Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: An Unforeseen Trajectory
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“Could it have been an accident during the test?”
It was the only thing that came to mind, so I asked again.
But Senior Managing Director Im shook his head firmly.
“Didn't I just tell you they didn't conduct the test at all?”
“Ah! Right, you did.”
Senior Managing Director Im looked at me, surprised by my loss of composure, and replied.
Damn it, this wasn't exactly ordinary news.
When I offered an awkward smile, he continued.
“Besides, even if an accident had occurred during a test, it wouldn't have been a major problem for them. They conduct their tests in underground tunnels, after all.”
“Hmm…”
He had a point, so I nodded.
We put our heads together for a while longer, but in the end, we couldn't come up with a clear answer.
“By any chance, what is the NIS saying?”
“The NIS is having just as much trouble making a judgment.”
“Then I suppose there’s no way to find an answer for the time being. Understood. For now, Senior Managing Director Im, please focus on looking into that.”
My mind was a complete mess as I turned away after giving the brief instruction.
Why?
All because of that single question.
I froze.
Just then, a somewhat random thought flashed through my mind, catching me off guard.
‘The delivery system. Surely they're not trying to perfect that first, are they?’
******
“You’re suggesting we develop it with a different caliber?”
The next day, I visited the Joint Chiefs of Staff and formally proposed increasing the caliber of the airburst munition to the Chairman.
Perhaps thinking it would deviate from fair competition, the Chairman of the JCS showed a rather negative expression.
“That could put LIC at a disadvantage.”
“Of course it would. That’s why I’m asking for both sides to be given the opportunity to choose between 20-millimeter and 25-millimeter.”
“Hmm…”
I heard a faint, disapproving hum.
While it would solve the fairness issue, he was probably bothered by the fact that it would require changing the military’s requirements.
But if there was a better way, it was right to change course.
“For the record, it’s impossible to replace 40-millimeter grenades with 20-millimeter rounds.”
“You think we don't know that? We increased the length of the bullet precisely because increasing the caliber would cause problems with portability and other aspects.”
“Of course, it’s a brilliant change in perspective. But the increase in firepower that comes from a difference in caliber, even just five millimeters, is something that absolutely cannot be ignored.”
“…”
The Chairman fell silent at my words.
“And who knows? LIC might insist on the 20-millimeter. But wouldn't that be even better? The two companies would approach it from different directions, and we could simply choose the more efficient one.”
“Hmm…”
His face was still clouded with contemplation.
Frustrated, my voice rose slightly higher than usual.
“Let me ask you one thing. Isn’t the ultimate reason the government changed the weapons procurement system to a competitive one for the sake of efficiency? If a method to increase that efficiency has been presented, you should be actively reviewing it.”
“…”
The Chairman nodded, as if agreeing on that point.
After a long moment of deliberation, he looked me straight in the eye and spoke.
“Very well. We will raise the issue at a full meeting soon. As you said, Chairman Jin, if it's a competitive system anyway, it wouldn't be a bad idea to approach it from multiple angles.”
I let out a sigh of relief internally.
I, for one, believed that 25-millimeter was the answer.
Of course, LIC could choose the 20-millimeter and achieve better results than me.
If that happened, there was nothing I could do.
I would just have to accept that my judgment was wrong.
“By the way, have you heard the news?”
As my thoughts deepened, the Chairman of the JCS spoke up casually.
I had a feeling I knew what he was referring to.
I nodded and picked up my teacup as he continued.
“The NIS says that the North hasn't given up on its nuclear program. Frankly, that makes me even more suspicious.”
“I’ve been thinking about that point as well… and I was wondering if maybe this is it.”
“…”
The Chairman of the JCS looked at me with an expectant gaze.
“If they conduct a nuclear test right away, the level of international sanctions would be immense, wouldn't it? So maybe they’re trying to perfect the delivery system first, which would draw fewer sanctions… But that assumes the North is somewhat confident in the success of their nuclear development, so it’s admittedly a bit of a stretch.”
“That’s true. But by delivery system, are you referring to ballistic missiles?”
He asked, his eyes wide.
Honestly, that part was pure speculation on my part.
As I gave an awkward smile, he tilted his head.
“But according to information from the U.S., there were no signs of a long-range ballistic missile launch.”
That was actually why I couldn’t have much faith in my own guess.
For them to launch a long-range missile at their current level of technology, the preparations would have been fully exposed to satellites.
But according to Senior Managing Director Im, there had been no such signs.
Moreover, if they had truly postponed the nuclear test, it would mean they were indeed somewhat confident in their nuclear development, which would be the worst-case scenario for us.
Knock, knock!
Just as my thoughts were spiraling, someone knocked on the door.
“Mr. Chairman!”
The person who entered with an urgent expression appeared to be his aide.
He was panting as if he had run all the way, and after glancing at me, he wore a troubled look.
“Just a moment…”
The Chairman of the JCS excused himself to me and left the room.
I don’t know how much time passed, but when he returned, his face was deeply creased with wrinkles.
“Perhaps you should take up fortune-telling, Chairman Jin.”
“…”
“Damn it. North Korea just launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea.”
“What do you mean… You said there were no signs.”
I asked urgently, startled by the news.
His face still contorted, he spoke again.
“Well… they used a mobile launcher.”
“…”
******
[North Korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile into the East Sea at around 4 p.m. today. According to the military's announcement, this is the second time since 1998 that the missile body has flown over Japanese airspace…]
Late in the afternoon, the TV was abuzz with news of North Korea's ballistic missile test.
The missile, which the military estimated to have a range of up to 3,000 kilometers, had sailed serenely over Japanese airspace, and as a result, the entire nation of Japan was now in a state of panic.
[The Japanese government considers this a serious act of provocation and has declared its intention to coordinate a joint response with the United States.]
The Japanese government's announcement was swift.
The news that followed was about citizens hoarding all sorts of goods.
Although the situation seemed a bit foolish, I couldn't say anything, as we were experiencing similar chaos ourselves.
[Supermarkets and other retail stores are currently in an uproar with citizens rushing to hoard supplies.]
“Hmm…”
My attention was fixed on something unrelated to the news.
The fact that the North had succeeded in launching a 3,000-kilometer-class missile, something they shouldn't have been able to do yet.
And not only that, but they now possessed mobile launchers.
This was far too advanced for the current timeline; I couldn't comprehend how something like this could have happened.
‘It should be impossible with North Korea's current level of technology. Do they have an accomplice?’
No matter how I thought about it, that seemed to be the only answer.
But from where?
That question was a dead end, preventing my thoughts from branching out any further.
[The United States has sent a strong warning message to North Korea. As part of this, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan have agreed to conduct joint maritime exercises soon, and to significantly expand the scheduled ROK-U.S. joint military exercises.]
The U.S., still not fully withdrawn from Iraq, responded with a somewhat passive attitude, as expected.
Various sanctions were announced, but none were particularly crippling.
Perhaps this was the exact situation the North had been aiming for.
“Yes, this is Jin Hyun-seung.”
The call that came just then was from the Director of the NIS.
Was he somewhere noisy?
The background noise was considerable.
-Are you free right now?
“…”
******
“Chairman Jin Hyun-seung has arrived.”
The place I was summoned to was a building in a quiet back alley near the Blue House.
The tight security around the area suggested that VIPs were inside.
It seemed something else I wasn't aware of was happening.
“Sorry to call you so late at night.”
Once inside the building, I saw many familiar faces.
The Minister of Defense, men who appeared to be retired generals, and even the heads of several defense companies.
The atmosphere was unusually tense, as if a serious conversation had been taking place.
“Chairman of the JCS Kim Tae-ik is at the JCS headquarters right now.”
The Minister of Defense said casually, noticing me looking around.
He must have thought I was looking for him.
I sat down with an awkward smile, and a cup of coffee was pushed toward me.
“Given the gravity of the situation, I’ll get straight to the point. I am announcing that everyone gathered here will be appointed as advisory committee members for the government's North Korea policy, effective tomorrow.”
“…”
At those words, people glanced at each other.
As an awkward silence filled the room, the minister continued.
“Therefore, certain information related to the North will be disclosed to you within a certain scope, and because of that, you will also be bound by an obligation of confidentiality.”
Listening to him, it seemed this was the current administration's measure.
Having nothing particular to say, I remained silent, and the minister quietly called me over.
“Chairman Jin, please come with me to the Blue House.”
“…”
“This gathering is just to confirm your acceptance of the appointment and to get your signature on the confidentiality agreement, so there’s no need for you to stay until the end.”
He started walking as soon as he finished speaking.
The moment we got into the car, he spoke again with a faint smile.
“To be honest, this was the President’s idea.”
“…”
“Things aren't like they used to be; we live in a world where we have to be conscious of prying eyes. So, he seems to have chosen the method of officially appointing you and a few others who can contribute to policy as advisory committee members.”
I had actually been conscious of that fact as well.
It was an era where transparency was emphasized, unlike in the past.
I, too, was beginning to feel the pressure of meeting with government officials.
“This way, please.”
Upon arrival, I was guided to a conference room in an annex building.
The President, still in his suit late at night, extended his hand with his characteristic smile when he saw me.
“Sorry for the trouble.”
“You know well that I’m not the type to be bound by time, day or night.”
“That’s right. I knew that, which is why I shamelessly asked you to come.”
He let out a laugh and offered me a seat.
He was quite the impatient one.
The moment I sat down, he got straight to the point.
“Tomorrow, our government plans to announce to the media that the KMD system, which has been treated as classified until now, has already been completed.”
KMD referred to our military's multi-layered defense system.
A comprehensive system for low, medium, and high-altitude defense, currently being deployed under the name Cheongung.
However, the government had wanted to keep the high-altitude interception system, Cheongung-3, a secret to avoid provoking neighboring countries.
“You want to let them know that we are capable of defending against the North's ballistic missiles.”
“That's right. That will be the greatest comfort to our anxious citizens right now. So, what do you think about conducting an interception demonstration of the Cheongung series for the media? Starting from low-altitude all the way to high-altitude, all of them.”
There was no reason to object.
The psychological stability of the people was certainly more important than the reactions of neighboring countries at this moment.
The problem was that those reactions would likely be more intense than anticipated, but it seemed the government was prepared to handle even that.
“The shock to neighboring countries will be considerable. Perhaps even greater than the shock of North Korea succeeding in its ballistic missile launch.”
“I’m sure it will be. Setting other things aside, didn't you yourself say that the high-altitude interception system is at a level they wouldn't dare to match? The moment they see that as a reality, it would be strange if there wasn't a reaction.”
It seemed he had steeled his resolve.
Well, if the head of state had made such a decision, what could I say?
The problem was that there was something he was still overlooking.
“With all due respect, I feel I must tell you this.”
“…Tell me what?”
“The fact that our KMD doesn't solve everything.”
“…”
He looked at me as if to ask what kind of out-of-the-blue comment that was in this situation.
I briefly organized my thoughts on where to begin and spoke again.
“The KMD we possess is a mid-course and terminal phase interception system.”
“And?”
“The problem is that North Korea's threat isn't limited to just nuclear weapons.”
“…”
“Biochemical weapons. Unlike a nuclear warhead, intercepting one of those in the mid-course or terminal phase would cause catastrophic damage on our side. That's the problem.”
In an instant, the President’s eyes wavered intensely.
It seemed he hadn't considered that aspect at all.
Some time passed.
After frowning for a long while, he threw out a question.
“Then is there no solution for a ballistic missile carrying North Korean chemical weapons?”
“To be frank, it's not that there isn't one. The problem is that it would require an incredibly serious effort.”
“…”