Republic of Korea in Yeokcheon - Chapter 22



Only Krnovel

#22. Why did we show up?

“Planes keep flying in to scout. “We shot down two planes yesterday and two more today.”

“Be careful not to miss anything, and keep shooting it down.”

“All right. But if this continues, won’t the Japanese die of frustration? Hehehe!”

“It’s none of our business.”

Continuing on May 20th, today a Japanese military plane that came out for reconnaissance at the airfield in Hoeryeong was shot down again.

All communication from Ganggye had already been cut off for nearly a week, and it was obvious that as soon as the train sent to the Manpo Line went by, Hamheung was destroyed, and the insides of the Japanese military and police, as well as the Japanese military and police in Gyeongseong, would be burning black.

So it looks like they are sending reconnaissance by plane, but as soon as the plane leaves, there is no contact.

“So far, we have only sent a small number of people by directing them to nearby police stations in the counties we control, but a large number of troops will be dispatched soon.”

“Well, maybe so? Keep killing them or catching them. “We just have to do our jobs.”

“I am concerned about the 19th Division.”

“Because of the Soviet Union, we won’t be able to remove many troops from the 19th Division. Well, it doesn’t matter if a lot of people come.”

“We need to recruit as quickly as possible.”

“We need to proceed with recruiting troops and continue to take control of nearby areas. “We need to secure not only Heecheon-gun but also Chosan-gun and Yeongwon-gun within this month.”

“All right. Then, are you leaving? “People are waiting.”

“Okay, let’s go out.”

May 21st at 2pm.

In the auditorium of the Ganggye County Office, about 100 people, who could be said to be representatives of Ganggye County and the nearby counties and townships controlled by the expeditionary force, were gathered.

Almost a week after the expeditionary force took control of Ganggye, an opportunity was created to introduce the expeditionary force, explain future plans, and request cooperation.

“The Commander-in-Chief is entering!”

Murmur.

The citizens gathered in the auditorium all stood up from their seats without even being told to do so.

As the times were changing, it was a natural action for them.

In a way, Lee Kang-cheol was a person who could decide their life and death.

“Why are you waking up? Please sit down.”

“…”

The county and civilian representatives sat down in silence.

“Nice to meet you. I was planning to create this event a long time ago, but due to the circumstances, it was a little late. “I am General Lee Kang-cheol, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea.”

“…”

Still, the county and civilian representatives only bowed their heads in return and remained silent.

Lee Kang-cheol, feeling a little embarrassed, thought he should quickly explain and end the meeting.

“First of all, you may be very curious about our Republic of Korea Armed Forces. Even if it’s not everything, I’ll give you a rough explanation…”

With a calm expression, Lee Kang-cheol continued speaking as he explained to the camp’s reinforcements.

“…In this way, we attempted to recover our Korean peninsula from the Japanese using Ganggye-gun as a base. I would like to explain in more detail, but there are still many details that need to be kept confidential, so I will stop at this. If you have any questions, we will answer within the scope of confidentiality. Please feel free to ask questions.”

“…”

Even when asked to ask questions, the residents were still just looking at each other.

They had been under oppressive rule for over several decades, and due to the circumstances, they seemed reluctant to open their mouths.

“This is it. It’s true. Please feel free to ask questions. “You will not be penalized for asking questions.”

“excuse me···.”

Only then did the man in his early 40s in the center open his mouth.

“Yes, please briefly introduce yourself and ask questions. “Please speak comfortably.”

“My name is Jeon Sang-geun, and I graduated from Soongsil College.”

“Hoo? Soongsil College? “It’s closed now, right?”

“Yes, because the Japanese refuse to visit the shrine…”

Anyone who graduated from Soongsil College in Pyongyang was a huge elite at the time.

“I’m sorry about that. “It will open again when we drive out the Japanese.”

“thank you. Then, what I want to ask is about the part where you mentioned ‘Republic of Korea.’ Obviously, you said ‘Republic of Korea’ and not ‘Korean Empire’, so then…”

“That’s a good question. A republic refers to a republic in which the people have sovereignty. As far as I know, it became the Republic of Korea when the word ‘Republic’ was translated from Chinese, and this is the name used by the Provisional Government as well.”

“So, are you saying that you have no intention of succeeding the existing Korean Empire?”

“Of course. The Joseon Dynasty has already fallen. The imperial dynasty of the empire that followed. I have absolutely no intention of coming back and resurrecting it now. “The current world is not one suited to dynasties.”

It had only been about 30 years since the fall of the Korean Empire, and it was at a time when it was under the rule of the Japanese, ruled by the Emperor, so it was not strange at all for such a question to be asked.

“Then what is your relationship with the Provisional Government of China?”

“I want to make it clear, the name of the country is the same as the Provisional Government, but there is no relationship whatsoever.”

“Are you saying you won’t even contact me? And you have no plans to cooperate in the future?”

“From what we understand, the Provisional Government is currently located in Chongqing, China. Moreover, the Japanese military has been carrying out a large-scale offensive for some time now. It’s so far away that it’s hard to interact with us. And of course we will cooperate, but that will happen later. For now, we will only focus on recovering the Korean Peninsula.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Then I will take another question.”

“I will do it this time. “This is a person named Park No-soo.”

This time, a man in his early 50s raised his hand.

“Yes, Teacher Nosu Park. “Ask a question.”

“The majesty of our Republic of Korea Armed Forces was truly amazing. Especially when I saw that tank, I felt like my heart was going to explode. This was especially true because I had previously been to Sinuiju and seen Japanese tanks. “Compared to our ROK Army’s tanks, the Japanese tanks didn’t even look like tanks.”

“ha ha ha! you’re right. “Even if there are dozens of Chi-Ha tanks, which the Japanese army currently operates as its main force, they cannot match a single tank of ours.”

“iced coffee! I am really proud and trustworthy. But the Japanese military is still strong. As far as we know, there are over millions of troops. “So I have a lot of concerns.”

“haha! “I understand what you’re worried about.”

“I’m a little cautious about this, but there’s an old saying that one person can’t stand up to ten people. However, the total number of ROK Army tanks we saw was less than a few dozen. So I’m curious. “Is it really possible for the ROK Armed Forces to drive out the Japanese army from our Korean Peninsula?”

Even without listening further, it was clear what Nosu Park was saying.

They were curious about whether the South Korean army could really withstand the Japanese army.

If they cooperated diligently with the national army and the Japanese army repels them and returns to Ganggye later, it is obvious that the citizens who cooperated so far will suffer terrible retaliation.

And this was probably the question that everyone in Ganggye-gun and nearby counties were most curious about.

Lee Kang-cheol, who received Park No-soo’s question, answered with a grin.

“That’s a good question, too. As you said, the Japanese military is strong. “To the extent of waging war against the mighty United States, Britain, and China.”

“ah···.”

“But there is one thing you don’t know. We know the movements of the Japanese military intimately, but the Japanese military is currently almost entirely absent from the Korean Peninsula. “The only proper force is the 19th Division stationed in Hamgyeong Province.”

“yes? “Is that really true?”

“Why would I lie to you? It’s an obvious fact. The Japanese military’s war situation in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, and the Pacific is not going well every week. “Every time they come into contact with the United States, they are being annihilated.”

“ah! “Then the rumors are true.”

“you’re right. No matter how false the Japanese spread their propaganda, you all know this. In any case, not only the 20th division stationed on the Korean Peninsula but also the newly formed 30th division in Pyongyang were sent to the southern front, leaving only a shell of the division. In other words, the Korean Peninsula is almost empty right now.”

“Oh oh!”

“ah! “It can’t be!”

Not only Park No-soo, who asked the question, but also other residents seemed to be greatly shocked by Lee Kang-cheol’s words.

Because they thought that hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops would arrive at any time.

There, Lee Kang-cheol was confirmed dead.

“And one more thing! “Why did we think that this was all the military of the Republic of Korea had?”

“yes?”

“The tanks you saw were not dozens.”

“Well, then?”

“There are hundreds more of the same tank. And although not as much, there are many tanks that are much more powerful than the ones you’ve seen, and besides tanks, there are also self-propelled guns that would make Japanese artillery pieces look like trash. In addition, there are many powerful weapons and equipment.”

“iced coffee!”

“haha! Do you understand? Why did we show up? This is because we are fully prepared to deal with the Japanese army. The Japanese army is strong. However, our Republic of Korea Armed Forces are much stronger! So much so that even if a million Kwantung Army from the north came rushing in, we could defeat it!”

“Wow!”

“Only for Korean independence…”

“for a moment!”

When all the citizens in the auditorium became excited by Lee Kang-cheol’s words and tried to shout “Long Live Korea’s Independence” again, Lee Kang-cheol quickly stopped them.

And with his eyes burning, he opened his mouth.

“I promise you. Our Republic of Korea Armed Forces! “We will restore the entire Korean Peninsula before the end of the year!”

“Ma, long live!”

“Long live Korean independence!”

“Hehehe! Long live the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea!”

“Long live the Armed Forces! Long live!”

Everyone in the county stood up and shouted for national independence, but Lee Kang-cheol smiled and did not stop them.

Then he waited until the excitement subsided and spoke again.

“Now, please stop sitting down. But there is something for you to cooperate with as well.”

“What is that? “Just say the word and we, the people of Ganggye County, will do anything!”

“The same goes for our committee members and citizens!”

“The citizens of Jangjin County will do anything!”

“To the people of Jaseong-gun!”

“Thank you. What we need is people. “We have enough weapons and equipment to arm hundreds of thousands of people, but unfortunately we don’t have enough men to fight with guns.”

“ah···.”

“So I ask you to do so. Become members of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and fight the Japanese army together! Let’s fight together and take our country back!”

“Me and my two sons will be the first to apply!”

“I don’t have a son, but I will support my country too!”

“I’m willing to take up a gun! “Give me the gun!”

“Let us all fight together!”

“let’s go! Let’s go and defeat the Japanese army!”

“Wow wow wow!”

Everyone, young and old, shouted as if they would enlist and fight right away.

At this level, it seemed like there would be no difficulty in recruiting.

“Thank you! thank you! Dear compatriots! We will definitely defeat the Japanese army and restore the Korean Peninsula! Chief of Staff General Koh Seok-man will explain the details. Chief of Staff!”

“Yes, Commander. This is Chief of Staff Go Seok-man. “I will announce it widely separately, but first, let me tell you about some of the qualifications and treatment…”

Chief of Staff Go Seok-man said that, in principle, people from the age of 19 to 35 will be able to enlist, and those who graduated from a five-year old middle school or have the skills specifically needed for the ROK military will be allowed to enlist until the age of 40.

In particular, he once again received rapturous applause for saying that the ROK Armed Forces will take responsibility for the livelihood of the families of soldiers who enlisted after passing the physical examination.

Full-scale recruitment began the next day.

Since the troops had to be replenished and trained as quickly as possible, there was no time for dawdling.

It takes at least two months to complete even the bare minimum of basic training as an ordinary egg infantryman.

In addition, in order to select some of the top performers and have them go through a squad leader course, and to provide second-half training to those with special skills in common weapons, transportation, and armor, they also need to spend at least two months there.

There was no time.

As expected, recruitment centers set up at county and town offices were flooded with people.

“Please pick me first!”

“I must come first!”

There was an uproar, with each party deciding to volunteer first.

“You have to fill out an enlistment application form! For those who know Hangul, go to the right! “If you don’t know how to read, please line up on the left!”

“You can’t! “Until the age of 35!”

“You’re 33 years old?”

“Do not lie! Just by looking at him, he must be over 40!”

“Is it true? Is that so? “Look at your national ID card here!”

“This is ridiculous…”

Skits broke out here and there because of the appearance of the young men, who looked at least ten years older than Koreans in the 21st century.