Chapter 135: Advanced Technology Convergence Research Institute
Ministry of Defense Underground Conference Room
On the wall of the makeshift project room, five points were marked in red on a map of South Korea.
All were located within a 150-kilometer radius of the capital area.
“This is the final candidate site.”
Park Cheol-jin pointed to the red dot near Goesan, Chungcheongbuk-do, on the far right with a laser pointer.
“It has good accessibility to Seoul, and the terrain is mountainous, so the camouflage effect after construction will be excellent. Also, the soil is mostly solid rock, which is advantageous for constructing protective structures.”
I slowly nodded.
“It would be perfect if we could apply a tunnel-type structure to enable cave camouflage.”
Director Cha Dong-hyuk unfolded the blueprint beside me.
“The main building will have six floors, 80 meters underground. It will include a separate compartment for EMP and CBRN shielding, a high-strength buffer zone, and an air layer to disperse external impacts. The interior will have a control wing, an analysis wing, a survival zone, and a distributed power and life support system.”
“What is the structure of the tunnel-type connecting passage?”
“A 3.2-kilometer-long connecting passage will be built at a depth of 30 meters underground. Each bunker will be connected with ultra-high-strength slurry concrete, and we plan to design it as a multi-closure structure capable of independent operation in emergencies.”
The scale was larger than expected, so I suddenly had a question.
“Won’t the existing budget be insufficient?”
“Yes, it will. Originally, this project was worth 2 trillion won, but…”
Park Cheol-jin flipped through the screen.
“After the fifth test, the Ministry of Defense significantly expanded the scope of the project. With the addition of a distributed server zone for cyber warfare, high-speed quantum communication facilities, and a bio-sealed facility to counter biological threats, the budget has increased to 5 trillion won.”
“…Has this project been elevated to a national strategic asset level?”
I put down my coffee cup with a grave expression.
When I first participated in the bidding, it wasn’t such a big burden.
But now, it had become a core infrastructure project guaranteeing the nation’s survival, not just a simple protective facility.
It was indeed a bit overwhelming.
“What is the construction schedule?”
“Phase 1 is the completion of the main underground structures within eight months of groundbreaking. Phase 2 includes internal facilities, control systems, and commissioning, with a total expected duration of 26 months.”
Director Cha Dong-hyuk added,
“The Ministry of Defense is pushing this hard. Although it’s classified, even the Blue House has been briefed directly… If this project succeeds, Dojin Frontier will virtually monopolize the defense construction sector.”
“There will be more interference, too.”
I said quietly.
“That’s true. Already, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Defense Security Command, and the Board of Audit and Inspection are reviewing regular inspection plans.”
At that moment, the conference room door opened quietly, and a working officer from the Ministry of Defense entered.
He approached me and whispered,
“The Minister of Defense would like to see you for a moment.”
In the office of Minister of Defense Lee Jung-guk, National Future Alliance party representative Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin was also present.
“What brings you here, Assemblyman Baek?”
Since I helped him during the Minuk Integration Party days, we’ve met occasionally, but I didn’t expect to see him in the Minister of Defense’s office.
“I couldn’t stay away when I heard about your remarkable achievements, Representative Kang.”
“Dojin Frontier’s results from the fifth test are a hot topic within our Ministry of Defense.”
Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin was the one who recommended Minister of Defense Lee Jung-guk.
It seemed the review details had reached his ears as well.
“It was just luck.”
Although I waved off the compliments from Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin and Minister of Defense Lee Jung-guk,
Minister Lee continued to praise my accomplishments without hesitation.
“Not only is it the first time domestically, but there’s also no precedent abroad for defending against Taurus-class missiles. Even the NSC in the Blue House has reacted strongly, and President Seo Gi-tae has shown personal interest.”
President Seo Gi-tae.
He was the one who won the presidency by defeating the favored candidate Lee Han-gil, thanks to the JDK files I provided.
Did the president’s influence cause the project scale to double like this?
There was no other explanation for the project scale suddenly increasing more than twofold.
“Actually, I asked to meet you today because I have something to tell you. What we discuss from now on must not be leaked outside.”
I straightened my posture and nodded.
“…I’m listening.”
“This NCC project is not just a simple command and control bunker. We are even considering its use as an evacuation site for the commander-in-chief in case of a northern front contingency.”
My body naturally straightened.
“Are you saying… it’s essentially the nation’s last line of defense?”
“Yes. Our Ministry of Defense is now preparing for the next ten years. Not only is there a possibility of inter-Korean conflict, but the balance in Northeast Asia is also rapidly changing. Moreover, vulnerabilities have recently been found in the missile interception defense network.”
Minister Lee paused and looked at me.
His expression was both serious and resolute.
“Now that we’ve confirmed Dojin Frontier’s technological capabilities in this situation, our Ministry of Defense plans to pursue defense projects with Dojin more broadly in the future.”
“What specific projects are you referring to?”
Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin gently interjected from the side.
“Representative Kang, you recently acquired Hwareung Industries, right? They have long worked closely with our military.”
I nodded.
Hwareung Industries produced composite protective materials, high-strength special steel, and ultra-light protective materials, supplying them to military vehicles, aircraft, and command posts.
“Are you suggesting expanding the existing projects?”
“Yes.”
Minister Lee flipped through the documents and continued his explanation.
“First, we aim to expand the application of composite protective materials and special structures. We plan to fully apply your company’s protective panels to field command posts, supply vehicles, and ammunition depots.”
I nodded on the spot.
It was a proposal with no issues.
“Second, we want to localize EMP and CBRN shielding materials. We would like to apply your company’s shielding technology to key communication bases on the northern front for real-world testing.”
“And third, we plan to build cyber warfare response facilities. Utilizing your company’s security structure technology proven at the NCC, we intend to newly design the data room for the Ministry of Defense Cyber Center and build distributed backup facilities on the outskirts of the capital area.”
As we reached the final item,
Minister Lee looked up and met my gaze directly.
“Lastly, the fourth item is the development of tactical batteries and high-heat shielding materials. We need next-generation heat dissipation technology for guided missiles and field equipment.”
I took a moment to breathe and nodded.
“These are the very things I wanted to propose first.”
None of the proposals were disadvantageous to me.
When I looked at Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin, he subtly nodded.
It was clear that he had influenced Minister Lee Jung-guk.
“We will do our best to strengthen South Korea’s defense capabilities.”
Minister Lee extended his hand.
“Then, I’ll take it as your agreement to our proposal.”
“Of course.”
At that moment, Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin spoke quietly.
“The president also highly values Dojin’s technological capabilities.”
Startled by the sudden mention, I stared at him.
I wondered why he would bring up the president.
“Rather than just a simple supply contract or technology transfer… how about Dojin and the Ministry of Defense jointly establish an R&D platform?”
Assemblyman Baek’s proposal brought a brief silence to the room.
“An R&D platform?”
When I asked again, Minister Lee Jung-guk nodded, his fingers interlocked.
“It’s also the president’s wish. He believes that the technological capabilities of not only Dojin Frontier but the entire Dojin Group will greatly contribute to national security.”
“…What specific form of platform are you envisioning?”
Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin cautiously continued his explanation.
“Being bound by a simple supply structure, like existing defense companies, has its limits. Our government is thinking of a Dojin-led ‘National Defense Advanced Technology Joint Research Institute.’ We’re talking about creating an independent hub for developing future weapons, such as high-mobility tactical vehicle armored lightweight composites, next-generation EMP shielding electronic equipment and new materials, and unmanned surveillance reconnaissance platforms (UGVs).”
Listening to Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin, an interesting thought crossed my mind.
Though it was still unimaginable,
what if I used my technology to deploy autonomous off-road equipment, unmanned supply systems, distributed quantum encryption communication networks, and AI battlefield integration platforms earlier than in the original history? How would that turn out?
I was certain that our country’s defense capabilities would increase at least several times… no, even more than that.
However, there was a prerequisite for this.
“If the Ministry of Defense provides administrative and financial support, but we take the lead in technology development, I’ll accept Assemblyman Baek’s proposal.”
Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin slowly nodded.
“Of course. Naturally, Dojin should have the technological leadership.”
When I first met Baek Moo-jin, who was the chief of staff for the Minuk Integration Party, he looked at me with suspicion.
But after observing me over the past few years, he was the government official who best understood my technology and growth potential.
He believed that it would be several times more efficient for me to lead technology development than the Ministry of Defense.
I felt the same way.
Minister Lee Jung-guk cautiously added,
“While our Ministry of Defense will establish the legal and financial foundations for the overall project, prior consultation is necessary for core security-related areas.”
“That’s only natural.”
I nodded and put down the pen in my hand.
“However, the R&D platform must be established as an independent legal entity. We should also consider separate commercialization for items that can be converted into dual-use military-civilian technology.”
“So, you’re also considering the commercialization of technology originally developed for military use.”
“Yes, limiting the technology developed through the R&D platform solely to military use would be too wasteful.”
Minister Lee smiled.
“That’s a very persuasive point. While allowing civilian use, we should separately establish key technology operational standards for military use.”
Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin raised his hand to summarize the discussion.
“Then, the preparation for establishing the research institute will be jointly handled by the President’s Science and Technology Security Special Committee and Dojin, and we will take charge of legislation and budgeting.”
“How about naming it the ‘Dojin-National Defense Advanced Technology Convergence Research Institute (D-ATRI)’?”
Both I and Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin nodded simultaneously at Minister Lee’s suggestion.
“Good. D-ATRI. Let’s go with that.”
Under Assemblyman Baek Moo-jin’s supervision, I signed the agreement with the Ministry of Defense on the spot.
However, no one present could have imagined that the agreement made here today would not just be a simple cooperation between a company and a government agency,
but a turning point that would change the global defense technology paradigm for South Korea.