Korean Missile Crisis

On Saturday January 13, 2018, an incoming ballistic missile alert was broadcast via emergency alert systems in Hawaii. The alert was spread through television, radio, and cellphone. During this period tensions with North Korea were escalated, with North Korea having successful tests of Nuclear weapons. In our timeline, this alert was only a false alarm. The alert was mistakenly sent out by an employee at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA). The total response time was 38 minutes from the original alert, to sending another alert declaring the previous notification as a false alarm.

In this AT, the incoming alert is not a false alarm. North Korea has launched a Hwasong-15 ICBM targeted at Hawaii. Within minutes of launch United States Pacific Command (PACOM) sends a warning alert to HI-EMA, who then sends an alert to the citizens, to get inside, stay inside, and wait for more details. The missile aimed towards Hawaii ultimately malfunctions and lands somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, Causing no loss of life.

Upon firing this missile, the United States starts immediate retaliatory procedures. Artillery placements along the southern edge of the Korean DMZ start bombardments of previously identified North Korean anti-aircraft systems along the border. Jets are scrambled shortly after to conduct precision air strikes on identified missile launch facilities. Once North Korean defensive systems are weakened, US quick reactionary forces (QRF) of the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade would cross the DMZ by helicopter and begin laying the groundwork for a full-scale ground invasion by US forces.

The US conducts a full-scale assault on North Korea, during which strict rules of engagement were enforced. POW’s were to be taken at every opportunity, and non-combatants are to be referred to humanitarian aid teams set in place after the initial assault. The North Korean military is ultimately overwhelmed by American forces and surrender en masse. Kim Jong Un upon realizing defeat commits suicide via one of his own officers by gunshot to the head.

During this engagement China and Russia both take a back seat in this conflict. The antagonistic approach taken by the North Korean regime was not discussed with them and is looked down upon by their closest allies who pledge no support. Thus, all but guaranteeing a swift defeat.

After the fall of the North Korean regime, the Korean Peninsula is restored to a single unified Korea. China, Russia, and the US, drawn together through this conflict, pledge aid, and support in rehabilitation and restoration of the newly unified Korean Nation.

