The Inter-Korean Summit
The Inter-Korean Summit preparatory committee began organizing the agenda for the upcoming summit. Both sides agreed to discuss the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the establishment of a peace regime, the reduction of military tensions, mutual non-aggression, and the comprehensive development of inter-Korean relations. As the Republic of Korea pushed for the summit, directives were issued to defense contractors to minimize media exposure regarding projects related to the existing Three-Axis System. Consequently, defense firms began conducting their business as covertly as possible, wary of the government's watchful eye. Starlink, however, continued to draw media attention due to the necessity of flight tests, and CEO Cho Yoon-je persistently requested that news outlets pull articles related to their next-generation aircraft.
With only a week left until the summit, the Chief of Staff to the President, unable to finalize the venue and detailed agenda, let out a sigh and offered a final proposal. "Chairman Kim Yong-nam! We have only one week left. Since the summit must take place in Panmunjom, shouldn't we hold it at either the Tongilgak or the Peace House? We are fine with either, so why don't we take turns?"
"Chief of Staff! How can you expect Chairman Kim Jong-un to come all the way to Panmunjom? Can you guarantee that the South Korean and American bastards won't plot against our Chairman if he comes down here?"
"Haa...! Can you be honest with me? What exactly do you want? You know full well that our President is coming to Panmunjom himself, so you know there is no such possibility, don't you?"
Seeing that the question he had been waiting for had finally been asked, Chairman Kim Yong-nam delivered his prepared response. "We are holding an inter-Korean summit, so shouldn't you get rid of the drills you are conducting with the American imperialists? It makes no sense to hold a summit to build a peace regime while conducting drills that invade our Republic with the Americans. Don't you agree?"
The Chief of Staff fell into deep thought for a moment before replying. "That is not a matter I can decide on my own. I will return and seek the President's decision."
When the desired answer was not forthcoming, Chairman Kim Yong-nam declared, "Then let us end the talks here." As Chairman Kim used brinkmanship to threaten the cancellation of the summit, the Chief of Staff asked for understanding and rose from his seat.
Grabbing a secure phone provided by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Chief of Staff immediately called the Presidential Office. After a lengthy conversation, he seemed to have obtained the answer he wanted; he bowed in gratitude before returning to the conference room.
The North Korean officials watched the Chief of Staff return, waiting to see if things would proceed according to their intentions. "I have just received the President's decision. We, too, have conditions."
"Speak!"
"We will cancel all drills with the United States for the time being, as you requested. In return, we will hold the first inter-Korean summit at the Peace House, which is managed by the South, and we will invite foreign journalists without restriction."
Chairman Kim Yong-nam, whose instructions prior to the summit had covered these points, responded immediately. "Very well! Our Republic will agree to hold the summit at the Peace House, which you manage, for the sake of the South. Invite as many reporters as you like!"
As the North finally opened the door to dialogue, the Chief of Staff presented the prepared detailed agenda and entered into working-level negotiations. While there were no major conflicts regarding diplomacy or sports, tensions flared when the topics of military and nuclear issues were raised.
"I would like you to stop the anti-North broadcasts and the distribution of leaflets currently being carried out in the South."
"I can control the broadcasts under my own authority, but the leaflets are distributed by private anti-North groups, so it is not easy for the government to control them."
"That is for the South to figure out. Leaflets are flying all the way to Pyongyang..."
"Sigh! For now, I will request that these groups exercise restraint, and I will do my best to ensure they are controlled."
Chairman Kim Yong-nam was satisfied that he could stop the broadcasts that were tempting North Korean soldiers and citizens, and at least partially halt the leaflet drops. The Chief of Staff, who had maintained a low profile, then brought up the nuclear facilities and requested action from the North.
"After this summit, the North needs to show some concessions to the Republic of Korea. I request the closure of the Yongbyon nuclear facility and the Punggye-ri test site after the summit."
"What are you talking about? That is impossible without a peace treaty with the United States."
"We have to negotiate with the U.S. after the inter-Korean summit. Do you think the U.S. will believe in the North's intentions if there are no results? You must show that the North is sincere."
"Damn that bastard..." Chairman Kim muttered a curse under his breath before continuing. "That is not a matter I can decide. I will seek a decision from Chairman Kim Jong-un."
Having finished mentioning the partial dismantling of nuclear facilities, the Chief of Staff turned to the security and NIS personnel to confirm the necessary arrangements. "Security and NIS, please speak up if you have any requirements."
"For the protection of the VIPs on both sides, we would like to request a 100km no-fly zone and the suspension of mobile launcher operations on the day of the summit, as well as the days before and after."
The North Korean side, having planned to make the same request for Kim Jong-un's protection, agreed easily. Then, Section Chief Choi Jae-ho of the NIS stepped forward. "Recently, numerous movements have been detected at the Yongbyon nuclear facility. It is presumed that they are rushing reprocessing before declaring nuclear disarmament. We ask that you stop nuclear reprocessing for the time being."
Kim Yong-nam, who was unaware of nuclear-related matters and lacked the authority, looked at the official from the State Security Department who was sitting with them. The sharp-featured, thin man from the Security Department looked at Section Chief Choi and said, "So the South Korean bastard was spying on us... Look here, Section Chief Choi! Let's leave nuclear disarmament out of this!"
Section Chief Choi, having had unofficial contact with the official from the Security Department a few times, replied, "Director Ri Yeon-ho! Isn't the purpose of this summit denuclearization? But you are rushing nuclear reprocessing; doesn't that look suspicious to anyone? Too many vehicles carrying nuclear containers are moving between the Yongbyon nuclear facilities."
"Damn it! Fine! I will do as the South Korean comrade says!"
The inter-Korean summit preparatory committee began fine-tuning each other's requirements, and since the major issues had been settled, the negotiations proceeded rapidly. Finally, on the day of the inter-Korean summit, domestic and foreign media outlets flocked to the press center set up at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza. For safety reasons, the Blue House permitted only one Korean broadcasting station to cover the President's movements. Considering the backlash from other media outlets, it was decided that the footage filmed by that station would be shared with all media, and the process of movement and the summit itself would be broadcast live through screens set up in the press center.
From the moment the President left the Blue House, cameras followed his every move, and the citizens of the Republic of Korea focused on the live broadcast, praying that the peace negotiations with the North would proceed well. At Starlink, a rare executive meeting was held while watching the summit. The presidents of each subsidiary engaged in lively conversation about the inter-Korean summit, and Taesik watched the live broadcast, hoping that things would proceed differently than in his previous life.
CEO Cho Yoon-je, watching the screen in the office, said, "Representative. If this summit proceeds successfully, won't defense policies change and the contract volume for defense companies decrease?"
"That won't be the case. Even if the North Korean issue is resolved, considering the surrounding nations of China, Russia, and Japan, the development concept will shift from conventional weapons to advanced weaponry."
CEO Park In-tak added, "The Navy is moving toward a blue-water navy rather than a coastal one, and the Army is establishing plans to transition to guided munitions instead of conventional artillery shells. It is highly likely that the industry will shift toward high-value-added weapon systems."
Synthesizing the remarks of each CEO, CEO Ryu Gwang-su replied, "In any case, Starlink will not be significantly affected. We have no conventional weapons, and we are targeting overseas markets with advanced technology, not the domestic market, so I don't think we will be affected even if defense policies change."
Taesik listened to the subsidiary CEOs and conveyed his own thoughts. "The government must have high expectations for this inter-Korean summit. It is clear they will not promote defense projects in the media to avoid provoking North Korea, and it seems we should also be careful about media exposure."
At Taesik's words, CEO Cho Yoon-je of Starlink Aviation said, "It is certain that we will receive media attention once the development of the next-generation aircraft and the Loyal Wingman is complete..."
"The government will likely provide guidelines. Let's not promote ourselves independently and instead move according to the government's directives."
While they were discussing the summit, the President arrived at Panmunjom and stepped out of his vehicle. He arrived at the Military Demarcation Line and waited for a moment before Kim Jong-un appeared from the Panmungak with his bodyguards and walked toward the line where the President was waiting. The anchor reporting the breaking news began to comment that it was a historic moment, and the President guided Kim Jong-un to the Freedom House on the South side.
After turning off the TV, Taesik said, "The government plans to hold a North Korea-U.S. summit after this inter-Korean summit. Since the positions of North Korea and the U.S. are far apart, it is possible that opinions will not be easily coordinated, and as I said earlier, you must minimize media exposure."
Having issued the order to minimize media exposure for all defense sectors, including next-generation aircraft, Taesik called CEO Ryu Gwang-su. "CEO Ryu! Personnel designing mobile processors from Misung Electronics will be joining us soon."
Remembering that Taesik had sold mobile processors for smartphones in the past, CEO Ryu asked, "Are they the personnel who design mobile processors to be supplied to Misung Electronics and A-Ple?"
Since the mobile processors Taesik had supplied had seen their sales vanish completely after Misung and A-Ple began designing them in-house, he asked with anticipation for new revenue. "No. We plan to design a mobile processor that can integrate ground base stations and satellite communications."
"Is that possible with current technology?"
"There may be a difference in communication speed, but terminals capable of individual ground base station and satellite communication are already on the market. If we, who possess satellite communication, can integrate the two, the future of communication methods could change."
"Hmm... If we can develop the technology you mentioned, the telecommunication companies separated by country might merge."
"That is correct. I intend to change the model to one where satellite communication is the base, and for areas where it is insufficient, we use the respective country's ground base stations."
"It doesn't sound like a technology that can be realized in the short term."
"I intend to take it on as a long-term research project. I plan to operate a research institute within Starlink Communication to develop the technology."
"If the technology is developed, we will be able to produce it as our own satellite communication terminal."
"For now, research personnel from Misung Electronics are planning to join us, so CEO Ryu, you will need to secure a place and facilities for them to stay."
"When will the personnel arrive? Space is currently lacking in the current building, so if the schedule is tight, we will need to lease a building."
"I think it will be around next month."
"Then the new office building is scheduled to be completed around next month, so I will arrange for them to be placed there. It would be better to move when we relocate all of Starlink Communication rather than leasing a building."
Taesik confirmed the space where the personnel that senior Sangwook would bring would stay, then turned the TV back on and focused on the screen showing the President and Kim Jong-un in talks.