November 3rd, 2023, 10:00

  The South State, Seoul, Yongsan-ku, B2 bunker (ROK military joint command center, chairman’s office)

  Three major battles between Corea and Iran were being fought for the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence.

  First, a battle in the northern region of West Azerbaijan near the Republic of Kurdistan’s capital; second, at the center of West Azerbaijan; and finally, the south of Haraka, which was the border between Iran, Iraq, and the Republic of Kurdistan. There were dozens of other small and large battles ongoing in other places.

  Both sides were fighting the battle fiercely, but Corea’s peacekeeping forces were starting to gain the upper hand and expanded their occupation of West Azerbaijan.

  However, the Corean peacekeeping forces only had three combat brigades, and as their occupying territory got larger, it was getting more difficult to maintain order at the rear regions. For the time being, the Corean military maintained peace with the Republic of Kurdistan’s defensive forces.

  The Ministry of National Defense concluded that Russia’s unofficial apology meant the relationship between the two nations was improving and requested for additional deployment of expeditionary forces to the Blue House. However, the cabinet members of the Blue House had all opposed the request since it would be unwise to send in additional combat forces when an assassination attempt on the president was looming.

  Minister Kang Ui-sik and the major military commanders held a meeting at the joint chief of staff chairman’s office.

  “Is it really necessary for us to fight off Iran and Iraq with outdated tactics and strategies? Couldn’t we wipe both nations off the map within a day if we wanted to?” Deputy Chairman Youn Gi-youn spoke in a slightly agitated tone while looking at the commanders seated on his sides. General Youn Gi-youn’s statement was not an exaggeration.

  Corea had been continuously developing and producing the latest weapons ever since it obtained alien technology. In 2023, Corea’s defense bill budget was officially 5 trillion dollars, but it also unofficially spent 2 trillion dollars on the 17th fighter wing’s Parthenon underground research facility and the Olympus base as well.

  Thus, the actual budget of the defense bill in Corea was 7 trillion dollars. This was only behind America’s defense bill that attempted to reclaim its place at the top since the East Asian War.

  % of the astronomical defense spending was used for refurbishing projects of equipment out in the field, 50% for developing next-generation weapons, and the final 20% was used for the welfare and salary of soldiers and enlisted men.

  The aerospace forces also were funded tremendously after the East Asian War and made great progress.

  On August 2023, a second aerospace force was founded at the North State’s Pyeongan-do Sunchun following the 1st aerospace force at Sungnam. Each fighter wing operated 24 CFS/A-31SP Three-toed Crow space jets and 12 CSRQ–100P Pegasus unmanned space drones.

  There were now eight CS-AD Zeus tactical strike satellites capable of intercepting enemy projectiles and attacking any target within the planet in the field. 12 CS-SS Apollo reconnaissance satellites under the foreign reconnaissance forces and six CS-SH Aeries patrol satellites were patrolling the planet as well.

  The equipment being operated by the aerospace forces was all tactical weaponry and was more than enough to annihilate most nations within the planet. If the Corean government wanted to, it could use the aerospace force’s tactical weapons and destroy Iran and Iraq and end the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence war early.

  This was the reason General Youn Gi-youn made his suggestion, but the remaining military commanders all seemed to be walking on eggshells and did not agree with General Youn.

  However, that didn’t mean the other commanders were faint of heart or lacked strategic knowledge.

  There was another reason for their hesitation. If the Corean military used its tactical weapons to annihilate both Iran and Iraq, then the intent and reasoning behind the nation aiding the Republic of Kurdistan’s independence would be tainted.

  That could destroy the nation’s reputation as the world leader in peacekeeping. There was one final crucial issue: the rebuilding of Iran and Iraq after annihilating them in war. This could be more difficult and cause more problems than winning the war.

  In the past, ‘Operation Iraq Freedom’ lead by the U.S and allied forces against Iran was over in 26 days and resulted in Iraq’s defeat. The U.S armed forces ousted the dictatorial government of Saddam Hussein and erected a temporary government before conducting reconstruction and recovery projects for years. During that time, the U.S government took a severe financial hit and looked for any opportunity to withdraw from Iraq while dealing with numerous other problems that arose after the war.

  “Hey, comrades! Don’t just sit there with your thumbs up your butts. Say something!” General Youn Gi-youn must have been frustrated and called the other military commanders comrades.

  “Ha ha ha, General Youn, you must feel frustrated. Everyone, please give us your opinions,” Minister Kang Ui-sik spoke with a bright smile on his face after seeing General Youn Gi-youn turn red.

  General Lee Un-hyung, the army’s chief of staff, cleared his throat and spoke up, “Well, I believe we must first fix our initial strategy, sir. Based on the reports from two days ago, the Iranian military is operating 8MJ class rail guns equipped to numerous modes of transportation. The peacekeeping forces are suffering more casualties and damages than expected from this.”


  The Iranian military and the revolutionary guard had mounted the 8MJ class railguns to every possible vehicle and used them in the battle against Corea’s peacekeeping forces.

  Minister Kang Ui-sik nodded. “That’s also something I agree with.”


  “I believe we must strike the battlefields with the same intensity of our initial retaliation, sir,” General Lee Un-hyung expressed his opinion clearly and succinctly.

  “Similar to the first retaliation, general? Wouldn’t that be too harsh?” General Na Tae-youn, the commander of the tactical missile forces, asked with a concerned look on his face.

  “I think there’s no need for us to let the war drag on any longer,” General Lee Un-hyung said firmly.

  “Hmm, Iran is one thing, but Iraq is another issue. They have entered the war despite Iran’s navy and air force being annihilated.”


  Right now, Iraq had sent six of its infantry divisions to the border at Hakari to fight against the peacekeeping force’s 11th marine mobile brigade (Light Dragon). Since the region’s terrain was harsh mountains, Iraq had only deployed infantry forces for now, but there was no telling when they would begin deploying their aerial forces as well. The Corean military also detected 11 infantry divisions massing towards the border of Hakari from the rear also.

  “I don’t think it’s possible to figure out what the Islamic nations would do using common sense,” Minister Kang Ui-sik tapped his fingers on the table and shook his head.

  Chairman Shin Sung-yong, who had been silent, finally spoke up. “Minister!”


  “Yes, Chairman Shin, what is it?”


  “Sir! I will work with the rest of the military commanders to change our original strategies and reduce the damages done to our forces. However, I would like to request for you to get the president’s approval on one thing.”


  “What is that?”


  * * *

  November 3rd, 2023, 18:00

  The South State, Seoul, Jung-ku, Federal Investigation Bureau (deputy director’s office)

  Deputy Director Kim Hyung-chul, who was priority target 1 for the NIS ACS team, was having a private conversation with a middle-aged man.

  “All of this is driving me nuts these days.”


  Deputy Director Kim Hyung-won had noticed a department from the NIS had been watching him a while ago. Therefore, he needed someone to do his bidding. The middle-aged man he was speaking to from across the table was that someone.

  The man sitting across from Kim Hyung-won was Special Agent Lee Byung-hoo from the Federal Investigation Bureau’s influential central inspection department. It was the same middle-aged man who had been speaking the Jo Myung-rok at the building in Pyeong-yang, Shinmi-dong a few days ago.

  Lee Byung-hoo passed the bar at the young age of 19 and became a prosecutor after going through the training institute. He grew up being called a genius by his peers. However, tasting success at a young age, the corrupted Lee Byung-hoon ended up chasing after money and power. When the scandal with his secretary became public during his time at the Sung-nam branch office, he resigned voluntarily.

  Ever since the Federal Investigation Bureau was founded, Lee Byung-hoo was hired by the bureau’s West Manchuria branch’s inspection department despite his scandal and was now a special agent for the central inspection department.

  “It seems more surveillance agents are on our tail, deputy director!”


  “Exactly. I can’t even speak freely no matter where I am. At least we don’t have to worry about bugs here. You weren’t followed by any of those pesky flies coming here, were you?”


  “No, I am not being followed by anyone for now, sir.”


  “Yes, be careful, we don’t have much time left before our plan goes into action. If you start getting tailed then that would cause more headaches.”


  “Yes, sir. I will be careful.”


  Deputy Director Kim Hyung-chul spoke with his legs crossed and puffed cigar smoke, “My God, my head’s getting dizzier as time goes on. How about you?”


  “Preparations are going well, sir. There’s no need for concern.”


  Kim Hyung-chul shook the ashes off his cigar while speaking to Lee Byung-hoo. “Do you think I am worried about our plan failing?”


  “Then, what is?”


  “I’m worried about what to do after our plan succeeds.”


  “Ah, I see.”


  “We must turn the tables to our favor, must we not?”


  “Yes, that’s right, sir.”


  “How are the guys on your end doing?”


  “My end? Do you mean Jo Myung-rok, sir?”


  “Hey, get it together!”


  “Ah, sorry, sir. They will infiltrate the nation in three days.”


  “Three days…… How many are there?”


  “I am not certain yet, but it seems to be within 20 men.”


  “Would that be enough?”


  “They claim the men are the best of the best, sir.”


  The secretary came on the intercom.

  Beep!-

  Deputy director, sir! Director Kang Hyuck is here to see you.

  After the secretary finished speaking, the office doors opened. Lee Byung-hoo got up from his seat and stood still.

  “Oh! You were already having a meeting.”


  “Director! Please, come in. Have a seat, sir.” Deputy Director Kim Hyung-chul got up from his seat and pointed to the sofa. Director Kang Hyuck glanced at Lee Byung-hoo and spoke after sitting down on the sofa.

  “Was I interrupting you two?”


  “No, not at all. Ah! This is Special Agent Lee from the central-”


  When Deputy Director Kim Hyung-chul attempted to introduce Lee Byung-hoo, Director Kang Hyuck waved his hand and spoke, “Ah! Yes. I know. We’ve met before, haven’t we? Special Agent Lee Byung-hoo from the central inspection department, right?”


  “Yes, that’s right, sir. I’m glad you remember me, director.”


  “How could I not? It would be unwise for me not to know who is in our central inspection department that holds sway within our organization. Haha,” Director Kang Hyuck laughed while speaking to Special Agent Lee.

  “I need to speak to the director, so let’s continue at a later date.”


  “Yes, sir.”


  Kim Hyung-chul seemed to be in a rush to send out Lee Byung-hoo.

  When he had left the office, Director Kang Hyuck asked, “Why was Special Agent Lee here?”


  “Ah! I’ve been hearing reports of corrupt agents within the bureau recently, sir.”


  “Oh, is that so?”


  “Yes, I wanted to report in once I have all the facts.”


  “I see. Please do when you’re finished with the investigation.”


  “So, is there a reason for your visit, sir?”


  “Hahaha, do I really need a reason? It was about time to head home and I figured I would have a cup of tea with you before we all leave for the day.”


  “Ah! Hahaha, of course, sir. It was wise for you to visit,” Kim Hyung-chul laughed awkwardly and called the secretary through the intercom for some coffee.