21st Century Goguryeo

December 2nd, 2023, 10:00

Underground bunker of the Blue House National Crisis Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul

This morning, in the underground bunker, the president and other high-ranking officials gathered to watch the flag hoisting ceremony currently being held at Vladivostok City Hall.

The Korean-Russian War, the Second Northeast Asian War, had begun. After Khabarovsk city, Vladivostok had been the second Russian territory to be occupied. As the Triangle annihilation operation was in full swing at the time of the Khabarovsk occupation, and for the sake of the military operation's security, there was no publicity about the occupation.

However, this time the occupation of Vladivostok, the second occupied city, was announced to the world through live streaming of the flag hoisting ceremony.

In fact, Vladivostok was a vital and significant city for Russia. In terms of entering the Pacific Ocean, it was the only floating port that could keep its port open all year by using icebreakers in the winter, as well as being the home port of the Far East Fleet. Simply put, losing Vladivostok meant losing the bridgehead to the vast Pacific Ocean.

Nothing mattered more to Russia than this. In fact, the reason for Russia's demand from the Korean government to hand over Hokkaido, which triggered the Korean-Russian war, was to increase their influence in the Pacific Ocean.

Troops of the First Heavy Armored Brigade, wearing futuristic heavy armors, and various tanks and armored vehicles of the 103rd Armored Brigade, as well as combat infantry of armored vehicles, lined up neatly in the spacious square, singing in a powerful voice to the melody of the national anthem being broadcast from the speaker.

In front of City Hall, the 30-meter-high hoisting pole was prepared and installed in advance by the engineers. Following the singing of the national anthem, the hoisting crew slowly hoisted the large Korean flag ceremoniously.

The flag hoisting ceremony had been broadcast live to all media outlets around the world, as well as South Korea. Any country interested in the Korean-Russian war, regardless of the time zone, followed it via the breaking news. Russia attempted to obstruct not only domestic broadcasts but breaking news from other countries as well. They couldn't, however, completely stop it.

This was the 21st century, after all, and the Internet connects everyone.

"Great Korean People, stay true to the Great Korean way."

When the fourth verse of the national anthem was completed, the soldiers in the square raised their hands and cheered.

They hugged each other and shouted with a big smile. As directed, their exaggerated actions, which portrayed a festive mood was broadcast live through the cameras.

"Hahaha, it seems that the Joint Chiefs of Staff paid attention to this."

Minister of Justice Park Bum-tae, who was watching the hoisting broadcast, smiled at the soldiers' actions which seemed a little excessive.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. Our soldiers are skilled fighters but their acting abilities are limited. Haha."

Even the Minister of Unification and Policy, Kim Young-chul, responded with a smile.

"Do you think the soldiers' expressions are exaggerated? I don't think so."

Unlike other high-ranking officials, President Choo Un-hee said while watching the broadcast with a pleased look.

"If I had been there, I would have cheered even louder than the soldiers. Patriotism is something that comes out without knowing it. It is an insult to suspect the sincerity of our soldiers and consider it an act."

The two ministers' faces flushed with embarrassment as President Choo Un-hee scolded them.

"I share the president's sentiments. Since the national flag of our country is hoisted in a place where lives are at stake, I believe it is an act performed from the heart without realizing it. It's a truly heartwarming performance."

When Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hee agreed with the president, Ministers Kim Young-chul and Park Bum-tae both patted their hair in embarrassment.

"I didn`t think properly. I'm sorry, Mdm. President!"

"It appeared that I spoke too hastily. I'm ashamed of myself."

"You don't have to apologize for anything. Each person may have a different perspective. Don't be too concerned about it."

The event associated with the national flag hoisting ceremony had already been concluded during the president's conversation with the high-ranking officials.

Following the broadcast, the president and other high-ranking officials went to the conference room to receive updates on the Korean-Russian war.

The meeting began with a question from the president.

"Before the status report, is it true that none of our soldiers died during the occupation of Vladivostok? Even though I had received a report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I find it difficult to believe."

"Yes, that's right, Mdm. President! There are no fatalities. However, 57 soldiers have been injured. The majority of the injuries are minor. As a result, the soldiers can still carry out the battle."

Minister of National Defense Kang Ui-sik proudly replied.

"That's a relief. There were a lot of casualties on the Western Front at the start of the war, which has been difficult to accept but hearing that there are no more casualties during the other battles, including Vladivostok, makes me feel better."

"I'm sorry. The Joint Chiefs of Staff and I made a mistake in our judgment during the battle on the Western Front, and as a result, our soldiers paid a high price."

Minister Kang Ui-sik, who had just responded proudly, bowed his head slightly this time.

"Minister Kang! I didn't mean to reprimand you for that. You are not a god, so is it possible that all of your decisions are 100 percent correct? However, in the future, please make your decisions as carefully as possible to minimize sacrificing the lives of our young soldiers who are our future. I am asking you as a parent rather than as a president."

"Yes, Mdm. President! I'll keep that in my mind."

"Thank you. Then, let's start the meeting."

"Yes, Mdm. President!"

The one-star general, who had been sitting on the edge of the conference table the entire time, stood up and walked toward the conference room screen.

He was Brigadier General Hwang Dae-hoon, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Operations Division. He had come out to report on the status of the war and future operations on behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"Salute! I'm the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Operations Division, Brigadier General! Hwang Dae-hoon."

Brigadier General Hwang Dae-hoon introduced himself with a big salute and coughed nervously before beginning his briefing on the status of the war.

After two hours of listening to Brigadier General Hwang Dae-hoon's briefing, someone quietly entered the conference room and whispered a few words to Lee Young-jin, director of the National Intelligence Service.

Director Lee Young-jin appeared surprised and hurriedly unfolded the report he had received. His surprised expression hardened into a solemn one.

At the end of his briefing, Brigadier General Hwang Dae-hoon saluted and returned to his seat. Then Director Lee Young-jin stood up and informed the president of the report he had just received.

"Mdm. President!"

"Yes, go ahead."

"This is what I just received. It has been reported that violence against Koreans and Asians presumed to be Koreans have occurred throughout Russia."

"What does that mean? What do you mean by violence?"

President Choo Un-hee asked, leaning forward in response to the unexpected report.

"Russian citizens who witnessed today's flag hoisting ceremony are committing indiscriminate violence and arson against Koreans and Asians mistaken for Koreans, particularly in Bryansk and Kursk. The problem is that the Russian government and local governments are doing nothing to combat such violence and the damage is growing."

According to the 2020 Foreign Korean Inclusion Policy, many Koreans living abroad who had faced humiliation and treatment returned to their homeland Korea with policy support, but there were still many Koreans called Goryeoin and their descendants throughout Russia.

In addition, there were international students, businessmen who were visiting Russia for business, and many tourists, and due to the sudden outbreak of the Korean-Russian War, they were still there.

During the early stages of the Korean-Russian War, the entire staff of the Korean Embassy in Russia was mobilized to seek refuge in neighboring countries. However, due to the Russian government's closure of all borders, many failed to do so.

In response, they evacuated to the cities of Bryansk and Kursk, which are close to the Ukrainian border and have the lowest risk of war and were given safety instructions. They were told that they should never leave their hotels or dormitories and should conceal their Korean citizenship as far as possible.

However, when some Russian citizens discovered that the large national flag hoisting ceremony was being held in the square in front of Vladivostok's City Hall this morning, the news spread throughout Russia, and Russian citizens, engulfed in uncontrollable rage, began to engage in relentless violence against Asians. Naturally, the most violence occurred in the cities of Bryansk and Kursk, where Koreans are gathered in greater numbers than in any other city.

Boom!

In response to Director Lee Young-jin's report, Minister Kang Ui-sik hit the table. Because of his erroneous judgment, he overlooked the warlike nature of the majority of Russians. As a result, the flag-raising ceremony in Vladivostok, held to boost the morale of the Korean people and soldiers, had turned the situation into one where the harm outweighs the benefits.

"What do you mean when you say they're doing nothing to combat violence? Are you implying that the Russian government pretends to be unaware of the violence?"

When asked again by the president, Director Lee Young-jin nodded and answered briefly.

"Yes, Mdm. President."

President Choo Un-hee's facial expression was blank as a result of the Russian government's behavior, which defied logic and common sense, and she was speechless.

Currently, the Republic of Korea is making every effort to ensure the safety of Russian civilians in its country following the outbreak of the war. Various foods have been procured for international students and long-term residents to stay at the accommodation for an extended period. Tourists have also been allowed to stay for an extended period through agreements with major hotels or to leave for Russia or other countries if possible.

It was a very different state of affairs than Russia's current violence against Koreans and Asians.

This was the opposing country's consideration for their people, a reasonable and common-sense measure as well as an international practice.

"Mdm. President! It seems that we overlooked the nature of the Russians. I should've seen this coming. It is all my fault. I'm sorry."

Minister Kang Ui-sik apologized while bowing his head deeply.

"Minister Kang is not to blame for this. It is the Russian government's fault for ignoring international law and allowing the violence to continue."

President Choo Un-hee, who was taken aback by the unexpected situation, stated emphatically while looking at the high-ranking officials.

"Minister Kang Kyung-hee!"

"Yes, Mdm. President!"

"Call the Russian ambassador right now and warn him. If they didn't suppress the violence against the Koreans and Asians, we will erase Moscow from the map within an hour. Not only that, but we will locate and destroy all industrial facilities that support the Russian economy, as well as small factories."

President Choi Eun-hee's remarks were not a slip of the tongue. If she gave the order, the Republic of Korea had the military power to wipe out not only Moscow but all of Russia from the face of the Earth.

"Yes, I'll take action right away."

Minister Kang Kyung-hee replied in a solemn tone to the president's instructions.

"Minister Kang Ui-sik direct the Joint Chiefs of Staff to immediately mobilize forces capable of annihilating all of Moscow at once."

"Yes, I will."