21st Century Goguryeo

January 6th, 2024, 02:00 (U.S. time: January 5th, 2024, 13:00)

The White House, Washington, D.C. (West Wing Security Assistant)

President Trump, his security adviser, and several Pentagon commanders were in a meeting with solemn expressions on their faces.

Their main concern at the moment was whether the South Korean military would actually launch a large-scale second retaliatory attack against New China. The evacuation procession was going on in the large cities of New China that were currently designated as the attack targets.

The citizens initially ignored the evacuation warning flyers that fell from the sky, but as D-day approached, they became more anxious and began the evacuation on the third day of the notification.

In this regard, the security adviser and military commanders held opposing views.

In the case of the White House security adviser, he thought that the South Korean military's second retaliatory attack was just a deceptive tactic.

According to him, with the outbreak of the war between Korea and Russia, the global economy had been slowly falling into a recession, and the pace had been accelerated by New China's participation in the war. Even though China, which used to be known as the global market, had been divided into several countries and the size of their market had shrunk, New China's market, with a population of over 500 million people, could not be ignored.

If the South Korean military were to launch a large-scale second retaliatory attack in such circumstances, the global economic recession would last longer, and the South Korean government was fully aware of this.

For this practical reason, the White House security adviser believed that the second retaliatory attack on New China was a bluff and a trick to turn the war in their favor.

The Pentagon's U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the other hand, had a completely different viewpoint. He believed that no country fighting in a war would be concerned about the global recession. Furthermore, from the standpoint of Korea, which had the highest economic growth rate in history, it was reasonable to believe that they would be able to overcome the crisis even if the global economy were to go into a recession. Moreover, Korean citizens' anger against New China had reached a peak following the plasma core technology theft accident.

When the squabbles between the two sides reached a fever pitch, President Trump gave a subtle nod. "I don't care if South Korea launches a retaliatory attack or not. All I care about is which side is best for the United States."

All President Trump wanted was a clear answer about which option would be best for his country to rise to the top once again.

"Mr. President! We should help New China put more pressure on Korea in this war, just as we have helped Russia with our reconnaissance satellites," said Clint Dempsey, Deputy National Security Adviser, who was also known for his brilliant mind in the Office of the National Security Adviser.

"To do so, it would be preferable to exert pressure on Korea through European countries to prevent retaliatory attacks on New China."

"Would the European countries participate?"

When Security Advisor Fabian Jones asked, Deputy Assistant Clint Dempsey continued to answer as if he had been waiting.

"European economies are also strongly intertwined with those of New China. If New China suffers a significant blow as a result of the massive retaliatory attack by the South Korean military, the economies of European countries will suffer significantly as well. As a result, we should take the initiative and ask them to join forces with us to put pressure on Korea."

"All right, that sounds plausible. Good! Is there any way for the State Department to contact the EU immediately after the meeting and convince them to coordinate and provide military support?" President Trump, who was satisfied with Deputy Assistant Clint Dempsey's answer, looked at Deputy Chief of Staff Austin Berry and sought his opinion this time.

"I believe it would be quite risky to provide New China with military assistance when providing reconnaissance satellites to Russia carries significant risk," said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Austin Berry straightforwardly.

"I also agree with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Berry on that respect," said Security adviser Fabian Jones.

"Well, I see."

President Trump crossed his legs and touched his chin with one hand, and appeared to be lost in his thought.

Three years ago, President Trump, who had served as a puppet by a secret influential group called the USSC despite being the leader of the world's strongest power, sided with Japan when the Korea-China and Korea-Japan wars erupted, resulting in South Korea attacking the U.S. mainland and forcing him to sign a peace agreement disguised as surrender after the unification of South and North Korea.

However, it was only an external crisis for President Trump, as it could be viewed as a golden opportunity for him to concentrate all the power on himself.

As at that time, the USSC members, who had the power to control not only President Trump but also the U.S. Senate and Congress, were detained deep underground by Korean special forces, which resulted in significant benefits for him.

As a result, when the chains around his neck were released, he erased all traces of the USSC in the past three years, including the politicians, businessmen, and top military commanders, who had been under the direction of the USSC.

Now only Korea and Russia have information about the USSC. In other words, they are the only two countries with evidence on the biggest weakness that the U.S. wants to keep concealed. With this evidence, they can bring the U.S. down whenever they want. That was the biggest challenge that he had to overcome.

To do so, he needed to actively use the fierce Korea-Russia and Korea-China wars to his advantage. That was the main reason for his unconditional support of the Atlas reconnaissance satellite—which is classified as an S-class military secret—when President Putin had threatened him with the USSC case previously.

President Trump thought that Russia could always be overpowered economically and militarily whenever he wanted. However, South Korea, which has now surpassed the United States as the world's leading economy, has reached an unsustainable level.

Therefore, he wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to consume as much of Korea's national power as possible, bringing it back to the level where it could be controlled by the U.S. again and only then would he be able to overcome his great weakness.

After a while, President Trump relaxed and gazed at the influential figures seated on the left and right, such as the security advisor and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"The meeting will end now, and the security adviser, along with the Secretary of State, will immediately contact the EU and request cooperation. One more thing, I think it is time to use Japan!"

"Japan?" asked Foreign Minister Julian Green with a surprised look.

"Let's make a video call to the Japanese Prime Minister without the Koreans' knowledge. At this point, it would be better to shake the interior of Korea through Japan."

"Okay. I'll put in a request right away."

"Yeah! Make sure to not be noticed by the Koreans."

"Okay."

* * *

January 6th, 2024, 16:00

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

On the central screen of the conference room, there was a digital map showing the entire New China, and next to it stood the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Shin Sung-yong.

With only twenty-three hours left before their second unlimited retaliatory attack on New China, he was briefing the president about the "Flattening Operation."

"The damage to the private facilities appeared to be greater than I had expected."

President Choo Un-hee, who was looking at the data on the damage that the retaliatory attack would cause New China, appeared to be in a bad mood.

She did not object to transferring all authority over the first and second retaliatory attacks to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but as the country's supreme commander, she still felt the burden.

"I am well aware of the President's concerns, but we are currently engaged in a war for the fortune of our country. This is an unavoidable circumstance, Mdm. President!"

"I'm well aware of that. But…" She paused and trailed off at the end of her sentence because no matter what she thinks, she had to give her approval in such a situation.

"Mdm. President! Before we launch the second retaliatory attack, we will take every precaution to limit civilian casualties as much as possible."

"Okay. Please do that."

She gave a bitter smile. As she thought on how absurd she looked to be concerned about civilians from hostile countries in the midst of a war.

After the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Shin Sung-yong obtained the president's approval to proceed with the operation, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kang Kyung-hee, visited the National Crisis Operation Center's underground bunker.

President Choo Un-hee, who had planned to go outside for a while and soak up some warm sunlight, had to cancel her plans and instead meet with Minister Kang Kyung-hee in the conference room.

"I'm sorry to come without prior notice."

"Don't be concerned. It is normal for such things to happen in an emergency. Anyway, since this is an urgent matter, let's get right to it."

"Yes, Mdm. President! An hour ago, a letter of protest regarding the second retaliatory attacks on New China arrived from the EU Chairman, Latvia, and the U.S. Secretary of State."

*The chairman of the EU (European Union) was appointed for six months for each member, and the current chairman was Latvia.

The unexpected remark made President Choo Un-hee feel ridiculous. "What do you mean by letter of protest?"

"They are claiming that the second retaliatory attacks on New China will send the global economy into a complete recession, especially since the global economy is already in trouble. As a result, they have requested for us to halt the attack."

"However, the matter between us cannot be discussed with a third country, isn't that right?" President Choo Un-hee, who had an awkward expression after feeling ridiculous, knocked on the table, indicating that she couldn't understand.

"After receiving the letter, I immediately called the EU chairman and the U.S. Secretary of State to confirm the precise intention, but their response was as written in the letter. They claim that it is a measure for the global economy and if we launch the second retaliatory attack, they will restrict all exports of the Republic of Korea."

It was a serious threat. Currently, the EU and the United States have been important exporters in Korea. In particular, electronics, semiconductors, and high value-added products such as ships and automobiles were a big market for which the EU and the U.S. competed.

India and Southeast Asian countries, which appeared as new emerging markets as China split into more than ten countries, were major importers, but as previously stated, the EU and the United States were the major importers of expensive high-tech products. If one were to just take into account the expensive products, the figure was around 40 percent.

It was a number that couldn't be neglected. If the EU and the U.S. imposed restrictions on all export products, they would not only suffer a significant blow, but their imports would also be limited. As a result, Korea, which was currently at war with Russia and China, may lose its warfare capability.

<Boom!>

President Choo Un-hee slapped the conference table and said angrily, "I'm curious why they've been quiet all that time and they only decide to send this rude letter of protest a day before the attacks. President Trump of the United States, in particular, appears to have forgotten the past."

"Me too! I believe it is impolite to send a protest letter in this manner, citing wars in other countries as a global economy." Minister Kang Kyung-hee also expressed his displeasure. In response, President Choo Un-hee ordered to call the Chief of Policy and the Chief of Economy through the intercom.

"Minister Kang!"

"Yes, Mdm. President!"

"When is the deadline for replying to the letter?"

"There's no deadline. In other words, the EU and the U.S. State Secretary appeared to be certain that we would withdraw the retaliatory attacks unconditionally."

"These people believe they are better than everyone else just as before. I have no plans to withdraw this retaliatory attack, and since there is no reply deadline, we don't have to inform them of our decision, don't you think so?" President Choo Un-hee spoke in a calm yet angry tone.

"Yes, that's right."

At that moment, the secretary's voice was heard from the intercom informing them that the Chief of Policy and the Chief of Economy had arrived.

"Tell them to come in."

The door opened, and Min Joon-won, Chief of Policy, and Na Sang-man, the Chief of Economy, entered and sat down. After a while, their expressions darkened as they learned about the current situation.

President Choo Un-hee, who saw their expressions, asked, "Can you estimate how much economic damage we will suffer if the EU and the U.S. restrict imports of our products?"

"It will take time, but a rough analysis is possible."

"Okay. Please come up with measures accordingly. Can you do it? Director Min!"

"Yes, I'll do my best."