Expedition to Korea

[Alucard Tobor]

12:00 Korean Standard Time, December 3nd, 1962
From: J. Song, Ambassador [FoK - SRA]
To: Colin Sharp, Secretary of State [SRA]

Without further details, this office cannot recommend the Prime Minister attend Atlanta in this matter. Additionally, as the Socialist Republics of America is not a treaty-allied nation, standard procedure of this office prohibits the PM from making personal visits without a Korean security presence. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Should this matter be of such importance, an invitation is extended to any representative the SRA cares to appoint to visit Seoul and speak with the Prime Minister when his schedule permits.

-Julia Song

[Markus Wilding]

Be advised that the Socialist Republics is intimately familiar with the activities of Korean agents in our territory. It was the hope of the American people that such a topic did not need to be brought forth in this manner, but as the Korean government has seen fit to continue to be obtuse for no discernable reason, we have had no choice.

Once again, we request PM Rho's presence in Atlanta to discuss this matter in more detail. There will not be an American representative crossing the Pacific Ocean anytime soon.

[Alucard Tobor]

A return message was sent, indicating the PM and his security detachment would travel to Atlanta within four days; and indeed, two days later a transport aircraft made its way to Atlanta, with Prime Minister Rho and a platoon of infantry along.

Arriving in the city, the group would establish themselves in accommodations as the Prime Minister and two security went to meet President van Baarle.

[Markus Wilding]

Prime Minister Rho and his retinue were welcomed with open arms to Atlanta, even if they were under the watchful eye of Socialist Republic Marines stationed in the capital. Inside the Capital Building in Atlanta, the Koreans found themselves ushered into the building by eager Communist party officials straight to the Square Office, where President van Baarle, Vice President Connally and Secretary of the Interior Maurice Starek stood to meet them, shaking the hands of PM Rho and anyone else who wished to introduce themselves. A variety of teas and coffee were available, as well as water for anyone who wished to partake in them.

Once the introductions and niceties were out of the way, however, President van Baarle himself cleared his throat to kick off the proceedings. "Prime Minister Rho, as Comrade Sharp said in our previous missive, we are not happy that this topic had to come up in this manner. The American people had hoped that such a sensitive topic could have been handled with a modicum of discretion, but we recognize that the past cannot be undone. We have compelling evidence of Korean activities in the Socialist Republics, ranging from military espionage to coordination with illegal counterrevolutionary groups that seek the destruction of our Union. We would like for you to answer, Mr. Rho, why your government felt compelled to support an armed insurrection across the Socialist Republics."

As he said this, a manila folder was slid over to Prime Minister Rho, which contained evidence that appeared very compelling.

[Alucard Tobor]

Eyebrow raised, the Prime Minister accepted the folder and flipped it open. "That is a fascinating accusation, President van Baarle. Primarily because I know orders to support counter-revolutionary groups were most certainly not issued to any of our agents. I will acknowledge we have agents in place to keep an eye on proceedings in the Socialist Republics - and let us be honest, we both know you maintain personnel in Korea for much the same reason. It is simply how the game is played, yes?" Rho offered a half-smile, glancing up from the folder.

[Markus Wilding]

"Mr. Prime Minister, this is not simply a matter of accusations. This is credible evidence of an existential threat to the Socialist Republics. I will not take you for a fool and blatantly lie to you, and I would hope you wouldn't dare do the same to me. Based on your response, Mr. Prime Minister, I believe it is reasonable for us to assume either you are lying, you legitimately have no knowledge of this endeavor, or someone is attempting to further divide our nations. The American people do not look upon with favor any of those possibilities. So, I will ask you again, Mr. Prime Minister, is there any reasonable explanation your government has for this? Because I can guarantee you, the Socialist Republic Army will be destroying the Mountaineers in two weeks when they attempt their coup. We will find your agents of influence. If you believe they can make an easy escape, I am sure Comrade Starek will invite them to try. Unless, of course, you would like to prevent such a thing from happening and save countless lives."

[Alucard Tobor]

"Mountaineers?" Rho gave van Baarle a flat look. "If you believe my government would support those madmen, covertly or overtly, then you have spent less time than I had believed reading up on us, Mister President. If you find any agents of influence in that group, rest assured they are not ours. Any who claim to be Korean either intend to deceive you, or have gone rogue. Either way, they are not ours."

He shrugged. "Bluntly, my country has no particular interest in causing disruption among the Socialist Republics. We are an ocean away, and have had, at worst, only fairly minor diplomatic disagreements in the past. However credible you may claim your evidence to be, I can only recommend you verify it - my own Chief of Intelligence Staff told me some years ago that the SRA, quote, isn't worth expending agents and resources on, as it would achieve no tangible benefit, unquote."

[Markus Wilding]

"When working in the shadows, some strange bedfellows are made," van Baarle noted. "Ones that wouldn't ever be considered reasonable allies normally. Well, Mr. Prime Minister, given the lack of answers, I suppose we will just have to wait two weeks and see, shall we?"

Vice President Connally cleared his throat, adjusting his tie. "Prime Minister Rho, I would like to make sure this is clear. The Socialist Republics has no underlying quarrel with Korea. Ideologically, yes, I do believe Atlanta and Korea may have an insurmountable difference, unless there is something happening in Korean society that we are unaware of that you'd like to tell us about. Otherwise... well, I believe anything else is a mere difference. Perhaps to better aid in future disagreements, we should establish mutual embassies? I see the Wood administration was unable to undertake this measure, for whatever reason."

[Alucard Tobor]

"Perhaps simply due to more pressing concerns, Mister Vice President. In any case, I agree; we will see to the establishment of an embassy here in Atlanta, and I shall ensure my government is made aware of your intent to reciprocate in Seoul." He turned to President van Baarle. "Apologies for any confusion that may have occurred in this matter; and for what it's worth, I can think of a few forces who would prefer to see our nations at odds with each other, though as I've no proof, I shall not name them here. Nonetheless... given recent events, one should always be mindful of third-party interference, I feel."

[Alucard Tobor]

From: Prime Minister James Mills-Seong, FoK
To: President Alexander Connally, SRA

President Connally,

On behalf of my government and people, I offer congratulations to the workers of the Socialist Republics of America. A landing upon Luna is truly a crowning achievement - not only for the SRA, but also, as your cosmonaut alluded to in their remarks, the entirety of humanity.

It is my sincerest hope that your nation continues to find success in outer space - and, with luck, that others might join your people in peaceful exploration of the this last frontier.

Regards,
-James Mills-Seong