December 6, 2020, 16:00, Jongro-ku Blue House National Emergency Center underground bunker (President’s office), Seoul

  “After speaking with the Ambassador from Mongolia this morning, the 16th Army Group made an official request to cross Mongolia’s borders once their retreating route was blocked off. Perhaps Mongolia could not deny the request of a powerful nation like China that is next to their borders, sir.”


  The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Jae-hak, was reporting to the President about what transpired during his meeting with the Mongolian Ambassador.

  “If that was the case, shouldn’t they have notified our government beforehand? This is a clear intervention by Mongolia in the Korea-China war.”


  Prime Minister Lee Young-ho must have been upset at Mongolia’s actions, thus, he spoke in anger.

  “Prime Minister, would China have made a civil request? They must have threatened the Mongolian government in all sorts of ways. That is the fate of powerless nations,” the President interjected.

  “Yes, that is the case. The Mongolian Embassy also said they had no choice in the matter, and the Ambassador seemed very concerned about worsening relations with Korea. Mongolia requests that our President would be understanding of the situation,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

  “My, my. The fact that Mongolia acted in this manner despite knowing the situation makes this even more upsetting.”


  Prime Minister Lee Young-ho openly showed his disappointment and spoke sternly.

  “Prime Minister Lee, calm down. Isn’t our relationship with Mongolia important for us in the future? Let’s conclude this issue under Minister Kim’s jurisdiction.”


  President Suh Hyun-woo spoke to calm down the tense atmosphere in the room.

  “I was merely upset by how Mongolia was afraid of the Chinese military and not ours, sir.”


  “Prime Minister Lee, I understand how you feel. I am not particularly happy about this matter either. How is the march to Beijing going?”


  President Suh Hyun-woo changed the topic once the discussion about Mongolia quieted down.

  “The march to Beijing will begin at 10:00 a.m. on December 12, and enter into a full-frontal assault, sir.”


  Minister of National Defense Kang Hyun-soo answered.

  “Is there any way to move the date earlier?” the President asked.

  “The thing is, the attack on Beijing is a major operation, sir. We require time to prepare and mobilize naval fleets to land the 2nd and 3rd Marine Divisions, along with a maritime flotilla. So it will take some time, sir.”


  “I see. I understand,” the President said.

  “Is there a reason for us to rush the operation, sir?”


  Minister of National Defense Kang Hyun-soo must have been curious about the reason for the President’s question and so he asked.

  “There is no reason. I just wish to end this war as soon as possible,” the President replied.

  “I see.”


  “That’s not a matter of concern. Minister Kang, I have received word from the NIS that our neighboring countries are making suspicious movements.”


  “What kind of movements?”


  “There are no detailed intel yet. However, we received reports that China had contacted Japan and Russia. The proceedings of the meeting are still unclear.”


  “I see. I will relay the information to Chairman Kang at the Joint Chiefs of Staff to see if there were any military movements from China.”


  December 7, 2020, 10:30, Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Command Center), Seoul

  None of the members in the Joint Chiefs of Staff believed that the 16th Army Group had crossed the border into Mongolia to retreat. The agreed-upon hypothesis by all the Generals was China would wait along the Mongolian border to strike when they had the chance.

  Their hypothesis was proven true within the day. The 16th Army Group did not retreat back to mainland China but hid along the border. The reconnaissance satellites from Korea detected six Chinese forces.

  “It seems that the 7th and 8th Division must stand by at the Hulunbuir Province, sir.”


  Lieutenant General Kim Yong-hyun handed Chairman Kang a cup of aromatic coffee and spoke.

  “Thank you. It seems that way, isn’t it?”


  The Chairman sipped and savored the aroma of the coffee, then spoke after putting down his cup.

  “It seems ‘Operation Rise of Goguryeo’ is at its final stages.”


  “It seems that way, but I am still unsure whether China would surrender even if we take Beijing, sir.”


  The Operations Director answered, his face masked with concern.

  “I am also worried about that as well. If they lose Beijing but don’t surrender, this war will drag on even longer.”


  While the two Generals were discussing, many operators and other officers inside the Command Center were busy running across the room to perform their tasks and duties.

  December 7, 2020, 12:30 (China Standard Time 11:30), China Zhanjiang Port Command Headquarters of China’s South Naval Fleet

  The South Naval Fleet was the second fleet to be established on November 2, 1949. It was responsible for China’s territory from below the Taiwan Strait to the Nam-sa Archipelago. Also, its major vessels consisted of 28 battleships that would add up to 120,000 tons in load displacement. The fleet also had 6 near Aegis class destroyers equipped with Dragon-eye satellite radar system that China developed. China had added 2 Hainan class destroyers with a load displacement of 14,000 tons, making the fleet the largest in its navy.

  A month ago, parts of their ports were damaged by the Korean ballistic missile attacks but had been repaired. The 8th Amphibious Division’s 32 ships were all docked in the port. The supplies and vehicles that are to be boarded onto the ships had formed an unending line, waiting for their turn.

  Four Chinese marine divisions and the 42nd Army Group all encamped near the Navy Command’s headquarters. Ten anti-air destroyers were docked along the beach near the Command Center’s headquarters, operating their radars to prepare for any Korean ballistic missile attack.

  Under the seas, a dozen conventional submarines and nuclear submarines were using their active sonars 24 hours a day. They formed a tight net that would not let a single fish past by without being detected. On the surface, other forces were shooting strong electromagnetic waves toward the sky.

  December 9, 2020, 14:30, Yongsan-ku B2 bunker (ROK Military Joint Command Center), Seoul

  The Joint Chiefs of Staff was holding a briefing inside the Command Center to check on the military operation to attack Beijing in three days. The President, the Minister of National Defense, and other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were in attendance.

  “Currently in Da-Ren Port, the 53rd Amphibious Corps’ eight amphibious ships are docked and loading the 2nd Marine Division’s tanks, armored vehicles, and heavy equipment. By tomorrow, they will finish loading and on December 11, the 2nd Marine Division will begin boarding. At Da-Ren Port right now, the 7th Maritime Flotilla’s seven destroyers are on sentry duty.”


  The Operations Director seemed to hesitate for a moment, before speaking on the microphone again. He continued the briefing.

  “There has been a slight change of plans in today’s operation. The original plan was for the 10th Amphibious Fleet’s 56th amphibious ship to be loaded with the 3rd Marine Division’s men as well before shipping them off to Da-Ren on December 11. However, we detected suspicious movements by the Chinese Navy. Therefore, we have excluded the 2nd fleet from sentry duty of the 56th Amphibious Division and from the operation as well. Therefore, the 3rd Marine Division’s mission was also put on hold.

  “What were the Chinese Navy’s suspicious activities exactly?”


  The Minister of National Defense, who did not receive this report, raised his hand and asked.

  “Yes, sir! This was the footage we received from the reconnaissance satellite this morning at 11:00 a.m.”


  When the Operations Director finished speaking, the Command Center’s screen lit up and began playing video footage. The video was in a lower resolution than usual, but it showed numerous amphibious ships docked in the area. It was also cutting out at times which made it harder to determine what was going on, but the footage also showed heavy equipment being loaded on to the ships.

  “We apologize for the poor footage quality due to electromagnetic waves.”


  “Are the Chinese Navy preparing for amphibious warfare?”


  The Minister of National Defense asked the question again.

  “We cannot determine their motive at the moment, but based on the footage, China does seem to be preparing for amphibious warfare as you suggest, sir.”


  “My, my, but where would they land?”


  When the Minister of National Defense asked, Chairman Kang from the Joint Chief of Staff answered.

  “I can answer that one.”


  The Chairman got up from his seat, exchanged seats with the Operations Director, adjusted the microphone, and continued his explanation.

  “The Chinese military’s army has lost 40 percent of its power, but the navy is still maintaining its fleets in the east, south, and west except for the north. We predict when our military attempts a march to Beijing and landing at Ten-Jin, China might try to land near Jeju Island or in Jeonra state. Otherwise, China may be attempting to disperse our naval forces in order to prevent us from landing in Ten-Jin.”


  When the Chairman finished speaking, the President asked.

  “Chairman Kang.”


  “Yes, Mr. President.”


  “The Operations Director just spoke about having to change the plans for the Ten-Jin landing. But if what you say is true, wouldn’t we need to move all of our naval forces to prepare for China’s attack?”


  “This landing must be done even if we are reaching far, sir.”


  “We must? Why?”


  “Mr. President, the Ten-Jin landing is only a diversionary tactic to fool the Chinese military. I apologize for not being able to report that to you earlier. The 2nd Marine Division will not land at Ten-Jin but in Shandong peninsula.”


  The Joint Chief of Staff had planned to land at the Shandong peninsula while pretending to land at Ten-Jin to bluff the Chinese into moving their forces in Beijing. There were three reasons behind this plan. First, it seeks to cause some of the Beijing forces to split and move to Ten-Jin. Second, the Shandong area would be left with lowered defenses after China focuses on defending Beijing. Without such feints, the Korean military would suffer casualties despite being equipped with high-tech equipment. Last and thirdly, the question of whether President Xi Jin Ping would surrender after Beijing fell. Judging by China’s actions, they would have no will to surrender. Therefore, by occupying the three Northeastern provinces and the Shandong peninsula, Korea could pressure President Xi Jin Ping and the commanders in China. These reasons were explained to the President by Chairman Kang.

  “That was the plan. That’s amazing.”


  “I am sorry, sir. I wish I could have reported it to you sooner.”


  “No, that is fine. You had your reasons.”


  President Suh Hyun-woo waved his hand around, smiled, and continued speaking.

  “You have done flawlessly until now, so I will put my faith in you. Please let’s continue.”


  “Thank you, Mr. President.”


  Chairman Kang returned to his seat, and the Operations Director got back on the podium.

  “Up next is the briefing for the land forces. Right now the 7th Mobile Corps establishing the Western encampment will have the 20th Armored Division move along Qinhuangdao, Tangshao, to march into Beijing through the east. It is expected for the 20th Division to battle with the 27th Army Group’s, 21st Army Group’s, and 65th Army Group’s subordinate divisions, but either the 27th or the 21st Army Group will be deployed to Ten-Jin to defend it.”


  Director of Operations Kim Yong-hyun pointed at areas on the digital map to help his audience understand the briefing.

  “The Capital Armored Division, which will be the secondary marching force, will march from Fu-Xin and pass through Chaoyang and Changde to head to Beijing from the northeastern side. The Capital Armored Division will also face a battle against the 15th Army Group. The 3rd Division will be the third marching force, passing through Tunglao and Sepeng to attack Beijing from the north. They are expected to battle against the 13th Army Group.”


  The Operations Director finished his explanation, glanced at everyone in the room, and continued.

  “I will now give additional information about the landing forces. The 10th Amphibious Fleet standing by at Da-Ren will begin its move after the 7th Maritime Flotilla engages in battle near the Beijing area. Also when they are passing by Shanhokan Island, they will change course at full speed to land at Yentai beach at Shandong peninsula. The defending force will be the 26th Army Group and at least one division will move to stop their attack.”


  “Operation Rise of Goguryeo”


  Phase 6 (Fall of Beijing): Two-pronged attack with land and amphibious forces

  The 20th Armored Division attacks from east of Beijing.

  The Capital Armored Division will attack from northeast of Beijing.

  The 3rd Division will attack from northeast of Beijing.

  The 2nd Marine Division will land at Yentai in Shandong peninsula via the 10th Amphibious Fleet.

  “This concludes our briefing regarding the operation plans for the march in Beijing. I will take any questions that you may have.”