Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 219



Only Krnovel

Episode 219 – Poland

The news that an old Trump could become US president again and return to extreme America First policies was mind-boggling.

There was nothing wrong with prioritizing one’s own country.

This was because frivolous and short-sighted policies would increase instability around the world. It was clear that they would turn an already chaotic world into an anomic situation.

Moreover, the fact that Trump is weighing plans to invade Venezuela means that the United States could end up like Nazi Germany or militaristic Japan.

If Americans fall into the totalitarianism and militarism that the Germans and Japanese were brainwashed into in the past, or if Americans themselves are unable to purify themselves of it, it would be truly frightening.

I decided to get more deeply involved in the war in Ukraine.

I also wanted to influence the US presidential election and prevent Trump from winning, but I was just too tired of the war.

It’s no different from a police station that’s supposed to be fighting thugs turning into a gang den.

We had to do what we could.

The closest thing we could have gotten to avoiding the worst would have been to end the war in Ukraine.

The call was made to General Lee Du-man, commander of the Eurasian Front, who had been in contact.

He was an Air Force operations officer who served as deputy commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command as a lieutenant general. (The Asia-Pacific Command appointed Admiral Son Il as commander.)

“Commander.”

“Your Majesty, I have connected with Lee Du-man.”

“What are the Russian military movements?”

“It is clear that they are holding the defensive line in anticipation of the Ukrainian spring offensive after Rasputitsa.”

“…”

“The north is from the Dnieper River and the south is from the Dnieper to Mariupol.”

“Do you think it is possible to end the war before November this year?”

“Hmm… It seems like it’s going to be difficult. Both Ukraine and Russia seem to be exhausted.”

“It’s strange that the war continues.”

“I think it’s because of the political role. If Ukraine recognizes the current front as a border, there will be domestic opposition as well.”

“…”

“Western and NATO support is cut off. Russia also has no room to advance, but there is no justification for retreat or an end to the war.”

“Well… it seems like both sides want to cry, but there’s no one to slap them.”

“Haha. Yes, I think that expression is accurate.”

“We have been passive in securing control of the Black Sea so far. If we actively intervene, will we be able to restore Ukraine’s borders?”

“Yes, it is certainly possible, but ···.”

“But?”

“The problem is that we don’t have enough ground forces. The original border between Russia and Ukraine is over 1,200 kilometers long.”

“ah ···.”

“Even if we neutralize and occupy the key points indicated by dots and lines with firepower, the situation where the defensive line becomes thinner when we attack other areas is repeated.”

“Umm···.”

“I understand that the Marshal mentioned the date of November because of the US presidential election. It is not difficult to recover the Ukrainian border with our firepower, but ···.”

“…?”

“It would be practically difficult to coordinate the timing because we have a severe shortage of ground troops.”

“Are you saying that it would be the same even if our Crimean Army was mobilized?”

“Yes. We have 50,000 troops, but based on actual combat troops, they are deployed at a rate of about 2 per 1km.”

He continued to speak, as if urging Commander Lee Du-man of the OSS Eurasian Forces to come up with something.

“Commander, I know the obvious. Isn’t there some other, more creative way?”

“This is my personal opinion, but…”

“Please feel free to speak.”

“I think it would be better to expand the front line.”

“is it so?”

“We, the OSS, have clear control of the sea and the air in the Black Sea. If we use that to land our Crimean Army Corps on the Russian mainland along the Black Sea, then….”

“oh!”

“This could serve as a means of putting pressure on Russia by thinning its defensive line on the Ukrainian front.”

“…”

“Even if we don’t advance all the way to the rear of the Russian forces on the front line, it will put tremendous pressure on the Russians. However, ···”

“So you’re saying that if we attack Russia directly, we become a target of war?”

“Yes, that’s right. If we attack the Russian mainland directly, it would give Russia a pretext to attack the Far Eastern republics.”

“hmm ···.”

“And the troops of the Russian Eastern and Northern Military Districts are still active. A significant number of them have been deployed to the Ukrainian front, but …”

“…”

“The remaining troops and equipment are also a number that cannot be ignored. Since the distance is so far, it is expected that there will be a considerable amount of supplies stored in Siberia.”

“I’m not that worried about that. China would be a problem. The border between the Far Eastern Republic and China is over 2,000 km long.”

“Oh, I guess so.”

“Okay, let’s try to come up with the plan for the operation to enter the Russian mainland that you just mentioned. I’ll check it out and make a final decision. And we’ll also look for ways to make up for the lack of ground forces.”

“What about ground forces?”

“Our military doesn’t have the capacity to withdraw, and North Korea seems unlikely to adapt culturally or cooperate with us operationally… It seems like we have no choice but to look for something worth striking a deal with Poland.”

“Yes. Poland would be a good choice. It has been pushed back by Belarus and Russia, and is also highly dependent on Korean weapons…”

“Oh! That’s right. A lot of Polish weapons are made in Korea.”

“Is there any way?”

“I can’t think of anything in particular, but I’m on my way to Korea right now, so I’ll have to do some research.”

“Ah, you are on the sea now.”

“Above? No, under the sea. I’m on a submarine. Haha.”

“Haha. Anyway, if the Polish army strengthens the northeastern part of Kiev and our OSS advances into southern Russia, things will be easier.”

“Okay, I understand. I’ll get back to you later.”

“Yes, my lord.”

In order to quickly end this bloody war and secure our interests in Ukraine, we decided that we had to mobilize Poland to help the Eurasian Front.

…

I contacted Secretary General Jin Min-gyu and Vice President Lee to coordinate their schedules in Korea.

The name was to create a consultative body for defense industry cooperation among ESSO member countries, but in reality, it was a stepping stone for ESSO to adjust the international order by coordinating the supply of military weapons.

We planned a meeting that would bring together the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, representatives of defense industry, the Chairman of the Second Economic Commission of North Korea, the Minister of the People’s Armed Forces, and the Director of the Academy of Defense Science.

Japan was still banned from exporting weapons, and the Far Eastern republics were in no position to export the weapons they could produce themselves.

…

The ARK and the 5th Strike Group escorted it passed through the Philippine Sea and the East China Sea and headed for Tongyeong.

After transferring to the 5th landing ship in the sea off Geoje, I boarded MV-280 and headed to Tongyeong.

The ARK and the 5th Strike Fleet arrived at the Jinhae Naval Base, and this too became big news and was broadcast.

Arriving at Tongyeong House and looking around, it didn’t seem like it had been vacant for a long time, perhaps because it had been maintained consistently. I recalled old memories with Hyein and relieved the fatigue from the long voyage.

next day.

Hyein headed to Seoul with her security team, including Director Lee Shin-young and Sergeant Yoo Min. She said she wanted to feel like she was traveling while looking at the mountains and rivers of Korea, so she traveled by car.

Director Kim Jun-myeong seemed to have put a lot of effort into protecting Hye-in.

The number of vehicles in the procession heading to Seoul also exceeded 10. The MV-280 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft carrying the operation team was flying in the air far away to provide escort.

I took the MV-280 with my group to Geoje Okpo Shipyard to meet President Han Kyu-dong and to look around the ships under construction.

And I needed to share the idea of ​​a maritime city that I had only told Director Kim Wan-jun about, and prepare for putting it into practice.

Seven MV-280s landed on the grounds of Okpo Shipyard. The sight was so spectacular that shipyard officials gathered in groups of three or four to watch the scene.

President Han Gyu-dong was there to greet me. I quickly approached him, feeling happy.

“Mr. Han!”

“Representative, it’s been a long time. I’m so sorry I couldn’t attend your wedding.”

“Oh, no. I know how busy you are.”

“I am grateful that you would even say that.”

“Oh, and there was something you made and sent me as a gift.”

“Are you talking about the automatic submarine deck custom-made for ARK?”

“I was really touched. It was my favorite gift.”

“Haha, I thought you’d like it.”

“I don’t think there was a single thing that the CEO made that I didn’t like. Haha.”

When I praised the submarine automatic deck that President Han Gyu-dong had gifted me, he showed interest by pointing to the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft I had ridden.

“Thank you. I think I’m following your taste, sir. Haha. Oh, by the way, is this the V-280 Valor you rode in that you saw on the news?”

“Yes. It is a V-22 Osprey with a slightly smaller size and improved stability.”

“I was worried because I often saw articles about Osprey crashes.”

“Yes, there was a problem. Unlike the previous model where the entire engine rotates, the engine remains in place and only the drive shaft rotates.”

“Ah, so that’s why the propeller part is slimmer than the previous model. The V-22 somehow felt like a fraction. Hahaha.”

“And if one engine fails, the remaining engine can still turn both propellers.”

“Oh, I see. Ships also use similar devices. Haha. But what is the cruising range?”

“The range is over 3,800 km.”

“Huh? Wow~ It takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, but has a longer range than most fixed-wing aircraft.”

“That’s why I use it often. Haha.”

After chatting, I headed to CEO Han Kyu-dong’s office. I wanted to have a closer conversation with him. I pushed aside the people around me and talked with only Director Kim Jun-myeong present.

Hanwha Group has had a significant arms trade with Poland. In particular, it was well-informed of the situation in Poland through exporting Hanwha Ocean submarines and various warships.

From him, he obtained information about submarines and warships delivered to Poland, as well as information about the tendencies and defense policies of the military and government leadership.

…