The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 218

재벌총수가 대통령으로 회귀함1967 재벌총수가 대통령으로 회귀함 1967-218화(218/225)

218. A Fixed Game

Chinese Standing Committee.

The committee members continued to denounce the surprise attack on the rebel base.

“Korea launched a military operation without our permission, massacring refugees under our protection. This is a clear provocation and infringement upon our national sovereignty!”

“Turning a blind eye to their resolution of the aircraft hijacking disguised as civilians is one thing, but this operation involved the military, making it a clear act of aggression!”

“We must not stand idly by; we must respond immediately, Chairman!”

Deng Xiaoping asked cautiously.

“So, are you suggesting we declare war on Korea now?”

“Yes!”

“Let’s consider this. One-third of our forces are stationed in Afghanistan, Xinjiang Uyghur [a region in China with a large Uyghur population], and Manchuria. What do you think will happen if we withdraw our troops from there?”

“……”

“We can vent our anger on Korea, but we cannot occupy it because they possess nuclear weapons. On the other hand, separatist rebels could run rampant and divide the continent. If we must choose based on available resources, which option should we take?”

“Well, even if we don’t necessarily occupy the Korean Peninsula, we must achieve corresponding political gains, Chairman! If we suffer an invasion and take no countermeasures, the people will rise up in protest like a swarm of bees.”

“I also agree that we need to achieve political gains. We need to demonstrate our position to the people in some form. However, Korea is allied with the United States. If we can control the scope of the war, I would love to initiate it. Since that is not the reality, present your plans.”

Opinions were exchanged, but the uncertainty of escalation could not be erased.

Several scenarios involving the mobilization of troops were prepared.

At that moment, contact arrived from Korea proposing a secret meeting.

*

Chinese Chairman’s Office.

The Chief of National Security of the Korean President met with Deng Xiaoping in private.

“From Korea’s perspective, we could not stand idly by regarding the death of Jang Song-thaek, who was the spiritual leader of the North Korean people. Public opinion demanded that we be willing to risk all-out war. The Dandong incident was a minimal military operation to defuse this situation. We hope you will understand.”

Deng Xiaoping said.

“Let me state China’s position. China’s current situation is not much different from Korea’s position not long ago. Having suffered an invasion, public opinion demands that we be willing to risk all-out war. Therefore, we must also take some kind of action.”

“The President of Korea understands Chairman Deng’s position well. That’s why he sent me to find a political solution.”

“Oh? What solution do you have?”

“I believe we need a performance that satisfies the emotions of both nations’ citizens while minimizing human and material damage.”

“Performance?”

“A political show. In Korean, we call it ‘a fixed game’ [a pre-arranged outcome].”

The special envoy explained the performance scenario.

After listening to the envoy’s proposal, the Chairman asked.

“Doesn’t this also involve the United States?”

“This proposal has been pre-coordinated with the United States.”

*

Dandong, China.

Chinese artillery and missile units were gathered in Dandong, facing Sinuiju across the Yalu River.

Tensions were high at the Yalu River border, so the gathering of troops on both sides was not unusual.

At midnight, the Chinese commander gave the order.

“Fire!”

Shu-shook-shook-

Dozens of short-range missiles appeared in the night sky like will-o’-the-wisps, flying south.

At the same time, multiple rocket launchers and long-range artillery fired in unison.

Bang! Bang-

Pshoom-pshoom

Hundreds of warheads rained down like shooting stars.

Wham!

Bang~ Kwa-lang!

Explosions flashed here and there in the dark city where there was no light.

Buildings were destroyed, asphalt roads were torn up, and homes were shattered.

However, there were no casualties.

The Sinuiju they preemptively attacked was a deserted city where traffic was still prohibited due to the nuclear missile strike.

For an hour, flames rose in relays here and there.

*

Wee-ooh~

The South Korean military was also put on alert.

“It’s a bombardment from the Chinese army!”

The South Korean military also poured self-propelled artillery towards the north side of the Yalu River.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The impact points became as bright as day with the barrage of artillery fire.

However, there were no casualties among the Chinese army.

The impact points were on a deserted hillside east of Dandong.

*

Wee-ooh~wee-ooh~

Sergeant Noh, who was out on leave and lazing around in an inn, was startled by the siren.

“This is an emergency recall siren? What’s going on? Is it a drill?”

He turned on the radio.

A low-pitched announcer urgently read the script.

– Due to a surprise attack by the Chinese army, fierce fighting has broken out at the Yalu River! It is a state of war, so an emergency has been declared for all troops, and soldiers on leave or vacation must return immediately!

“Damn it! I’m being discharged in two weeks, and this is what happens!”

*

At the same time, emergency sirens rang in Seoul and other major cities.

Wee-ooh~wee-ooh~

Civil defense members shouted through megaphones.

“Civil defense members are to immediately assemble at the mobilization points! I repeat! Civil defense members are to immediately assemble!”

Startled citizens woke up and asked the civil defense members who were shouting as they walked through the alleys.

“What’s going on? Is it war?”

“The Chinese army has invaded! It’s war, it’s war!”

“Gasp! War!”

“Those subject to civil defense must immediately assemble at the mobilization points!”

The whole country was turned upside down.

*

Morning.

The President read a proclamation.

“As of midnight today, the Chinese army has committed an act of provocation, launching missile and artillery fire. As of 07:00 today, a state of emergency martial law is declared!”

During the Park Chung-hee era [a former president of South Korea], he had declared martial law several times, so he handled the martial law skillfully.

*

A home.

The radio was repeatedly broadcasting news of the state of emergency martial law and the mobilization order for the reserve forces.

Normally, he would be preparing for work, putting on a suit and tie, but the head of this household also took out his faded military uniform, which he had kept deep in his closet.

His wife said with a worried expression, her voice choked with emotion.

“Honey, are you really going to war?”

“I’m a citizen of the Republic of Korea, so I have to defend the country.”

“Can’t you say you’re sick and not go?”

“What are you talking about! There’s a war, so I have to go to the front lines!”

“What will happen to our family if something happens to you!”

“……”

Their seven-year-old son rubbed his eyes, came out, saw his father in his military uniform, and said.

“Wow, Dad’s a soldier? Cool! Are you going to war?”

“Yes. I’ll go protect the country. You protect Mom!”

“Come back safe, Dad. Loyalty!”

The wife smacked her saluting son on the head and shouted.

“You’re such an airhead! Do you think this is a war game, you little rascal!”

*

Emergency martial law bulletins were scattered on the streets.

Whoosh-

The roar of fighter jets flying at low altitude tore through the sky.

The families of the U.S. military personnel stationed in Korea also rushed to Gimpo Airport to catch flights to the United States.

Crrrr-

Instead of commuter buses, tanks and military trucks carrying soldiers moved north in a line on the main roads.

The faces of the people holding the extra editions [special newspaper releases] in their hands were filled with worry as they watched this scene.

“War has finally broken out.”

“It hasn’t even been 25 years since the end of the Korean War, and another war is breaking out!”

The generations who had experienced the war and knew its horrors were even more anxious.

Public opinion was high in favor of pushing into the continent with animosity toward China, but when the war actually broke out, the whole country, both North and South, was in turmoil.

This is because they would have to sacrifice themselves, shed blood, and perhaps give their lives.

*

Ministry of National Defense bunker.

The Minister of National Defense reported to the President.

“The Chinese army is firing missiles and artillery shells at one-hour intervals, but the impact points are not leaving Sinuiju. The soldiers have not crossed the Yalu River, and the mobile armored units are stationed 50km behind, with no movement.”

The President nodded and asked.

“How is our military responding?”

“We are also immediately returning fire after the Chinese army’s artillery fire. Of course, we are concentrating on the hillside 10km east of Dandong. We are also firing machine guns, but there is no direct engagement yet.”

“Hmm, that’s a relief. As long as they don’t cross the Yalu River, make sure they never leave the current impact points.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

*

China.

Chinese newspapers were also plastered with articles about the outbreak of war.

The headlines featured proud photos of the Chinese army pouring firepower and pillars of fire rising in Sinuiju.

– Our China has launched a counterattack to punish Korea’s provocation. Thousands of shells and missiles per hour are relentlessly striking Korean cities, and the enemies dare not respond properly! The Party has declared a mobilization order for supplies in preparation for all-out war, and a curfew will be in effect from 9 p.m. tonight!

Young Chinese people full of patriotic fervor wore red armbands, shaved their heads, and performed enlistment promotion performances.

Some young people volunteered to join the army, but more people did not welcome the war.

In particular, families strongly opposed the enlistment of their only sons, who were obtained through the one-child policy [a population control policy in China].

Newspapers in both countries reported daily on the front page about the fierce battles taking place across the Yalu River.

*

Bang! Bang!

The war that began with China’s provocation had been going on for three weeks.

However, it was a stalemate across the Yalu River.

China, which had boasted that it would push into the Korean Peninsula at once with an overwhelming number of soldiers, became increasingly embarrassed as time went by, and launched a media propaganda war through the Party spokesman.

“If Korea does not surrender immediately, it will surely see the pillars of fire of nuclear warheads!”

The spokesman for the Korean government immediately countered with a statement.

“Korea’s policy is to respond to nuclear weapons with nuclear weapons in proportion! The moment a nuclear bomb crosses the border, nuclear mushroom clouds will rise simultaneously from 88 locations in China!”

As harsh words were exchanged between the two countries, the people became more anxious.

In particular, the fear of nuclear war far exceeded the fear of conventional war.

*

Meanwhile, the President was keenly aware of foreign press reports.

A call came from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was visiting the United States.

– Your Excellency, the White House has scheduled the Secretary of State to go to the Soviet Union. They have pre-coordinated with the Soviet Union.

“Good. Brezhnev still loves medals too much. Thank you for your hard work.”

Coordination with the United States was already in place according to the scenario, but the Soviet Union was hoping that China and Korea would be destroyed by nuclear weapons and was dragging its feet on the U.S.’s request for negotiation mediation.

When the United States strongly stated that it would intervene if China fired a nuclear weapon, the Soviet Union, fearing World War III, finally changed its position and engaged in U.S.-Soviet negotiations.