BRDM 123

chapter 123

The Military Decorations Review Committee receives the submitted recommendation documents,
and after verification by the Public Merits Review Office, the deliberation takes place.

The committee is composed of 7 to 15 members, including representatives from the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Intelligence Service, and external experts.
They evaluate the factual accuracy, significance, and contribution of the merits to determine the grade of the medal.

Afterward,
the results are reported directly to the Minister of National Defense, and once the president approves, the medal is immediately awarded to the recipient…

“No way. Not to that jerk, Jet.”

Colonel Han Dong-wook, the chairman of this “Jet Medal Review Committee,” had a skewed intention from the start.

“Not only did he cozy up to Lee Gun-san, but after getting injured, he only caused trouble for the country. Why should he be rewarded?”

Han Dong-wook was the type who believed that maintaining good relations with China was crucial for the security of the Korean Peninsula.
In that sense, he disliked Lee Hyun, who had caused international pressure on the Ministry of National Defense during the Gangneung incident four years ago.
Now, just when relations with China were beginning to improve, Lee Hyun’s sudden actions had thrown cold water on everything, which Han Dong-wook also detested.

“That guy will bring a crisis to the Korean Peninsula’s security. Hero? Only fools say such things!”

This had nothing to do with Jet secretly negotiating with China.
“He’s a walking disaster! He must be dealt with!”

Nor did it have anything to do with the fact that Jet’s daughter recently entered a Chinese university as a state-sponsored student.
It was purely patriotism and loyalty to the country that led to Han Dong-wook’s conclusion.

So, when he volunteered to chair Jet’s medal review, he was sharpening his metaphorical knife…

“What is this?”

<SNS ‘#RememberJet’ Spreads… Public Opinion Turns Cold Despite Blue House Explanation>
<“Who Did the Hero Fight For?” – Online Youth Anger Over Jet Incident Spreads>

From early this morning, waves of public opinion bombarded the Ministry of National Defense.
Han Dong-wook’s head was pounding.
Messages were coming from all directions, even directly from the Blue House.
His phone overheated so often that he had to keep it on the charger constantly.

“All matters related to Jet or the Cheongrye Unit are highly classified.”
“I know, hahaha. You think I wouldn’t know after handling it all before retiring?”

Han Dong-wook wanted to smack Lee Gun-san’s smug face just once.
He refrained, not because Lee Gun-san was a high-ranked officer, but because he was an alumnus of the Military Academy.

“…But why is the media spreading such accurate information about the Cheongrye Unit?”
“Who knows? I was stunned when I saw it this morning too.”
“…”
“But it shows the people’s interest in peace and self-strengthening, doesn’t it?”

Lee Gun-san shrugged.
“Even with our economic growth, people hate seeing us swayed by superpower logic.”

Han Dong-wook was certain that Lee Gun-san was behind the current public campaign.
He was famous for such tactics even during his service.
There was simply no evidence to confront him directly.

“What do I do now? Should I really give him the medal? Damn it!”

Han Dong-wook was boiling inside.
He hoped that by investigating Lee Gun-san further, he could find some leverage.

Clack… clack…

“Your phone is ringing.”
“J-just a moment, I’ll take this call.”
“Go ahead. I just got a message too.”

It was the Blue House.
Han Dong-wook hurriedly, but politely, took his phone and stepped outside.

…He returned utterly shaken.

“You look pale. Should we postpone the interview?”
“No, sir.”

Han Dong-wook’s reply trembled more than before.
‘If this incident escalates, there will inevitably be an investigation? Damn it!’

The Blue House’s order was clear:
Award the highest medal to Jet as quickly as possible and calm public opinion.
If possible, take some photos.
Otherwise, they would shake the Ministry of National Defense.

One wrong move and he could be left holding the bag.
The enraged public wouldn’t leave him alone.

“Let’s at least rush this. If the medal is awarded today, public opinion will calm down a bit.”

“Oh, when you went to take the call earlier, Jet actually contacted us too.”

Lee Gun-san smiled.
Han Dong-wook shivered for some reason.

“He refused tonight’s review interview that you requested.”
“…What?”

Han Dong-wook froze.

“For personal reasons, he just refuses the medal.”
“…!?”
“He’s wasting your busy time. He apologized for that.”

Thwack!

Lee Gun-san, still smiling, picked up his briefcase.

“No! Sir! What are you doing standing up like that?!”
“If he refuses unilaterally…!”

The aides rushed in, panicked, trying to stop him.

“What can this old man do? If he doesn’t want it, then that’s it.”

“W-wait a moment, sir!!”

Han Dong-wook grabbed Lee Gun-san’s pant leg.
The confident demeanor he had used to pressure Lee Gun-san moments ago was gone.

“Why is he doing this all of a sudden? So many eyes are on us.”

Han Dong-wook valued keeping face less than keeping his position.

“Help me! If we don’t, we’re done for!”

“Haha. I wouldn’t know. I left the military long ago.”

‘This old man…!’

Han Dong-wook’s frustration surged.
So many still followed Lee Gun-san in the military, yet he said such things.

But now he had to comply.

“You can’t go like this! Please help!”

“Hmm… difficult.”

Lee Gun-san rubbed his chin in mock contemplation.
Han Dong-wook’s anxiety only deepened.

“Fine. I’ll try to persuade him from the middle.”
“T-thank you…”
“But there’s a condition.”
“A-a condition?”

Han Dong-wook was ready to do anything.
Then Lee Gun-san’s condition made him pale.

“An official apology from the Ministry of National Defense.”
“I-if it’s that…”
“Not for Jet, but for the Cheongrye Unit.”

“…!!”

“Official acknowledgment and apology for the disbandment of the Cheongrye Unit, and measures to prevent recurrence.”

Lee Gun-san smiled coldly.

“Do you think the Ministry of National Defense can say that themselves?”

“Hahaha! You should’ve seen Colonel Han’s face in person!”

Lee Gun-san laughed as if a decade-long burden had lifted.
Lee Hyun, waiting at the residence in Uijeongbu, laughed too.

“Looks like things went smoothly.”
“Smooth? He was ready to give up his liver and gallbladder. Colonel Han was the worst.”

Lee Hyun nodded.
He had seen Han Dong-wook several times.
Always scheming to snatch control of the Cheongrye Unit from Lee Gun-san, while belittling its value.

Having him as the review chairman was worrying at first, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“Seems like he even got a call from above.”
“From above?”
“The Blue House.”

“Puhuhu. The local elections are coming soon. Perfect timing.”

Lee Gun-san clinked glasses lightly with Lee Hyun.
“The support from White Burn was good timing too.”

Im Won-young had flooded the media with articles and interviews for Lee Hyun, benefiting White Burn as well.

<Official: White Burn – “Jet was an abandoned hero… the country must reflect”>
<Exclusive: How Jet recovered after being abandoned by the state for four years>
<“Without Cheongrye, Ulleungdo wouldn’t exist” – White Burn official statement on heroes from Cheongrye Unit>

Even injured, Jet had met White Burn, regained hope, and formed a team again with former Cheongrye members.
The public was stirred once more.

“Wow, survived a 4-star dungeon’s great curse? Crazy.”
“Isn’t this basically the Ministry of National Defense admitting their mistake?”
“I cried at 60… tears I thought I’d forgotten… cheering for our sons…”

White Burn also announced a separate fund to support hunters injured while serving the country.

“Even private PMCs are doing good, yet the places that should protect citizens, tsk tsk tsk.”

“People are grateful to you, more than they show. Got over ten calls on the way home.”

Lee Gun-san showed the call list from former Cheongrye members, laughing.
Go Jin-woo nodded in agreement.
Lee Hyun smiled as well.

“Even prideful people want recognition. The problem was forcing blind sacrifice.”

Lee Gun-san set down an empty soju glass.

“But I doubt the Ministry of National Defense will meet your conditions. They’re too prideful and closed off. They might even dig in further…”

“That doesn’t matter.”
“Huh?”
“My original goal was to restore honor. The Eye Queen’s corpse will come later, anyway.”

Lee Hyun refilled Lee Gun-san’s empty glass.

“Honor has timing, after all.”
“…True.”

Lee Gun-san tapped his knee, reflecting briefly, then smiled.

“Then now I can just watch how far the firewood burns.”

The “Cheongrye Unit disbandment controversy” spread across communities, SNS, and YouTube, reaching international headlines.

Global Commentary:

• China, Global Times: “Korean media is creating heroes while manipulating China’s involvement. Cheongrye Unit activities must be investigated as a transnational armed group violating international norms.”

• USA, Washington Beacon: “Jet’s return after past joint operations with the US military could become a significant variable in Northeast Asia’s balance.”

• Japan, major journal editorial: “The disbandment of a special unit due to state neglect symbolizes gaps in East Asia’s awakened forces security system.”

Despite explanations from the Ministry of National Defense, the controversy only intensified.

Finally, the last bombshell was dropped:

ASTRA (US Awakened Forces) official statement – “Jet and former Cheongrye members can receive US permanent residency if desired.”
EU countries reportedly offered individual scouting for former Cheongrye members.

Countries officially offered citizenship and naturalization to Lee Hyun and Cheongrye members.

For renowned hunters, countries usually took strict measures to prevent leakage, since hunter forces were directly tied to national security.
The possibility of losing Jet and Cheongrye to foreign nations caused panic.

“These idiots want to see Jet and Cheongrye taken away?!”
“I heard the US offered Jet over 10 billion won per year. Are they crazy?”
“Are you kidding? 10 billion? He’s not just a ranker, he closed a 4-star dungeon. Think about his value as a high-ranker.”
“Records show Jet might be the world’s youngest ranker. That record still stands.”

Protests began spreading even locally.

Eventually, the Ministry of National Defense had to surrender.

“Colonel Han was kicked out of the review committee, and someone else came in. He’s pleading for a conversation.”

Lee Hyun smiled.
“Let’s go. Looks like they finally got serious.”
“Yeah, let’s wait. He’ll bring the car.”

As Lee Gun-san went to fetch the keys, Lee Hyun quietly looked at Sun Wukong.

‘Daeseong, can I learn something from you?’
“Hmm? Suddenly? What is it?”
“The Clone Technique.”
“…!?”

Sun Wukong’s eyes went wide.

But Lee Hyun just smiled enigmatically.