Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: The President's Call
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Looking at it, I felt a sense of dread.
This was a problem on a completely different level from the timeline errors I’d seen so far.
It wasn't just a matter of the timeline getting twisted; an event itself had been reversed.
What could be the reason?
Could this be the beginning of side effects from the butterfly effect?
“Minister of National Defense Oh Joong-geun has asked to see me. If you have time, would you care to join?”
Just as I was lost in thought, Vice President Kim Young-gi made a subtle suggestion.
I could understand why Vice President Kim was going, since he served as an external policy advisor to the Ministry of National Defense, but why me?
When I looked at him quizzically, he gave me a meaningful smile.
“I don't think I'm the one they truly need. Besides, His Excellency the President also hinted that he would like you to attend, Chairman.”
*Pfft.*
I stifled an inadvertent laugh and grabbed my suit.
Sometime later, I arrived at the Blue House, where the conference room was already packed with naval admirals, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
What was surprising was that no one seemed to react to my presence.
In fact, a few admirals I recognized even went out of their way to make room for me.
“The Japanese plan to dispatch a destroyer in response to our deployment of Coast Guard patrol ships.”
The minister, who was leading the briefing, finished his sentence and gave me a quick nod.
So, Vice President Kim hadn't been entirely wrong.
Sure enough, after explaining the military's planned response, the minister suddenly turned to me and asked a question.
“The government is concerned that if we back down now, our control over Dokdo will weaken in the future. Therefore, we want to send a stronger message this time, which is why we've called you here. We were wondering about the proposal you made before, Chairman Jin.”
As soon as he finished speaking, I glanced at the President, who was seated at the head of the table.
His expression was as unreadable as ever.
I scanned the room again before gently pulling the microphone closer.
“My proposal? Are you referring to the construction of an airport on Ulleungdo?”
“That's right.”
“If that's possible, it would be more than just a message; it would be a decisive countermeasure. It would also serve as a temporary solution to the limited operational time our fighter jets have over the East Sea.”
The entire conference room instantly broke into murmurs.
Most were expressing concerns that such a move would only escalate the situation.
I paused, looking around at them, then continued.
“They will never start a war, no matter what.”
I was alluding to the incident in 2006.
The atmosphere back then had been just as tense, on the brink of conflict, but in the end, no war broke out.
This was partly because the burden of war was greater for them than for us, but the decisive factor was American intervention.
“Do you really think the United States would just stand by and watch its two strongest Asian allies go at each other's throats?”
“…”
My words seemed to calm the room.
I scanned the attendees again and continued.
“However, since this issue has already come to a head, I believe it would be wise to use this as an opportunity.”
The minister nodded in agreement.
I risked another glance at the President, but his expression remained unchanged.
“I agree as well. When the issue of the Ulleungdo airport construction comes up later, Japan will surely raise hell again. It's better to get it over with now. In addition to that…”
Just then, Lee Dong-wook, the Chairman of the JCS, raised his hand and voiced his support for my argument.
What struck me as odd was his trailing sentence and the look in his eyes as he gazed at me.
In that instant, I thought I understood the real reason I had been summoned.
So that was it.
They wanted to fortify Ulleungdo, just like Baengnyeongdo.
As it happened, I was about to drop that bomb myself.
“The airport is one thing, but while we're at it, why not also consider installing a maritime smart shell system along the coast of Ulleungdo? That would allow us to deter any Japanese approach, even with Dokdo's unpredictable maritime conditions.”
“…”
The room fell silent once more.
As if they had been waiting for those exact words, both the Chairman of the JCS and the Minister of National Defense wore satisfied expressions. Even the President, who had been silent the entire time, lent his support to my proposal at that moment.
“An excellent idea. Once that's installed, Japan won't even be able to approach the vicinity of Dokdo in the future.”
“That could provoke Japan even further. I don't understand why you're needlessly escalating things over a mere survey of ocean currents.”
Someone objected as soon as the President finished speaking.
He appeared to be a government official.
I didn't recognize him, and as I was about to tilt my head in confusion, I heard the President reprimand him.
“Did you just say 'mere'? When they're planning to conduct a maritime survey in another country's territorial waters?”
“…”
“Ambassador Kim Soo-yong, what you're saying sounds like we shouldn't even exercise our own territorial sovereignty.”
“…”
The man looked embarrassed.
It occurred to me that the only ambassador likely to be at this meeting would be the ambassador to Japan.
Come to think of it, I had heard on the news recently that our government had recalled the ambassador to Japan as a sign of protest.
‘Tsk, looks like he took quite a few handouts from the far-right while he was in Japan. Then again, he's destined to be replaced when the administration changes, so…’
“Proceed with it. I'll take full responsibility.”
As if concluding the matter, the President immediately stood up.
My eyes briefly met with the ambassador to Japan's, and I saw an unfriendly glint in his gaze.
‘Fucking bastard. What a load of crap.’
******
[Our government has announced that it will no longer stand by and watch Japan's territorial claims over Dokdo. As a countermeasure, it has revealed plans to construct an airport on Ulleungdo…]
A few days later, our government announced a measure of unprecedented scale.
What surprised me was the tone of the announcement. It seemed they hadn't even considered ways to lessen the provocation toward Japan, instead openly stating that the purpose was for the military's operational convenience.
[The Japanese government announced today…]
Of course, Japan didn't just sit back.
They not only continued to deploy their Coast Guard patrol ships to the waters near Dokdo but even went as far as to threaten our own Coast Guard.
It felt like I was reliving the relationship between our two countries from 2020.
[This morning, our government announced its intention to build a maritime smart shell system on Ulleungdo.]
Our counter-response was an additional announcement that we would fortify Ulleungdo, just like Baengnyeongdo.
If that became a reality, it would become difficult for them to approach Dokdo in the future.
As expected, Japan pushed the situation further to the brink, and as a result, two of their Aegis destroyers appeared near Dokdo.
[The situation is escalating uncontrollably. If even a single shot is fired, it could immediately lead to…]
Just as the news anchor said, the situation grew increasingly serious.
Both sides were under orders to authorize warning shots, demonstrating their resolve not to back down an inch.
It wouldn't have been surprising if war broke out at any moment.
‘The US should be stepping in right about now.’
But the United States was still just watching the situation unfold.
For a moment, I felt a pang of anxiety, wondering if history was changing, but I quickly shook it off.
‘Unless the US has gone insane, there's no way they'd let a war between Korea and Japan happen…’
[The United States of America declares that it cannot stand by and watch two of its Asian allies in conflict.]
A few days later, a statement from the US Secretary of State was finally released.
I don't know why they delayed, but they clearly couldn't ignore the gravity of the situation any longer.
According to rumors, President Bush, infuriated by Japan's excessive response, had summoned the Japanese ambassador and unleashed a tirade of unspeakable words, to a degree that was considered a diplomatic breach.
‘Does that part more or less align with history?’
Well, that aside, this incident made me certain of one thing.
The reason for Japan's accelerated shift to the right.
It was undoubtedly linked to the speed of our economic development and military buildup.
Simply put, they were feeling insecure and intended to nip the problem in the bud.
[The Japanese Aegis destroyers withdrew simultaneously with the US statement…]
Japan's withdrawal was carried out without delay.
What was strange was that the US hadn't said a single word about our Ulleungdo airport construction or the maritime smart shell system. I couldn't shake the feeling that some backroom deal had been made with our government.
*Ring!*
Not long after the Dokdo incident subsided.
To be precise, on December 23, 2002, I received a call from the President.
The purpose was to arrange the meeting he had promised with the presidential candidate. No, with the man who was now the President-elect.
I immediately stopped what I was doing and headed to the agreed-upon location. When I arrived at a restaurant in Jongno, I witnessed the remarkable scene of the current President and the President-elect sitting together.
“A pleasure to meet you.”
The President-elect offered me a handshake with his characteristic smile.
For a while after that, we discussed various topics, including the national defense plan. By the time the alcohol had warmed us up, our conversation flowed as naturally as if we had known each other for a decade.
“To be honest, I've heard so much about you from His Excellency that my ears are about to fall off. Perhaps that's why you don't feel like a stranger.”
“I feel the same way about you, sir. You don't feel like a stranger to me, either.”
At my words, the President-elect's face lit up.
Well, from my perspective, it was true that he didn't feel like a stranger.
Before my regression, I used to see his face every time I turned on the TV. Wouldn't it be stranger if he *didn't* feel familiar?
It seemed he didn't dislike hearing that, as he brightened up and continued speaking.
“I'm a supporter of the current administration's defense policies. So, I hope Jaewoo will continue to do as you have been doing.”
“…”
If that were possible, I couldn't ask for more.
The biggest worry when a new administration takes over is a change in defense policy.
It's not a rubber band, but they stretch it and shrink it all the time.
In truth, I wouldn't know if he was being sincere until after he took office, but given his style, I had a feeling it wasn't just empty words.
“I always do my best.”
After my brief reply, I smiled and picked up the liquor bottle.
For some reason, the President-elect stopped me, leaned in close, and whispered.
“How about we dream a dream together?”
“…”
I had no idea what he meant, so I remained silent.
He grinned, glanced around, and then whispered in my ear again.
“I say this because, from what I've learned about you, Chairman Jin, it seems we share the same dream.”
“…”
“So, I thought it would be good if we could achieve it together.”
“…”
I have no damn clue what he's talking about.
I mean, what the hell is this "dream" he's talking about?
***
[As the President of the Republic of Korea…]
The year 2003.
The President-elect officially took office.
In the meantime, the nation's internet network was paralyzed by a Distributed Denial of Service attack, which led to the resignation of the Minister of Information and Communication, who had only recently been appointed.
“You've worked hard.”
“You're the one who's worked hard, Chairman Jin.”
Now a civilian, the former President looked much more relieved.
After all, that position was anything but easy.
You get criticized if you do well, and even more if you don't.
If it were me, I'd refuse the job even if they offered it for free.
“By the way, Chairman Jin, when do you plan on settling down and starting a family?”
The pattern of our conversations had changed a lot.
This was the first time he had ever mentioned my personal life.
The topic was a bit awkward, but this wasn't bad.
“I'll get there when the time is right. But please, don't offer to play matchmaker.”
At that, his mouth, which had been about to mumble something, snapped shut.
He let out a hearty laugh, patted my back, and said.
“Anyway, it's a relief, isn't it? That someone who sees eye to eye with you has become the Minister of National Defense.”
He was talking about Lee Dong-wook, the former Chairman of the JCS.
While it was natural for him to become the minister given the military hierarchy, I still felt a sense of relief.
And now that I think about it, Kim Tae-ik, the former Army Chief of Staff, has been promoted to Chairman of the JCS, which is even more reassuring.
“How is the construction of the Korean-style Aegis destroyer and the 3000-ton submarine coming along?”
Even though he had retired, he was still curious about that.
This might be my last report to him.
For some reason, it felt a little strange.
“For the Korean-style Aegis destroyer, we are in the process of building the integrated combat system, including the radar. As for the submarine, the design phase is complete.”
“The progress is faster than I thought. I might even get to see them before I die.”
He ended with a self-deprecating laugh.
I didn't have a response, so I was about to look at the trees on the hill behind his house when my cell phone blared from my pocket.
*Ring!*
“You're still as busy as ever, Chairman Jin.”
He looked at me with pity, as I was still buried in work, unlike him.
Well, that's just my lot in life.
Without even checking the caller ID, I pressed the call button. The voice of Lee Dong-wook, the new Minister of National Defense, came from the other end.
-Chairman Jin. Could you come to the Blue House right now?
“…”