Empire of the Ring

Youngho, who was looking at foreign immigration numbers, raised his head. In front of him stood Suh Min-seok with a proud face.

“Min-seok, there’s no mistake in these statistics, is there?”

“I checked with the immigration office several times.”

“How many days do they usually stay in Kazakhstan?”

“They usually stay for about a week. Rather than going sightseeing, I think they’re looking for a place to invest, mostly.”

The number of Koreans entering and leaving the country increased greatly that Youngho wondered what was going on. It was a natural phenomenon since Youngho became so famous in Korea now. The story of coming to the Caucasus penniless and eventually gaining astronomical wealth, as well as establishing a new dynasty in a huge country, had inspired many young people of Korea.

“Many Korean companies visited to participate in the e-government project that our government is starting.”

“Only a few Koreans will be able to withstand the cold weather here.”

“If we want to database all of the documents in a short period of time, our staff is far short. Until we can train enough computer specialists in Kazakhstan, we need more specialists from Korea.”

“How much money did you say we’d spend on digital work?”

“A little over a billion dollars.”

A project called ‘Digital Kazakhstan’ was underway in order to introduce information and communication technology and electronic government systems, and the Kazakh government had asked for commissioned computerization from the Korean government.

Kazakhstan’s administration system was in a mess. People had to wait too long to receive any permission documents from administrative offices. Officials’ attitude was one reason, but most of the problem came from the lack of properly equipped computer networks.

Since the revolutionary government, Kazakhstan used Korea as its role model to correct its administration system. Korea was boasting of having the fastest administrative process in the world. In South Korea, when someone requested to open a telephone line in the morning, he could have it by the afternoon. Also, people would say that a minute was even too long to receive civil affair documents in civil offices.

That was why Kazakhstan was trying to digitize all the data. Completion of the national computer network not only increased the work capacity of public institutions but also helped the industrial productivity as well as the benefit of people’s lives.

When the administrative network, financial network, defense network, and educational research network were completed, the Kazakh people would be able to receive advanced services in all fields of life.

The Korean government began computer network work at the national level from the 80s and started providing services from the administrative network in the early 90s.

The database of resident registration, land, and finance, which were the main resources of household management, was the first among developing countries to reach the threshold of advanced countries.

By adopting Korea’s network system, Kazakhstan would not have to suffer trials and errors as a completed system over many years would be introduced to the country.

“Youngho, building a national network is important, but we need to be more thoroughly prepared for cyber terrorism.”

“Didn’t you say that there’s no way to stop cyber terrorism except to improve the resilience of the system?”

“I’m saying we need to increase the number of agents who will play the role.”

“Jong-il, you’re saying 50 people you just recruited are not enough?”

“My research shows that at least 500 people are needed to operate the completed national network system. If the entire nation is digitalized like Korea, we need 3,000 people to restore the system as soon as it’s attacked.”

“That’s all money.”

“That’s more important than buying weapons.”

“You don’t like that I pay too much to buy weapons?”

“That’s important, but I’m saying we need to add more cyber unit agents from now on to maintain and protect our national network. The cyber unit not only protects but also attacks enemies too.”

“About 500 people will be enough?”

“It’s not enough, but I think we can work it out. That’s why we need to bring in a lot of IT personnel from Korea. We can’t even get that kind of manpower in Kazakhstan.”

“We need the Korean government’s cooperation.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary. First of all, why don’t you give out a recruitment notice to young Koreans? They’ll crowd in like clouds.”

There was a saying that cyber attacks were more frightening than physical attacks.

When a war broke out and the main server went down, there would be no way to move troops. If the computer network was paralyzed, all the facilities in the country would be useless. To prevent that, manpower to defend and restore the network must be at standby at all times.

The reason why cyber troops were being trained was because of their enormous cost-effectiveness compared to their physical combat capabilities. The cyber units were a kind of asymmetric power. Moreover, it was difficult to trace the attacker and the forces behind the scenes, so it was easy to avoid retaliation. Even powerful nations with advanced network and communication technology could be helpless to strong cyber troops. Now, the days where people fought with bombs and missiles in the front lines were over.

***

“Hey, a recruitment announcement won’t be enough. We’ll have to hold a job fair. So, how about I go to Korea with Suh Min-seok?”

“Oh, you just want to brag about your success to Korean people.”

“No. I can’t even say that I’m the head of the Kazakh intelligence service. It’s just that if you want to bring elite young people to a country that is not so cool, an eloquent speaker like me should convince them.”

“Do we even have a place for them to stay? We’ve got to have a dorm or something. You’re not going to make them stay in yurts, are you?”

There were not many motels and pensions in Kazakhstan like Korea, so there was no place for newly recruited Koreans to stay. Since it was winter, it was difficult to build such facilities now. It was a problem.

“It’s not like they’re coming in a few days after posting the recruitment notice. We’ll figure out something meanwhile.”

“What are you talking about? If you’re offering a job overseas, it’s basic to tell them where they’re going to stay, and how the living environments are like. They’re not coming to spend a week here.”

Park Jong-il was right.

Youngho could not rush people to come without any preparation.

“Then, why don’t we let the recruited people stay together in Korea for the time being? Even if you’re good at computers, they’ll have to work together and be organized as a group before starting to work.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea. We can get the South Korean cyber unit to train them on commission.”

“Would the South Korean government cooperate?”

“Who are we? We are Korean-born Duke and Earl of the Kazakh Kingdom. Korean companies are trying hard to make connections with us now. I don’t think the Korean government will miss this opportunity to help us.”

“Alright. I guess you’re perfect for this job. Go to Korea.”

“Youngho, why don’t you come with me this time?”

“No, it’ll be too bothersome to go to Korea and make a fuss. Jong-il, I’ll make you a special envoy this time.”

“A special envoy?”

“It won’t be so powerful if you just go without any title. If you bring a personal letter from the monarch of the Kazakh royal family, the Korean government will be willing to help us.”

“If this is exposed to the media, the whole world will know that we’re recruiting cyber unit members.”

“Keep a low profile as much as possible. Don’t deal with the media. We don’t want to spread the word.”

***

Representatives from the Xinjiang Uyghur’s National United Front, which was an independent fighter group, came to Kazakhstan secretly.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

“It must’ve been hard to cross the border in the cold weather.”

“This is what we usually do. Your Highness’ support was quite helpful.”

“I only sent some independence funds and combat food. Considering the distress of the Uyghurs, I’d like to help actively, but I can’t ignore the relationship with China.”

“We’re just grateful for your support.”

“If you need anything else, please let me know. I’ll help you as much as I can.”

“In fact, I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Would it be possible for Kazakhstan to receive Uyghurs?”

“It’s not that difficult. If they could cross the border, I’d accept anyone.”

“I’m planning to make a large-scale migration to Kazakhstan.”

“Are you under heavy pressure of China?”

“China is now incarcerating intellectuals recklessly. Members of the National United Front are nervous because China is also moving Uyghurs from large cities to remote areas. If only the protection of our families are guaranteed, we’ll be able to concentrate on the struggle for independence.”

“I’ve heard from our agents, but I didn’t know it was that bad. Then, of course, I’ll help you. Have you got the escape route?”

“If we cross the Tian Shan Mountain Range, we’ll meet a path to cross the border.”

“But there will be China’s occupational force, too.”

“That’s true, but their security is not too tight in the mountainous area.”

“We can help you to disperse their security.”

“Are you going to have a battle with the Chinese force?”

“No, we have a way. There’s no need for a battle. The illegal Chinese immigrants that used to live along the border are still in Kazakhstan. If we let them go at once, the Chinese border occupational force won’t be able to focus on securing the border.”

Xinjiang Uyghur’s independence must be achieved.

It was because if Uyghur as an independent state existed between Kazakhstan and China, it would create a buffer zone for Kazakhstan. The Uyghurs did not think of Kazakhstan as a foreign country. Moreover, they had been closer since Kazakhstan became a constitutional monarchy. Intelligence agents said that they think of the Kazakh royal family as their royal family. It was because there were countless Uyghurs in Kazakhstan, and they had accepted the royal family. So, even if Xinjiang Uyghur became independent, people would serve the same royal family.

It was incomprehensible by Youngho’s standards, but it seemed possible due to the unique thinking of the people of Central Asia. They tended to think of the same nomadic people as their brotherhood.