The NIS Request
“It’s a weapon system that has never been showcased before, which is why the Ministry of National Defense hasn’t been able to issue a formal requirement. Let’s develop it ourselves and present it to them. In the future, the defense industry will be dominated by Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) combat systems.”
President Jo agreed as he listened to the new combat system Taesik proposed, and he decided to revise a portion of Starlink Aviation’s management strategy. After finishing the presentation, Taesik moved to another room to introduce President Cha Youngjin of Starlink Deepmind and President Park In-tak of Starlink Defense to President Jo.
“President Jo, President Cha Youngjin will be in charge of upgrading Starlink Aviation’s security programs and developing the AI-based unmanned combat system.”
“I understand the security update, but what exactly is the concept of an unmanned combat system?”
“We intend to replace human pilots with an AI-based autonomous combat system in the future. To do that, we need Starlink Aviation to collect the necessary data for the AI program development.”
President Cha Youngjin explained the details of Taesik’s vision, and President Jo Yoon-je promised to provide the necessary cooperation, including installing devices on T-50 aircraft to monitor and store pilot flight data for the development of the unmanned combat program.
President Park In-tak gave a brief explanation of the AESA Radar produced by Starlink Defense, and they agreed to collaborate with Starlink Aviation to conduct mounting tests. Since their business areas overlapped, the three men discussed where they could assist one another, and Taesik provided final decisions whenever they hit a snag.
At the end of the year, Starlink successfully launched two additional satellites into space, allowing them to establish their own satellite navigation system. Because they could receive more accurate location data than the existing American GPS, Starlink Communication upgraded its electronic maps for navigation, introducing a feature that provided lane-by-lane guidance. Once the upgraded navigation system was released, sales surged, and the profits were immediately reinvested into satellite production.
Starlink began working on small satellites instead of the large ones they had previously used. As Taesik was contemplating the functions to be integrated into these new satellites, he received a call from the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
“Manager Park! Why on earth is the NIS asking to visit Starlink?”
“They said they would explain the details upon arrival, but I can’t seem to figure it out myself.”
“Hmm… I hope it’s not another situation like the kidnapping of South Koreans in Iraq.”
By the afternoon, Section Chief Choi Jae-ho of the NIS arrived at Starlink, and Taesik greeted him alongside Manager Park.
“What brings the NIS here so suddenly?”
Section Chief Choi replied with a stiff expression, “Have you seen the recent news about the U.S. freezing North Korea’s Macau bank accounts?”
Since it was a matter unrelated to his business, Taesik hadn’t paid much attention to it.
“I’m a businessman, so I haven’t really kept up with North Korea-related news.”
“Then, let me explain from the beginning. The U.S. designated North Korea as part of the ‘Axis of Evil’ and froze their Macau accounts. Under U.S. pressure, Chinese banks joined in the freeze, leaving the North Korean leadership’s slush funds tied up. North Korea is currently in a state of backlash.”
“And?”
“We have received intelligence that North Korea is developing missiles capable of striking the U.S. to escape the isolation policy following the freezing of their accounts by the U.S. and China.”
“What does North Korea’s missile development have to do with us?”
“According to collected intelligence, they are planning to conduct an ICBM launch test in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province. The NIS requests real-time satellite information, as well as the supply of 10 Switchblade Type-A units, modified to ensure the country of origin cannot be identified.”
Taesik listened to the NIS request for the cardboard-constructed Switchblade Type-A units.
“I assume you’re planning an attack, but considering the flight range of the Switchblade A from the DMZ to North Hamgyong Province, an attack seems impossible.”
“We are aware of that. That is why we intend to cooperate with the Navy and utilize a submarine.”
“So you mean to launch the Switchblades from a submarine. And you need satellite location coordinates to make it possible.”
“Yes… we wouldn’t be able to carry out the operation without Starlink’s help, which is why we’ve disclosed everything.”
Since selling ten Switchblades, which cost about a million won each, wouldn’t be of much help, Taesik decided to ask for something else in return for his assistance.
“I will provide the support. However, there is a condition.”
“Thank you. And that condition is…?”
“I understand that the government previously conducted the Brown Bear Project with Russia. If there is any data related to rocket propulsion technology, could we have access to it?”
“That request seems quite broad… what specific technology do you need?”
“I need solid-fuel technology. For your reference, Starlink does not possess its own rockets and relies on overseas launch vehicles. We want to build our own, and securing the solid-fuel manufacturing technology would be a great help.”
“I wasn’t involved in the Brown Bear Project, so I don’t know what technology was secured, but I will look into it once I return.”
Taesik demanded solid-fuel technology in exchange for helping with the NIS operation, and Section Chief Choi Jae-ho left Starlink, continuing to emphasize the importance of secrecy.
Manager Park Kyung-hoon decided to select only essential personnel from the satellite ground control station to support the NIS operation. They began sending daily updated satellite photos to the NIS while simultaneously searching for potential ICBM launch sites near Musudan-ri on their own. The NIS sent agents to Starlink’s ground control station to search for the launch site in real-time, and the staff were prohibited from leaving work as they began analyzing the satellite imagery.
“Manager Park! Here, on the coast of Musudan-ri, Hwadae-gun, I see a large warehouse building and a circular concrete floor.”
Upon hearing the staff member’s report, Manager Park Kyung-hoon examined the area pointed out and notified the NIS agents of the suspected ICBM launch site. Section Chief Choi Jae-ho and the agents examined the coordinates provided by the staff in detail, exchanged opinions, and reached a conclusion.
“Manager Park, we have reached the same conclusion. It appears to be the correct launch site.”
Section Chief Choi picked up the phone, made a call, spoke in a low voice, and then addressed Manager Park.
“Senior, I cross-referenced this through HUMINT; the large warehouse in the satellite photo is the assembly site for the ICBM, and the circular concrete floor and structures are the launch pad.”
“There don’t seem to be any signs of a launch yet, what are you going to do?”
“They are planning to move the ICBM to the launch site tonight and launch it at dawn tomorrow.”
“Should we keep our staff on standby?”
“Yes. It would be a hassle, but we need to confirm if they actually move the rocket at night.”
“So, is D-Day tonight?”
“Yes. The Jang Bogo-class submarine is currently entering North Korean waters through the East Sea.”
“Our staff haven’t been able to go home for three days, so I’ll have to ask them for another favor.”
“We intend to pay appropriate compensation to the Starlink staff who helped with the operation. Please, I ask for your cooperation.”
The Starlink staff sighed and nodded at Manager Park’s request, then headed to the breakroom, saying they would rest since they had some time before the evening.
Lieutenant Commander Lee Gwang-moon, who had been ordered to infiltrate North Korean waters at the request of the NIS, picked up the internal radio.
“All hands, prepare to dive! We are about to enter North Korean waters. All crew members, maintain silence and dive to a depth of 100 meters. Flood!”
At the captain’s command, the crew maintained silence, and only the quiet reports of direction and depth from the helmsman could be heard. Captain Lee looked back at his crew and the five men in black tactical gear who had boarded with them.
“We are scheduled to arrive at the target waters at 23:00. How much time do you need for the operation?”
At Captain Lee’s question, the leader of the NIS operation team replied.
“We haven’t received the detailed operational coordinates yet. We will begin the operation after receiving the coordinates from headquarters at 22:00. You will need to surface the submarine for at least 10 minutes in North Korean waters.”
Captain Lee frowned at the NIS team’s response.
“If the submarine surfaces, the probability of being detected by North Korean patrol boats increases. Is there no way to shorten the time?”
“Even if we prepare in advance, it will take at least 10 minutes.”
Having received a classified operation order that couldn’t even be recorded in the operation log, Captain Lee focused all his attention on the reports from the sonar operator as he received word that the submarine was about to enter North Korean waters.
Starlink and NIS staff, who were monitoring the satellite photos of the suspected Musudan-ri area in real-time, immediately began analysis when a large object emerged from the warehouse and began moving toward the circular launch pad.
“Section Chief Choi! An object suspected to be a rocket has emerged from the large warehouse.”
“Is it an ICBM?”
“We are analyzing it now. Please wait a moment.”
The Starlink staff zoomed in on the photos downloaded from the satellite and analyzed the size of the moving object before notifying the NIS agents.
“It is an object estimated to be 36 meters long and 2 meters in diameter.”
The NIS agents began their analysis by comparing the specifications provided by the Starlink staff with the photo intelligence they had obtained, while Section Chief Choi waited for the results.
“Chief! It appears to be an ICBM. However, it is about 10 meters longer than the Taepodong-1 launched in ’98.”
“It seems to be an improved version of the Taepodong-1…”
Section Chief Choi immediately picked up the phone, reported the analyzed results, and after a serious conversation, said, “Re-verify the coordinates of the large warehouse and the launch pad!”
The NIS agents confirmed the coordinates of the suspected ICBM assembly site and launch pad once more, wrote them down, and handed them to Section Chief Choi. The Chief called an NIS agent dispatched to the Navy and dictated the coordinates directly.
“North Latitude 40 degrees 51.138 minutes, East Longitude…”
After repeating the coordinates and confirming the figures with the other party, Section Chief Choi ended the call. He sighed, looked at the agents and Starlink staff watching him, and said, “Please remain on standby until we confirm the results of the operation.”
The NIS staff and agents, knowing there was time until the operation, went to rest, leaving only one person on emergency standby. Section Chief Choi checked his watch and waited for the appointed time.
Manager Park Kyung-hoon, seeing Section Chief Choi watching the satellite photos from the ground control station with anxious eyes, asked, “Section Chief! This isn’t your first operation, why are you so nervous?”
“It’s an operation involving a submarine rather than black agents, so I’m a bit worried.”
“Trust our Navy sailors! We sent a submarine that sank 33 ships during the U.S. RIMPAC exercise, so rest easy!”
Section Chief Choi took a sip of the coffee Manager Park handed him, relaxing his tense body.