The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 192

192. Bomb the North

Newspaper Company.

Editors at the newspaper, who had set the first edition headline as South Korea’s first World Cup victory, were in a state of confusion.

“What’s the top news, huh?”

“It’s obviously the first World Cup win. They say North Korea will be subdued soon. It’s just a happening.”

“Absolutely not. What do you mean subdued? Would the Director of the National Intelligence Service appear and Jang Song-thaek issue an emergency statement to the Southern media for just a happening? It’s clear that Jang Song-thaek was ousted while he was in the South. They didn’t announce serious news because it’s the World Cup period, but holding such a sudden press conference means it’s a very critical phase.”

“Now that I hear it, that’s true. Ha, we have to completely redo the first edition.”

“Of course. It’s better than putting out an extra. Isn’t this completely burying the World Cup? If we win just one more game, South Korea will be in the quarterfinals.”

“I know, right? It’s a complete celebration right now, but suddenly there’s a coup in North Korea, geez.”

Washington was even more turned upside down.

*

White House.

The US President was furious at the National Security Council meeting.

“What is going on? Didn’t you say the North Korean coup was suppressed? But now the rebels have seized Pyongyang and blocked the armistice line, leaving Jang Song-thaek stranded?”

The CIA Director was flustered.

“They clearly said it was resolved that way in South Korea.”

“Surely South Korea isn’t deceiving us, are they?”

“They wouldn’t deceive an ally. It seems the coup forces seized power in Pyongyang and leaked false information to Jang Song-thaek or the South Korean side, as if it had been suppressed.”

“Hmm, quickly verify the truth of the information. Without accurate information, we cannot take any political or military action.”

“Understood.”

“Send the National Security Advisor.”

He meant to send his closest aide to check directly.

“Understood.”

“And let’s come up with a plan for the coup in the North.”

The US aircraft carrier fleet in the Strait of Hormuz urgently headed to the Korean Peninsula.

The US Forces Korea, US Forces Japan, and the Pacific Command were put on high alert.

*

The Presidential Office.

The US National Security Advisor rebuked the Director of the National Intelligence Service.

“You clearly said the coup was suppressed, Director?”

“We understood it that way too. Could it be that we were deceived by the rebels in the North?”

“Deceived? Where did you get the coup suppression information from?”

“Prime Minister Jang said it himself.”

The United States was not just glossing over it and was digging into the process of delivering the wrong information.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service was sweating.

If it were exposed here, this situation would be blamed on Korea, losing America’s trust, and the adventure planned by the President was in danger of being stopped by the United States.

At times like this, he had to be confident.

The US National Security Advisor said.

“I need to meet the Prime Minister directly. I can’t just get information indirectly through the Director of the National Intelligence Service.”

“Please do.”

The National Security Advisor followed the Director of the National Intelligence Service with an American interpreter.

*

The VIP room.

The US National Security Advisor, waiting outside the door, was nervous that his meeting would be rejected.

If the interview was refused for unclear reasons, he would have no choice but to suspect Korea.

Whether the interview was successful or not was proof of understanding Korea’s intentions.

The door opened and the Director of the National Intelligence Service came out.

“I barely managed to persuade him, and the Prime Minister has allowed the interview.”

“That’s a relief.”

The advisor’s balance shifted towards trusting Korea.

But as the National Security Advisor tried to enter, the Director of the National Intelligence Service stopped the interpreter.

“Please wait outside, Interpreter.”

The National Security Advisor asked.

“Didn’t you just say I could go in?”

“The Prime Minister is in shock and reluctant to meet outsiders. He has a strong rejection of the US, especially the US. He will feel like he is being interrogated as a hostage. So, it would be best to have the minimum number of people enter.”

“I understand what you mean, but how can I have a conversation without an interpreter?”

“I will do it. I studied in the US, so I can have a conversation without an interpreter, like now.”

“Oh, then there’s no big problem with the interpretation. Let’s do that.”

*

In fact, Jang Song-thaek, who had been virtually expelled from North Korea, tried to maintain his dignity.

The National Security Advisor was well aware of his difficult situation and questioned him as politely as possible.

“Prime Minister, I believe you received coup information from the Korean intelligence agency a while ago, but was the preparation not done well?”

The Director of the National Intelligence Service interpreted.

“The advisor asks if you have received a lot of information and help from Korea regarding the coup rebellion.”

Key words were included, but the combination was a strange translation.

Jang Song-thaek opened his mouth heavily.

“The Korean government is helping me a lot with information, personnel, and operations. I am very grateful. Please use your strength to restore normalcy.”

The Director of the National Intelligence Service asked Jang Song-thaek again.

“He is also curious when the United States received the first report of the coup and whether it can be suppressed.”

“Well, I found out after the Korea-Chile game through a report from the Korean intelligence agency, and I immediately contacted the Commander of the Escort Command. I issued an order to suppress it, but the rebels had already taken control and it didn’t work. In the process, the Commander of the Escort Command died.”

The Director of the National Intelligence Service told the advisor.

“He said he was contacted by the Korean government and the Commander of the Escort Command and found out. He immediately ordered the rebels to be suppressed and received a report that the rebellion had been suppressed, but it turned out that it was all false reports from the rebels. Only the Commander of the Escort Command lost his life in the process of confirming the order delivery. He is grateful that the Korean government is helping a lot now. He asks the United States to help too.”

“So the information that it was suppressed was false information from the rebels.”

The Director of the National Intelligence Service said slyly.

“It seems that the initial suppression forces were rather defeated. Korea and the United States were both fooled by false information.”

“Hmm, that’s how it happened. Prime Minister, how would you like the United States to help?”

The Director of the National Intelligence Service now interpreted completely.

The Prime Minister said.

“Bomb the rebels with America’s powerful strategic assets! It’s okay to turn Pyongyang into a sea of fire!”

The US advisor was embarrassed by the unexpected hard-line policy of turning his country’s capital into a sea of fire.

“Bomb Pyongyang?”

“That’s right!”

“It will escalate into an all-out war?”

“The joint commando of South and North Korea will be in contact in the North now. Once the command communication system is restored, mercilessly bomb Pyongyang and wipe out the rebels. It’s okay to use nuclear weapons!”

“Even nuclear weapons?”

This time, not only the advisor but also the Director of the National Intelligence Service’s eyes widened.

On the other hand, the Director of the National Intelligence Service was secretly cheering.

The fact that the word nuclear bomb came out of Jang Song-thaek’s mouth gave him the feeling that the secret operation planned by the President could be easier.

“The longer it takes, the more disadvantageous it is. America’s nuclear weapons are the most effective to suppress it at once.”

“A direct attack by the United States is difficult. If the United States intervenes, China will definitely intervene, and the Soviet Union will also intervene. Especially if nuclear weapons are used, it will definitely escalate into World War III, Prime Minister!”

The Prime Minister was furious at the US-oriented bystander attitude.

“Then what can the United States do to calm this situation?”

“…….”

“If you don’t mobilize outside forces, it means you have to solve it internally, but I only have 1,000 escort squad rifle units now!”

“…….”

In fact, the United States had no intention of directly intervening in the sudden situation.

They were thinking of quietly changing the regime in North Korea and Jang Song-thaek’s asylum in the United States.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service intervened to change the deadlocked atmosphere.

“Prime Minister, the US intervention card should be reviewed last, and we should try to resolve it ourselves first.”

Jang Song-thaek shouted.

“So, I want to do that too, but I can’t do anything in the Southern Peninsula! Don’t you know? Is South Korea also watching with their arms crossed like the United States?”

“Of course not! We have to root out the rebels at this opportunity. That’s why we sent the commando. Prime Minister, North Korea has five nuclear warheads!”

“Well, that’s right….”

“How about using that?”

“North Korean nuclear missiles?”

“In that case, it’s not an invasion but a civil war, and the nuclear weapons possessed by North Korea are tactical nuclear weapons, so not all of Pyongyang will be destroyed, but only the rebels can be annihilated.”

“There is such a way. Hmm, using North Korea’s nuclear weapons….”

Jang Song-thaek pondered.

*

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman briefed in front of foreign media.

“The current change in North Korea is clearly a change in the political power landscape within the country. If foreign forces intervene, it will be an interference in internal affairs, so China may have no choice but to take corresponding military actions to protect North Korea, a blood ally, in accordance with the Sino-North Korean Treaty!”

It meant that they would solidify the current state of North Korea as the regime is changing to a force supported by China.

An American reporter asked.

“Are you talking about the intervention of the United States or South Korea as external national forces?”

“You know it well. The United States has two aircraft carriers approaching the Korean Peninsula, which is not an invasion of South Korea, and is deploying strategic assets from Pearl Harbor and Japanese bases, causing regional instability. We are informing you that intervening in North Korea’s internal affairs can escalate into an international war.”

“Does China support the new power?”

“China does not interfere in internal affairs. We only want stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

China was preparing a large-scale crossing unit on the Yalu River in Sinuiju in preparation for any eventuality.

*

The World Cup stadium.

Yugoslavia and Brazil were playing.

The stadium was packed to see Brazilian player Pele.

Wow! Wow!

Cheers erupted every time Pele caught the ball.

Shoot!

“No goal!”

Only the leaders were desperately feeling the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, and the people were all immersed in the World Cup.

However, the President and the leaders judged that this phenomenon was rather good.

If they fully felt this crisis, the World Cup fever would cool down, foreign media would highlight the Korean Peninsula situation rather than the World Cup, hoarding would occur in the market, and the fear of war would sweep through, so it was easier to maintain order by distracting them.

Also, although there were many military movements, the people thought of it as a World Cup security training, so they were grateful.

The game between Brazil and Yugoslavia ended in a 0:0 draw.

*

The outskirts of Pyongyang.

On the outskirts, the rebel army and the Pyongyang Defense Command were engaged in fierce battles.

Tang! Tang! Tang!

Ttrrr!

Bang!

Quang! Quang!

The Pyongyang Defense Command suffered heavy damage from the rebel army’s surprise attack and retreated to the outskirts, devoting itself to its unique mission of defending Pyongyang.

Half of the Pyongyang Defense Command’s power was an anti-aircraft defense system in preparation for US air strikes, so it was slowly being pushed back by the rebel army using armored vehicles.

In addition, the Ministry of State Security was promoting and inciting Jang Song-thaek’s downfall through broadcasting and newspapers, so the Pyongyang Defense Command’s position was gradually decreasing.

Meanwhile, the activities of the Korean commando infiltrated into the North began in earnest.