Chapter 531: 54

February 1st, 2019 14:00

Japan Honshu Kanakawa Yokosuka port naval base.

In the Yokosuka Naval Base, a pair of destroyers from the First Guard Fleet were escorting an aircraft carrier. The carrier boasted an impressive displacement of 100,000 tons, and its escort was an obvious display of power. It was originally a Nimitz class carrier, but after being decommissioned by the US Navy and handed over to the Japanese Naval Defense Force, it was rechristened as the “Kaga.” Over the previous two years, 3000 men of the Japanese Naval Defense Force trained on the carrier, handled repairs, then processed handover at an American naval base. Then the ship was officially transferred to the Japanese Naval Defense Force and sailed into the Yokosuka Naval Base. The Kaga (CV-2001) also carried 80 F-35C fighter jets and eight of the latest electronic warfare fighter jets EA-18G and Growler.

The Japanese Naval Defense Force’s first aircraft carrier fleet was established in early 2020 with the Kaga (CV-2001) at its center. The fleet consisted of three Atago class ships with Aegis weapon systems, two Asashi class (displacement of 5,000t) destroyers, two Kazanawa class (6,500t) guided-missile destroyers, a combat support ship Mashu (AOE-425), and three suspected Wakashio class (6,000t) nuclear submarines. The naval force was taking shape, just as Prime Minister Abe envisioned.

As 1,000 crewmen in white uniforms lined up to salute on the flight deck of the Kaga, it was truly a sight to behold. Also, many Yokohama citizens came out to see the aircraft carrier sail into the base. They welcomed its arrival by waving Japanese flags in both hands. Prime Minister Abe stood among the other government bureaucrats, also smiling and waving his hand.

“What a magnificent sight. It is truly grand.”

Prime Minister Abe exclaimed praises for the ship and waved his hand continually, but he was still filled with the desire to make the Japanese naval fleet even larger and more powerful.

“This does feel different from the occasional visits from the American aircraft carriers,” said Shibasaki, the Minister of Defense. He also had a bright smile plastered across his face.

“Of course,” responded Prime Minister Abe. “The difference between seeing someone else’s property and looking at one’s own is tremendous. When something belongs to you, it looks more spectacular.”

“Yes, I believe you’re right.”

When the Kaga’s first official captain Yamamoto Genjuru swore in their return to Prime Minister Abe that day, the Prime Minister invited all the naval officers to a celebratory dinner at the government office. They had been hard at work in America for the past two years.

Also on that day, Japan announced its ownership of an aircraft carrier to the entire world via various press agencies. Some Asian nations showed concerns about an arms race, and China especially criticized Japan for its return to its Imperialist period. China broadcast details about the Kaga all day long, and the next day, they released footage of the Chinese military testing the Doong Feng 21-D ballistic missile, also dubbed the “Aircraft Carrier Killer.” Later the same day, China announced to foreign press agencies that they had begun producing their own stealth fighter jet. Eighty of the J-20 fighter jets, equipped with Russian AL-117S turbofan engines, were now entering service.

During this heated arms race, Korea didn’t show any particular reaction. Like a tiger hiding its claws as it waited for the hunt, Korea watched for an opening.

* * *

March 5th, 2019 14:00

Choongbook Chungju-si, 17th Fighter Wing underground research facility X-19 lab (Plasma lab).

The X-19 lab exclusively worked on plasma matter, and the plasma superprotonic generator developed in the X-20 lab was based on the research from the X-19 lab. The head researcher of this lab was Dr. Park Jin-woo, a nuclear physicist who had come from KAIST. For the last two years, he had focused his research on plasma matter. His work on applied plasma technology was provided to many other labs. On this particular day, he and his ten fellow researchers were busily preparing to conduct an important simulation.

“Dr. Kim, did you input the values as I instructed?”

“Yes, Professor. I have done so precisely.”

When Dr. Park heard Kim’s answer, he typed in the final data and pressed enter. A moment later, a large screen in the middle of the lab showed multiple graphs, all fluctuating wildly. They soon stabilized at a certain value, and the results of the simulation began to scroll up endlessly from the bottom of the screen.

Upon obtaining the final values, Dr. Park punched them into a computer that calculated the damages as the simulation came to a close.

The researchers watched the scene with wide eyes, staring intently at the monitor behind Dr. Park.

“How is it?” asked Assistant Professor Woo Jin-gil, who also came from KAIST.

Dr. Park ignored Assistant Professor Woo Jin-gil’s question and began muttering in a low voice.

“Assitant Professor Woo, I believe we have just become another Einstein.”

“What? What do you mean?”

The simulation from a moment before was a plasma amplifying experiment. It was designed to amplify the explosive power of a small amount of plasma and determine how much damage it would do if it went off in Seoul. Assistant Professor Woo Jin-gil checked the monitor himself. After seeing the data for himself, he realized what Dr. Park meant.

“Isn’t this is on the same level as a nuclear bomb? No, it could be more.”

“You’re right, since half of Seoul could be blown to smithereens with such a small amount.”

The scientists participating in the simulation couldn’t hide their astonishment. Their mouths gaped open at Dr. Park’s words.

“Doctor, does this mean our nation now holds nuclear bombs that don’t have radioactive fallout? This is worthy of the Nobel prize.”

“Are you satisfied, Assistant Professor Woo?”

“Of course I am. I’ve always hated the neighboring nations that boast about their nuclear arsenals.”

“What do you think the probability of a nation owning nuclear bombs or missiles actually using them when a war breaks out?” Dr. Park asked suddenly.

Assistant Professor Woo Jin-gil answered slowly. “Well, nations wouldn’t use their nukes unless they had entered an all-out war, right? Especially if the opposing side has nuclear weapons as well. No one would want their country to be eliminated by the radiation.”

“Exactly. That is the reason that this Plasma bomb we have developed will be more dangerous than the nuclear bombs we have right now.”

Assistant Professor Woo Jin-gil still didn’t understand. He scratched his head. “I am sorry sir. But I don’t understand…”

Dr. Park answered the man with a concerned tone. “If a country possessed a nuclear bomb without any radiation or fallout, would they even hesitate to launch it?”

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* * *

April 10th, 2019 14:00

Seoul, Jongro-ku. National Vision Committee conference room.

The National Vision Committee was established on February 5th, and it consisted of various people from across society, including Teacher Do-Un Oh Yong-ook. They had spent two months establishing a future path for Korea to walk, and the committee was now reaching its final stages.

The committee’s first plan was the unification of Korea. North and South Korea were at a cease-fire, and thus, they remained under the shadow of war. Korea was like a powderkeg that could erupt into war at any moment, and this unstable environment was a critical weakness to Korea politically, economically, and militarily. The only solution was reunification. Therefore, they had made a detailed plan based on the current government’s relationship with North Korea. The plan dictated several actions.

1. Efforts would be made to improve relations with Kim Yo-jong, who was now the political power during Kim Jong-un’s prolonged absence.

2. Regular meetings would be held with the North/South representative council. South Korea would use increased humanitarian aid in food and fertilizer to bolster the failing North Korean economy and alleviate hunger and poverty among the nation’s people. That would serve as leverage to reopen the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and schedule regular reunions for separated families.

3. A peace park would be built along the DMZ to ease tensions within the Korean peninsula. The cost of construction would be paid by South Korea alone, and the profits from the facility would be split between the North and South.

4. Free electricity would be provided to alleviate North Korea’s power crisis.

5. A joint project for developing natural resources would be undertaken. The project had been halted by North Korea’s internal technological issues.

The second plan was to enhance Korea’s national brand. A nation’s brand could fall in an instant, but raising it was a difficult and time-consuming process. However, since Korea had begun offering the AIDS cure to other nations for free, the nation’s brand was already on a sharp rise. Therefore, the committee designed a detailed roadmap for potential markets in developing nations in Africa.

1. Korea would combine governmental and charitable organizations to aid nations who participated in the Korean War and establish “A support group for participating nations of the Korean War.” It would provide humanitarian aid to countries that were struggling.

2. Developing nations would be offered medicine and daily necessities. In addition, investments would be made into local corporations so they could build first and secondary industrial complexes. With that foundation, the struggling nations could govern their own economic activities and form a friendly relationship with Korea.

3. Korean culture would be actively spread worldwide…

Some items in the documents could put the whole nation in jeopardy. The final draft of the National Vision document was handed to the president, and after being reviewed and approved in a cabinet meeting, the Korean government stepped into action. The historical mission to reunite Korea began.

* * *

May 6th, 2019 14:00

Kyungi-do Paju-si Panmunjeom Joint Security Area.

The second meeting of the North/South Representative Council.

Following the National Vision Committee’s policies, Korea requested representative council meetings with North Korea. One week later, a response came from North Korea, and the Panmunjeom meeting began. Once again, Party Secretary Kim Young-chul and the four members of his entourage came to represent North Korea.

“Minister Oh, have you been well?”

It had been a year since they last met, but Secretary Kim and Minister Oh shook hands warmly. They had met a few times before.

“Yes, I have been well. Have you been doing well also?”

“Don’t ask. I’ve been so busy with all the joint businesses we started with China that I think my hair is about to fall out,” said Secretary Kim Young-chul, waving his hands and laughing.

There was a hidden meaning behind his words, though. The man was known in North Korea as a master of negotiations. He mixed jokes and warnings whenever he spoke, strategically disconcerting his opponents to gain the upper hand in the conversation.

“My, that would be a disaster. You must think about your health.”

Minister Oh responded with a smile and offered the other man a seat. The cordial exchange lit up the room’s atmosphere, the real discussion of the meeting began.

“First, the Korean government is thankful that the North has honored all the items we discussed during the last meeting. Thanks to those efforts, tensions have eased in the Korean peninsula, and the economy has recovered as well,” Minister Oh began.

“Well, that benefitted us both, so there’s no need to be thankful.”

“I am even more grateful that you think that way.”

“Yes, Minister Oh.”

“The Korean government would like to send rice, fertilizer, and other necessities as a sign of our gratitude. If you tell us the amount needed, we will do our best to meet the demands.”

“There must be a price that follows all this. Wouldn’t you say?” Secretary Kim asked bluntly, leaning back in his chair. He looked relaxed as he gazed at Minister Oh.

“Instead of a price, how about enacting regular meetings for separated families and reopening the Gaeseong Industrial Complex to improve relations between the North and South?” Minister Oh suggested.

“We would be more than willing to do that. Don’t worry.”

“It’s great that you’re being direct. Another thing I would like to speak to you about…”

The council meeting lasted for four hours. From Korea’s perspective, the negotiations went smoothly. The two parties came to agreements on a quarterly meeting for separated families, the reopening of the Gaesung Industrial Complex, the transfer of food, fertilizer, and living necessities, and the reopening of tourism in Kumgang Mountain the coming August. These terms required the approval of Vice-chairman Kim Yo-jong, so the South Korean government was left waiting for a response.

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