Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Aftermath of the Shelling
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“What happened?”
Upon arriving at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I was immediately guided to the Command and Control Center.
The room was in an uproar, and the Minister of National Defense was in the middle of an urgent call with the President.
“At 9:10 AM, a large number of multiple rocket launchers were fired from the ridge opposite the enemy's position, roughly forty kilometers from Yeonpyeong Island.”
The one who answered my question was the Director of the National Intelligence Service.
He seemed to have just arrived himself, his hair soaked with sweat.
“Are there really no casualties?”
“Fortunately, the counter-artillery radar developed by Jaewoo detected them right after launch, and interceptor missiles were fired within seconds, taking them all down. It seems North Korea was quite flustered. The fact that they resorted to using their coastal artillery proves it.”
“Are you certain the shell interception was successful?”
“To be honest, I'm surprised by that myself. Weren't artillery shells supposed to be difficult to intercept?”
“They are, but the guidance system has been improved beyond the original plan.”
In truth, I was even more surprised.
To think they succeeded in intercepting artillery shells, something I expected to be merely theoretical.
At this rate, I'll have to give that friend of mine, Choi In-bae, a huge reward.
No, it's not about a reward. I need to have a serious talk with him.
“By the way, what was our response?”
The thought suddenly occurred to me, so I asked.
There was no way we would have stood by while the enemy fired on us.
As if hearing my question, the Minister of National Defense answered.
“About ten minutes after the incident, we fired smart shells at the enemy position using the K-9 prototype vehicles temporarily deployed on Yeonpyeong Island. As a result, all of their coastal artillery was destroyed, and I understand the multiple rocket launcher sites beyond the ridge were also obliterated.”
“You used smart shells?”
I never dreamed things would turn out this way.
First the HVP, and now smart shells.
This was practically a performance demonstration for the weapons Jaewoo developed.
“Live feed from the scene is being transmitted.”
While I was lost in thought, an officer analyzing the situation pointed to a large monitor.
The screen lit up, revealing thick smoke rising from the North's coastal artillery positions across the sea.
Seeing a scene so contrary to the original history sent a strange, indescribable feeling down my spine.
“Was there any further response from their side?”
“Not yet. However, His Excellency has ordered us to strike the origin point before they can launch a second provocation. So, in about five minutes, we'll be commencing another barrage. This time, the target will likely be the main base of the North's 4th Corps Artillery Brigade.”
The situation was becoming more serious than I expected.
If a second bombardment were to happen, it would go beyond a simple response.
In other words, the military and the government were now considering the possibility of escalation.
Damn it, this couldn't be the start of an all-out war between the North and South, could it?
“Relay the fire command to the field commander.”
Finally, the order to fire came from the minister's lips.
The command was immediately relayed to the Marine Corps Commandant and then transmitted via radio to the commander on standby at the scene.
A moment later, military CCTV footage showed five of the waiting K-9s firing in sequence.
What flew through the immense clouds of smoke were undoubtedly the smart shells I had developed.
Though I couldn't see it from here, I knew that in a few minutes, all hell would break loose at the enemy's 4th Corps Artillery Brigade.
[The military has begun a second bombardment. A total of thirty shells have been fired...]
The TV was flooded with images of Yeonpyeong Island as news outlets belatedly began reporting on the situation.
Looking at the screen alone, one might mistakenly think we were the ones who had initiated the provocation.
Even the faces of the evacuating civilians showed no signs of panic.
“...”
After a while, I glanced at my watch.
Roughly thirty minutes had passed since the last bombardment.
The fact that there was still no response from the enemy surely meant they feared escalation. I could only hope they were grasping the reality of the situation.
“Minister!”
Just then, the door to the control center burst open and a field-grade officer rushed in.
He offered only a perfunctory salute, as if in a dire emergency, and immediately handed the minister a yellow slip of paper.
“It's an urgent message from the North. They're proposing a ceasefire to prevent escalation.”
“Haa...”
At those words, a collective sigh of relief filled the control center.
The Minister of National Defense was no exception.
Despite his composed demeanor, it seemed he had been quite tense as well.
“Are you alright, Senior Managing Director Jin? This must be the first time you've witnessed a real combat situation.”
The Minister of National Defense glanced at me and asked with an awkward smile.
I was just lost in thought, analyzing the cause of this historical deviation. It would be a lie to say I wasn't shaken.
As I scratched my head, he continued.
“Well, I suppose escalation was impossible anyway.”
“...”
“If things had escalated further, the United States, Russia, and China wouldn't have just stood by. Besides, war isn't child's play. What kind of war can a country start when it can't even feed its own people?”
He clicked his tongue and rose from his chair.
Sighing deeply, as if worried about the tasks ahead, he shook his head and looked at me.
“You'll probably be just as swamped as I am for a while, Senior Managing Director Jin. So, be prepared.”
“...”
I looked at him, puzzled.
The minister then pointed a finger at the company-grade officers who were on the phone.
“Half the calls coming into this control center right now are from people trying to confirm that we really have no casualties. The United States, Israel, the UK... even the United Arab Emirates.”
At his words, I looked back at the officers on their calls.
Only then did I overhear their conversations.
A long sigh escaped my lips.
*******
[The damage sustained by the North in the recent shelling incident has been revealed to be more severe than expected.]
[Most of the North's coastal artillery near Yeonpyeong Island was destroyed by our counterattack. Furthermore, the main base of the North's 4th Corps Artillery Brigade, located about 100 kilometers from the coastal positions, is also reported to have suffered severe damage. Some sources indicate that the number of casualties alone reaches over 200.]
[The military has announced that the reason for our lack of casualties was the success of a new defense system project. This system, also known as the HVP system, was newly developed by Jaewoo Thales...]
For a while, the Yeonpyeong Island shelling incident dominated the news.
Thanks to that, public interest in the HVP system reached a fever pitch.
Perhaps because of its overwhelming success, public opinion began to clamor for the early implementation of the HVP system, and even the members of the National Assembly, who were initially quite negative, changed their tune as if they'd never opposed it.
[The North has sent a notice claiming the incident was the result of overzealous loyalty from the 4th Corps commander. While the truth of this claim has not yet been verified, our government plans to demand firm measures to prevent a recurrence.]
As expected, North Korea resorted to cutting off its own tail.
The 4th Corps commander responsible must have been purged by now.
Nevertheless, our government, emphasizing the need for a guarantee against recurrence, eventually secured a promise from them to move their multiple rocket launcher units far back from the truce line.
“Tsk, such a shallow trick. Who wouldn't know they're only retreating because they're scared of the smart shells' range?”
This event will probably bring about a massive shift in the North's strategy.
Having directly experienced the performance of a smart shell that can fly 150 kilometers for a precision strike, it was an inevitable outcome.
They will likely pour their efforts into developing large-caliber multiple rocket launchers to extend their range for a while.
But would that even matter?
Once the system is established along the truce line, the entire area will become an impregnable fortress.
“Senior Managing Director, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations is on the line.”
The Minister of National Defense's prediction had come true.
This was the tenth call I'd received from military officials of allied nations, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the UK, and Israel.
I had been avoiding them with the excuse of being busy, but Jeffrey's call was one I couldn't ignore.
[It's been a while, Admiral Jeffrey.]
-Glad I could reach you. My aide kept telling me he couldn't get through, so I decided to call myself.
[Is that so... My apologies. I've been getting so many calls from all over because of this incident that I had my phone turned off for a bit.]
-I understand. The Yeonpyeong shelling is a hot topic all over the world. Even our own Army, which was lukewarm about the HVP, is in an uproar. I can only imagine what it's like for other countries. So, about that... shouldn't we start our discussion soon?
[Of course. But I'm sorry, could we possibly discuss it in a few days?]
-Why? Is there a problem?
[Not at all. Actually, I'll soon be visiting the U.S. as part of the business delegation for the Korea-U.S. summit, and I was planning to visit you then, Admiral.]
-Oh! That's wonderful news. Then let's have a serious conversation at that time.
The tone of Jeffrey's voice had risen considerably.
He must have been anxious, even though we had an agreement.
Worried that other allied nations might demand the system before the United States.
But I'm no fool.
If I did that, I'd lose a powerful shield. I wouldn't be crazy enough to make such a choice.
-By the way, I'll have to make some preparations myself.
[What kind of preparations?]
-What else? Preparations to welcome you, Mr. Jin.
That was rather unexpected.
I'm not a president or anything, so why the sudden...
[If you're worried about my safety, you don't have to be. I'll have five bodyguards accompanying me.]
-It's not for security. It's for show.
[...]
-Actually, I'm well aware of what Jaewoo went through recently. For the record, no one knows the nature of the U.S. defense industry better than I do. So, what I mean is that the U.S. Navy is going to send a direct warning.
[...]
******
August 15th.
At last, the President departed for his tour of the United States.
The accompanying business delegation numbered as many as thirty people.
The number of reporters on board for coverage was just as large.
“Senior Managing Director Jin Hyun-seung.”
Among the reporters was a familiar face.
Han Ji-yeon.
A reporter from TBS News, with whom I had built quite a rapport.
Frankly, considering her experience, it was unlikely for such a greenhorn to be on this flight.
It was probably a decision made by her editor, taking my relationship with her into account.
“It's been a while, Reporter Han.”
“May I sit next to you for a moment?”
“Of course.”
She took the opportunity to sit down next to me.
She looked like she had a lot of questions.
But since I didn't have much to say at the moment, most of our conversation was just small talk.
“So, are you not getting married?”
“Pardon?”
“You're getting to that age, aren't you? And considering Chairman Jin Hyun-pil's age, I imagine your family must be pressuring you quite a bit.”
I had nothing to say to that.
Just as I was hesitating in embarrassment, the Chief of Staff fortunately boarded the plane and herded the reporters together.
“Alright, everyone! I'm sorry, but would all reporters please return to your designated seats now.”
Evicted from her spot, Han Ji-yeon returned to her seat with a pout.
An announcement followed, asking passengers to turn off their electronic devices, including cell phones.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed loudly.
“Huh?”
I checked the screen, thinking it might be from the company, but it was an unknown number.
Normally, I would have just ignored it.
But I had a strange feeling, so I immediately walked toward the door.
“May I step out to take a quick call?”
“Go ahead. His Excellency hasn't boarded yet, so there's still time.”
After getting permission from the Chief of Staff, I stepped off the plane.
I pressed the call button, and a familiar voice came through.
-Yo! Mr. Jin. You know who this is?
Unless I was mistaken, it was definitely Alexei's voice.
But why was he calling all of a sudden?
[What is it?]
-What is it? I heard you were heading to America on business, Mr. Jin, so I called to say hello.
[...]
-Just kidding, just kidding. I actually called because there's something I need to tell you.
[What's that?]
-It's about Motor Sich. We in Russia have no intention of opposing it if Jaewoo acquires the company. So if the U.S. tries to negotiate, don't you dare back down.
I was momentarily stunned.
When I asked what he meant, he let out a hearty laugh and replied.
-Acting President and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is very interested in you, Mr. Jin. You can think of this as a little gift.
[...]