Operation Storm (1)
After ten months of training, Kang-hae became a member of the Development Group.
But the hellish training didn’t stop.
The instructors, as always, remained unchanged.
And whenever he could, Kang-hae took crash-course lessons from the comrades and seniors who had spent their free time working out.
Boxing, judo, taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, wrestling—whatever they knew, he learned.
Every night, blood ran bright red down his swollen eyelids and split lips, but he didn’t care.
Compared to the pain my brother felt, this is nothing.
Whenever that thought crossed his mind, it really did become nothing.
And so four years passed.
Kang-hae became one of the strongest operators in the ground unit under the South Korean Military Information Command’s special missions battalion.
* * *
North Korean artillery fired shells at one of the five West Sea islands of the Korean Peninsula.
Seven marines and civilians were killed in the barrage.
The president immediately convened the NSC—the National Security Council.
The prime minister, cabinet ministers, and agency chiefs gathered in the underground bunker beneath the Yongsan presidential office.
The meeting began with a moment of silence for the dead.
When it ended, President Kim Jin-cheol looked at Defense Minister Seo Seong-guk and said, “Minister of National Defense, is a decapitation strike possible?”
The room froze the moment the words left his mouth.
A decapitation strike meant a joint operation by South Korea’s Special Warfare Command and America’s Green Berets to eliminate North Korea’s No. 1.
No one dared speak first.
At last, after a long silence, Presidential Chief of Staff Yoo Jeong-hun spoke with difficulty. “Your Excellency, then this truly means escalation.”
Starting with Yoo Jeong-hun’s remark, the entire staff showed obvious discomfort.
“There’s no guarantee of success. The risk is far too high.”
“The White House won’t agree to it.”
“If this escalates, wartime operational control will be transferred to the Combined Forces Command.”
“For now, let’s try talking through Russia or China.”
President Kim Jin-cheol felt drained by the words of those who opposed retaliation.
A commander-in-chief without wartime operational control.
If things escalated, he would have no choice but to step back, handing over control to the Americans.
But this time, they couldn’t just let it pass.
“Then are we supposed to just sit and watch again? Didn’t we try talking before? How much longer are we supposed to keep talking?”
At his roar, everyone fell silent.
Kim Jin-cheol let out a long sigh.
Then he looked at the director of the NIS and asked, “Director. Have you identified who led this?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. The North Korean provocations since last year were led by Choi Cheol-won, the minister of military industry. We believe this shelling was also his doing.”
At that moment, someone objected to the NIS director’s words.
“That information is incorrect.”
Everyone turned to look.
It was General Ko Jeong-un, the Military Information Command chief, seated behind the Defense Minister.
Kim Jin-cheol looked at Seo Seong-guk, silently asking who he was.
“Major General Ko Jeong-un, commander of the Military Information Command.”
When Seo Seong-guk finished his introduction, the color drained from several faces.
In the military, a two-star general’s single word could make mountains appear where none existed and roads be paved through empty fields, but this wasn’t the place to speak out of turn at a meeting chaired by the president.
Still, since the matter involved an armed provocation, no one openly tried to shut him down.
“Military Information Command, go ahead,” Kim Jin-cheol said, looking at Ko Jeong-un.
“I’ll explain, Your Excellency. Our command formed a task force after the North Korea-Russia summit last winter.”
“Minister of National Defense. Is that true?” Kim Jin-cheol asked, turning to Seo Seong-guk.
Seo Seong-guk spun the situation through his mind at once.
After the North Korea-Russia summit last year, the Military Information Command had indeed submitted reports.
But Seo Seong-guk had been consumed with meeting ruling-party lawmakers in preparation for the by-election that was coming up, and the Defense Minister’s office was stacked with reports he had never read.
He couldn’t exactly say that aloud.
“Yes, Your Excellency. I approved them personally.”
“I see? Then continue, Commander.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency. Right after last year’s North Korea-Russia summit ended in failure for both nations’ weapons deals, a massive purge began in North Korea.”
“So that’s when Choi Cheol-won became minister of military industry instead of a member of the Central Military Commission.” The NIS director, who had been silent until then, cut in.
But Ko Jeong-un did not waver even slightly.
“The ministry of military industry is only responsible for nuclear development; its influence within the military is negligible. Our assessment is that the man who now controls the armed forces is Ri Yong-sik, commander of the Fourth Army Corps.”
“That’s absurd—! Never in the history of the North Korean military has a corps commander ever controlled the armed forces. This shelling was definitely led by Choi Cheol-won.”
“Choi Cheol-won was dismissed from all posts last week on suspicion of a coup and is currently under investigation by the security bureau.”
“What nonsense is this? Last month, during North Korea No. 1’s inspection of a hydroelectric power plant, Choi Cheol-won accompanied him.”
“Last week, Choi Cheol-won’s eldest son, who was working at the North Korean embassy in Syria, was repatriated to Pyongyang.”
Not a trace of emotion showed on Ko Jeong-un’s face.
* * *
After the NSC ended, President Kim Jin-cheol issued instructions to every ministry.
They were to verify whether Military Information Command chief Ko Jeong-un’s claims were true.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NIS, and various other agencies threw all their resources into the investigation.
“They say the security bureau began internal surveillance of Choi Cheol-won five months ago.”
“We confirmed that all of Choi Cheol-won’s family members were sent back to Pyongyang last week.”
“And this still needs verification, but there’s talk that Ri Yong-sik, commander of the Fourth Army Corps, has been slated for appointment as First Deputy Director of the Organization and Guidance Department.”
Everything Ko Jeong-un had said at the NSC turned out to be true.
After hearing the reports from his staff, President Kim Jin-cheol fell into thought.
Without a word, he clenched his fist.
If it were up to him, he would have ordered the elimination of North Korea No. 1 on the spot.
But that would have meant war.
The stock market and his approval ratings had already hit the lowest point in history since his inauguration, and the White House had already informed them that further escalation was unacceptable.
At that moment, Defense Minister Seo Seong-guk, watching the president’s face, spoke up.
“Your Excellency, we can’t let this go again. We have to retaliate.”
The instant he finished, Presidential Chief of Staff Yoo Jeong-hun objected.
“Retaliate? Watch your language, Minister! Your Excellency, the White House has already said a decapitation strike is impossible. The Chinese ambassador in Seoul has requested an audience, and he’ll obviously be carrying a message from the North. Let’s speak through the Chinese channel first.”
“I’m not talking about eliminating North Korea No. 1.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“Like the chief said, a decapitation strike carries too much risk. But Ri Yong-sik is a target we can eliminate.”
“Listen to yourself, Minister. Being appointed First Deputy Director of the Workers’ Party Organization and Guidance Department means he’s become part of North Korea’s core leadership. How is killing a man like that any different from a decapitation strike?”
“Have you forgotten the inauguration speech, Your Excellency? Peace comes not from surrender, but from strength.”
“Political agendas change with the times and the situation.”
Yoo Jeong-hun did not give a single step.
Seo Seong-guk pulled out the resignation letter he had prepared and held it out to Kim Jin-cheol.
“During the armed North Korean infiltration in Gangneung in 1996, I was the commander of the 11th Company, and Your Excellency was the deputy company commander with three months left until discharge. Three of our men died then.”
Seo Seong-guk dragged up the past between him and Kim Jin-cheol.
Kim Jin-cheol, a ROTC graduate, had served in the same unit as Seo Seong-guk.
He had also been with him during the 1996 armed North Korean infiltration in Gangneung.
When Seo Seong-guk was being considered for the post of Defense Minister, the presidential office had opposed his appointment.
The reasons were that he was far too hard-line toward North Korea and that, as Army Chief of Staff, he had been involved in the scandal involving abuse of a military aide in the official residence.
But Kim Jin-cheol had appointed him minister despite the staff’s opposition.
That was how solid his trust and belief in Seo Seong-guk were.
“We can’t let this go again. If you’re going to let it pass again, then please accept my resignation first.”
Kim Jin-cheol looked into Seo Seong-guk’s determined eyes.
And as the hot memories of their younger days—when they had shared life and death together—rose in him, his throat tightened for a moment.
“Is it really possible to eliminate Ri Yong-sik?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Seo Seong-guk’s voice was full of certainty.
And at that moment, Presidential Chief of Staff Yoo Jeong-hun shut his eyes tightly.
After serving Kim Jin-cheol for twenty years, Yoo Jeong-hun knew one thing.
Once Kim Jin-cheol made up his mind, nothing could change it.
Even when he knew full well the decision would lead to the wrong result.
* * *
Operation Name: Storm
Classification: Top Secret
Date: October 4, 2024
Objective: Assassinate Ri Yong-sik, commander of the North Korean Fourth Army Corps
Note: In accordance with the Presidential Records Act, Operation Storm will remain sealed for 30 years
Approved by: Kim Jin-cheol, 20th President of the Republic of Korea
* * *
“Look at the mountain bird from any angle, and it is the soul of Seorak. As hornets and digger bees take flight, lightning cracks in the sky, and bats slip into hiding. With a loyalty as hard as metal and stone, we seek the point, connect the line, and complete the sacred work of unification.”
The well-built operators of the Military Information Command dragged tires across the parade ground as they sang the military song.
With sandbags strapped to his ankles, Kang-hae was running at the front.
“Hey, you punk. Kim Ha-jun. Why aren’t you running properly?!”
Instructor Kim Jeong-hyeon shouted at Kim Ha-jun, who was jogging lazily at the very back with a sour expression.
“Ah, c’mon, I’m a civilian in a week. Why are you riding me so hard?”
“You little bastard, don’t you know this is Jindo-dog One right now? The red bastards fired shells and turned the country upside down.”
“Then send me now. I’ll drive a bayonet into the pig bastard’s forehead and bring it back.”
“Watch your mouth, punk.”
“What’s the big deal anyway? You know the brass is always full of talk.”
Kim Ha-jun drifted naturally closer to Kim Jeong-hyeon as he spoke.
During training, he had been so terrifying you couldn’t even meet his eyes properly, but now, with discharge looming, he’d become someone who could joke around and trade banter.
The back-and-forth between Kim Ha-jun and Kim Jeong-hyeon went on.
“Anyway, you’re a real pain in the ass.”
“Me? A pain in the ass? What exactly am I lacking?”
“Then why aren’t you running?”
“Senior. My tire’s been weird since a while ago.”
“Look at this guy, making excuses again.”
“Excuses? That’s cold, man.”
“Enough. Go run.”
“Ah, my knee—my knee—”
Kim Ha-jun suddenly clutched his left knee and put on a show of pain.
In the end, Instructor Kim Jeong-hyeon had to throw up both hands at his shamelessness.
Kim Ha-jun wasn’t at Kang-hae’s level, but he was still one of the infamous hardcases of the Development Group.
Not only did he have natural athletic talent, he had a toughness that set him apart.
But even that hardcase was still a South Korean soldier.
When discharge drew near, everything became a bother, and even the leaves falling from trees had to be treated carefully.
And Kim Jeong-hyeon, too, was a human being before he was a training instructor.
He wanted the younger man, who had been sent back to the unit because of Jindo-dog One while preparing for discharge through civilian adjustment training at command headquarters, to make it out safely.
“Hey, Kim Ha-jun.”
“What is it?”
“What are you going to do after you get out?”
“Hmm…”
Kim Ha-jun thought for a moment, then slowly answered.
“First off…”
“First off, what?”
“I’m gonna be insanely good with women.”
“No, you idiot. I’m asking how you’re going to make a living.”
“Ah—well, you should’ve said it like that. I guess I might go back to boxing.”
Kim Ha-jun raised both fists and began shadowboxing.
He hadn’t boxed in a long time, but the instincts of a former rookie pro champion were still there.
“Shh-shh. Hear that? The sound of slicing through the air. Shh-shh. That isn’t my mouth making noise.”
He kept shadowboxing.
“Doesn’t it look like Pacquiao? The number of guys I’ve knocked down with these fists alone is…”
“Hey, Kim Ha-jun.”
“Ah, why do you keep calling me?”
“Didn’t you just say your knee hurt?”
“……”
“How can comrades be this different?”
He was talking about Kang-hae.
“Why are you comparing me to that masochistic bastard?”
In the Development Group, Kang-hae had been nicknamed “the masochist.”
It was a nickname he’d earned while learning martial arts from operators who had come from combat sports backgrounds.
The operators couldn’t understand it.
Kang-hae was already half-dead from the seniors’ punishments and the hellish training, yet he still seemed to invite the beating himself.
And every time he bled, the faint grin that crossed his face stirred up a strange, uncanny fear.
What the hell is this guy…? He’s creepy…
Why is he like this…? So creepy…
Is he a psychopath…? That’s creepy as hell…
Does he like getting hit…? Jesus, that’s terrifying…
No way… a masochist?!
He’s a masochist, this bastard!
And so Kang-hae became “the masochist.”
“From where I’m standing, that Kang-hae bastard is definitely insane.”
Kim Ha-jun said it while staring at Kang-hae, who was running dead in the lead, with an expression that said he couldn’t begin to understand him.
“Does anyone here not know that?” Kim Jeong-hyeon answered with a laugh.
Just then, the sound of a helicopter came from far away.
It was a helicopter that appeared several times a day in the area, since military bases were spread all around.
But this time it was different.
Instead of fading away, the sound drew closer and closer.
Roaring overhead, the helicopter turned toward the Seorak Development Group’s helipad.
A cloud of dust burst up from the ground a moment later.
“Senior, isn’t that flight path kind of weird…?”
“Yeah…”
“It can’t be a Black Hawk, can it…?”
“It is. A Black Hawk.”
The Black Hawk was the helicopter usually used when commanders moved around.
In other words, someone very important was on board.
A short while later, the helicopter landed on the Development Group helipad.
The door opened, and soldiers wearing stars on their shoulders and a man in a black suit got out.
Everyone on the training ground stopped where they were.
Then, swallowing the dust, they snapped a salute without waiting for an order.
Kim Jeong-hyeon kept saluting as he studied the man in the suit.
He looked oddly familiar.
I know that gray-haired guy from somewhere… don’t tell me…?!
Cold sweat slid down Kim Jeong-hyeon’s spine.
“Hey. The man next to our chairman… isn’t he the Minister of National Defense?”
Kim Jeong-hyeon asked in a trembling voice the man standing beside him, Kim Ha-jun.
“The Minister of National Defense? Jesus, what the hell is he doing all the way out here when trouble broke out in the west? If he was gonna come, he should’ve waited until after I got discharged…”
Kim Ha-jun’s face crumpled.
It wasn’t because of the dust that had just blown into his face.
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