Chapter 137

December 13, 2020, 16:00, Sea sector 48 km southeast of Dok-do Island East Sea (Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer)

The fierce 30-minute naval battle ended. The JMSDF 1st Carrier Strike Group lost its ability to battle due to Haeseong A anti-ship missile and the Avaris hypersonic anti-ship missile last fired from the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101).

First, the two S-SSSFM-500B Trident anti-submarine supercavitating torpedoes, which were used for the first time in this naval battle, sank at Atago-class Maya destroyer. The 32 Python S-ASM-100 air-to-ship missiles and 12 Haeseong A ship-to-ship missiles from the KF/A-25P Black Vermilion Bird fighter-bomber of the 23rd Fighter Wing, which returned to the Gimhae City a little while ago, completely destroyed the Atago-class Hiei destroyer. The Asahi and Kanazawa destroyers also had sunk completely into the ocean.

The aircraft carrier Kaga destroyer (CV-2001) was partially destroyed by the two Avaris SSM-1000K ship-to-ship hypersonic cruise missiles. The 22 Haeseong A anti-ship missiles without a doubt partially destroyed the Atago-class Takao destroyer (DDG-191) and sunk the Komatsu destroyer (DD-120) and Saiki destroyer (DD-122).

“Currently, aircraft carriers Kaga and Takao are rapidly veering to azimuth 1-3-8! They are leaving the sea at a speed of 22 knots. They appear to be returning to the Escort Flotilla 3 station. All four submarines have also changed course and are submerging and following the Kaga destroyer.”

Captain Ahn Yoon-joon checked the tactical statistics screen in the center of the Battle Command Room at the report from the head of radar systems.

“I would be sorry to just let them go.”

As Captain Ahn Yoon-joon spoke while smacking his lips, the Fire Control man standing next to him replied.

“Currently, both types of anti-ship missiles have been exhausted.”

“What about the Red Shark A torpedo?”

“The Red Shark A Torpedo loaded this time is for testing and doesn’t have a warhead.”

“What about the Scythe warship gun?”

“Yes, currently, ten high-density plasma cohesive bullets are loaded, sir.”

Captain Ahn Yun-jun was in a dilemma. Although he wanted to pour all ten cohesive bullets onto the returning Kaga destroyer (CV-2001), it weighed on his mind that using all of the cohesive bullets when all anti-ship missiles have been depleted would not leave him any means of an attack until the next supply.

“Ten shots. The quantity is too small. It would have been better if it had been a wartime armed system. Connect the bridge. ”

“Yes, sir, it has been connected.”

“Vice-Captain.”

“Yes, Captain, sir.”

Lieutenant Commander Oh Yeon-woo, who was commanding the bridge on behalf of the Captain, replied.

“Disengage from battle! Azimuth 3-1-5, turn to the port side! Accelerate to full speed of 25 knots! Let’s just celebrate the return to Ulleungdo, the commission, and victory.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Controller, organize the fighting situation and send it to me in full.”

“Yes, sir. I will collate it and send it.”

“Good! I’m going to return to the bridge now.”

A few moments later, the battle disengagement broadcast rang through the speaker in the ship, and the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101), which had a perfect victory in the first battle against the JMSDF, pushed through the swaying waves of the blue East Sea and turned the nose of the ship toward Ulleungdo.

* * *

December 13, 2020, 16:15, B2 Bunker (Armed Forces Joint Command Control situation room) in Seoul Yongsan-ku

The initial conditions of war when the “Rise of Goguryeo” was first conceived and the prevailing war conditions have drastically changed. Russia and Japan had joined China as a result of China’s devious tactics.

As a result, the Joint Chiefs of Staff had a splitting headache as they devised a strategy on how to advance the war against the three countries.

“In the current situation, the Beijing advancement cannot be slowed down.”

The Operations Director spoke loudly, showing his determination to not back down. This was because there was an opinion presented earlier that to stop the advancement of Russia, they needed to move the Beijing advancement forces back to the Western front and stop Russia by mobilizing a part of their forces.

“However, if Russia were to begin their advancement in full scale with a large number of forces, it will not be enough to defend against the three sages of the Northeast.”

Commander of the 1st Army Choi Jin-gook, who presented the first opinion, also presented a counter-argument without backing down. When tension rose from opposing opinions, Director of Operation Planning, Lieutenant General Na Tae-yoon, stepped in to mediate.

“Neither one of you is wrong. If the current Beijing advancement is slowed, then Red China will deploy additional troops to defend Beijing, building a solid line of defense. Also, if Russia begins their advancement in full scale with a large force, the Korean troops currently deployed in the three sages of the Northeast can somehow prevent them, but there would be a large concern about the damages. Furthermore, Russia is first in the world on nuclear power. Even if it is not a nuclear strategy, it would be more difficult to prevent it if they were to use tactical nuclear bombs like China. ”

“So is there a way?”

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was only listening since the meeting began, asked.

“The best way to do this is to add additional troops from the mainland. But truthfully, it’s a limitation to deploy additional troops to the three sages of the Northeast. With that, I think the North Korean Army—in other words, the troops stationed in the North—is our only option. ”

All the Generals who attended the meeting were stunned by the statement introducing the North Korean Army’s involvement in the war, which had not yet been arranged in a political or military sense. However, one of them was laughing rather than surprised. It was Captain Choi Ho-il.

“Hahaha, that is correct. I think it’s time for our North Korean Army to come forward. ”

Captain Choi Ho-il continued speaking as if he had received the baton as soon as the Director of Operation Planning finished speaking.

“There are over one million elite troops in our northern province. Well, now that number has been reduced due to the reorganization, and if the Korean military only provided the military equipment, at least two corps can be put into the three sages of the Northeast line with the Korean army and we can do our part, don’t you think?”

“Yes. The artillery forces, in particular, will be a big help.”

Commander of the 620th Artillery Corps, Lieutenant General Yoon Ki-yoon, intervened to support Captain Choi Ho-il.

“I will make a request regarding this matter to the Blue House as soon as the meeting is over.”

“Please, definitely request it. I will also contact Pyongyang in advance. ”

“Yes, please do.”

At this time, the door of the conference room opened, and a Lieutenant came in with some papers.

“Mr. Chairman, sir! There is a telegram from the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer.”

The Lieutenant handed the documents to the Chairman and went outside.

“What is it?”

Chief of Army Staff General Shin Sung-yong asked. To this, the Chairman, who had been slowly reading, had a brighter face and showed a slight smile.

“Hahaha! This is a summary report of victory. ”

The document being read by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kang Yi-sik contained all the information about the battle on Friday at the Dok-do seas between the Chungmugong Yi Sunshin destroyer (CG-1101) and the JMSDF combined fleet.

* * *

December 13, 2020, 17:30, Emergency Security situation room, Tokyo, Japan

The atmosphere in the situation room was as cold as if the Siberian wind had blown in. Following the news of the defeat of the Escort Flotilla 3 and then the 1st Carrier Strike Group, Prime Minister Abe’s anger was like Mount Fuji threatening to erupt.

“After all the effort I put into creating the Carrier Strike Group, how can it be completely wasted in one moment?”

Prime Minister Abe’s anger was focused on Maritime Staff Head Murakawa.

“I apologize. Prime Minister, sir! The performance of the Korean fleet was from what we thought . . .” his voice trailed off.

The Maritime Staff Head, who had no reasonable excuse, hesitated and could not continue speaking.

“What do you mean the Korean fleet? How can 16 ships be defeated by one? And even the helicopter carrier and the aircraft carrier? How does that make sense?”

At Prime Minister Abe’s continued reprimanding, Murakawa bowed his head and could not say anything more.

“Prime Minister, sir! We need a countermeasure for the unilateral defeat of the JMSDF.”

Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide brought up a realistic problem that might arise in the future.

“Who doesn’t know that? Speak if you have any good ideas.”

“Our JMSDF forces must claim that they were unilaterally faced with a planned attack by the Korean Navy during peaceful training that followed the training schedule. We must isolate Korea by pushing this as an international issue, Prime Minister, sir.”

Minister Shibasaki spoke with vigor while looking around the conference room table.

“Yes. We need to push it forward like that. ”

Prime Minister Abe replied in agreement with the Minister of Defense.

“Duty Director of Intelligence Inamoto.”

“Yes, Prime Minister, sir.”

“The contents of the Japan–China Mutual Agreement Treaty signed with China will not be leaked to the outside even with the slightest chance, right?”

“Yes, we maintain security thoroughly. You don’t have to worry, sir.”

“Good, Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“Yes, Prime Minister, sir.”

“Inform all the embassies in Japan that the JMSDF, which aims to uphold peace, has suffered great damage from the Korean Navy’s unilateral attack and that many of our self-defense forces have been killed.”

“Understood. Prime Minister, sir.”

“Head of Integrated Staff, have the current self-defense forces’ national emergency orders issued?”

“Yes, an emergency ordinance has been issued to all self-defense forces of the navy and sea. They are on standby in case of an emergency. In particular, the Escort Flotilla 2’s 2nd Squadron is on standby behind Tsushima Island in case of emergency, and the 6th Squadron is dealing with the 1st Fleet of the Korean Navy in Jeju Island waters. Furthermore, Escort Flotilla 4, which will go on a defensive mission on behalf of Escort Flotilla 3, is mobilizing in emergency toward Shimonoseki.”

“As soon as this meeting ends, we will notify the media in Japan as well as all overseas media by issuing a statement overseas. Accordingly, we will declare an emergency situation and issue a national mobilization order. ”

“Are you planning to have an all-out war with Korea, sir?”

Health, Labor, and Welfare Minister Uchida, asked in shock, while looking at Prime Minister Abe.

“What can we do in this situation? Ten ships of the JMSDF have sunk in the East Sea and thousands have been killed.”

Prime Minister Abe had a dissatisfied expression as he cracked down on Minister Uchida, who always puts a brake on Prime Minister Abe’s opinions being the only member of the opposition party in the cabinet.

“However, a local war to take over Dok-do and total war are on a completely different scale.”

“Minister Uchida! How can you say that when His Majesty’s Army was lost in the depths of the East Sea because of the Korean Navy’s illegal attack?”

Minister Shibasaki cut off Minister Uchida and shouted with rage.

“It was our JMSDF that first took Dok-do—”

“Minister Uchida! Didn’t I say this before? Our JMSDF was only on a scheduled training.”

Uchida let out a sarcastic laugh and didn’t continue speaking because Minister Shibasaki and Prime Minister Abe claimed nonsensical excuses.

If Korea’s Dok-do, which had been neglected due to the Korea–China war, was successfully occupied by the Escort Flotilla 3 and the 1st Carrier Strike Group as planned under the Japan–China Mutual Agreement Treaty, Prime Minister Abe would have made a political statement in accordance with political engineering that the government had restored its territory, and his political position would have risen with the support of Japanese citizens. However, because this had unexpectedly turned into an epic failure, conveniently labeling Korea as a war criminal country that illegally attacked Japan and the costume play of Japan as a victim country was clear in the eyes of Minister Uchida.

“You are dragging Japan down to the bottom!”

Minister Uchida sighed and closed his eyes, and Prime Minister Abe continued.

“We, Japan, have been stigmatized as a war criminal country since the defeat in 1945, and have not been able to speak or assert our strength to the international community until now. Now, Japan must be born again.”

Soon after, Prime Minister Abe stood up and spoke with a louder voice as if he were shouting.

“Let’s now achieve in our generation a wish that the Great Japanese Empire has not yet achieved. Chief Cabinet Secretary? ”

“Yes, Prime Minister, sir.”

“I will give the national mobilization order when the foreign statement is released in an hour. The Minister of Defense should cooperate with each department to convert all companies’ factories into military factories.”

“Yes, sir, understood.”

An hour later, Prime Minister Abe sent to all foreign media outlets a report that the Escort Flotilla 3 and 1st Carrier Strike Group while training near the Dok-do Sea had been damaged by the Korean Navy’s unilateral and illegal surprise attack against the JMSDF.

In addition, he proclaimed to the world that despite the joint boundary zone between Japan and Korea, the sudden and unilateral attack by the Korean Navy was a provocation of war and a disregard for the dignity of the Japanese people and the state, condemning Korea as a hostile country and declaring that he will take revenge on behalf of the sacrificed troops of the JMSDF.