Expedition to Korea

[Markus Wilding]

A message was dispatched to the Korean foreign ministry;

To whom it may concern,

The SRA's diplomatic efforts in Asia have been found to be lacking. In order to rectify this, we in Atlanta would like to dispatch an ambassador and encourage an embassy exchange between Korea and the Socialist Republics, to further aid friendly relations and ensure continued peace and cooperation between our respective corners of the world.

[Alucard Tobor]

To Whom It May Concern;

The Federation of Korea welcomes a chance to open a dialogue with the Americas. An ambassador would be quite welcome in Seoul.

The people of Korea stand ready to join the voices once more speaking across the globe.

Regards,
Foreign Minister Sun-young Nam
Federation of Korea

[Markus Wilding]

Within the month, Secretary of State Wesley Marchegiano, freshly returning from Romania, headed to Korea to speak with the Korean Federation.

---

Upon arrival, Secretary of State Marchegiano stood, shaking hands with his counterpart. "Foreign Minister," he said via translator, "I'm thrilled to be here in Korea, especially given the belated nature of our outreach."

[Alucard Tobor]

"Secretary Marchegiano, welcome to Seoul." Foreign Minister Nam replied in English. "It is indeed good to open communication between our nations."

After a brief aside to his adjutant to get everyone settled into an appropriate venue - in this case, a conference room in the Foreign Ministry building - Nam turned to his counterpart. "Now then, Secretary. Was there anything in particular you wished to open this discussion with?"

[Markus Wilding]

"Yes, we in Atlanta are very interested in opening an embassy in Korea, not just in Seoul but also in other major cities to aid in ensuring the needs of American citizens abroad are met no matter where they are. We're also very interested in securing a trade agreement with Korea, primarily to reduce or even eliminate certain tariffs and ensure unilateral embargoes are a thing of the past."

[Alucard Tobor]

09:00 Korean Standard Time, January 24th, 1959
From: Sun-Young Nam, Foreign Minister, Federation of Korea
To: Colin Sharp, Secretary of State, Socialist Republics of America

The Federation of Korea has found the Socialist Republics of America's recently-levied treaties against the Republic of China to be in violation of the PRICE agreement. We request that these tariffs be repealed soonest. Should this not occur, the Federation of Korea will be obligated to assume any agreements or treaties signed by the SRA will be treated with similar bad faith. We feel that this is a path neither of our nations wishes to travel down, and implore the SRA to reconsider its actions.

-Foreign Minister Nam

[Markus Wilding]

TO: Sun-Young Nam, Foreign Minister of the Federation of Korea
FROM: Secretary of State Colin Sharp's Office

Minister Nam,

The concerns raised are certainly valid and have been brought before Congress. We are disappointed that the Federation believes these tariffs, which we maintain do not violate the sanctity of the PRICE agreement, are an affront to Korean diplomacy and that relations have been strained between our nations. I shall personally speak to President van Baarle concerning the Act in order to ascertain a potential solution to this issue.

- Secretary of State Colin Sharp

[Markus Wilding]

TO: Sun-Young Nam, Foreign Minister of the Federation of Korea
FROM: Secretary of State Colin Sharp's Office

Minister Nam,

An urgent matter must be discussed between our nation's highest leadership as soon as possible. We would like to host Prime Minister Ji-ho Rho in Atlanta at the earliest convenience for a meeting with President van Baarle and Vice President Connally. Again, we stress the imperative need for this meeting.

- Secretary of State Colin Sharp

[Alucard Tobor]

14:00 Korean Standard Time, December 2nd, 1962
From: J. Song, Ambassador [FoK - SRA]
To: Colin Sharp, Secretary of State [SRA]

Be advised PM Rho is rather busy at the moment. A representative can be sent to Atlanta, but if the Prime Minister's presence is absolutely required, his office requires an explanation as to why.

Should another representative suffice, please indicate such in a reply to this missive.

-Julia Song

[Markus Wilding]

PM Rho must discuss with President van Baarle a matter of national security. We have growing concerns that we feel must be discussed in private - that is, not in diplomatic missives, in person. Another representative will not suffice. The people of America have chosen President van Baarle to represent them, and as such, the American people expect to meet with the chosen representative of the Korean people.