<h4>Chapter 82</h4>
October 23, 2020 20:30
The President’s office in the Blue House, Jongro-ku, Seoul.
The President, who had just returned from the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff Headquarters, sat in his office alone, thinking about the uing war with China.
Korea owned more advanced weaponry than China, which they could use against them, but Korea would have to go to war while dealing with internal issues. The first issue was making sure the federal unification policy went smoothly. The federal unification would go into effect by January 1, and it would entail having the citizens of North Korea ovee the political ideologies they held, and providing them with welfare and new infrastructure. Most importantly, it would entail restructuring and managing North Korea’s military. It was as if Korea were fighting with one hand tied behind its back.
The President stroked his forehead, thinking deeply, then grabbed his cellphone on his desk and made a call.
“Hello. Have you been well, sir?”
-Oh my. You made the effort to call even while being busy...
“It’s nothing. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to call more often.”
The person the President was speaking to was Teacher Do-un Oh Yong-ook from the National Vision Committee.
-You must be having a hard time these days, aren’t you?
“Ha ha. Yes, I am.”
-We all know. Our President is taking on a heavy burden.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
-Mr. President, our penins can’t achieve unification without a war. Our past history has shown this, and our current history will show this too, so leave your troubles behind and take the path you think is right. Our citizens will respect and support your decision.
As if knowing why the President had called, Chairman Do-un Oh Yong-ook spoke in a kind tone and gave him advice.
“Thank you. Your kind words give mefort.”
-That’s good to hear. There are 50 million people behind you.
“Yes, I understand. I wille to visit you in personter.”
-Time is precious. Use it for the people of Korea. I’lle to see you instead, so that you can concentrate all your efforts toward the unification of Korea.
When the President finished his phone call five minutester, he had the Secretary’s office summon the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Minister of National Defense.
* * *
October 23, 2020, 22:25
President’s office in the Blue House, Jongro-ku, Seoul
“Sorry to call you at such ate hour.”
Minister of National Defense Kang Hyun-soo bowed and said, “No, that’s fine. In light of our nation’s current state, that’s not an issue.”
“Operation ‘Rise of Goguryo’ is officially approved.”
With the President’s short answer, the gazes of the Minister of National Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shifted. The war with China, which had previously had its existence on the line, hade to reality, and it was their duty to see to its sess.
“Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are you ready?”
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kang Ui-sik, straightened up and answered loudly, like the soldier he was. “Mr. President, no need to worry, sir. I swear on my life that we will win this war against China.”
The Minister of National defense also spoke confidently. “Yes. The strategy formed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters is very detailed and exploits China’s weakness. You can put your worries at ease.”
“Yes, I will trust you both. I have an additional request for both of you. Please put the lives of our young men as a priority during the war, and keep our causalities low. I will ensure you have full reign over the operation, so show the Chinese no mercy.”
The President must have noticed the irony in his words, because heughed slightly before saying, “My, even after saying it aloud, it still sounds contradictory. I hope you understand, for I am a politician.”
“No. I believe that is the kind of mindset our leader should have. I, Kang Ui-sik, will give my life to carry out your orders.”
“Thank you. When can we begin the attack?”
The Minister of National Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff briefly looked at each other before the Minister answered. “We expect the invasion from China to start on the 29th or 30th. Therefore, our forces willmence operation ‘Rise of Goguryeo’ at 4:00 a.m. on the 28th. You will have to put martialw into effect at 8:00 a.m. that morning, along with the deration of war to China, during your national address.”
“The 28th. So there are five days left. All right. Then let’s prepare in the meantime. I will put my faith in both of you.”
“Yes, sir!”
D-5. The prelude to war, a preemptive strike against China, was about to begin and make history. Each army would cautiously move their forces to avoid reconnaissance from China, and part of the North Korean army would move under the excuse of training exercises.
* * *
October 24, 2020, 15:15
Navy’s Command Headquarters, Nam-ku, Busan.
D-4
Lieutenant General Lee Gi-hyung was checking the various documents on his desks while speaking with his advisers.
“What’s the situation on the Maritime Task Floti Seven?”
“Yes, Commander. The six Hoc destroyers that were assembled in the three shipbuilding yards are all sailing toward the naval base in Jeju ind. From there, they will be supplied munitions and additional crew, then will make their voyages to Pohang Navy Base to standby as nned.”
“This is the problem. We’re short on time. The fact that we’re deploying destroyers that were built only a month ago makes me worried.”
The operations director stopped his report and addressed themander’s concern. “We don’t have much of a choice in this situation, do we, sir?”
“Yes, we have no choice. We must win the war. Let’s continue. So what about the ships that were already under the Maritime Task Floti Seven?”
“The King Tae-jo, Se-jong, Kim-jong (the previously known patriot Lee Sun-shin), and Moon-mu have all been organized under the 1st Fleet and are standing by, receiving munitions and supplies at the East Sea naval base, while the King Tae-jong, Yulgok lee lee, Dae-jo young, and the Wang-gun have all been organized under the 2nd Fleet, and are receiving munitions and supplies at the Pyeongtak base. Lastly, the King Sung-jong, Ryu Sung-ryong, Kang Gam-chan, and Choi-young have been organized into the third fleet and have finished receiving supplies and ammunition at the Mokpo base. They are also standing by for deployment.”
“I like that each fleet’s destroyer floti have been erged to a division, and since there are two Aegis destroyers in each floti, our navy is finally shaping into arge naval force. I couldn’t be happier. Wouldn’t you say so, Operations Director?”
“Yes. I don’t think it would be an overstatement to say that our navy’s operational range and capabilities have improved greatly.”
“Yes, now we are able to fight against Japan’s one guard corps with just the East Sea Fleet.”
“Contact the Logistic Command and check the supply of ammunition once more, then tell each of the fleetmanders the operation is near, so prepare well.”
“Yes, sir.”
* * *
October 25, 2020, 10:15
Pilot’s break room in the 38th Fighter Wing Air force Base in Gunsan-si, Jeonbook.
D-3
The 38th Fighter Wing began its construction of the runway in 2019 and finished it by June of 2020. Outside the runway were hangars with security devices that held the KF-21P Phoenix fighter jets and KF/A-25P ck Phoenix bombers. Numerous repairmen and armorers were standing near the nes, hard at work. The soldiers from the 38th Fighter Wing were also all hard at work and covered in sweat, preparing the two types of 7th-generation nes that would be deployed in operation “Rise of Goguryeo.”
“Major Choi!”
Someone called over Major Choi, who was having a coffee break in the pilot’s break room before attending the operation briefing.
“You’re here, Chang-bin?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
Major Jeon Chang-bin and Major Choi Young-ho were cohorts at the 99th Flight Training Wing, and Major Jeon Chang-bin had juste back from instructing the 10th Fighter Wing in Su-won about the ck Phoenix bomber.
“Good work.”
“It wasn’t much, anyway. I was going to ask, you went out for the firstbat mission, right?”
“Ah, the one against the Su-hois?”
“Yeah, how was it? Our Phoenix’s abilities?”
“You had to see it yourself! When I got close to them with our stealth abilities and then showed up, they all tucked tail and ran. Our Phoenix jet is the best.”
Choi Young-ho gave him a thumbs-up. “You got to use that in a real battle. Man, I’m envious!”
“Envious? You’re going to use it yourself and experience it soon enough.”
“All right! I’m going to unpack my things and meet you in the briefing room!”
“Okay.”
* * *
October 26, 2020, 13:50
Operations Briefing Room of the 20th Armored Division Headquarters in Yangpyeong-kun, Kyung gi-do.
D-2
The 20th Armored Division, under the 7th Mobile Corps of the ROK Army, was famously known as the force that would charge north in the event of war. It was reorganized a year ago from a mechanized infantry division to a purely armored division. With its high-tech weapons from Olympus base, it had now be the best armored division in the world that had actually been deployed.
The 20th Division would lead the charge during operation “Rise of Goguryeo.” It was given the task of invading China’s borders at the start of the war by traveling through Yang pyeong and Shin uiju and delivering the deep-strike. Therefore, they were busy at work preparing for this operation.
The 20th Division consisted of two armored brigades, one mechanized infantry brigade, one artillery brigade, and a newly made anti-air brigade, and they were about to undergo the most dangerous mission of operation “Rise of Goguryeo.” They were going deep into the heart of the enemy and would conduct their operations while breaking through the enemy’s siege. Themanders participating in this mission were full of heroism and spiritpared to themanders in the other divisions.
Division Commander Ahn Gook-jin got up on the podium, the baton in both of his hands, to make a speech. “I would like to make a final reminder before starting our final briefing.”
“There are two days left. Each brigademander is to make final checks on the status of each battalion’s supplies, food, and ammunition, and memorize the routes we’ll take for our invasion. I would also like to emphasize that our men’s courage must be strong, because we will be fighting under isted circumstances. Our high-tech weaponry will cover our physical needs; however, our mental health is determined by our mindset. All of our men, including myself as themander, have never entered into battle before. Therefore, the horrors of war and death that we will face might be more than we can handle. To ovee this, we all must have strong willpower. Therefore, continue moral education after the war begins, and I hope none of you fall ill from trauma. That’s all!”
“A-ten-hut, salute!”
“Loyalty!”
“Loyalty!”
When Division Commander An Gook-jin left the podium, the division headquarters operations director tapped the microphone with his finger to test it, and then began speaking.
“We will now begin the briefing for the operations the 20th Armored Division will carry out in ‘Rise of Goguryeo’.”
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