My Calling Is Profiler [EN]: Chapter 652

“The warlords on the port side are generally more powerful than those inland,” Park Do-joon stated.

“They have access to weapons and food from overseas, which often makes them strong. However, this also makes them targets for inland warlords, so they tend to maintain a large personal army for protection.”

“But you’re giving *them* money? This is a huge advantage for the inland warlords.” Yoon Tae-min exclaimed, concerned.

“Frankly, if a port-side warlord uses that money to buy even outdated tanks and starts pushing inland, the situation will become truly dire,” Park Do-joon explained.

“Ugh.”

The others groaned, heads in hands. There seemed to be no easy solution.

“So, what should we do? The Somali government will never concede easily,” Park Do-joon asked, turning to Yoon Tae-min.

“There are still patrol corvettes in South Korea, right?” Yoon Tae-min inquired.

“Patrol corvettes?”

“Patrol boats, anything of that sort. Any remaining coastal vessels,” Yoon Tae-min clarified.

“We have some late-model Sea Chariots [a class of South Korean patrol boat],” the captain of the *Choi Young* replied.

“Many?”

“Yes, quite a few.”

Warships are decommissioned or retired when they reach the end of their operational lifespan or their performance is no longer adequate.

People often ask about the difference between decommissioning and retirement, and technically, they are distinct processes.

In the military, completing one’s duty is often called ‘discharge,’ but ‘decommissioning’ is the more accurate term.

‘Discharge’ implies release from duty, but completing military service usually involves assignment to the reserve forces. Therefore, ‘decommissioning,’ which signifies a change of role, is the correct term.

The same principle applies to ships.

A decommissioned ship has its role altered, moving to a reserve status or a different function. A retired ship is either dismantled if beyond repair or, if still usable, donated to another country.

“South Korea seems to have a lot of Sea Chariot-class patrol boats,” Park Do-joon observed.

“Yes, well, a good number have been retired,” the captain confirmed.

“Many Sea Chariots have been retired and dismantled, but some usable ones are leased for exhibition or kept in storage, prepared for donation,” he added.

“Then let’s give them one,” Park Do-joon suggested.

“Yes? Weapons?” Yoon Tae-min asked, surprised by Park Do-joon’s suggestion. Giving weapons is a sensitive issue.

“Is it really that sensitive with a Sea Chariot-class?” Park Do-joon countered.

“Not really, if it’s a Sea Chariot-class,” Yoon Tae-min admitted.

“The Sea Chariot-class has clear limitations. It’s restricted to coastal waters and, being older, lacks missile systems, making hit-and-run tactics impossible,” he explained.

“That’s precisely why it’s suitable,” Park Do-joon said.

“Why?” Yoon Tae-min asked, confused.

“Do you think these pirates will suddenly become law-abiding citizens and say, ‘I should live righteously from today’?” Park Do-joon asked rhetorically.

“But you said they carry weapons and engage in piracy when necessary?” Yoon Tae-min pointed out.

“Of course, that’s true. But this incident is the first in years. What have the pirates been living on in the meantime?” Park Do-joon asked.

Everyone tilted their heads, realizing they hadn’t considered this.

“Other ships,” Park Do-joon answered.

“Other ships? But most cargo ships can’t even get close……” Yoon Tae-min trailed off.

“Are there only cargo ships around here? What about fishing boats? Doesn’t South Korea have problems with pirate fishing boats?” Park Do-joon asked.

“Ah! That’s right,” Yoon Tae-min exclaimed.

“Do the Chinese fishing boats only catch fish? No. Relying on their numbers, they swarm lone fishing boats and steal everything of value,” Park Do-joon explained.

“Sometimes, they even take the entire ship,” he added.

“Once they register the ship in China, there’s no way for South Korea to track it,” Yoon Tae-min finished.

“What about here?” Park Do-joon asked.

“Well, it would be even worse than in China,” Yoon Tae-min admitted.

“Exactly,” Park Do-joon said.

“Pirates can’t rob cargo ships easily. So, their targets are other fishing boats or even other pirate ships. During the Age of Exploration, pirates often robbed each other,” he explained.

“So, these weapons aren’t just for piracy but also for self-defense,” Yoon Tae-min realized.

“That’s right,” Park Do-joon confirmed.

Yoon Tae-min nodded, understanding.

“It’s a frustrating situation for the Somali government,” Park Do-joon continued.

“They have to crack down on pirates, but Somalia likely has no naval ships. Trying to crack down from the ground is impossible; they can’t distinguish pirates from fishermen,” he explained.

“But the sea is different,” Park Do-joon stated.

“With a fast ship, they can track robbers and recover stolen weapons,” he added.

“No matter how much they want to engage in piracy, they can’t if their weapons are confiscated,” Park Do-joon said.

“Besides, foreign warships can’t easily search suspected ships,” he continued.

“Even if a ship is suspected of piracy, foreign ships can only track and monitor it, not search or confiscate,” Park Do-joon explained.

“Moreover, as I said, if they have those weapons for self-defense, there’s even less justification for intervention,” he added.

“That’s right,” Yoon Tae-min agreed.

“But the Somali government is different,” Park Do-joon pointed out.

“For practical reasons, they might not confiscate rifles, as they need them to deal with pirates. But even recovering RPGs [rocket-propelled grenade launchers] would significantly reduce the pirates’ firepower,” he explained.

“Decisively, increasing naval power, especially coastal power, doesn’t particularly increase the military power of the area,” Park Do-joon stated.

“Why can’t the navy or air force launch a coup, no matter how strong their firepower? It’s because of supply,” he explained.

“A patrol corvette projecting firepower needs to stay close to the coast, within one kilometer. There are many ways to attack a navy from a distance. The crew is limited, not enough to act as soldiers,” Park Do-joon said.

“Probably, if it arrives, the warlords won’t even try to manage it themselves,” Park Do-joon predicted.

“He who controls the sea controls the region. But for a warlord, not a country, managing a ship is expensive,” he explained.

“They need to supply fuel, paint it, and perform regular maintenance,” Park Do-joon continued.

“Few in Somalia have that capability,” he added.

“They won’t claim ownership because it’s not helpful, especially if they have to manage it. The local warlord will hand over management to the Somali government,” Park Do-joon concluded.

“Ah!” Yoon Tae-min exclaimed, understanding.

“Naval power isn’t helpful to a warlord group, but it’s crucial for a country. It significantly impacts maritime sovereignty,” Park Do-joon explained.

“Especially in Somalia,” he emphasized.

“Somalia has no proper navy or coast guard. Neighboring countries enter Somali waters and steal all the fish. Stopping that alone would be a huge development for the Somali government,” Park Do-joon said.

“As long as the structure is formed in the form of a government, there is at least something to do,” he added.

“One of them includes suppressing the numerous foreign ships that steal in their waters,” Park Do-joon concluded.

“I understand what you mean. Well, we don’t have much use for the Sea Chariot-class,” Yoon Tae-min admitted.

“Most have been retired and dismantled as unusable. Some in storage are meant for donation, depending on the situation,” he added.

“If we can use that to negotiate favorably, that’s not bad either,” Yoon Tae-min said.

“If we can just block entry at the port, we can lead the next negotiations in our favor,” Park Do-joon stated.

“And the rescue was the next thing to do,” he added.

Yoon Tae-min immediately contacted the government, which quickly approved the decision. With the second batch of Sea Chariots preparing for retirement, they could afford to donate one.

“Donating parties usually fully maintain such ships, which costs a considerable amount. However, it’s less expensive than negotiating with pirates or hostage-takers by giving them money, which would become a serious problem later. Suppressing them, even at a higher cost, is better,” Yoon Tae-min thought.

“It was as Park Detective said,” Yoon Tae-min said, returning to the ship, sweating.

“The Somali government quickly responded to our request,” he announced.

“On the condition that a Sea Chariot-class is provided, they will not allow entry into the port,” Yoon Tae-min explained.

“Then the pirates on the ship will have nowhere to go,” someone said.

“The cargo ship is completely stopped and doing nothing,” Yoon Tae-min confirmed.

“It seems like it’s time to get used to it,” Park Do-joon said.

“Time to get used to it?” Yoon Tae-min asked, confused.

“It’s about time they run out of food, isn’t it?” Park Do-joon replied.

“That’s right,” Yoon Tae-min agreed.

“Cargo ships carry food, but not in huge quantities. They’re meant to load and unload cargo, naturally resupplying with food, water, and fuel each time. They have enough fuel, but not food,” Park Do-joon explained.

“Moreover, they will consume more food than usual,” he added.

“Still, it will be a considerable amount?” Yoon Tae-min asked.

“It’s not just about more mouths to feed,” Park Do-joon clarified.

“Most pirates are poor and have never enjoyed proper meals,” he explained.

“If there’s enough food, even delicious food, will they control themselves?” Park Do-joon asked rhetorically.

“Even North Koreans try to eat as much as possible, knowing they can’t finish it, because they’re used to not knowing when they’ll eat next,” he added.

“The same will be true for Somali pirates,” Park Do-joon concluded.

“Of course, they will eat as much as they can, increasing food consumption even more,” he said.

“Then they will run out of food soon, and then we can go in,” Yoon Tae-min said.

“Um, will that work? It will be difficult,” the captain said, looking sullen.

“If they have any sense, wouldn’t they feed the prisoners first?” he asked.

“Using food to subdue the other party is an old hostage-taking method. They can subdue them by putting sleeping pills in the food without any damage,” the captain explained.

“So, no matter how clueless they are, hostage-takers will feed the hostages first when food comes in, and when there is no problem, they will eat it themselves, taking turns,” he concluded.

“Yes, I know. That’s why I said they need to get used to it, not subdue them,” Park Do-joon calmly explained his plan.

“The criminals will demand food from us soon. We can’t mix anything into the food we send, but we can approach to deliver it,” he said.

“……?” Yoon Tae-min looked confused.

“Those guys will be wary of us approaching,” Park Do-joon stated.

“That’s right,” Yoon Tae-min agreed.

“Then they will naturally flock in the direction we are approaching,” Park Do-joon concluded.

Everyone’s eyes widened, realizing what Park Do-joon was implying.

A Professional Profiler