Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: A Show of Force
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For a moment, CEO Kim Young-gi tilted his head in confusion.
When I voiced what had immediately come to mind, he let out a gasp of realization.
“So they’re trying to use the tension between us to get a piece of the pie.”
“Probably. Well, it’s not a bad situation for us. On the surface, it looks like they’re taking our side.”
“True, I suppose Japan might see it that way. But isn't Japan's behavior a bit surprising? Lately, they seem to be provoking Russia over the four Kuril Islands. It's like… a hen itching for a fight it can’t seem to start, wouldn't you say?”
Hearing that, I felt a bit confused myself.
The reality was that Japan’s recent actions toward Russia had also diverged significantly from history.
It was as if they were being chased by something, acting with a sense of urgency.
In particular, their increasingly fierce territorial claims over the four Kuril Islands felt like the timeline had been fast-forwarded.
Could that be it?
By highlighting the two threatening powers of North Korea and Russia, were they trying to justify their transition to a ‘normal country’?
“We’ve arrived.”
As I was lost in thought, the helicopter arrived in Jinhae.
The motion sickness that had plagued me before was completely gone.
It seemed my body was finally getting used to it.
“Welcome.”
At the Jinhae naval base, the top brass of the military were already waiting.
And they weren't the only ones. There were reporters from every broadcast station, as well as members of the National Assembly from both the ruling and opposition parties.
What was amusing was the reaction of the assemblymen. Unlike their usual bickering, this time, on the issue of Japan's sanctions, most of them were speaking with one voice.
That they must never yield to Japan's illogical actions.
‘I’ve seen a lot in my life, but never this.’
Honestly, I was surprised by their attitude.
No matter how much they feared public opinion, I couldn't recall a single time when politicians had been this united.
Considering how their opinions were usually fiercely divided, especially on issues concerning Japan, the current situation was like a world-shattering change.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chairman Jin Hyun-seung. This is the first time we’re seeing each other in person.”
The words cut through the air as I was exchanging greetings with various politicians.
The man who caught my eye was Assemblyman Lee Ju-hwan, who had been causing quite a stir in the opposition party recently.
I had been particularly interested in him lately, so I quickly shook his hand. He smiled brightly and spoke again.
“I’ve been wanting to meet you for some time.”
“The honor is all mine.”
I replied with a faint smile and looked at him intently.
Meeting my gaze with his sparkling eyes, he whispered a request for me to make time for him later before turning away. I immediately nodded and continued greeting the other assemblymen.
A glance.
After that, I couldn't shake the thought of Assemblyman Lee Ju-hwan.
It was because, originally, he was a figure who had never existed in history.
Not that he had appeared out of thin air, but he had been far from the political mainstream.
Lately, he was causing a great deal of anxiety among the next presidential contenders within the current opposition party, which naturally piqued my interest.
Putting everything else aside, this meant I could no longer predict where history was headed.
“What did Assemblyman Lee have to say?”
CEO Kim Young-gi asked quietly as I returned from greeting the VIPs.
With the political landscape being so complicated recently, he couldn't help but be interested.
I glanced back toward where Assemblyman Lee was standing and replied.
“He asked if I could make some time for him later.”
“I thought so.”
At his words, I shot a look at CEO Kim.
His gaze was also fixed on Assemblyman Lee as he continued in a whisper.
“That man, surprisingly, has a lot in common with you, Chairman. He knows it himself, so it’s only natural he’d be interested in you.”
“His disposition is similar to mine?”
“Yes, from his drive to his way of thinking. And despite being only in his fifties, his command over the party is so strong that there's already talk of him being the next presidential candidate.”
“Hmm…”
“What is it? Are you uncomfortable meeting separately with a prominent opposition politician?”
“I can’t say that I’m not.”
“There’s no need to be. The reality is that it’s beneficial for a corporate head to build connections with both the ruling and opposition parties, and the government isn't foolish enough not to know that. Besides, even the Blue House views Assemblyman Lee quite favorably.”
“The Blue House?”
“Yes, the President also holds his disposition in high regard. Especially his intense aversion to the kind of politics that defies common sense. In fact, there’s a rumor that he’s the reason the ruling and opposition parties are so in sync on Japan’s recent measures. No, the consensus is that the opposition party’s atmosphere would be completely different if it weren’t for him. After all, some key opposition members are still pushing for dialogue with Japan.”
“…”
At that, I looked at Assemblyman Lee again.
Surprised that such a charismatic figure existed in the current opposition party, I couldn't tear my eyes away for a moment. Then, our eyes met again.
“Ahem.”
Feeling awkward, I quickly turned my head and looked toward the event venue entrance.
The President’s vehicle was just arriving.
After getting out of the car, the President greeted figures from both parties. The time he spent talking with Assemblyman Lee felt particularly long, and I was sure it wasn't just my imagination.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Upon reaching his designated seat, the President saw me and immediately extended his hand.
His eyes were already full of anticipation.
As if in response, two KFX jets streaked across the sky, flying past the venue.
*Whoosh!*
“That sight is always reassuring, no matter how many times I see it.”
The President said, carefully watching the KFX fighters as they scattered in all directions as if performing an acrobatic stunt.
The sight of the KFXs, equipped with various armaments, must have given off a different impression than before.
Even to my eyes, they looked almost too perfect.
[We will now begin the KFX armament test.]
With the announcement, an unmanned target drone flew into the sky.
Though only a subsonic aircraft, its unmanned nature gave it incredible maneuverability.
Watching it constantly make sharp turns was enough to make one’s stomach churn.
“If a person were in there, they would have thrown up several times by now.”
The President remarked with a frown, seemingly thinking the same thing.
As I was about to smile and meet his gaze, the broadcast announced that another KFX, on standby about 100 kilometers away, had fired a ducted ramjet-type medium-range air-to-air missile.
“You’re not revealing the multi-pulse system?”
The President whispered after hearing the announcement.
There was no reason to reveal it under the current circumstances.
When I gave a slight nod, a smile formed on the President’s lips as if he understood.
“Right. There’s no need to draw Western attention by revealing that as well.”
The President looked up at the sky again and murmured.
A moment later, we heard the sound of something tearing through the air.
“…”
Without a word, everyone’s gaze followed the sound. Soon, a missile streaked across the sky above the venue, leaving a long trail behind it.
“Ooh!”
The crowd gasped at the sight of the missile hurtling toward the target drone.
Even though the drone was destined for destruction, it wouldn't go down without a fight.
As if trying to shake off the approaching missile, the drone executed a sudden, sharp maneuver, but the missile, having already locked on, did not let up its pursuit.
“That maneuverability is no joke.”
The crowd gasped again at the sight of the missile relentlessly pursuing the drone as it made a nearly 90-degree turn.
*Boom!*
An explosion followed.
As the drone, which had been darting freely through the air, was instantly blown to smithereens, the crowd erupted in cheers.
*Whoosh!*
A short while later, three more target drones appeared in the distance.
This time, it was a test of the ability to engage multiple targets.
As expected, the broadcast announced that a KFX had fired three consecutive medium-range air-to-air missiles. The drones then scattered in all directions, trying to confuse their pursuers.
*Screeeech!*
With a roar louder than before, three missiles appeared in the sky, tracing their trajectories.
After a brief chase, the missiles collided with their targets.
As all three drones simultaneously disintegrated into fragments, the sound of applause thundered from all around.
*Bwoooo!*
A little later, the Sejong the Great, anchored in the distance, sounded its horn.
Despite its distance, its sheer size was overwhelming.
The voices of broadcast reporters starting their segments could be heard from all over, and the venue's announcer stated that the demonstration of the Sejong the Great's anti-air defense system would begin shortly.
[In a moment, a KFX on standby near Changwon will fire three supersonic anti-ship missiles. The target is a barge located approximately one kilometer from the Sejong the Great…]
A large barge was being used as the target to demonstrate the Sejong the Great's anti-air defense capabilities.
Since they couldn't use the destroyer itself as a target, the plan was to intercept the missiles heading toward it.
The VIPs, who had just noticed the barge, watched with intrigued expressions. Those with even a little military knowledge voiced their questions.
“They’re going to intercept supersonic anti-ship missiles?”
“That’s not the issue. When did our country develop supersonic anti-ship missiles?”
Their words caused a stir in the venue.
The public unveiling of the supersonic missile was originally scheduled for next month.
The decision to reveal it early was a strong protest aimed at Japan, a move I had agreed with.
Unveiling the supersonic missile and simultaneously demonstrating our ability to defend against it.
There could be no more definitive show of force.
[Anti-ship missile number one has been launched.]
With the announcement, everyone's eyes turned to the barge.
After some time had passed, a ship-to-air missile shot out from the Sejong the Great's vertical launching system, trailing fire. As if it had eyes of its own, it immediately turned horizontally and hurtled toward the barge.
*Screeeech!*
At that moment, the supersonic anti-ship missile fired from the KFX skimmed over the sea, closing in on the barge.
Its speed could only be described as happening in the blink of an eye.
But the already-launched ship-to-air missile was tracking it at a tremendous velocity, and it collided with the anti-ship missile before it could even reach the barge.
*BOOM!*
“…”
It all happened so fast that people could only stare blankly.
The only sounds were the commentaries pouring from the reporters.
Most were focused not just on the incredible Mach 4 speed of the supersonic missile, but on the ship-to-air missile that had shot it down.
[The next demonstration will be…]
The following announcement stated that they would demonstrate the ability to simultaneously defend against five subsonic anti-ship missiles.
In simple terms, they were going to prove the accuracy of the sea-based HVP to the public.
As soon as the announcement ended, five anti-ship missiles came flying toward the barge.
*Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump!*
The high-speed naval gun on the Sejong the Great fired exactly five interceptors.
Simultaneously, the Goalkeeper CIWS opened fire.
It was a last-ditch defense measure, just in case, but its role was diminished as all the incoming missiles had already been fragmented by the HVP interceptors.
*Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!*
Well, it was still quite a spectacle.
It felt like watching a movie.
Come to think of it, what was that movie called?
The Russian president, escaping a coup, boards an American nuclear submarine.
And the missiles flying toward that submarine are all intercepted by the CIWS on a Russian destroyer.
I quite enjoyed that movie.
“Hunter Killer…”
“What did you say?”
The President looked at me as I mumbled the movie title that had just come to mind.
I quickly waved my hand dismissively, and he turned his gaze back to the sea.
“It’s like a scene from a movie.”
“Yes, I was just thinking the same thing.”
“By the way, isn’t this costing too much money?”
He was probably referring to the five subsonic anti-ship missiles that had just vanished into thin air.
Indeed, using five expensive Harpoon missiles for a mere close-in defense test was a waste. It would be stranger not to think so.
But that wasn't my intention.
“You were the one who insisted on demonstrating its performance definitively, Mr. President.”
“That may be so, but it’s still a waste. But if we’re going to spend money, we should do it properly. Why are we skipping the ballistic missile interception?”
“We’ve done that several times already, haven't we? Japan is already well aware of our ballistic missile interception capabilities. There’s no need to spend more money on it.”
The President smiled and nodded at my words.
His expression soon turned serious. He glanced around before speaking in a whisper.
“As of this morning, there has been no response from Japan. So I plan to make the announcement tomorrow.”
“…”
“The ban on semiconductor exports, that is.”
“Have you conveyed this intention to the Japanese side?”
I asked back, my heart pounding with excitement.
“No. The point is to deliver a decisive shock. There’s no need to let the steam out beforehand.”
“Then how long do you plan to maintain it?”
“Well, that’s the problem.”
The President wore a troubled expression.
Now that he was committing to it, what was there to worry about?
I immediately told him.
“You’ll have to keep it up until we get a clear apology from them.”
“I couldn’t ask for more if that were the case, but is that possible?”
“It is. Things are different now than they were back then.”
“…Back then?”
“Ah, I mean, just ten years ago.”
I quickly covered my slip.
After looking dazed for a moment, the President let out a slight chuckle.
“In any case, I certainly hope so.”