Chapter 192: Chapter 3-1 Japan Sinking!: Determination

February 3, 2021, 09:30

The National Crisis Situation Room in the underground bunker of the Blue House, Jongro-ku, Seoul (the Office of the President)

Having stayed up the whole night observing Japan’s first counteroffensive in the situation room, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kang I-shik visited the National Crisis Situation Room in the underground bunker with the foreign minister. Their purpose was to report on the total damage to Jeju Island, but the more important thing was to have a consultation. Specifically, the problem was that the US, which had professed neutrality in the war, was assisting Japan. Chairman Kang continued his reports on the status of the war on multiple fronts in the office of the president, with other high-ranking officials in attendance to address this very issue.

Then, after Chairman Kang’s report had concluded, the president stared out his window at the peak of Mount Bukak, which was blanketed in snow. After a moment, he broke the silence with a quiet question to Foreign Minister Kim Jae-hak.

“Minister Kim!”

“Yes, Mr. President!”

“What do you think is the reason the US would go to these lengths to help Japan like this?”

It was a difficult question. However, after rubbing the back of his head once, Minister Kim Jae-hak answered plainly.

“It’s money, Mr. President. If their prior ideology was a structure of opposing communism to promote freedom and democracy, then presently that ideology has evaporated, and international affairs flow only in the way that relates to their own country’s benefit, based on capitalism. And they have judged that in this respect, Japan means more money to the US than the Republic of Corea.”

“Yet, if you look at the current situation economically, hasn’t our country surpassed Japan?”

“Yes, that is correct, Mr. President. Economically speaking, Japan isn’t a worthy adversary to compare with our country.”

The president asked another question, with a perplexed look on his face.

“If that’s the case, then shouldn’t the US be seeking to make their alliance with us more of a priority, according to your argument?”

“Mr. President! You’ve left something out. Of course, there’s the fact that in the Wartime Control Agreement of 2019, all US troops stationed in our country were withdrawn. We are in a state of increasing military might along with our economic progress, and we don’t need the weapons of the US. However, that’s not the case with Japan. If you look at the rankings of countries with powerful economies, they are performing the role of benefactor to the US by importing an innumerable amount of US military equipment. In other words, if you were the US, between two great economic powers, one that buys your own country’s weapons and one that doesn’t need them, and is in fact working to surpass your military power, which would you choose?”

It was a fragmented reason, but the minister had accurately analyzed the current situation of the Republic of Corea’s relationship with the US.

“It hadn’t even occurred to me that the US was so embedded in capitalism like that, but it’s hard to say they’re not, either…”

“Mr. President! I agree with what Minister Kim has said.”

Head of National Security Na Kang-soo leaned forward and inserted himself into the conversation.

“All current international affairs are totally based on capitalism. Ideology is now an old idea, and doesn’t each country now change its policies based on how international affairs affect its own interests? This is especially true since the Trump administration took power in 2017, and has fallen into the idea of ‘America First’ in total opposition to the prior administration.”

“That’s right, Head of National Security Na. I know exactly what you’re saying. If that’s true, then we will have to find a method to deal with the US as it claims that it will look at the war from a neutral position, but really helps Japan behind the scenes. What good ideas do you have?”

At his question, the president’s office was once again filled with silence, and soon, opinions of several high-ranking officials in attendance were exchanged back and forth, transforming in the intense heat of the conversation.

* * *

February 2, 2021, 10:00

The Emergency Situation Room of the Cabinet in Tokyo, Japan.

Japan’s first counterstrike! It had partly succeeded—this was the conclusion of the Head of the Joint Staff Office about the recent counteroffensive operation.

Though it hadn’t exactly fulfilled Prime Minister Abe’s expectations, it had been relatively fruitful, and the prime minister gave the Head of the Joint Staff Office some encouragement.

“Head of the Joint Staff Office Masaki! You’ve done well. However, my anger towards the bastards hasn’t been satisfied just with this. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, I understand, Mr. Prime Minister. I will take the initiative and try not to let down your expectations.”

“Yes, of course, you should do so. Do all you can to be able to occupy some territory on Jeju Island, even if it’s not on the Corean peninsula.”

“Yes, Mr. Prime Minister, we’re currently preparing the equipment of our landing forces and general organization for a strike.”

“Very good. It feels like this congestion that’s been there for 10 years will suddenly be relieved if we can just occupy Jeju Island. Hahaha.”

* * *

February 3, 2021, 15:00

Seoul, Yongsan-ku, Bunker B2 (Situation Room of the Joint Command and Control Center for the Republic of Corea Army)

“How did it turn out?”

This question, from the Chief of Strategic Planning, Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon, was the first thing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kang I-shik heard as he returned to the B2 Bunker by the main car of the hyper loop train.

“Haha! Is this that urgent, Lieutenant General Na? Please, let us catch our breath…”

“Ah, I’m sorry! I was just so curious…”

Chairman Kang took the coffee cup handed to him by the aide-de-camp and brought it up to his mouth.

“This coffee tastes terrific!”

Chairman Kang said this as he savored the fragrant smell of the coffee as it blossomed upward, and gave a grateful wave to the aide-de-camp.

“Nothing has been decided fully yet. The president will speak directly with President Trump on the phone tonight, and afterward, it looks like it will be set!”

“Is there really a need for our president to talk one-on-one with the president of the American empire like that?”

Appearing seemingly out of nowhere, General Choi Ho-il approached and said this sarcastically. Chairman Kang I-shik turned his head in response and chuckled as he answered.

“General Choi Ho-il, in any case, the US and Korea have had friendly relations for seventy years before unification. Of course, the president needs to at least engage in a confirmation process as the head of an allied nation.”

“If that’s the case, well, I have nothing else to say.”

General Choi Ho-il, whose animosity towards the US had begun even before unification, spoke so gruffly because the US president had been mentioned.

“Aide-de-camp!”

Chairman Kang I-shik called his aide.

“Yes, Mr. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff!”

“Please tell all the other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to convene in the Strategic Briefing Room tonight at 11:00.”

The Chairman’s aide, Staff Sergeant An Seon-hee, replied with a disciplined tone of voice that belied his delicate appearance.

“Yes, sir.”

* * *

February 3, 2021, 15:10,

The US Embassy in the Republic of Corea, in Gwanghwamun, Jongro-ku, Seoul

Minister Kim Jae-hak immediately made his way to the US embassy after leaving the Blue House.

“Minister Kim, to what do I owe the pleasure?

Ambassador Willie Gold, who had no diplomatic events going on in the midst of the war, had just been at the embassy when the notification came from his secretary’s office that Minister Kim had arrived. He came down to the first-floor meeting room and greeted him.

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“I’m here because I have something very urgent to tell you.”

“What kind of message could he have? It hasn’t even been 24 hours since we last met. This is so annoying,” Ambassador Gold thought.

Although he was smiling, his inner thoughts were not as pleasant.

“Is that so? Please, sit down here.”

The ambassador intentionally greeted Minister Kim Jae-hak in the first-floor meeting room, not the one on the second floor, which was for guests of honor. The conventional practice was to greet high-level government officials in this special office. This was especially the case for the minister of the foreign office of that country, who was always greeted on the second floor—but Ambassador Gold flaunted this practice, and this in itself was circumstantial evidence of his current way of thinking.

“What is it that you wanted to tell me?”

“Before I tell you, have you communicated what we talked about yesterday to your department of state?”

“Oh, that? I haven’t been able to yet.”

Ambassador Gold answered, his face expressionless as if he didn’t think this was a very important issue.

“Right now, our country can’t afford to waste minutes or even seconds, but you seem to have time to spare. I suppose there’s nothing so urgent about this situation from the US perspective?”

“Really, that’s not the case. It simply got held up because of other matters I had to attend to. I will make sure to communicate it to the state department tomorrow.”

“You needn’t worry about that now. There’s no need.”

“Really? Why would that be?”

“The president says that he will directly contact President Trump tonight.”

“You mean through the hotline? Because I didn’t pass it along today?”

“It’s not because of that. Although, of course, if you didn’t communicate that yesterday, it would be included in today’s discussion.”

“Well then, what’s the reason for using the presidential hotline to…”

“I can’t tell you exactly what the details are. Please just tell the White House that President Seo will be calling through the hotline tonight.”

“Hmm… I think I understand.”

“In that case, I think I’ll be going now. You seem very busy.”

“Ah! At least have one cup of tea before you go, please!”

“I apologize. You came all the way down to the first-floor meeting room for this, but I’m a little busy and must leave now.”

Minister Kim said this, referring sarcastically to the fact that Ambassador Gold had met with him on the first floor, and then stood from his seat.

* * *

February 3, 2021, 22:30,

The Office of the President in the Blue House, Jongro-ku, Seoul

President Seo Hyun-oo took some time to directly contact President Trump through the hotline.

“Hello, President Trump?”

“It’s been a long time, President Seo! The fact that you actually called me like this…”

“What else would it be about? I’m calling to make some requests if there are any, and some demands if there are any of those as well.”

“Ah, requests and demands… I guess depending on the standpoint, what you’re saying could mean something very different, potentially?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Well, alright. Go ahead, please.”

“We know that the US is currently helping Japan indirectly.”

“Indirectly helping?”

“Please hear all that I have to say until you give your answer.”

President Trump let the silence answer for him, as if his mood had been worsened by President Seo’s heavy-handed tone of voice.

“Currently the US stationing bases in Japan have allowed a significant number of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to be stationed there as well. In other words, this means that our forces cannot attack those bases, but the Japanese soldiers in the US bases are attempting attacks to their hearts’ content from where they are. Besides, a large amount of the military equipment that the US congress has limited for export due to worries about leakage of technology is being sold only to Japan. This is not to mention the information we’ve received about the Japanese forces being provided the same weapons that US forces stationed in Japan are currently using. Are all these things consistent with your stated position of neutrality?”

From the tone coming over the phone, President Trump could now sense President Seo’s mindset when he made this call. He seemed incredibly displeased.

“Well, President Seo! That’s all because of the new agreement, the strengthened US-Japan Military Consolidation Agreement that we have now.”

“Have you made a US-Japan Military Consolidation Agreement?”

“Yes, we have, that’s right.”

“Does that agreement apply to other similar allied nations?”

“Well, that, now… it could be different at different times, couldn’t it?”

“At different times? Are you saying that alliances can change depending on the situation?”

At this piercing question, President Trump hesitated momentarily, and President Seo pushed ahead even more vigorously.

“Are you saying that alliances can change with the times? Does the Republic of Corea mean nothing more to you than that?”

“President Seo!”

President Trump called President Seo with more urgency, as though he felt himself constantly slipping up and wanted to change the mood of the conversation.

“I hope you will answer my question first.”

As President Seo was not tripped up, he continued speaking in a voice louder than President Trump.

“But, didn’t Korea withdraw from the US-Korea Wartime Control Agreement in 2019, and of course, also requested that our troops withdraw?”

“The US-Korea Wartime Control Agreement was carried out as a mutual agreement, and the troop withdrawals took place because of another agreement about independent self-defense and US defense expenditures. It wasn’t just a one-sided demand from our country. Is it possible you’re using this as an excuse to discriminate against our country, even though we have the same alliance relationship as with Japan?”

As the call went on, President Seo spoke more coldly.

“Hey, instead of discrimination, it would be- just look at it as, as things stand currently, which country is a more important ally to us, I think.”

“I see. Then, this means that Japan is a more important ally than the Republic of Corea?”

President Trump let out a fake cough, and rather than answering, let the silence continue.

About half an hour later, after finishing the call with President Trump, President Seo sat back deeply in his chair and took out one of the cigarettes that was hidden in his drawer. He then stuck it in his mouth and lit it. He took in a deep drag from the cigarette and blew out the smoke. He was a bit dizzy as he hadn’t smoked for a while, but it also felt like his mind had been relieved after being stuck on something.

After a minute, he stopped smoking and stubbed out the cigarette in an ashtray, extinguishing the flame, then picked up the receiver to make a call to someone else.

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