is no need to worry, sir. We are taking the injured men to the military hospitals the South Koreans have built immediately.”

When General Kim Un-chul spoke up, Brigade Commander Oh Il-soo answered him in a disciplined manner.

“In my opinion, I think our comrades here at the 8th Corps will be deployed for battle soon.”

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In North Korea, they called the Korea–China war the reunification war.

“Sir, is that so?” Brigade Commander Oh Il-soo asked.

“Of course. Why would we train our men so intensely with the equipment we got from the South? So make sure our men don’t sustain any more injuries while training, understood?”

“Yes, sir. No need to worry. I will make sure of it.”

* * *

December 30, 2020, 11:30 (China Standard Time 10:30), Qingdao Province, China

The flames of war spread quickly along the Shandong Peninsula. The 26th Army Group that was in charge of defending Shandong had faced repeated defeats from the 3rd Mobile Marine Division (fire drake) and the 6th Marine Brigade due to their central strikes. The Chinese forces had to retreat all the way to Weipang within a day. The 3rd Marine Division marched relentlessly to Pingdu and occupied the area. It enlarged their occupation territory up to Laizhou in the north and Haiyang in the south. With this achievement, the Korean Marines were able to take over 70 percent of the Shandong Peninsula after three days of conducting their landing mission.

Meanwhile, at Lianyungang, the 12th Army Group had reached the Shandong area’s largest port city, Qingdao, after mobilizing for two days. They had begun erecting a defensive line. Despite their swift mobilization, they were delayed due to cruise missile attacks from the Korean forces.

“A division’s worth of forces could not hold the area for three days and now have retreated into Weifang. What kind of man is the 26th Army Group’s Commander?”

Lieutenant General Wu Weiyuan, Commander of the 13th Army Group, spoke as he looked at the outcome of the recent battles with discontent.

“Contact the 26th Army Group’s Commander and tell him to march toward Qingdao and hit the enemy from the rear when they reach Qingdao.”

“Yes, Commander.”

When Commander Wu Weiyuan heard the news about the 26th Army Group fleeing Shandong Province, even though he lost 15 percent of his forces from being attacked by the Korean Navy’s cruise missiles as they headed toward Shandong, he was in a foul mood.

“Commander Wu Weiyuan, sir! It’s from the 26th Army Group. They are regrouping and will strike back if our army requests for aid.”

“All right. Were there any other orders from our superiors?”

“There were none from the Chief of General Staff, sir.”

“Very well. Check on the progress of establishing our defensive lines and report back!”

“Yes, Commander.”

The 12th Army Group’s Commander had only heard about the losses China faced in this war so far, but, he did not have any fear. He firmly believed that the defeats his nation encountered were all due to the inability of the Commanders and lack of the military’s vigilance. Commander Wu Weiyuan only had the desire to use this opportunity to bolster the power of the People’s Liberation Army by using his commanding abilities.

* * *

December 21, 2020, 10:00, Blue House National Emergency Situation Center underground bunker (President’s office) Jongro-ku, Seoul

President Suh Hyun-woo seemed to be in a good mood after hearing that the occupation of the Shandong Peninsula was proceeding smoothly. The occupation was only a part of the success. The mission had created a prime opportunity to disperse Beijing’s defending forces by creating a second battlefront, thus making it easier to march into Beijing.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters took care of the proceedings of war, which ran smoothly and better than expected, so President Suh Hyun-woo checked over the final bills for the federal unification by holding a Cabinet meeting.

“We are not too far away from reunification. Seventy-five years have passed since North and South Korea have been divided, and our people’s wish for reunification is close at hand. I know you all have worked so hard up to now, but since we are only 10 days away, please continue to do your best until the very end.”

The President earnestly spoke while looking at the Ministers.

“There is no need to worry, Mr. President! Our Ministers here are all hard at work, so much so that 24 hours in a day is not enough,” Prime Minister Lee Young-ho answered while smiling.

“Hahaha, of course, I know. How could I not? However, our nation is not under the best circumstances at the moment, including China. I only said so since we are now at war with Japan and Russia as well. I am especially grateful to the Minister of National Defense.”

The president glanced at Minister Kang Hyun-soo and bowed his head to show respect.

“It’s nothing, Mr. President! I didn’t do much.”

Minister Kang Hyun-soo bowed his head to the president, and the other ministers watching the scene all laughed.

Who would have thought such a Cabinet meeting would occur for a nation warring against three powerful nations? The mood in the underground bunker within the Blue House was as relaxed as any day that a Cabinet meeting was held.

“Are the preparations for the ceremony going well?”

If it were not for the war, leaders from across the globe would have been invited to the federal reunification ceremony, thus making it an international event. Instead, the ceremony was decided to be a low-key affair, but one that would reaffirm internal stability.

“Yes, Mr. President! Preparations in both Seoul and Pyeongyang are going smoothly.” Vice Minister Kim Un-joong answered for the Reunification Policy Minister, Oh Seung-tae, who was on business leave to Pyeongyang.

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