[MoD] Mission Report On South Korea

Day 2,379, 07:33 • Published in Ireland Ireland • by Seanan


Citizens of Ireland,

Technical Overview
On the 23rd of May at 0715 eRepublik Time, Republic of China (Taiwan) confidently conquered South Korea's only remaining region Chungcheongbuk-do. As a result, game mechanics meant the South Korean Airstrike on Ireland was automatically aborted and failed to be completed.

Following South Korea's successful Resistance War in Chungcheongbuk-do on the 21st of May at 1540 eRepublik Time, South Korea placed a Natural Enemy proposal on Taiwan. Unfortunately, Taiwan gained the Initiative (the ability to attack first) by proposing South Korea as a Natural Enemy 4 seconds before. Further, the 2nd Resistance War in Gyeonggi-do failed on 22nd of May at 0835 eRepublik Time - hence a game mechanical delay of 24 hours meant any further liberation of South Korean regions in the designated time frame to secure a Congress ceased to be achievable. In Taiwan's initial attack on Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea was able to secure 9 points (Divisions 1, 2 and 4) in the first round but subsequent rounds Taiwan secured all Divisions.


Statement
Unfortunately, this is not an unfamiliar result. Our brothers in South Korea have endured two years of this, and certainly Ireland has experienced our own share of heavily funded defeats; The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a military superior force (13 MPPs to 4 MPPs) with a vested economic interest in preventing South Korea reducing their Work Tax from 10% (Taiwan collects ~2500 IEP daily tax from South Korea which is similar/greater than Ireland's entire daily tax).

While I appreciate that the timescale of this operation was very sudden in a political context, militarily this operation was very straight forward; we avoid direct (i.e. MPP) contact with the military superior force by manipulation of game mechanics with the sole objective of securing a Congress. Unfortunately, as stated, we were unable to gain Initiative and failed to secure another Resistance War after a slack in momentum - if either had been achieved, South Korea would be in Irish regions prior them losing their original regions. Last resort was holding off Taiwan, which given South Korea's lack of MPPs would have been an incredible feat in itself.

There is a tendency under disappointing circumstances to overly criticize ourselves and partners, however I stand testament that Aurora was preparing weeks ahead (irrespective of specific targets) for securing Congress of occupied allies and pushed the campaign in South Korea with real zeal. Whether Sirius was as enthusiastic is debatable, certainly greater coordination with our alliance partner would be desirable but we should not underestimate the efforts of our enemy in this defeat.

At least in Irish circles, I advocate for no ill-feeling towards any citizen who fought against the South Korean Airstrike. As popular as helping South Korea secure a Congress may have been, actions against the Airstrike were unsubstantial in the campaign. Our defeat was on the fields of Chungcheongbuk-do at the hands of Taiwan.

A defeat we should collectively strive to correct, and do so with renewed vigor. With the abortion of the Airstrike (and loss of those resources to initiate), there will be a delay in the next operation. This is time we can spend establishing a consensus of the relationship we wish to share with South Korea, and while the level of alliance support was substantial, a change of tactics might be in order to counter Taiwan's strengths.

Overall, we were fairly beaten - but I am happy with the rapid and professional
performance of my Department, Dáil Éireann, Irish military forces and our Alliance. With respect to my colleagues, all necessary preparations were taken for our military activity and if we can replicate this performance with slightly changed tactics then I'm confident we will meet this dare to be great.

Signed,
Seanan
Minister of Defence