The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 188

188. Even Deceive Allies

The commander, drawing blood from his finger, was the first to sign the alliance pact.

Ten others followed, writing their oaths in blood.

From that moment on, they were a community bound by fate, living and dying together.

With the blood oath completed, they began their treasonous conspiracy in earnest.

The commander explained, pointing to a map he had prepared.

“To attend the South Korean World Cup opening ceremony on June 13th, Jang Song-taek and the leadership will visit South Korea with 10,000 North Korean citizens. If the 1,000 core personnel of the Guard Command also accompany Jang Song-taek and the cheering citizens to protect them, Pyongyang will be virtually empty.”

“……”

“Then, the Airborne Brigade and the Naval Sniper Brigade will swiftly seize Pyongyang. Simultaneously, the Border Command will secure the armistice line, preventing Jang Song-taek’s return.”

“So, the plan isn’t to assassinate or capture Jang Song-taek during this operation?”

“Jang Song-taek is heavily guarded by the Guard Command. Even if we succeeded in assassinating him, we would only be guilty of treason. The perpetrators would be punished, and the ruling power would remain intact. Our goal is to replace the entire leadership, exiling them all to South Korea. We seize Pyongyang when it’s vulnerable.”

“If Jang Song-taek, blocked from returning to the North, instigates the U.S. and South Korea to invade, it will become an all-out war, won’t it?”

“We still possess five nuclear missiles. If we threaten nuclear war, they won’t dare risk a full-scale conflict. Furthermore, China has vowed to intervene if external forces invade during our internal revolution. No one wants an international war. This way, we can replace the top leadership and complete the North Korean revolution without a drop of blood, avoiding a full-scale war with the Guard Command.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Their treasonous plot was meticulously refined throughout the night.

*

D-10.

Osan Air Base.

U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) Communications Interception Unit.

After the unprecedented erroneous report that the North’s chairman had died due to poor Korean language skills, the interception unit collaborated with South Korean intelligence agents to improve accuracy.

North Korean communications were intercepted.

– Under the guise of guarding the South Korean delegation, we’ve deployed two brigades, including mechanized units, near the armistice line!

– Well done.

NSA analysts compiled the intercepted content.

“Why is the North Korean military command reporting directly to the Security Command?”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s outside the normal chain of command.”

“Isn’t reporting outside the military chain of command a sign of insubordination or rebellion?”

“Indeed. Let’s report this intelligence to Washington.”

They transmitted a second code to the CIA and the White House, requesting confirmation of the information.

*

The Presidential Office.

The Chief of National Security, the Director of the National Intelligence Service, the Minister of National Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Special Advisor for Foreign and Security Affairs, key members of the NSC [National Security Council], convened a secret meeting.

The Chief of National Security reported.

“Combining reports from U.S. reconnaissance satellites and interception units with information from our human intelligence, major North Korean forces are currently concentrated near the armistice line and Wonsan. The Chinese Northern Theater Command’s 200,000 troops are also moving towards the Yalu River. This is the largest mobilization ever, including armored units from the Central Theater Command.”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff asked.

“Isn’t the troop deployment at the armistice line to guard the massive visit for the World Cup, and the activity in Wonsan a routine exercise? And the Chinese Northern Theater Command’s training is just an early summer exercise.”

“Outwardly, that’s the explanation, but the internal reality is different. The reporting system is suddenly dual. Reports going to the General Staff Department are normal, but the same content going to the Security Department is unusual.”

“Doesn’t the Security Department also receive reports on military movements?”

“Of course, they do. But instead of the normal Security Department receiving channel, it’s being reported directly to the head of the Security Department. Sometimes it’s even faster than the General Staff Department. On the other hand, the Guard Command is being reported to normally. Clearly, there’s a change in the command structure.”

“If it’s a direct report, the powerful Guard Command should be receiving it, but the Security Department, which has been sidelined, is getting the information first. Something is definitely afoot.”

“In the Security Department-related intercepted conversations, the term ‘revolutionary task’ has recently surged. It seems like a common phrase, but considering the accompanying military movements, I interpret it as a rebellion being plotted, centered around the Security Department.”

The Director of the National Intelligence Service said.

“It’s also strange that the Airborne Brigade and the Naval Sniper Brigade are training simultaneously in Wonsan. They are rivals and usually train separately.”

“North Korea’s special forces are being reduced due to the easing of military tensions as South and North Korea engage in economic exchange. This means the military’s dissatisfaction is highest there. There’s ample motive for a rebellion.”

“There’s also information that the head of the Security Department met with the Chinese ambassador in Pyongyang. If they are plotting treason, they’ve likely already reached an understanding with China.”

“Thinking about it, the Northern Theater Command’s regular training is usually in Jilin Province, but this time it’s near the Yalu River, and the training being moved up by two months is strange.”

“Hmm, putting the pieces together, it seems they’re aiming for a coup, taking advantage of Jang Song-taek’s visit to South Korea for the World Cup.”

The President was listening intently.

Since this was an event that didn’t happen in his past life, he had to be even more cautious.

The Chief of National Security said.

“The U.S. side also agrees that North Korea’s movements are unusual.”

“U.S. and South Korean intelligence analysis largely align. Let’s summarize it as a coup d’état led by the Security Department. So, how should we respond?”

The Minister of National Defense said.

“Informing Jang Song-taek and crushing them early seems to be the most desirable course of action. Jang Song-taek is friendly to us, so we must protect him.”

That’s where the consensus was forming.

The President, who had been listening, opened his mouth.

“If the Security Department is plotting a rebellion, the core issue is that China is siding with the rebels.”

“……”

The attendees were bewildered, unsure of what he meant.

The President explained.

“China is aiming for regime change by removing Jang Song-taek. Perhaps China is instigating the Security Department to take this gamble.”

The attendees stirred.

“If we provide Jang Song-taek with coup information and suppress a rebellion that hasn’t happened, it will end with the removal of a few leaders. Then China will aim for another regime change. China is firmly prepared, mobilizing 200,000 troops, mainly armored units, to stand by.”

“……”

“I want to escalate this incident and take down China. Unification is impossible without striking China.”

“Your Excellency, are you saying we should stand by and then advance north when the coup occurs? Jang Song-taek is in South Korea, so staging a coup means they intend to keep Jang Song-taek alive. Is the plan to advance north, using Jang Song-taek, who wants to regain power, as a front?”

“That’s the general idea.”

The Chief of National Security was negative.

“Even if Jang Song-taek tries to advance north using our troops, it will be difficult to succeed. A full-scale war at the armistice line is inevitable, and China is preparing to cross the Yalu River in anticipation of this. It will escalate into an international war. The U.S. will also oppose this state of war and is likely to abandon Jang Song-taek. That’s exactly what the coup forces are aiming for.”

The President nodded.

“The Chief of National Security is right. The coup forces’ aim is also to isolate him in South Korea without bloodshed, calculating that the U.S., not wanting war, will abandon Jang Song-taek rather than assassinate him.”

“A dilemma.”

The President made a meaningful statement.

“The U.S. is our ally, and Jang Song-taek is pro-South Korea, but we don’t need to share all information with them. No one is as desperate for reunification as we are. Unification is our initiative, so their interests don’t align 100% with ours.”

“……”

“Let’s establish our own independent strategies and tactics. War is about deception and schemes. We must use everyone, enemy and ally alike, as pieces on our chessboard.”

The attendees were puzzled by the President’s words.

The Chief of National Security asked.

“Are you planning independent strategies and tactics, Your Excellency?”

“I have sketched out a larger plan.”

The President explained.

The attendees focused and listened to the President’s explanation.

*

The Pentagon.

The Chief of National Security was meeting with the Director of the CAI [Central Analysis Institute] and the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

The interpretations of North Korea’s military movements, the North’s Security Department communication information, and the Chinese military’s movements were consistent between the two countries: it was the eve of a coup.

The Director of the CAI said.

“There’s no difference of opinion between our countries. The problem starts now. How should we respond? What is South Korea’s opinion?”

“Of course, we must inform Jang Song-taek and prevent the coup. Currently, South-North exchanges are active, and a hotline is established with Jang Song-taek, so there’s no problem in conveying the information.”

“The U.S. thinks so too. We hope to handle it in advance so that the World Cup is peaceful.”

“I agree. We will handle it as quietly as possible to make it a festival of peace beyond ideology.”

“Of course, you should.”

The U.S. has its own global strategy, but it’s not necessarily always beneficial to South Korea.

In the end, you have to take care of your own interests.

*

D-1. The Eve of the World Cup.

Panmunjom [the “truce village” on the border between North and South Korea].

North Korean vehicles with the unified Korean flag were heading south in a line.

The procession of 10,000 people in 1,000 vehicles stretched from Panmunjom to Seoul.

Included in the procession were 1,000 Guard Command personnel protecting Jang Song-taek.

It was the largest southward procession since the Korean War.

South Korean citizens along the route waved the unified Korean flag, welcoming them.

Every media outlet was filled with special articles and pictorials evoking the rosy future of South-North unification.

Some newspapers speculated that a South-North union might be declared during the World Cup.

That evening, a welcoming event for the North Korean delegation was held at the Jangchung Gymnasium.

The South Korean President appeared and said to them.

“Welcome to the Republic of Korea. I hope that during the World Cup, we can support each other enthusiastically as one nation and become closer.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

They treated them with an evening buffet and song performances.

*

The Presidential Office.

The South and North Korean leaders enjoyed a welcoming dinner separately in the reception room.

Jang Song-taek, in high spirits from South Korea’s warm welcome, couldn’t stop smiling.

Jang Song-taek said to the President.

“Aren’t you emptying South Korea’s granary by hosting the World Cup and treating us so well?”

“Since ancient times, our ancestors have always treated guests lavishly, even if they had to go hungry themselves. We must do our best, even if it’s a bit much.”

“I couldn’t help but be amazed that accommodation facilities were prepared to accommodate 1,000 people.”

A permanent inter-Korean family reunion hotel was completed at Panmunjom to accommodate 1,000 people, and the remaining 9,000 were to travel back and forth across the armistice line to cheer.

It was a kind of South-North free travel exercise.

Two meals and snacks a day were to be provided by the South.

The North expected three trips back and forth for the first full league matches, ten days, as the visit would end if the South Korean team was eliminated.

Jang Song-taek was scheduled to watch the opening match between South Korea and Chile tomorrow and return to the North.