Chapter 16: The Commander Speaks

The area currently controlled by the Pyongyang Reconstruction Government extends from the former armistice line to Pyongyang, and the North Gangwon Province area includes the largest city, Wonsan, up to the Munchon vicinity.

They effectively controlled about one-third of the northern region of the Korean Peninsula, that means the former North Korean territory.

And we, I, must pacify and stabilize the remaining two-thirds of the territory.

Racking my brain to come up with plans wasn’t my specialty. Of course, fortunately, a commander never plans operations alone.

The guys holding staff positions draft them, and all I have to do is sign off on them!

Although, I suppose I have to participate too.

Thus, several staff officers, including myself, gathered at the Territory Reclamation Command headquarters building.

“The situation is abysmal.”

The report detailing the situation in the unrecovered regions showed it was a complete mess.

Most areas weren’t major problems. Of course, remnants of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Korean People’s Army, or Party cell organizations, remained in many cases.

Party cell organizations are the lowest-level units of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Meaning they are the bodies that practically control the residents.

Of course, parties that have lost their head are easier to deal with than normal ones.

There are no large groups or military organizations that pose a threat to us.

Except for one.

The warlord controlling North Hamgyong Province and the Rason zone, whose leader is…

A Korean-Russian from another world…? It’s even said he receives direct and indirect support from Russia.

Those Russian bastards haven’t kicked their bad habit of interfering in other countries’ affairs, even amidst the international recession caused by the Gates.

“Therefore, for the regions excluding North Hamgyong Province and the Rason zone, it seems we can notify them and incorporate them under the Pyongyang Reconstruction Government, or suppress the regions refusing incorporation through force.”

If it’s that simple, why hasn’t it been done until now? The reason is obvious.

Moving an army costs a lot of money.

If any engagement occurs, people will die. Chairman Kim Pyongjin’s political standing is quite unstable.

If he weren’t of the Baekdu bloodline, there would likely have been much resistance from below already.
He was hanging on by the meager legitimacy of his lineage.

And didn’t I just say it costs a lot of money? The Pyongyang Reconstruction Government’s financial situation is already tight due to reconstruction projects.

I happened to see the Minister of Economy recently; his head was bald, his face wrinkled, and the dark circles under his eyes looked like they reached his chin.

At least, he didn’t look like a living person.

He went out for a smoke break every 30 minutes…

Then why not just get financial support from the South Korean government?

The current South Korean government was born out of the backlash against the previous administration,

which poured vast resources, especially financial and human resources, into the Pyongyang recapture operation and lost public favor.

As soon as they took power, they drastically reduced support for Pyongyang as promised.

Why did they lose power after recapturing Pyongyang?

Because the public was more dissatisfied with their taxes going into such places than with the recapture and reconstruction of Pyongyang itself.

In a situation where a global economic recession due to dimensional anomalies hit Korea hard, it was difficult to show mercy towards their own people.

Thus, they gained Pyongyang and lost power.

“The biggest problem is those North Hamgyong bastards. They are armed with Russian weapons while receiving Russian support, and possess armed groups composed of personnel other than korean people.”

“Certainly a big problem. If we strike recklessly, the Russians might intervene.”

“First, we will draft a detailed plan for reclaiming the areas excluding North Hamgyong Province and report back.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Anyway, there’s a concern.

Will the Pyongyang Defense Force guys follow my instructions properly?

The military is an armed group; an uncontrolled armed group is nothing more than rioters or mobs.

Of course, thanks to the strength demonstration I showed, the higher-ranking officers will likely listen somewhat.
The question is whether those instructions will trickle down effectively to the lower ranks, to the very bottom.

Historically, military power has always been an object of caution, especially for leaders. Various methods have been tried to control that power.

One of them is the ‘political officer’ system, favored by communist countries including North Korea.

Simply put, it involves planting our personnel deep within the military organization, like driving stakes, for more effective control and prevention of rebellion.

‘I plan to implement this. And the people to plant… my own kind would be best.’

‘And I should also establish a direct combat unit under my command.’

‘A personal guard is always necessary, after all.’

I drafted a commander’s order containing several other instructions besides these and stamped it.

[Broadcast from the Pyongyang Reconstruction Government Territory Reclamation Command]

Territory Reclamation Commander Yakovlena El Fride informs all people of the Korean Peninsula.

The Pyongyang Reconstruction Government Territory Reclamation Command has, as of today, commenced the reclamation of all territories of the former Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Remaining remnants of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Korean People’s Army, as well as relevant personnel in each region, are ordered to visit the capital, Pyongyang, within 7 days from the date this broadcast is transmitted in your area and cooperate with the Pyongyang Reconstruction Government.

The targets are as follows: Responsible Secretaries, Organizational Secretaries, People’s Committee Chairmen of each province, city, and county committee, and other commanders of the Korean People’s Army. If you visit Pyongyang within 7 days and pledge cooperation, we promise to completely disregard the past.

Should you refuse incorporation under the Pyongyang Reconstruction Government and continue independent actions, the Territory Reclamation Command will not hesitate to use military force.

We announce again. The deadline is 7 days. Beyond the deadline, there will be no further mercy.

– Radio static

– “5th Transport Regiment, ready for takeoff!”

– “Take off!”

– “First plane, second plane, taking off!”

The reclamation operation began swiftly.

Broadcasts were transmitted from Pyongyang across the entire Korean Peninsula, and transport planes loaded with leaflets containing the same message took off from Pyongyang Airfield.

However, no one knew if the remaining remnants would cooperate obediently.

***

Shortly after the All Commanders Meeting ended, Chairman Kim Pyongjin summoned Fride.

“General!!! What in the world have you done!?”

As soon as Fride entered the Chairman’s office, Kim Pyongjin started shouting.

“What about?”

“No matter how much I told you to do it the General’s way… is this the General’s way?”

“You could say that.”

“Exploding people just like that?”

“Well, of course, there might be other methods. But isn’t this the fastest and most certain?”

“No! Common sense dictates…”

Having spoken that far, Chairman Kim Pyongjin recalled something….

Her previous records.

She, who spent over two centuries on the battlefield. Her common sense… Was highly likely the polar opposite of Chairman Kim Pyongjin’s common sense.

“Let’s not do that from now on, let’s handle things according to law and procedure…”

“I’ll think about it. Ah, I plan to reclaim all territory within this month. Using whatever means necessary.”

Chairman Kim Pyongjin sensed something was wrong. The partner he had chosen for collaboration was, something wearing the mask of beauty.

“Managing the reclaimed territory is your job as a politician. I hope I don’t have to step in for that part.”

“Th-That part, I’ll handle it myself.”

A chill ran down Chairman Kim Pyongjin’s spine. He was so flustered he even stuttered.

‘Tsk, for a leader of a nation to be so weak…’

Meanwhile, this was Fride’s assessment of Chairman Kim Pyongjin.

***

“Reporting.”

Most regions chose the path of willingly joining the Pyongyang Reconstruction Government.
Well, what could the lower echelons of an organization that lost its head do anyway?

“The regions currently not responding or expressing direct refusal are as follows.”

An officer holding a staff position spoke while placing stickers on the map.

“Gaechon City, Guseong City, Hamhung City, Sinuiju City, Manpo City, and the entirety of North Hamgyong Province.”

“All non-responsive?”

“Gaechon and Guseong are regions that have expressed direct refusal. Hamhung is unresponsive. South Korean ROK forces, intended to block monsters crossing from Manchuria, are stationed in Sinuiju and Manpo City.”

“And North Hamgyong must be those guys?”

“That is correct.”

The warlord occupying North Hamgyong Province, those guys came from another world like me.

Perhaps they came from a world similar to this one, as they immediately cozy up to Russia and recently showed absurd moves like declaring independence.

And Russia keeps pushing Russian-nationality Orcs into North Hamgyong Province; it’s an obvious ploy.

Their intention is likely to achieve secession and then annex it through a sham referendum.

If measures aren’t taken quickly, it will become difficult to handle.

Anyway, I need to set an example.

“Among the regions that expressed direct refusal, we will…”

I pointed to the map with my command baton and spoke.

“Conduct a show of force in Gaechon City, which is close to Pyongyang.”

“”Yes, Commander Comrade.””

***

Pak Mumyeong. He enlisted as a soldier in the Korean People’s Army Ground Force and later became a Senior Private (Sergeant equivalent) under the Pyongyang Defense Force.

And now, he is being transported somewhere in a clunky old truck.

“Comrade Senior Private Pak Mumyeong, where are we going now?”

His junior asks.

“You brat, didn’t you listen to the explanation that dull junior cadre gave earlier?”

They are now heading to Gaechon City.

“The world changed ages ago, didn’t he say we’re going to catch the guys and gals still harping on about socialism?”

“Well, that’s true too. When I was young, it felt like my ears would fall off from hearing socialism, socialism, then suddenly they tell us to do capitalism…”

“Be quiet! Are you going on a trip? We’re going into battle now, not a picnic! Get your heads straight!”

The cadre sitting in the passenger seat shouts.

‘Damn bastard, I’ll definitely shoot him dead someday.’

That was Pak Mumyeong’s vow, who disliked the cadre.

They charged out bravely…

-Boom!

“Those sons of biches brought tanks too!”

“Don’t retreat! Bring the anti-tank weapons!”

A tank spewing black smoke moves with a chilling sound.

The sound of the old engine shaking the earth and the track’s grinding noise scraping the eardrums.

The remnants of the Korean People’s Army remaining in the Gaechon City area are destroyed by the tanks they brought.

–Ratatat! Tat!

“Keep firing! Don’t retreat, cough“

“That dull cadre is finally dead! But hell, looks like I’m gonna die too…”

-Phhisshh—

“Urk Soon… dis, charge… Mother… Ah, aaah…”

A bullet pierces his abdomen; blood pours not only from his stomach but also from his mouth.

Pak Mumyeong, who was about to finish over 10 years of military service, collapsed just like that.

Thinking of his family back home, destined to be remembered by no one, just casualty #1.

(TL Note: I have started formatting the chapters slightly differently, please let me know if you would like any changes!)