The Presidential Impeachment and the Miso Group
The radar and vertical launch systems mounted on the barge as mock-ups were obliterated by the suicide strikes of the Switchblade drones. Starlink Defense personnel reported the analyzed results to the controller.
Front and side radar: 2 hits each, confirmed success.
Vertical launch system: 2 hits, confirmed success.
RAM missile and Goalkeeper systems: 1 hit each, confirmed success!
The controller broadcast the findings over the PA system. "We have confirmed the neutralization of the barge's radar, vertical launch systems, RAM missile launchers, and Goalkeeper CIWS through the use of drone swarms."
As the attendees watched the mock-up on the barge collapse into ruins, one asked, "You said forty Switchblade drones were launched earlier, right? What is the total cost?"
President Park took the microphone from the controller. "That is correct. Forty units were launched, and in terms of cost, that comes to 560 million won."
"Then the cost of the missiles the Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong fired just to catch the Switchblade drones alone is over a billion won. To pour a billion won into it and still fail to intercept the drones..."
"If they had utilized all twenty-one of their RAM missiles, they likely would have intercepted the drones."
"Then 10.5 billion won would have vanished. I'd heard that drones were becoming the new trend, but the cost-effectiveness is simply overwhelming."
"There are also limitations to the improved Switchblade. While we increased the flight range from 40km to 60km, it won't be easy for helicopters or ships carrying the launchers to get close to an Aegis destroyer."
While the two exchanged questions and answers, another naval officer raised a hand. "What principle does the Switchblade use to identify targets in the final moments of the attack?"
"The Switchblade's central processor contains image data of critical weapon systems like radars, vertical launch tubes, RAM, and Goalkeeper systems. It compares this with the data captured by its electro-optical camera and proceeds to attack based on assigned priority levels."
"So you're saying it doesn't attack all at once, but can attack sequentially after confirming the success of the first strike?"
"Yes. If we set the attack priority to a single radar site, sequential attacks are possible."
Satisfied, another officer raised a hand. "The RAM missile attack seemed to disperse to evade, but isn't it too vulnerable to the Goalkeeper?"
"That is true. The Switchblade's speed is slower than a missile, so that is unavoidable. However, as you saw earlier, once the Goalkeeper runs out of ammunition, it takes time to reload the magazine. We can exploit that window to strike the target ship as much as we want."
"Wouldn't two Goalkeeper systems succeed in defending against it?"
"The point of a drone swarm is to eliminate high-value military targets using cheap, mass-produced drones. The forty Switchblade drones launched today cost about 560 million won, yet they pierced the air defense network of the Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, the latest Aegis destroyer, and successfully attacked the barge. To my knowledge, because the Goalkeeper takes up so much space, there are no other options for defense."
"..."
"If the Ryu Seong-ryong had used all twenty-one RAM missiles, I judge they would have succeeded in defending. But how would they defend after that? If the first attack fails, the next one can be successful for the price of a single RAM missile. I think the military value of drone swarms is self-evident."
Once the Navy's questions died down, an official from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration raised a hand. "Can this be applied to the Switchblade units already delivered?"
"Yes. It can be applied by updating the software. However, the existing launchers are single-shot, so it takes too much time to launch a full swarm. You would need to purchase additional launchers to maximize the effect of the swarm."
"What about the price?"
"It deserves a higher price than the existing model, but Starlink has decided to absorb the development costs. We plan to supply them at the same price as before."
"How do you intend to conduct the test evaluation for the Army?"
"We've already pierced the air defense network of a state-of-the-art Aegis destroyer; I don't think a test evaluation for ground targets is necessary. If the Army has a requirement, we are fully prepared to supply them."
The Cheonji, carrying the participants, departed to return to the Namhae base, and the naval officers began questioning Starlink Defense staff to confirm which ships could be fitted with the swarm drone systems. Taesik thanked President Park In-tak for his hard work and then made a thank-you call to Lieutenant General Choi Young-gyu of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, who had helped with the test.
General Choi seemed to have already heard the news, as he joked, "I heard the news that an Aegis destroyer's defense network was pierced by 14-million-won Switchblade drones. The Navy command must have a headache."
"Starlink only seized the opportunity because you helped us, General. Thank you for your support."
"Not at all. Since Starlink is developing weapons through its own R&D, our R&D budget is overflowing. And it's fortunate that other defense companies are slowly shifting their focus from domestic to exports."
"Haha. I should export these swarm drones as well to give you more leverage, General."
"...Regrettably, swarm drones are scheduled to be placed on the export restriction list. The US Embassy already sent a request to attend the test evaluation, which we had to decline. You can export the Switchblade itself, but you must receive government approval for the swarm drones."
"Ah! So we've finally created an export restriction system domestically."
"Yes. Swarm drones will be the first on the list."
Returning to Seoul after the test, the streets were filled with people protesting with candlelight vigils. Lawmakers were out at the protest sites, giving speeches about impeaching the president to gain popularity. When Taesik entered his office to avoid the crowds, Miso was waiting with a panicked expression.
"Miso, is something wrong?"
"I just got a call that my father has lost consciousness."
Chairman Lee Hyundo, who had been hospitalized for a myocardial infarction, was moved to a hospital affiliated with the Miso Group to recover, and Miso visited every day to check on his health. Taesik had promised to go on a date with Miso, who was exhausted from shuttling between home, work, and the hospital, so she had stayed late at the office to wait for him.
"Why are you waiting? You should have gone straight there..."
"I wanted to go with you when you arrived. I just got the call myself."
Taesik looked at Miso, who was surprisingly calm. "Are you okay? You must be hurting inside..."
"I've been seeing him every day, so I'm calmer than I thought. His health hadn't been good for a few days."
The two headed to the Miso Group hospital together. As they entered the VIP elevator and reached the hospital room, they heard shouting from inside.
[If you give the cultural foundation and the public interest foundation to my brother, what am I supposed to be?]
[Father already decided that, so let's just move on!]
[I only have a few scraps of stock, and you want me to just move on...?!]
Miso opened the door and shouted, "Brother! Sister! What are you doing in front of Father?"
Executive Director Lee Yong-jae saw Miso and then glanced at Taesik. "CEO Kim, you're here? It's a bit chaotic, isn't it?"
"I heard the Chairman lost consciousness. How is he now?"
"Fortunately, he regained consciousness a little while ago. Would you like to go in?"
Taesik left Executive Director Lee and Miso's sisters in the reception room and entered the patient's room. Chairman Lee Hyundo was breathing with the help of an oxygen mask, and when he saw Miso, he raised his hand.
"Dad! Are you okay?"
Chairman Lee opened his mouth to say something, but no voice came out.
"Dad, it's okay. There's no rush, so take your time!" Miso held his hand and sat by the bed. Chairman Lee looked at Miso's face and then beckoned to Taesik with his other hand.
"Chairman, I'm here."
As Taesik approached, Chairman Lee placed Miso's hand and Taesik's hand together. "...Ma...rri...age."
Taesik understood the Chairman's intent. "Chairman, don't worry. I intend to set a date and marry Miso."
Miso shed tears as the topic of marriage came up, holding her father's hand, and Chairman Lee closed his eyes and drifted to sleep. After watching over him for a long time, Miso went back to the reception room and sighed at the sight of Executive Director Lee and her sisters still arguing.
"Father's will has been written for a long time, so why are you all fighting?"
"Oh my! Do you think you can increase your influence over Miso Group alone? We siblings have to stand together to maintain control over the group."
"That's why the eldest sister is taking the hotel and the second sister is taking Miso Planning and the art museum! What's the problem now?"
At Miso's annoyance, the second sister stepped forward. "They're telling me to step out of Miso Planning! They say I'm a hindrance to the succession process...!"
Miso sighed and looked at Executive Director Lee. "To control Miso Trading, which holds Miso Electronics stock, we have to merge Miso Planning and Trading! If you're there, the stocks get tangled up, and it's difficult..."
As Taesik listened to the four of them, Executive Director Lee said, "CEO Kim! There's nothing that will harm you, so please forget what you heard today!"
"I'm not even married to Miso yet... If it's uncomfortable, should I step out?"
"Would you?"
Taesik left the reception room and walked into the hospital hallway. The bodyguards looked at him, and he went to a sofa at the end of the hall to wait for Miso. A short while later, Miso emerged with a flushed face, looking around for him, and Taesik raised his hand to signal his location.
"Taesik, I'm sorry! That took longer than I thought, didn't it?"
"The Chairman is still alive... the management succession process seems difficult."
"It's because of my brother and sisters' greed. More importantly, you haven't eaten, have you? Let's go out and get a simple bite to eat."
Instead of taking the car, Taesik went to the hospital cafeteria, ordered two bowls of seolleongtang, and asked Miso, "Do you still have no change of heart? If you have any greed for the Miso Group, I can help you."
"No. I want to leave the Miso Group. If I stay, things like today will keep repeating... I can't handle it. Do you dislike having me by your side?"
"How could I...? I just wanted to give you strength."
Miso fell silent for a moment, then looked at Taesik and spoke. "There is something I need to ask for your forgiveness for."
Taesik looked at her, startled by the sudden confession. "What could you possibly need to ask my forgiveness for?"
"Since you wouldn't introduce your family, I contacted your mother, and she said she wanted to see me, so we met yesterday."
"Hahaha. I'm sorry. I should have introduced you sooner... I'm the one who should apologize. Did she say anything?"
Miso smiled and met Taesik's eyes.