The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 217

217. Special Operation

A Special Forces soldier wrestled the pistol from the kidnapper, who was already gushing blood from a pen-sized wound in his neck and collapsing.

Another kidnapper, oblivious to what had just happened, saw his comrade faltering and called out from behind, “What’s going on?”

The soldier, faking panic, shouted back, “This guy is bleeding out!”

“What? Bleeding?” The man rushed forward to help.

Instantly, the soldier used the stolen pistol, firing rapidly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The man, still running, was struck by the bullets mid-stride and crumpled to the floor of the cabin.

However, because it was a small pistol, and the soldier was inexperienced with firearms, the injuries weren’t immediately fatal.

The man, regaining his senses, pulled the pin on a grenade and hurled it toward the passengers.

The soldier yelled to the passengers huddled at the back of the plane, “Grenade! Everyone, down!”

He then grabbed the kidnapper with the pen in his neck and yanked him forward, using him as a human shield.

Bang!

Fortunately, the other grenades strapped to the kidnapper’s body didn’t explode.

The air filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder, and dust swirled, reducing visibility.

The airplane windows were shattered, and the seats were torn apart, riddled with shrapnel.

The soldier quickly subdued the wounded kidnapper.

He shouted to the passengers, “Is everyone alright?”

Cough! Cough!

The two diplomats who had been at the back of the plane rushed forward, drawn by the gunfire and explosions.

The soldier reported, “Both men are down, but one of them managed to throw a grenade. Several passengers are injured.”

The two men hurried to check on the passengers.

Several passengers in the front of the plane were bleeding and unconscious.

They shouted, “Where is Chairman Jang Song-taek? Is he safe?”

“…….”

There was no response.

It was an ominous sign.

They began checking the injured passengers.

“Ah!”

They found Jang Song-taek slumped in his seat, bleeding from shrapnel wounds to his forehead and unconscious.

The final count was 1 dead, 1 critically injured, and 15 injured.

One kidnapper was dead, and the grenade-throwing kidnapper was critically injured but alive when captured.

Jang Song-taek was immediately transported to South Korea, but he was already in a brain-dead state.

*

Gimpo Airport was swarming with reporters, all eager to cover the arrival of the kidnapped passengers and the kidnappers.

Click! Click!

The morning newspapers featured a photo of the kidnapper being transported on a stretcher with a mouthpiece to prevent suicide, alongside a photo of Jang Song-taek in a coma.

Foreign correspondents also showed intense interest.

Due to the sudden and violent nature of the suppression and the resulting casualties, news agencies flooded the government with requests for information about the kidnapping.

Because the incident occurred in China, the Chinese authorities strictly controlled the flow of information, leaving the media unable to uncover the full story.

Therefore, the South Korean government decided to disclose the full details of the incident.

The government briefing room was packed with over 100 reporters and broadcasting cameras.

The government spokesperson, referring to charts and timelines, briefed the press in detail on the events as they unfolded.

Click! Click!

After the briefing, reporters began asking questions.

“You stated that the terrorists were subdued unarmed. Did the Chinese public security forces completely refuse to assist in the suppression?”

“We proposed a joint operation, but it was rejected. They wouldn’t even allow our special forces to enter the country armed. Because the kidnappers threatened to kill one person each day, we were racing against time and had no choice but to carry out the operation unarmed and in disguise. It would not be unreasonable to interpret this as China effectively refusing to cooperate in suppressing the terrorists.”

“What is Jang Song-taek’s current condition?”

“He is in very critical condition. He is undergoing brain surgery to remove shrapnel. We pray for his speedy recovery.”

At that moment, a government official rushed over and handed a note to the spokesperson.

The spokesperson read the note and said grimly, “We have just received word that former Chairman Jang Song-taek has passed away. We express our deepest condolences.”

Jang Song-taek’s death sent shockwaves through the North Korean population.

*

Condolence altars were set up in five locations in North Korea and four in South Korea.

A portrait of Jang Song-taek, smiling brightly, was placed amidst the wreaths.

The reactions in the South and North were markedly different.

North Korean residents, without being instructed, wore mourning clothes and paid their respects from early morning.

“Chairman! How could you leave us so soon!”

Regardless of age or gender, the residents mourned as if they had suffered a national tragedy, prostrating themselves on the ground and tearing at the earth with their hands.

Government offices voluntarily lowered flags to half-mast.

Although he held no official position, Jang Song-taek was seen as a spiritual pillar for many North Koreans.

The grief of the North Korean people soon morphed into animosity towards China.

“Burn it!”

They poured gasoline on a scarecrow wrapped in the Chinese flag and set it ablaze.

Whoosh!

The flames soared, fueled by their anger.

“Let’s slaughter those Chinese bastards!”

“Let’s hang Deng Xiaoping!” (Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese politician who served as the paramount leader of China from 1978 until his retirement in 1992.)

The North Korean residents drove out all the Chinese merchants who crossed the Yalu River border.

Tensions ran high along the Yalu River border as the Chinese military reinforced its troops.

To make matters worse, the Manchus, concentrated in the northern reaches of the Tumen River, began armed separatist activities. (The Manchus are an ethnic minority in China, historically associated with the region of Manchuria.)

They were receiving covert support from South Korea.

China was already stretched thin, suppressing rebellions by Palestinians in the east and Manchus in the west, making the tension along the Yalu River border a significant burden.

*

It wasn’t just the North Korean people who were in shock.

The President and CEO Park were also deeply affected.

The President said, “Even a regressor couldn’t live out his natural lifespan and died prematurely. It’s very unsettling.”

“I feel the same way. It’s proof that regressors aren’t transcendent beings. Their lifespans aren’t predetermined either.”

“Indeed. We must be even more vigilant about our personal safety. By the way, the anger of the North Korean people is reaching a boiling point, which is concerning. They’re holding a rally with a million people denouncing China. The atmosphere is such that they’re willing to go to war.”

“The North Korean people’s sense of loss must be immense.”

“With public opinion like this, I’m wondering if we should really consider going to war with China.”

“Armed conflict between countries with nuclear weapons could lead to catastrophic consequences. Our allies wouldn’t approve either. But we need a policy to appease the North Korean people.”

“If we don’t take strong action against China, the people will be disappointed, but military action is concerning due to the risk of escalation. It’s a contradictory and difficult situation.”

“Resolving contradictions is what politics is all about. Leaders must avoid extreme catastrophes while achieving political goals. And we must take advantage of this quasi-war situation, weave it into our policies, and gain momentum. We must turn crisis into opportunity.”

“Turn crisis into opportunity….”

Late that night, the President urgently summoned the Director of the National Intelligence Service, the Minister of National Defense, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The three were taken aback when the President outlined his plan for dealing with China.

The Director of the National Intelligence Service said, “Your Excellency, it’s quite a gamble. Do you think it will work?”

“Let’s do it! We have nothing to lose, right?”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

*

The Ministry of National Defense spokesperson made the following announcement:

“The perpetrators of this aircraft hijacking have been identified as members of a former North Korean rebel group calling themselves the ‘Government in Exile.’ They are engaged in armed attacks under the banner of ‘Liberating North Korea.’ Unless the rebel group’s bases within China are eradicated, terrorism will continue to occur. Therefore, our government formally demands that China step forward and eliminate this anti-terrorism group! If the Chinese government refuses or takes no practical action, we cannot help but conclude that they are condoning the terrorist group, and South Korea will take appropriate measures accordingly!”

Normally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would handle foreign relations, but the Ministry of National Defense taking the lead was a clear implication that military force was being considered.

The Chinese government immediately issued a concise statement.

“We cannot expel refugees under our protection! China will not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs, and South Korea must recognize that its demands are excessive!”

In other words, it was out of the question.

South Korea took action as warned.

*

A city north of Dandong, China.

Dandong was home to the rebel group that had crossed over from North Korea.

They used a building as their Workers’ Party headquarters, appointed a provisional chairman, and had scaled-down versions of North Korea’s former government organizations, such as North Korean flags and emblems, to create the facade of a government in exile.

Underneath the headquarters was an armory for their armed struggle.

The rebels were bustling with activity, preparing for a large-scale event one day before the anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party.

After successfully showcasing their existence to the world through the airplane hijacking, they planned to formally declare the Provisional Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea.

It was past 10 p.m.

The leaders of the ‘Government in Exile’ were gathered in the conference room on the fifth floor, reviewing the list of foreign dignitaries, the declaration, and the agenda for the next day.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs reported to the Chairman.

“Diplomatic envoys from 35 countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, are arriving at Shenyang Airport. Over 60 countries have sent congratulatory messages instead of attending.”

“With recognition from over 100 countries, we will now be recognized externally as a de facto provisional government!”

“Of course, Comrade Chairman! And the live broadcast by China’s state-run broadcaster is also being prepared without a hitch.”

“The whole world will witness our will! And let us also read a resolution to posthumously confer the title of hero on our revolutionary warrior who was arrested for the airplane hijacking and to demand his immediate release from the South!”

“Understood! We have arranged for his family to accept the highest honor on his behalf.”

At that moment.

Ta-ta-ta-tang!

Turu-ru-ruk!!!

Loud bursts of gunfire erupted outside the building.

Bang!!

The sound of a grenade explosion was heard, and the outside of the window lit up before fading.

“What’s going on?”

At that moment, the Minister of People’s Armed Forces rushed up and reported.

“Unidentified men are attacking the headquarters!”

“Unidentified men? How many?”

“It’s not clear, but it seems to be about 10.”

“Ten men? How dare they try to disrupt the Workers’ Party founding anniversary event! Who the hell is attacking the headquarters?”

“They are wearing civilian clothes, but they are presumed to be South Korean commandos. The battle broke out during the initial attempt to enter the underground armory.”

The Minister of State Security said,

“The armory? Then what they’re after isn’t disrupting the event, but the armory itself. If they wanted to disrupt the event, they would cause a commotion during tomorrow’s event, not attack tonight, right?”

It was a reasonably astute analysis.

“Is that so?”

However, they didn’t realize that they themselves were the primary target.

Ta-ta-ta-tang!

Turu-ru-ruk!!

Looking out the window, they saw the unidentified men retreating and firing their guns.

“The bastards are running away!”

They perceived it as a situation where the attackers were trying to enter but were now being forced to retreat.

But that was a fatal miscalculation.

Kaboom!!

With a tremendous explosion, the building shook violently, the windows shattered, and the lights on the ceiling swayed like swings.

South Korean Special Forces, disguised as civilians, had planted high explosives and incendiary bombs in the basement of the headquarters and detonated them.

Large quantities of explosives stored in the armory exploded in a chain reaction.

Kwakwang~

The flames instantly engulfed the headquarters building.

The explosions and flames that started from the basement turned the lobby into a wasteland, making it impossible for anyone on the upper floors to escape.

Screams of terror filled the air.

“Aaaagh!”

“Save me!”

Occasionally, there were those who threw themselves from the roof or windows to escape, but they could not survive the blast fragments and flames.

The rebel leaders were annihilated.