April 22, 2016 14:00. Seoul Yongsan-gu Ministry of Defense Conference Room.

  Inside the Ministry of Defense Conference Room, all 30 seats were filled by Chiefs of Staff and Naval Operations, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Last year on February 10th, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jae-hak and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Jackie Robins made a covert deal that included a gratuitous $1.6 billion worth of weaponry as well as a purchase of $10 billion in weaponry from Lockheed Martin. To discuss the prioritization of weaponry purchase and create a finalized list, Minister of National Defense Kang Hyun-soo, who was sitting in the center of the conference room, spoke up.

  “As you all know, the countries in Northeast Asia are accelerating in their armament development. The president has requested that we prioritize weaponry that is urgently needed for the nation’s holistic strategic significance rather than for specific needs in each department of the army, navy, or air force. Please keep this in mind as we continue with our conference. Please start us off, Chairman of the Joint Staffs Kang Yi-sik.”


  “Let’s begin by discussing the army’s opinions on what weaponry is most urgently needed for the nation’s strategic significance.”


  The meeting commenced with the words of Chairman Kang, who was sitting to the left of Minister Kang. As soon as he spoke, Chief of Army Staff Shin Sung-Yong sat two seats from the left in the conference room, bowed his head and started speaking while looking at his prepared documents.

  “I will start us off. Currently, the army is in urgent need of replacing the worn attack helicopter Bell AH-1 Cobra (AH-1) and 500MD. We request that we obtain 36 American Apache Guardian (AH-64E) from Boeing.”


  “Attack helicopters…… What is your calculated estimate of this purchase?”


  “According to our army strategists, the calculated estimate for 36 Apache Guardian helicopters including all related arms and repairs come out to $1.8 billion.”


  “Good. Do you have any other requests?”


  “If we reinforce the larger attack helicopters this time, we will have no issues until 2023, when we finalize the development of the smaller attack helicopters. Furthermore, Chairman Kang, we would like to give priority to the navy and the air force this time, as we have had a large share of the military budget so far.”


  “Well noted, thank you. Now, let’s hear from the Chief of Naval Operations, Na Hyung-hwan.”


  “Yes, sir. First, I would like to express my gratitude towards Chief Shin.”


  Chief Na gave a brief nod to Chief Shin before continuing to speak to Chairman Kang.

  “The navy first and foremost is in an urgent need for the additional construction of the Aegis Ship. The current number of three Aegis Ships is not nearly enough to stand naval warfare. We request that we construct three additional Aegis Ships. Furthermore, we would like to make the additional Aegis Ships a base for the SM-3 missile platform.”


  The Republic of Korea’s 3 Sejong the Great-class destroyer Aegis Ships are comparable to Japan’s or America’s Aegis Ships in its attack and defense capabilities, being critiqued to outclass Japan’s new Atago Aegis Ships in its attack capabilities. However, there was one large problem. Though it was capable of tracking and detecting North Korea’s ballistic missiles, the current ship-launched anti-aircraft missile SM-2 could not target these ballistic missiles. Thus, Chief Na requested that the additional Aegis ships contain the SM-3 missile platform.

  “This issue has also been of great concern to the government. Please report the estimated cost, as this request will be our top priority on our report.”


  Currently, the Republic of Korea lacked the technology to intercept ballistic missiles at high altitudes from North Korea, China, or Russia. The government was deeply concerned and was preparing a few preventative measures. This was the reason why Minister Kang actively supported the navy’s request.

  “Thank you, Minister Kang. I will continue. We estimate that the cost of three additional Aegis Ships and the SM-3 ship-launched anti-aircraft missile base is $4.5 billion.”


  “Are there any other requests you would like to add?” Chairman Kang asked.

  “Though we wish to request for all the weaponry we may need, the navy will also yield the remaining budget to the air force.”


  “My deepest gratitude to the army and the navy for yielding this budget.”


  Chief of Staff of the Air Force Choi Byung-hwan stood up and saluted Chief Shin and Chief Na sitting next to him. Though they were all of the same ranks despite Chief Choi having more experience in the military, he saluted them with gratitude. Chief Na also stood from his seat, pulled Chief Choi’s right hand from his salute, and spoke with a bright smile.

  “Chief Choi, there’s no need to salute…… Hahaha.”


  “That’s right. Please have a seat, Chief Choi.”


  Surprised by Chief Choi’s unexpected actions, Chief Shin chuckled and motioned him to sit as he spoke.

  “I’m relieved. I head that these conferences were difficult in the past because each division asserted their own needs, but now all the newly appointed chiefs are different. Isn’t that right, Chairman Kang? Hahaha.”


  After the government reformation, all military staff involved in the Defense Industry corruption case were investigated and fired, which called for a new personnel appointment. The primary virtue outlined in the personnel appointment was to appoint people with a sincere dedication to the nation and integrity as military staff. Minister Kang laughed because he believed that appointing the chiefs who met these standards and put the needs of the nation before their own division facilitated such an amicable meeting.

  “I believe that this military staff can earn back the respect lost by the people who were disappointed by the widespread corruption.”


  “We need to be reborn as a military for both the nation and the people. Now, shall we hear what Chief Choi has to say?”


  Worried that his expression of gratitude that turned the conference room into a sea of laughter might have been excessive, Chief Choi cleared his throat before continuing to speak.

  “Though we have acquired 40 F-35As last year, we would like to request for 20 more. Secondly, if Korea is granted wartime operational control, we cannot rely on the U.S. reconnaissance of North Korea. Thus, we urgently need to find a solution to this. For this reason, we request for 4 airborne early warning and control E-737s. If possible, we would also like to revisit the currently halted FAX corporation to develop Korean-made stealth aircraft as soon as possible.”


  While China and Japan were developing and presenting their stealth aircraft, Korean stealth aircraft development corporation FAX was halted for seven years after an initial push. For this reason, the worn third-generation aircraft had safety issues and caused a wide variety of accidents. This loss of air superiority made this an urgent need for the air force to propel development from the FAX corporation.

  “What about the cost?”


  Chairman Kang asked.

  “We estimate the cost of 20 F-35A and all of its weaponry to be $3 billion, and the cost outlined in 2011 by the EX corporation for 4 E-737s is $1.5 billion.”


  The conference went on for another two hours with the cooperation among the three divisions.

  “Very well. I will compile the decisions of this meeting with the national strategy department and report the finalized decisions at the next National Security Council meeting. Furthermore, the president has stated that any additional request for improving our military can be made at any time, so please do not hesitate to do so.”


  April 29, 2016 17:00. National Intelligence Service military training facility shower room in Kang-Won Do.

  As always, Namgoong-won found the shower after a 10km loaded march in full gear during his favorite time of the day. He became used to the two hellish loaded marches in one day, and now even finding the nightly training that went until midnight fun, Namgoong-won whistled while finishing his shower.

  “Namgoong, what’s the night training today?”


  It was Lee Ja-sung from special forces, the first person he befriended upon entering the training facility.

  “Hey, how many times have I told you that my name is Won? Either call me by my full name or just my first name. Didn’t I tell you not to call me by my last name?”


  “It’s easier for me to call you by this name. What are you going to do about it? Hehehe.”


  “I don’t want to waste my breath telling you this a thousand times.”


  “Good point, Namgoong. Tell me what the night training is, Namgoong.”


  “Didn’t you read the training itinerary? It’s the first evaluation for point shooting.”


  “Oh, point shooting.”


  Lee Ja-sung put his hands together to make a finger gun and pretended to shoot at Namgoong-won.

  “Move! I’m going to go ahead. I’ll see you in the cafeteria.”


  “Huh? Let’s go together. I finished showering too.”


  April 29, 2016 19:00. National Intelligence Service military training facility target practice site in Kang-Won Do.

  “As you all know, today is the first evaluation for point shooting. Before the evaluation, I would like to introduce a special drill instructor. Agent Lee Hye-jin from Unit 1 has won first place for the last three years in the National Intelligence Service point shooting competition.”


  Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin walked towards the instructor as he finished talking. Facing the instructor and standing at attention, Namgoong-won could not believe his ears and eyes. Standing next to the instructor was Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin, the person he missed every day since coming to the training facility. As his heart loudly pounded in his chest, his vision became blurry, and he started spacing out.

  Upon seeing the striking beauty of Assistant Manager Lee, the other trainees erupted in cheer and applause.

  Lee Ja-sung leaned over to Namgoong-won and asked in a whisper, “Hey! That woman…… She’s the Unit 1 Agent Lee Hye-jin that you were talking about the other day, right?”


  Namgoong-won was in a state where he couldn’t hear anything, let alone what Ja-sung was asking. Seeing Namgoong-won in this state, Lee Ja-sung smiled meaningfully and returned to standing at attention facing the front.

  “Pleased to meet you. I am Assistant Manager Lee Hye-jin from the National Intelligence Service Counter-terrorism Investigation Unit 1. I am delighted to be able to teach you all about point shooting. Though my time here will be short, I will try my best in my instruction.”


  “I have a question, Instructor Lee Hye-jin.” Lee Ja-sung raised his hands and spoke in a loud voice.

  “Yes, please state your question.”


  “After today’s evaluation, would you grant the trainee with the highest score one wish?”


  “Only if it is in my power to do so.”


  “In that case, then you will?”


  “Please state the wish.”


  “The wish is for a cup of coffee after night training. Is that possible?”


  “Hmm……”


  Taken aback by Lee Ja-sung’s bold question, Assistant Manager Lee looked towards the Instructor. Though it was a signal for him to help, the target practice instructor opened both of his hands and gestured her to do as she wanted.

  “Are we asking for too much, instructor Lee Hye-jin?”


  “Please grant us this wish!”


  “We will work hard in our training!”


  The other trainees went along with Lee Ja-sung’s request and started pleading.

  “Alright, I will have a cup of coffee with them for five minutes, no more than that.”


  “Thank you, Instructor Lee Hye-jin!”


  For whatever reason he made that request, Lee Ja-Sung once again smiled happily.

  “Now, we will start training.”