The Libyan Hostage Crisis
While the atmosphere of reconciliation was ripening due to the inter-Korean summit, Deputy Director Choi Jae-ho of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) urgently sought out the Blue House upon receiving news from Libya. Having served as a section chief in the North Korea division, Choi had been promoted to deputy director and transferred to the overseas division in recognition of his contributions to the successful summit. However, the moment he received the report about a South Korean national being kidnapped in Libya, he immediately went to find the Chief of the National Security Office.
“Deputy Director Choi, what brings you here?”
“Sir! We have received intelligence that a South Korean national has been kidnapped in Libya.”
“Libya...? Isn't that a travel-restricted country? I was under the impression that since the Afghanistan kidnapping incident, South Koreans were prohibited from entering such nations. How did this happen?”
“It appears the individual had been settled in Libya for over 20 years and entered the country before it was designated as a travel-restricted zone. They were employed at a local water management company and were abducted along with three Filipinos.”
The Security Chief fell into deep thought for a moment after hearing the report.
“What do you think will happen if news of a South Korean being kidnapped spreads during this current mood of inter-Korean reconciliation? The media doesn't know yet, right?”
“Yes. This is intelligence obtained through our information channels, not diplomatic ones.”
“I will report this to the President. In the meantime, use our intelligence channels to verify the kidnappers' demands and monitor whether a rescue is feasible.”
“I will dispatch a rescue unit immediately to assess the situation. Sir! If we don't inform the media, there is a possibility that the fact of the kidnapping will be leaked through foreign press...”
“It cannot be helped. Issues that could break the inter-Korean reconciliation mood must be kept under wraps. Above all else, we must not take any action that could jeopardize inter-Korean relations.”
“Then I will proceed with an unofficial rescue operation.”
“Handle that as you see fit within the NIS. I will control all media activities related to the hostages, so the NIS should conduct the operation in the shadows, as usual.”
Without expressing any objection to the Security Chief's decision, Deputy Director Choi left the office and immediately called his headquarters.
“How is it? Have you identified the kidnappers?”
“Is there any intention to release him in Libya?”
“Damn it...! Have you located the hostages?”
“Are you suggesting we use Thuraya Telecommunications?”
“Understood!”
Deputy Director Choi pulled a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and stared into the void, lost in thought.
“Prioritizing North Korea over our own kidnapped citizens... Damn it! I envy Senior Park Kyung-hoon at Starlink!”
After flicking the cigarette butt away, Choi boarded the car waiting for him and headed toward Starlink. Inside the car, he closed his eyes for a moment, praying that Starlink—which had helped with operations that were previously impossible in Korea—would be of help in this kidnapping case as well.
Before arriving at the Starlink headquarters, Choi called President Park Kyung-hoon.
“Senior! It’s me, Choi Jae-ho.”
“What is it this time? Every time you call, it’s because there’s some kind of disaster!”
“A South Korean kidnapping has occurred in Libya, and we need CEO Kim Taesik’s help.”
“Hmm... First, come to Starlink! I’ll notify the security team, so come straight up!”
“Thank you. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
After receiving the call, Starlink Security President Park Kyung-hoon immediately picked up the phone to instruct the staff to guide Deputy Director Choi to the CEO’s office before heading there himself. When Choi appeared after a brief wait in front of the elevator, Park immediately got down to business.
“What do you need us to do?”
“The kidnapping group is the Libyan National Army, and they are said to be close with the UAE. We need the help of Thuraya Telecommunications.”
“And the rescue operation...?”
“I plan to decide after assessing the situation. For now, an NIS special team has departed for the region.”
“Understood! Let’s decide after meeting with the CEO... And congratulations on your promotion!”
Nodding lightly in greeting, Choi was guided to the CEO’s office, where he came face-to-face with Taesik, who was busy working. Seeing the NIS official, Taesik stood up and led Choi to the sofa.
“Seeing you come in person, Deputy Director, it seems another incident has broken out. What is it this time?”
Choi Jae-ho summarized the events that had occurred so far and immediately requested Taesik’s assistance.
“...First, I request that you negotiate the release of the hostages through Thuraya Telecommunications. If release is impossible, I would like you to at least find out the location of the hostages.”
“How old is the kidnapped hostage?”
“They are 62 years old and were living in Libya with their family.”
Taesik picked up the phone and called Ali Al-Hassad, the CEO of Thuraya Telecommunications, who greeted him warmly. After some brief small talk, Taesik conveyed his request to CEO Ali.
“...I am asking for your help in negotiating the release of the South Korean national who was kidnapped. If release is not possible, would it be possible to at least find out the location of the hostages?”
CEO Ali replied that he had many acquaintances in Libya and would look into it immediately. Taesik thanked him and then brought up a business matter.
“CEO Ali! Starlink is currently developing a mobile processor capable of both ground station and satellite communication. Would you be interested in joining us?”
"If such a communication means is created, we must participate, of course. Here, everyone carries two phones. But is this technology even feasible?"
“We are still in the initial stages, so I cannot guarantee it, but if the mobile processor is developed, there is sufficient potential.”
"It is a communication means that our UAE absolutely needs, and if funds are required, I will invest as much as necessary."
“Hahaha. Starlink needs companies to join us more than it needs funds.”
"Thuraya will certainly join. Internet communication was impossible in the UAE desert, but thanks to Starlink providing satellite services, even nomads are now using internet services. If ground station communication and satellite communication become possible at once, the UAE will be the biggest beneficiary. And don't worry about the matter you requested. I will look into it as quickly as possible and call you back."
“Thank you, as always.”
After hanging up, Deputy Director Choi, who had been listening to the call, thanked Taesik, drained the teacup in front of him in one gulp, and stood up.
“I apologize for troubling you every time. Please contact us as soon as you have information.”
While they were exchanging greetings, the muted TV in Taesik’s office began reporting breaking news about a South Korean being kidnapped in Libya, and Choi’s phone rang. Excusing himself, Choi took the call, and immediately after finishing, he made a request to Taesik.
“CEO. Could you possibly go to the UAE with me right now? The Blue House has changed its stance and issued an order to launch an emergency rescue operation.”
“Why are we going to the UAE instead of Libya?”
“We intend to use UAE personnel to conduct negotiations first, and if that fails, we plan to enter Libya directly.”
Taesik turned up the volume on the news without answering. The report stated that while a South Korean working for a water management company in Libya had been kidnapped, the President had gone on vacation, criticizing the government for its negligent management of its citizens. It highlighted that while the Philippine President planned to dispatch the navy to rescue their citizens, South Korea was being criticized for doing nothing for its own kidnapped people.
Watching the news, Taesik turned back to Choi.
“Understood. Let’s depart immediately.”
Deputy Director Choi immediately picked up the phone and issued orders to coordinate with the Air Force.
“You can arrive at Seongnam Airport within two hours. An Air Force aerial refueling tanker will be prepared.”
After Taesik explained the situation to Miso and left the office, President Park Kyung-hoon boarded the same vehicle, insisting he would accompany them.
“President Park Kyung-hoon, you don’t have to come...”
“If the CEO is going, I must go as well. Besides, on-site security might be necessary.”
While admiring the scenery outside the car window, President Park spoke up.
“CEO. Starlink has nothing to gain from this, so why are you supporting the NIS?”
“Well. Perhaps it’s because the comment on the news earlier about the state doing nothing for its citizens bothered me... I just thought of the person who was kidnapped, and I felt that I should step up.”
Park watched Taesik silently for a moment.
“I will serve you until the end.”
Upon arriving at Seongnam Airport, a man in a suit, who appeared to be an NIS agent, guided the vehicle to the main gate. Taesik and President Park disembarked near the runway and walked toward the aircraft carrying their luggage. Inside the refueling tanker, NIS agents and soldiers who appeared to be special forces were moving busily, and some of the NIS agents greeted President Park with light bows.
Once Deputy Director Choi and the Ministry of National Defense officials arrived, the aircraft took off. After holding a meeting with government agencies, Choi came to where Taesik was seated and explained the future plans.
“Thank you once again for accompanying us on this operation.”
“Don’t mention it. More importantly, has any additional information regarding the hostages come in?”
“We are seeking information through our intelligence lines, but the situation in Libya is complex, making it difficult to obtain information. Since the UAE is supporting the Libyan rebels, we have high expectations of you, CEO.”
“The only way I can help is by obtaining information through the CEO of Thuraya Telecommunications.”
“It is a regrettable story, but there is no one in the NIS who has the connections you do, CEO.”
Taesik looked at the busy NIS agents and special forces personnel.
“Are those people heading to Libya?”
“No. Libya is not hostile to Korea, but since safety cannot be guaranteed, they will be waiting in Egypt, near the Libyan border.”
“Wouldn’t it be insufficient to enter Libya with only ground forces?”
“The ROKS Munmu the Great, part of the Cheonghae Unit, is currently moving toward Libyan waters. Our strength will not be insufficient. Once the location of the hostages is confirmed, we plan to receive cooperation for necessary equipment from the Akh Unit stationed in the UAE.”
Taesik, puzzled by the lack of diplomatic efforts, asked Choi a question.
“Is there no plan to dispatch a government negotiation team?”
“The Blue House is likely in the process of selecting a special envoy. Considering the current situation in Libya, it will be difficult to secure the release of the hostages through negotiations, regardless of who the envoy is.”
While he closed his eyes for a moment, the refueling tanker arrived in the UAE, and Taesik boarded the vehicle prepared by Deputy Director Choi and headed straight for Thuraya Telecommunications.