October 30th, 2023, 17:00

  The South State, Seoul, Jongro-ku, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building (press conference room)

  At 5:00 pm, the Corean government held a press conference about their response to the OAPEC’s decision.

  Speaker Hong Soo-kyung got onto the podium and started reading the documents she had prepared to the numerous domestic and international reporters.

  “Hello. I am the speaker for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hong Soo-kyung. Our government has come up with a solution to the OAPEC’s decision. We will now go over our responses to this crisis that had led to the third global oil shock this morning.” Speaker Hong Soo-kyung spoke clearly and loudly since she had been a newscaster before.

  “The OAPEC consists of nations that are members of the Arab League, and they have come to an anti-humanitarian decision to weaponize petroleum production that could lead to world recession. On top of that, they have cited an egregious reason for their decision, claiming that Corea’s support of the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence is religious oppression against the Islamic faith.”


  As she read the official statement, Speaker Hong Soo-kyung’s tone became firmer.

  “Corea would like to ask the Arab League, On what basis is our nation conducting religious oppression against the Islamic faith, and how is the act of supporting the 40 million Kurdish people, who had lived as refugees without a country for over a hundred years from oppression by other powerful nations, for peace within the Middle East wrong?”


  She glanced directly at the camera and continued to read her statement, “To all the nations within the Arab League that use the name of justice for their own profits, the Corean government will not back down from supporting the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence, and our peacekeeping forces will not withdraw until complete independence for the nation is achieved. Our government will also send in additional expeditionary forces to the area if necessary.”


  The unexpected firm response by the Corean government created a buzz among the reporters.

  When the reporters heard about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling for an urgent press conference, everyone had expected Corea to pull out from the Middle East. However, the official statement was the complete opposite of what they had expected, so it was a shock to everyone.

  When the chatter from the reporters died down, Speaker Hong Soo-kyung continued reading the official statement. “The Corean government will now announce the strategy to overcome the third oil shock.”


  “Firstly, our nation will increase the production of oil from 300,000 to 4 million barrels per day within a week and export them to non-producing nations at 48 dollars per barrel, which is a 20% discount from the 60 dollars per barrel pricing of the OAPEC.”


  “Secondly, Corea will increase Venezuela’s production to 8 million barrels per day within a month by cooperating with its government, and the price will also be set at 48 dollars per barrel.”


  “Finally, Corea will build production facilities within Venezuela in a year to increase the nation’s production to 20 million barrels per day for free. This concludes the official statement.”


  “Wow!” The reporters attending the conference all exclaimed.

  Before the press conference was held, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had contacted Venezuela’s government. The economic recession that had continued for 8 years and anti-government protests had put the nation on the verge of anarchy. When the Corean government made its offer, the Venezuelan government welcomed the prospect and accepted without making any additional demands.

  To the Venezuelan government, Corea’s offer was like rainfall during a drought. In fact, 30 billion dollars’ worth of investment and a 150% reimbursement (compensating the 12-dollar difference with 18 dollars) for the lowered price after producing 8 million barrels per day, free installment of production facilities that will increase production to 20 million barrels per day in the future, and other investments from large corporations to aid economic growth had been promised by Corea.

  When the chatter died down, one of the foreign reporters raised her hand. Speaker Hong Soo-kyung glanced at her and nodded.

  The reporter stood up and asked a question. “Judith Miller from the New York Times. Has the agreement been made with the Venezuelan government already?”


  “Yes, it has. Two hours ago, the Venezuelan ambassador in Corea acted as the nation’s representative to officially agree on the treaty. I’ll take the next question,” Speaker Hong Soo-kyung answered the question clearly and shortly and then pointed to an Arab reporter from the crowd.

  “The reporter on the third row. I’ll take your question, sir.”


  “Yessen Dejaha from YTI News Iran. I would like to ask, do you believe Corea and Venezuela would be able to stop this oil shock with just the supply coming from both nations? Even if the two nations banded together, that would only match the production of Saudi Arabia alone. In terms of percentages, it would only be 40% of the total production made by the OAPEC.”


  “Yes, that’s right. Production would only match 40% of the OAPEC’s. However, wouldn’t the other nations that are not part of the OAPEC or OPEC producing petroleum increase their rate of production as well? This is a prime opportunity for them. Wouldn’t the remaining 60% be filled by nations such as Russia and America that boast large oil reserves, along with China, the New Chinese Republic, and other nations as well? Our government’s analysis believes it is possible to have these nations fill the role,” Speaker Hong Soo-kyung answered the question so clearly that it seemed as if her answer to Yessen Dejaha’s question had been prepared beforehand.

  “Thank you for answering my question. May I ask one more?” Reporter Yessen Dejaha raised his finger while making his request.

  “Yes, go ahead.”


  “Thank you. Iran and the rest of the nations in the Middle East are concerned about Corea’s military activities to aid the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence leading to war within the area. That is why the OAPEC has come to this decision for world peace. If a war broke out in the Middle East due to the Republic of Kurdistan’s fight for independence, then Corea also have to take responsibility. What do you think?”


  “Hmm, that’s something that I am not authorized to answer. However, I would like to say this. Peace is achieved through equality. If the balance of power were to tip to one side and cause one party to profit while the other suffers, would that truly be considered peace? I believe that is oppression disguised as peace.”


  When Speaker Hong Soo-kyung answered, Yessen Dejaha became red-faced and sat back down quietly.

  Ten minutes later, the question-and-answer session ended, and the reporters from all over the world rushed to send in the news to their networks. The stock markets across the world that had been fluctuating started to rise and stabilize once again. As a result, the Arab League’s attempt to pressure Corea was over within 24 hours.

  * * *

  October 31st, 2023, 15:00

  The South State, Seoul, Jongro-ku, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building (the minister’s office).

  Today was the last day before Russia and Iran had to send their replies to the Corean government’s letter. Minister Kang Kyung-hee had finished her treatment in the hospital after two weeks and came into work the day after her release from the hospital. President Choo Un-hee requested her to take another week off before returning to the office, but Minister Kang Kyung-hee insisted on coming in that afternoon.

  During her hospitalization, Minister Kang Kyung-hee called over staff from the ministry to go over the crucial issues. When she returned to her office, she went over the topics that the two deputy ministers had been taking care of in her stead.

  At 3:00 pm, she had a meeting with Ambassador Igor Titov. The ambassador had been deported on the 21st but returned to Corea today with an official reply from the Russian government this morning and visited the ministry that afternoon.

  “I am so sorry about what happened to you, Minister Kang! How are you?” Ambassador Igor Titov, who felt a bit uneasy meeting the victim of the attack, Minister Kang Kyung-hee, exchanged greetings with her.

  “As you can tell, I am in good health. There’s no need for you to worry, Ambassador,” Minister Kang Kyung-hee replied with a benevolent smile.

  “That’s such a relief, Minister.”


  “Did you bring the official response from the Russian government, Ambassador?”


  “Yes, it’s right here.”


  The ambassador pulled out the documents from his briefcase. Minister Kang Kyung-hee read over the documents she had just received. She put down the documents and spoke to Ambassador Igor Titov.

  “Hmm, so Russia intends to forfeit Hokkaido if we let things go quietly. Is that it?”


  “Yes, that’s right, Minister.”


  “Very well. The document states that all those involved will be punished by the justice system. Does that include President Putin?”


  “Ma’am? What do you mean?”


  “President Putin must not have been unaware of my assassination attempt, correct? He must have been reported to about it and approved it, so doesn’t that make him an accomplice?”


  “Hmm, that- that’s……,” Ambassador Igor Titov was caught off guard by Minister Kang’s words and could not speak further.

  “Ah! I’m just saying things. I know President Putin cannot go through the justice system to punish himself even if that were the case. I would like to call for a meeting first before we come up with an official reply. Please wait at the embassy until then.”


  “Yes, thank you. I would like to make one more request,” Ambassador Igor Titov said quietly, as he wiped the sweat off of his brow.

  “Yes, what is it?”


  “We were hoping the Corean government would return Ruslan Nigmatulin who is being held by the intelligence agency to us.”


  “Hmm, I think I can give you the answer at a later time.”


  “Thank you, Minister Kang! We will wait for your response, then.”


  “Yes, of course. I won’t take long.”


  Minister Kang Kyung-hee read over the documents again after Ambassador Igor Titov had left, and she smiled upon seeing the words about Russia giving up the hand-off of Hokkaido.

  The issue that had been a thorn on her side since she had been nominated minister was finally resolved, so she smiled out of relief. Looking at it, the issue had almost cost her, her life. That was why she had a bitter smile on her face.

  An hour later, Russia’s official response was delivered to the Blue House, and President Choo Un-hee accepted it. The problem with Russia was over, but the issue was Iran.

  Iran ended up not responding within the deadline the Corean government had set. The Blue House called for a final meeting to discuss when to commence the retaliation against Iran.