January 21st, 2021, 16:00

  Seoul, Jongro-ku, Blue House, the president’s office.

  When President Suh Hyun-woo approved operation “R J to 1945” yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense and the joint chief of staff worked busily to make the necessary preparations.

  First, all forces that were stationed in the Manchurian states to defend the area were called back to base for maintenance. The borders facing Russia were reinforced and reorganized hastily based on the analysis of the number of Russian forces stationed in the area

  The 1st marine, 2nd marine divisions, and the 3rd armored marine division all returned to the Pyeong-Taek navy base where the second fleet’s command headquarters was located to prepare and conduct maintenance for the landing in Japan.

  “Currently the Russian forces stationed in the area are the 5th, 35th, 29th, 36th military, and the 68th corps is being supplied the latest equipment from the Western military.”


  ¬¬

  Lieutenant General Ahn Gil-won, the intelligence director, continued his explanation while pointing to the digital map.

  “Based on our analysis of Russia’s eastern military, it consists of 2,000 armored tanks where 1,000 are the T-90A Vladimir tanks, equipped with the Shtora active protection system. 600 tanks are the T-90AM, the refurbished versions of the T-90A tanks that have been equipped with the Arena E system. Lastly, the remaining 400 tanks are Russia’s latest 4.5th generation tanks, the T-14 Armata. The eastern military also possesses 2500 BMPs, 1,100 self-propelled guns, and 700 MLRS units.

  Up next is their aerial forces. The Russian Air Force holds 100 Su-34 Sukhoi fighter jets, 80 Su-35 Sukhoi fighter jets, and 120 attacker jets, that all hold Su-27, Su-30MK, and Mig-31 missiles. Also, 80 additional Su-50 stealth fighter jets that have been recently added to their arsenal.”


  “It seems Russia’s eastern military has gotten a makeover,” Vice Chairman Choi Ho-il spoke while smiling uneasily.

  “The eastern navy holds 1 Slava class missile cruiser, 2 Kirov class nuclear cruisers (the Admiral Ushakov, and the Admiral Lazarev), 1 Sovremenny class destroyer, 4 Udaloy-class destroyers, 6 sentry ships, 6 Borei class nuclear submarines, and 4 Oscar class nuclear submarines, and 3 Shuka B class nuclear submarines, 8 Kilo-class submarines and amphibious ships along with their aerial forces.”


  As the intelligence director’s report continued, pictures and descriptions of the Russian military’s equipment showed up on the screen.

  “They have a significant number of submarines in their navy.”


  General Choi Jin-gook, the first military commander spoke while glancing at the screen. The intelligence director answered.

  “Yes, General Choi, sir! Russia is currently unable to operate a large-scale aircraft carrier force, therefore they hold and operate a large number of submarines to counter America’s carrier fleet.”


  “I see. How large is their army?”


  “Russia holds a total of 200,000 men in their army.”


  The intelligence director spent 10 minutes to take questions and make further explanations before finishing his briefing about Russia’s military. When he was finished, he took a seat.

  “Now we will begin the briefing to discuss the reorganization of the forces that will defend the Manchurian states based on the analysis we have just been reported about.”


  The operations director stood up from his seat and began to speak about the next topic. Then he moved towards the podium.

  “Based on our analysis of Russia’s forces, we have reorganized our forces for defense rather than the offensive organization we used for the Chinese-Korean war.”


  “Please direct your attention to the screen.”


  The operations director used a laser pointer to show the area he was about to speak about.

  “The 1st marine division that fought the first battle against Russia will be returned home and the 11th and 12th corps under the 5th sentry command center will be placed at the border and front lines. We will defend against Russia’s elite force, the 5th military with the 82nd and 81st mechanized infantry division, while the 5th corps’ 6th and 8th mechanized infantry division, and the 3rd armored division will be aiding them as they hold the border along the Du-man river and the eastern front.”


  “How far are we along in the process of stationing our troops?” Chairman Kang Ui-Sik asked.

  “Sir! The eastern front has the 12th corps’ 82nd armored division and the 81st mechanized infantry division stationed already, and the 5th corps’ force will begin to depart to their destinations within 3 days.”


  “Yes, I see. Please continue.”


  “Yes, we will now begin the report about the northern front. Russia’s main force along the northern lines is the 35th military. They have to go through rough mountainous terrain, so our 15th and 27th light armored mountain division have erected a defensive line. The S208 road that would be the enemy’s main traffic route for their invasion will be defended by the 7th mobile corps and the capital armored division and replace the 8th mechanized infantry division’s place. As stated before, our forces will be taking a defensive approach, so the 620th artillery corps will be divided up evenly amongst the other defending forces to aid them.”


  “Do you think the 620th artillery corps would be enough?”


  When Chief of Naval Operations Na Hyung-hwan asked, Vice Chairman Choi Ho-il responded angrily.

  “You disappoint me, General Na. I know our artillery corps consists of outdated gear, but no soldier has survived being hit by one. Wouldn’t you agree, Lieutenant General Youn?”


  “That’s right, sir. The 620th artillery corps was the best artillery force within North Korea. They would be more than enough for defending our territory. There’s no need to worry.”


  “Ah! I am sorry, Vice Chairman Choi Ho-il, sir!”


  “Ha ha ha, it’s nothing. If you consider our nation’s military force, then one may easily think that way. However, in our situation, wouldn’t every man count?”


  “You are right, sir,” Chief of Naval Operations Na Hyung-hwan spoke while smiling awkwardly.

  “The navy’s operations commander will brief about Russia’s eastern fleet, also known as the pacific fleet, next.”


  The disorganized atmosphere of the meeting room became calm and quiet from the operation director’s words, and commander of the navy’s operations, Lieutenant General Lee Gi-Hyung stepped up to the podium.

  “Hello, I am Lieutenant General Lee Gi-Hyung, the commander of the navy’s operations command.”


  Lieutenant General Lee Gi-Hyung, saluted, then used a laser pointer to point towards the digital map which had changed to show the Eastern Sea area.

  “Currently the eastern fleet’s forces are up to par with Japan’s 23 escorting fleets. In particular, the nuclear submarines that will infiltrate our waters while avoiding detection of our Poseidon 1 satellite pose the greatest threat.”


  “Therefore, the Hocula submarines that were operating at the eastern Chinese sea, and the western Philippines sea, have all been called back to our eastern seas, while the other subs are all stationed along the eastern sea and the south sea as well.”


  “Also, for the rest of our naval forces, the 1st and 3rd fleet will deploy all of their possible forces to the east sea to defend against Russia’s eastern fleet.”


  General Choi Byung-hwan, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force remarked while the briefing was taking place.

  “I think that wouldn’t be enough to fight against the Russian fleet.”


  “Yes, that is right, sir. It’s not enough to pressure Russia’s navy. That is why the air force must aid us as much as possible.”


  “Ah! Is that it? Ha ha ha, no need to worry, Lieutenant General Kim will give you full support.”


  “That is right, Lieutenant General Lee, there’s no need to worry. The air force is standing by 24/7.”


  “Thank you. That concludes my briefing about Russia’s eastern fleet.”


  “Now! Up next is the air force’s plans to aid the other forces……”


  The joint chief of staff’s meeting lasted for 3 hours and it concluded after making the final confirmations about operation “R J to 1945.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had held off the war against Russia with its diplomacy, but the Corean-Japanese war was about to start at any moment.

  January 22nd, 2021, 14:00

  Choongbook Chungju-si Bongmu Mountain, Olympus Base.

  On the 11th floor of the Olympus Base factory, modified cannon shells were being produced for the 620th artillery corps.

  To elevate the 620th artillery corps’ firepower, which was set to be the core force to defend the Manchurian states, 122mm, 130mm, 152mm plasma rounds, and 240mm and 300mm plasma rockets were in full production. The production for plasma cluster rounds for each size was specially expanded.

  Each plasma round was modified for each caliber with a production rate of 500 rounds per day. The plasma cluster rounds had a production rate of 200 rounds per day as well.

  The completed rounds were sent to the train station on the second floor and soon loaded onto the freight trains to be transported to the forces under the 620th artillery corps stationed at the Manchurian states.

  “The joint chief of staff has contacted us requesting for an increase in production, Chief Lee Jin-Hyeon, sir!”


  The head staff of the Olympus Base held a meeting after having lunch to discuss the requests from the joint chief of staff. Director Oh Young-il was leading the conversation. Chief Lee Jin-Hyeon, who was in charge of productions, answered with a question instead of an answer.

  “How much are we talking about?”


  “As much as possible at maximum capability.”


  “At maximum capacity. If that is the case, then the production lines up to the 12th floor must also join in on the production. If that were to be done, then there could be issues with the production of the naval missiles currently being used.”


  “Hmm, that won’t do.”


  The 8th and 9th floor of the Olympus Base was responsible for the production of the ship-to-ship and surface-to-air missiles being operated in the naval fleets.

  “Which external contract factory for ammunitions have the best-kept security?”


  When Director Oh Young-il asked, Executive Yoo Seung-hun from Sam-il technologies answered.

  “I believe that would be our Sam-il technologies factory located in Ahn-sung.”


  “The factory in Ahn-sung?”


  “Yes! We have increased our security, and there are up to 100 security agents at all times.”


  “Ah, the Ahn-sung factory is the one producing our 155mm cannon rounds, right?”


  “Yes, that’s correct. If we do convert production to the plasma rounds, then how long would the transition process take?”


  “If we get government approval, then the software can be changed immediately, but the hardware would take a week to replace.”


  “A week. I will work with the government to obtain approval, so have your factory prepare for a conversion to produce plasma rounds. Have our Olympus Base’s 8th floor shift their entire production to plasma rounds. How does that sound?”


  “Yes, if things go smoothly, I believe production would increase.”


  “Now, what’s the next item on the docket?”


  February 1st, 2021 10:00

  Seoul Jongro-ku, Bluehouse Press Room, 1st floor

  On Monday morning, news of the president making a sudden public address had brought numerous reporters and cameraman gathered at the room with their cameras and laptops, waiting for President Suh Hyun-woo to make an appearance. A moment later, President Suh Hyun-woo had arrived and stepped up onto the podium.

  President Suh Hyun-woo’s face seemed tense compared to the usual relaxed look he would have when addressing the public.

  “Good morning. Our nation has achieved rapid economic growth and our goal of reunification. Also, thanks to the blood, sweat, and tears of our younger generation, we were victorious in the war against China. Our nation, Corea, is like a small boat in a stormy sea, and have made it this far while withstanding harsh conditions and passing through rough waves.”


  President Suh Hyun-woo maintained his serious expression and delivered his address in a tense tone. After he took a deep breath, he looked at the camera and began to speak on the main point of his address.

  “There is still one more issue that our nation must solve. As I say this, I am sure many of you must be thinking, ‘We have already achieved our goal of reunification, what else is left?’ Am I right? However, there is one more thing we must do. That is resolving the shameful history of being under the imperial rule for 35 years and 40 years based on the Protectorate Treaty between Korea and Japan, and 69 years if we base it on the previous treaty signed at Kanghwa Island.”


  “We have yet to receive a sincere apology from Japan even to this day. Japan has conducted heinous crimes of indoctrination of our citizens, theft of our cultural artifacts, slaughtering of our patriotic martyrs, taking our natural resources for their war while subjecting our ancestors to forced labor in mines, construction sites, and using our women as sex-slaves.”


  “Also, our grandmothers had to endure the shame and despair of becoming sex-slaves to the Japanese soldiers. Despite Japan committing these heinous and universally outrageous crimes, they are denying every part of their wrongdoings and altering their history. They are calling our Dok-do Island, Dakeshima, and still plotting to invade our nation.”


  The president raised his voice. Since he was speaking about the hurtful past, his anger showed without him noticing.

  “Therefore, Corea must receive a sincere apology from Japan for its past wrongs and correct the distorted view they have about the past. I believe that that moment is now.”


  Many citizens who were watching president Suh Hyun-woo’s address through the television showed different responses. An elderly woman was crying, a young man clenched both his fists in anger while he thought about the shameful history from the nation’s past. A middle-aged man and woman were clapping their hands in agreement. Everyone had their eyes glued to the TV screen.