Chapter 432: Season 2 Book 17 Advance and Defense – 5-1 Step on the Tail
December 2nd, 2023, at 10:00,
Underground bunker of the Blue House National Crisis Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
This morning, in the underground bunker, the president and other high-ranking officials gathered to watch the flag hoisting ceremony currently being held at Vladivostok City Hall.
The Korean-Russian War, the Second Northeast Asian War, began. After Khabarovsk city, Vladivostok was the second Russian territory to be occupied. Because the Triangle annihilation operation was in full swing at the time of the Khabarovsk occupation, and for the sake of the military operation’s security, there was no publicity about the occupation.
However, the occupation of Vladivostok, the second occupied city, was announced to the world this time, through a live streaming of the flag hoisting ceremony.
In fact, Vladivostok was a vital and significant city for Russia. In terms of entering the Pacific Ocean, it was the only floating port that could keep its port open all year by using icebreakers in the winter, as well as being the home port of the Far East Fleet. To put it another way, losing Vladivostok means losing the bridgehead to the vast Pacific Ocean.
Nothing mattered more to Russia than this. In fact, the reason for Russia’s demand from the Korean government to hand over Hokkaido, which triggered the Korea-Russia war, was to increase their influence in the Pacific Ocean.
Troops of the First Heavy Armored Brigade, wearing futuristic heavy armors, and various tanks and armored vehicles of the 103rd armored brigade, as well as combat infantry of armored vehicle, lined up nicely in the spacious square, singing in a powerful voice to the melody of the national anthem spreading from the speaker.
In front of City Hall, the 30-meter-high hoisting pole was prepared by the engineers in advance and installed. Following the chanting of the national anthem, the hoisting crew slowly hoisted the large Korean flag with modest movements.
The flag hoisting ceremony is currently being broadcast live to all media outlets around the world, as well as South Korea. Any country interested in the Korean-Russian war, regardless of the time zone, followed it via the breaking news. Russia attempted to obstruct not only domestic broadcasts but also breaking news from other countries. They couldn’t, however, completely stop it.
This was because there was a broadband network called the Internet in the 21st century.
” Great Korean People, stay true to the Great Korean way.”
When the fourth verse of the national anthem was completed, the soldiers in the square raised their hands and cheered.
They each hugged and shouted with a big smile, and the exaggerated soldiers’ actions as they directed a festive mood were broadcast live through the broadcast camera.
“Hahaha, it seems that the Joint Chiefs of Staff paid attention to this.”
Minister of Justice Park Bum-tae, who was watching the hoisting broadcast, smiled at the soldiers’ actions that seemed a little excessive.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Our soldiers are skilled fighters, but their acting abilities are limited. Haha.”
Even Minister of Unification and Policy Kim Young-chul responded with a smile.
“Do you think the soldiers’ expressions are exaggerated? I don’t think so.”
Unlike other high-ranking officials, President Choo Un-hee said while watching the broadcast with a pleased look.
“If I had been there, I would have cheered even louder than the soldiers. Patriotism is something that comes out without knowing it. It is an insult to suspect the sincerity of our soldiers and consider it an act. ”
The two ministers’ faces flushed with embarrassment as President Choo Un-hee scolded them.
“I share the president’s sentiments. Since the national flag of our country is hoisted in a place where lives are at stake, I believe it is an act performed from the heart without realizing it. It’s a truly heartbreaking performance.”
When Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hee agreed with the president, Ministers Kim Young-chul and Park Bum-tae both patted their hair in embarrassment.
“This! I didn`t think properly. I’m sorry, President!”
“It appeared that I spoke hastily. I’m ashamed of myself.”
“You don’t have to apologize for anything. Each person may have a different perspective. Don’t be too concerned about it.”
The event associated with the national flag hoisting ceremony has already concluded during the president’s conversation with high-ranking officials.
Following the broadcast, the president and other high-ranking officials went to the conference room to receive updates on the Korea-Russia war.
The meeting began with a question from the president.
“Before the status report, is it true that none of our soldiers died during the occupation of Vladivostok? Even though I had received a report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I found it difficult to believe.”
“Yes, that’s right. President! There are no fatalities, but 57 solider have been injured. The majority of the injuries are minor. As a result, the soldiers can still carry out the battle.”
Minister of National Defense Kang Ui-sik proudly replied.
“That’s a relief. There were a lot of casualties on the Western Front at the start of the war, which has been very mentally difficult, but hearing that there are no more casualties during the various battles, including Vladivostok, makes me feel better.”
“I’m sorry. I and the Joint Chiefs of Staff made a mistake in our judgment during the battle on the Western Front, and as a result, our soldiers paid a high price.”
Minister Kang Ui-sik, who had just responded proudly, bowed his head slightly this time.
“Minister Kang! I didn’t mean to reprimand you for that. You are not a god, so is it possible that all of your decisions are 100 percent correct? However, in the future, please make your decisions as carefully as possible in order to minimize the sacrifices of our young soldiers who will carry our future. I’d ask you as a mother rather than as President.”
“Yes, President! I’ll keep that in my mind.”
“Thank you. Then! Let’s start the meeting.”
“Yes, President!”
The one-star general, who had been sitting on the edge of the conference table the entire time, stood up and walked toward the conference room screen.
He was Brigadier General Hwang Dae-hoon, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Operations Division, came out to report the war status and future operations on behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“Salute! I’m the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Operations Division! Brigadier General! Hwang Dae Hoon.”
Brigadier General Hwang Dae-hoon introduced himself with a big salute and coughed nervously before beginning his briefing on the status of the war.
After two hours of listening to Brigadier General Hwang Dae- hoon’s briefing, someone quietly entered the conference room and whispered a few words to Lee Young-jin, director of the National Intelligence Service.
Director Lee Young-jin appeared surprised and hurriedly unfolded the report he had received. His surprised expression hardened into a solemn one.
At the end of his briefing, Brigadier General Hwang Dae-hoon saluted and returned to his seat. Then Director Lee Young-jin stood up and informed the president of the report he had just received.
“Mr. President!”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“This is what I just got. It has been reported that violence against Koreans and Asians presumed to be Koreans has occurred throughout Russia.”
“What does that mean? What do you mean by violence?”
President Choo Un-hee asked back, pulling her upper body forward in response to the unexpected report.
“Russian citizens who witnessed today’s flag hoisting ceremony are committing indiscriminate violence and arson against Koreans and Asians mistaken for Koreans, particularly in Bryansk and Kursk. The problem is that the Russian government and local governments do nothing to combat such violence, and the damage is growing.”
According to the 2020 Foreign Korean Inclusion Policy, many Koreans living abroad who faced humiliation and treatment returned to their homeland Korea with policy support, but there were still many Koreans called Goryeoin and their descendants throughout Russia.
In addition, there were international students, businessmen who visited Russia for business, and many tourists, and due to the sudden outbreak of the Korean-Russian War, they were still there.
During the early stages of the Korean-Russian War, the entire staff of the Korean Embassy in Russia was mobilized to seek refuge in neighboring countries, but they failed to do so completely. This is due to the Russian government’s closure of all borders.
In response, they evacuated to the cities of Bryansk and Kursk, which are close to the Ukrainian border and have the lowest risk of war and gave some safety instructions. As that they should never leave their hotels or dormitories and should conceal their Korean citizenship as much as possible.
However, when some Russian citizens discovered that the large national flag hoisting ceremony was being held in the square in front of Vladivostok’s city hall this morning, the news spread throughout Russia, and Russian citizens, engulfed in uncontrollable rage, began to engage in relentless violence against Asians. Naturally, the most violence occurred in the cities of Bryansk and Kursk, where Koreans gathered in greater numbers than in any other city.
Boom!
In response to Director Lee Young-jin’s report, Minister Kang Ui-sik hit the table. Because of his erroneous judgment, he overlooked the warlike nature of the majority of Russians. As a result, the flag-raising ceremony in Vladivostok, held to boost the morale of the Korean people and soldiers, has returned to a situation in which the harm outweighs the benefits.
“What do you mean when you say they’re doing nothing to combat violence? Are you implying that the Russian government pretends to be unaware of the violence?”
When asked again by the president, Director Lee Young-jin nodded and answered briefly.
“Yes, President”.
President Choo Un-hee’s facial expression was blank as a result of the Russian government’s behavior, which defied logic and common sense, and she was speechless.
Currently, the Republic of Korea is making every effort to ensure the safety of Russian civilians in its country following the outbreak of the war. Various foods were procured for international students and long-term residents to stay at the accommodation for an extended period of time, and tourists were also allowed to stay for an extended period of time through agreements with major hotels or to leave for Russia or other countries if possible.
It was a very different measure than Russia’s current violence against Koreans and Asians.
This was the war partners’ consideration for their own people, a reasonable and common-sense measure, and an international custom.
“President! It seems that we overlooked the Russian<code>s nature. I should</code>ve seen this coming, it is all my fault. I’m sorry.”
Minister Kang Ui-sik apologized while bowing his head deeply.
“Minister Kang is not to blame for this. It is the Russian government’s fault for ignoring international law and allowing the violence to continue.”
President Choo Un-hee, who was taken aback by the unexpected situation, stated emphatically while looking at high-ranking officials.
” Minister Kang Kyung-hee!”
“Yes, President!”
“Call the Russian ambassador right now and warn him. If they didn’t suppress the violence against the Korean people and Asians, we’d erase Moscow from the map within an hour. Not only that, but we will locate and destroy all industrial facilities that support the Russian economy, as well as small factories. ”
President Choi Eun- hee’s remarks were not a slip of the tongue. If she gave the order, the Republic of Korea had the military power to wipe out not only Moscow, but all of Russia from the face of the Earth.
“Yes, I’ll take action right away.”
Minister Kang Kyung-hee replied in a solemn tone to the president’s instructions.
“Minister Kang Ui-sik directs the Joint Chiefs of Staff to immediately mobilize forces capable of annihilating all of Moscow at once.”
“Yes, I will..”
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