Episode 38: The North’s True Motives

In the former DMZ (former because there is traffic now between the North and South), the South Korean guards and soldiers were wondering why their North Korean counterparts were suddenly pulled out. They reported this to their supervisor who was also bewildered by such thing and so, before he was even able to call headquarters, a great rumbling was felt by everyone in the area! Guards and soldiers were stationed everywhere, trying to look for the source of the rumbling. Some thought it was an earthquake but, the others said an earthquake in Korea is unheard of and also, the whole place isn’t shaking. As they all scramble here and there, a soldier spotted lights coming from within the North Korean dug Infiltration Tunnel 1! As soldiers were rushed towards the area, another soldier reported the same thing in Tunnel 2, another in Tunnel 3 and lastly in Tunnel 4! A soldier rushed towards the supervisor and reported that an entire tank division has been sighted coming nearer and nearer towards the DMZ! The supervisor frantically called headquarters to report what was happening! Since reunification has happened already, only the North and South Korean forces were guarding the former DMZ. All the UN and US forces have been pulled out. After the military has gotten wind of the report, it was brought to the attention of the government ministers who were meeting with the emperor at Changdeokgung Palace.

“WHAT?! HOW COULD THIS BE HAPPENING?!!!” shouted Emperor Dong Hwan.

“It appears we have been tricked by the North, Your Majesty.” said Prime Minister Choi.

“Of course I know that! Isn’t it obvious?! Aish! I never thought this kind of backstabbing would happen!” said the emperor. Then, he turned to General Seo of the Imperial Gaurds and said: “Arrest Kim Jong-un, NOW!”

General Seo stood up and quickly went out of the room bringing with him some guards but then, as soon as the doors closed, gunshots were heard! Everyone in the room was surprised by what they heard! Suddenly, the doors opened once more and the ones who opened it were Kim Jong-un’s bodyguards! Behind them was of course, the North Korean leader but behind him were the shot bodies of General Seo and the guards with him.

“Kim Jong-un! What is the meaning of this?!” shouted Emperor Dong Hwan.

“I’m here to take over. Get them!”

At the same time, our Tae Hoon and the others have successfully managed to enter the palace itself.  Due to their immense size, the group was split into two groups with twelve members each. One was to go and rescue the Kangs while the other is to locate the emperor and his allies as well as the North Korean leader. Along with Tae Hoon are the five Imperial Guards, Mu-Ryong, SongHyun, HyeMi, Hae-young, Dong Wook & Seung Ryong. They are the ones responsible for locating Emperor Dong Hwan. The other group to which JoonSe belongs to is tasked with finding the Kangs and rescuing them. After going through the entire floor, they moved into the next. They checked Tae Hoon’s room but no one was there.

“Hey guys, isn’t it strange that we haven’t encountered any guards yet?” said Mu-Ryong.

“Yeah, it is strange. By now, we should have been spotted or hiding!” said Tae Hoon.

“Well maybe it’s because of the protests happening right now. They might be sending the guards there to reinforce the palace’s entrance.” said Seung Ryong.

“Well, whatever the case maybe, we should still be careful.” said Tae Hoon.

The group continued moving with the five Imperial Guards in front followed by Tae Hoon, Seung Ryong & Hae-young, Mu-Ryong & HyeMi and then by Dong Wook & SongHyun.

“Yah, Dong-saeng, you’re madly in love with your best friend, aren’t you?” said Dong Wook in a low voice.

Before replying, SongHyun gave her brother a big whack on his head! : “Pabocheorom! Why would I be in love with him? He’s my best friend!” she replied also in a low voice.

“Oh stop denying it! Is there a law that forbids two best friends from falling in love with each other?”

“Yah, Oppa! This isn’t the time to be talking about this kind of stuff! We’re in a mission here!”

“Araseo! Tell that to your red face.” said Dong Wook before walking past her. What her brother said to her extremely bothered her for it was true.

After a while of searching, JoonSe’s group stumbled into the library only to find the Kangs there along with Empress Che-Rin!

“Oemma! Ahpah!” shouted HyoEun as she quickly ran towards them and hugged them both!

“HyoEun dear!” said Mrs. Kang.

“My daughter!” said Mr. Kang.

“JoonSe my dear!” said Empress Che-Rin as she hugged her nephew.

“Aunt Che-Rin! Wait a minute! Don’t tell me you…”

“Neh! I was the one who rescued them! When the protests began, I quickly looked where they were being held and let them out! We just arrived here actually. And also, don’t tell me…”

“Neh! It was Ahpah’s idea! Once we locate uncle and Kim Jong-un, these would all be over! So, did you hear anything from them recently?”

“Ani, I was focused on rescuing the Kangs. Mianhaeyo. But, if my senses are right, I do believe that something wrong or bad is about to happen…”

Tae Hoon’s group carefully approached the throne hall, Injeongjeon Hall. One of the Imperial Guards then took a look inside through one of the partially closed doors and discovered something so shocking that he immediately called the attention of the others. Inside, Kim Jong-un wa sitting in the emperor’s throne with the crown on top of his head while Emperor (or in this case, Prince) Dong Hwan  along with his ministers whose hands were all tied  were all kneeling in front of the North Korean leader.

Tae Hoon then requested that one one of the Imperial Guards radio Emperor Gojo who was with the Kims, Prime Minister Jin, Mrs. Jang, Director Ryu and Commander Im at Dong Wook’s café and tell them what they have just saw.

Upon hearing this, they were all in surprise!

“So, all of our guesses and predictions were right, the North has planned this for a very long time now. THEY WILL PAY!” The others saw fire in the eyes of Emperor Gojo, the country’s true emperor and a man of strength and dtermination.

With Emperor now Prince (again) Dong Hwan down, will Kim Jong-un be easily defeated?