The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 204

204. Nuclear Declaration

Presidential Office.

I was on the phone with the U.S. President.

“With the situation in East Asia already unstable due to fears of a nuclear war, South Korea’s declaration of nuclear possession is like adding fuel to the fire. You’ve already acquired nuclear weapons, which is irreversible, but please refrain from making it public!”

America prioritized the interests of a superpower over those of an ally.

The President retorted.

“Do you know the root cause of China’s attempt to wage war on the Korean Peninsula?”

“It must be due to China’s expansionist ambitions.”

“It’s because the balance of power is broken.”

“……”

“In other words, this crisis arose because China is a nuclear power and South Korea is a non-nuclear power. Does China dare to invade the Soviet Union, India, or the United States, which possess nuclear weapons, just because it is expanding?”

“……”

“You know very well that international peace between nations is based on the balance of power!”

“……”

“South Korea’s possession of nuclear weapons does not increase the risk of war, but rather creates nuclear deterrence in the region.”

The U.S. eventually agreed.

In fact, preparations were underway as I intended to proceed even if the U.S. refused.

*

Kremlin.

The White House National Security Advisor was secretly meeting with Brezhnev as a special envoy of the U.S. President.

The special envoy said.

“China is now showing a stance of pushing ahead with the use of nuclear weapons without listening to the Soviet Union.”

Brezhnev said.

“Hmm, that’s regrettable. I tried to dissuade him directly by phone this morning, but Deng Xiaoping was rather agitated, demanding that we declare our participation.”

“The Soviet Union’s declaration of neutrality and non-intervention is far from sufficient to deter China’s use of nuclear weapons.”

“I have done my best, so there is nothing I can do. I can only hope that Deng Xiaoping does not act foolishly.”

“The reason China is trying to launch a nuclear attack is because South Korea is a non-nuclear state. North Korea possesses only three nuclear weapons. China knows that these were supported by the Soviet Union, not produced domestically, so they are resorting to nuclear force. A balance of power is needed.”

“So, you’re saying the U.S. will use nuclear weapons to achieve nuclear balance?”

“That’s not the case. If the U.S. intervenes, the Soviet Union will also intervene, and World War III will break out.”

“Indeed.”

“We must prevent the expansion of the war into a localized conflict between the two countries.”

“So, you’re saying the U.S. will not intervene and will step away from the Korean Peninsula? I strongly agree with that.”

This meant that they would tolerate China’s communization of the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. special envoy said.

“We will leave it until South Korea and China find a balance of power. We will adhere to the principle of non-intervention from the outside.”

“That’s a desirable principle. That’s how we can prevent escalation.”

Now, an unexpected twist was waiting.

“However, we have recently been informed that South Korea has been hiding a power we were unaware of.”

“Hiding power?”

“South Korea has been concealing its nuclear possession.”

“Nuclear possession? South Korea, you say?”

Brezhnev’s thick eyebrows twitched at the envoy’s words.

“That’s right. It was completed two years ago, and they possess 88 nuclear warheads.”

“88 warheads?”

Brezhnev’s mouth dropped open.

“The White House was just as surprised.”

“If South Korea has nuclear weapons, won’t a nuclear war break out?!”

“No. The reason why the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which possess nuclear warheads that could destroy the Earth dozens of times, have not gone to war is because of the deterrent irony of nuclear possession. The only way to prevent war between China and South Korea is through nuclear balance.”

“Hmm… so that’s why you mentioned the nuclear balance between China and South Korea….”

“South Korea, as a permanent member of the Security Council, is fully qualified to possess nuclear weapons. Ironically, the only way to prevent nuclear war and sudden changes in Northeast Asia is South Korea’s nuclear possession.”

“…….”

The Soviet Union also eventually accepted South Korea’s nuclear possession.

*

The Presidential Residence.

Jang Seong-taek was staying at the residence.

When the President informed Jang Seong-taek of the nuclear possession, his eyes widened.

“Ah, to think they were going to invade without knowing that, North Korea almost touched the lion’s whiskers!” [A Korean idiom meaning to narrowly escape danger or provoke someone powerful.]

“In fact, there were two opportunities to come out about nuclear possession. When the North declared a nuclear war, and when China crossed the Yalu River last time. This time, the situation has become such that we can no longer hide it, so we are forced to reveal our hidden claws.”

“South Korea is truly a great country! To endure for so long without politically exploiting nuclear possession!”

“Yes, I need to ask for your permission, Chairman.”

“Whatever it is, please tell me.”

“I need to borrow the sea off Wonsan.”

*

The sea off Wonsan, North Korea.

The East Sea [also known as the Sea of Japan] is a small sea, but it is deep, making it perfect for underwater nuclear tests.

Ground nuclear tests take a long time to dig tunnels, so in an emergency like now, we have no choice but to choose the deep sea for nuclear testing.

Tutatatata!

A round nuclear detonator was dropped into the sea from a helicopter.

Splash!

“The phoenix has laid an egg, over!” [Code phrase indicating the nuclear device has been deployed.]

The device slowly sank into the deep sea.

Two scientific vessels measuring underwater earthquakes and shockwaves were floating 5km behind at sea.

The detonator settled on the pitch-black seabed.

The attached timer read 00:00.

Boom!

The seabed cracked, creating a whirlpool around the deep sea.

The shockwave from the deep sea reached the surface.

Splash-

Waves rippled across the surface of the sea for several kilometers, as if a meteor had fallen.

The scientific vessel informed the home country.

“Exceeded standard shockwave! Nuclear test successful!”

*

That day, at a certain unit, a test launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range of over 1,200 km was conducted in the presence of the President.

“Fire!”

Whoosh-

It turned into a flash and disappeared into the sky.

“Launch successful, Your Excellency! It will fall when it reaches altitude.”

“Good work!”

The President shook hands with each of the related soldiers.

The ballistic missile launched from the East Sea soared into the sky and fell into the West Sea [also known as the Yellow Sea].

This proved that the nuclear warhead had Beijing, the capital of China, as well as more than half of the continent within its range.

*

The presidential spokesperson briefed domestic and foreign reporters, releasing underwater nuclear test, intermediate-range ballistic missile launch photos, and video evidence.

“At noon today, the Republic of Korea successfully completed its underwater nuclear test off the coast of Wonsan. It was a great success with a shockwave exceeding 100 times that of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. With this, the Republic of Korea declares to the world that it has become a nuclear power!”

A reporter asked.

“Is this a nuclear test conscious of China, with China’s invasion imminent?”

“Yes. It is a self-defensive response because China is threatening with nuclear weapons.”

“With the war just around the corner, when will the first nuclear missile be completed?”

“Nuclear development was already completed two years ago. We currently have 88 nuclear warheads.”

“88 warheads!”

The success of South Korea’s nuclear test and the fact that it possesses a large number of nuclear weapons were urgently telegraphed as breaking news around the world.

*

UN Security Council.

An emergency meeting was held to recognize South Korea’s nuclear possession.

In normal times, the conflict between the US and the Soviet Union would have been fierce, but the US, trying to avoid nuclear war, persuaded the Soviet Union, Britain, and France in advance, and the conclusion ended blandly.

“The five permanent members officially confirm and tolerate South Korea’s nuclear possession in order to balance the nuclear threat in the region!”

The justification for preventing a nuclear war between South Korea and China worked.

The UN General Assembly also adopted a resolution supporting South Korea’s reunification and nuclear possession.

*

China.

A standing committee was held with the chairman in attendance.

The chairman said.

“South Korea has declared nuclear possession. Present a response.”

“…….”

Silence fell.

They were in a difficult situation where they could not dare to wage war, nor could they back down now after boasting to the people and pouring huge military spending.

The vice chairman said.

“In fact, it has become difficult to invade the Korean Peninsula. We need a justification for retreat.”

No one opposed the retreat.

“What justification would be good?”

“…….”

The United States provided the justification.

*

Xinjiang oil depot. Night.

Round oil storage tanks, like overturned tuna cans, were under construction.

Barbed wire fences prohibiting outside access were in place, and military personnel guarded the access road.

As the Mujahideen (Taliban) gained momentum and occupied small cities in Xinjiang [an autonomous region of China] one by one, the Chinese government moved some of the troops deployed on the Korean Peninsula, and armored units were stationed.

About 50 tanks were parked, and hundreds of soldiers were sleeping in temporary barracks.

At this time, the shadows of more than 200 guerrillas were approaching.

Each of them held an RPG [rocket-propelled grenade] in their hands.

From the ridge where visibility was secured, they aimed their RPGs at the tanks assigned to each of them.

Phew-

As a signal that one shot was fired, about 50 shots were fired all at once.

Missiles with fiery tails, like a meteor shower, poured down on the Chinese army’s tanks and armored vehicles.

쾅! Kwang! [Sound of an explosion]

펑! Peong! [Sound of an explosion]

꿍! Gung! [Sound of an explosion]

The tanks exploded with holes.

“Ugh!”

“It’s the enemy!”

The Chinese soldiers who were sleeping jumped out of the barracks in a panic.

The surviving tanks and armored vehicles moved and fired machine guns into the darkness.

However, the RPG hit the oil drums they had piled up, causing a massive explosion.

Kuang! [Sound of a large explosion]

Peopeong! [Sound of a large explosion]

Burning drums soared high into the sky.

The area was a scene of chaos with red flames and black smoke.

The tanks and armored vehicles caught fire due to the massive explosion and heat, and the armored vehicles were difficult to maneuver because the already destroyed tanks were blocking them.

Tutatatata-

The rebels who surrounded the front fired automatic weapons.

Tatata- Tutatatata-

The Chinese soldiers, who could not even reorganize their ranks and fired back, were dumbfounded.

This is because bullets were flying from behind.

The guerrillas, disguised as storage workers, smuggled weapons and ambushed from the rear.

The Chinese soldiers trapped in the front and back fell one by one.

By dawn, the bodies of Chinese soldiers were scattered everywhere, and armored vehicles were burning like torches.

“Long live the great Xinjiang Uyghur!”

“Glory to the great Allah!”

The guerrillas celebrated their occupation of key areas by firing guns into the air.

The central city of Xinjiang Uyghur, Urumqi, was almost taken over by the rebels due to the major offensive by the Mujahideen (Taliban) and Xinjiang Uyghur rebels, and public power was paralyzed.

The Chinese flag was burning in various places, and the independence flag was fluttering in its place.

*

The people of Beijing lamented the internal and external troubles and fiercely criticized Deng Xiaoping and the party.

The Standing Committee announced the withdrawal of troops from the Korean Peninsula under the pretext of restoring security in Xinjiang Uyghur.

The Chinese army lifted the blockade of the Korean Peninsula and moved to Xinjiang Uyghur.

The extreme confrontation between South Korea and China, which had been on the verge of war, ended in that way.

However, the settlement received by South Korea and China was different.

South Korea was recognized for its reunification and nuclear possession, while China was the beginning of internal strife.