Recently, two vessels from a German s.h.i.+pping company succeeded for the first time in July 2009 in the commercial operation of an Arctic route linking Vladivostok, North Pole, and Atlantic-Rotterdam with the help of an icebreaker. It was a splendid journey, shortening 7,408 kilometers compared to going through the Suez Ca.n.a.l.

The reduction in sea distance was tantamount to a logistical innovation that drastically reduced transportation costs and transportation time.

***

After hearing Youngho's hour-long explanation, Prime Minister Rasmussen and the central bank governor agreed to Youngho's opinion on the importance of the Arctic Ocean.

"Your Grace, it seems like you know the Arctic Ocean better than we do, so I have nothing to say."

"I didn't study particularly, but I've compiled what I've been hearing from here and there."

"I have no doubt that your big dream will come true soon. We have Greenland, the largest island, but we've always been pa.s.sive. Now that Kazakhstan is backing us up, we'd be more confident."

"That's why I want our Royal Navy to use Greenland as a regular base."

"But I think having a naval base in Greenland is going to provoke Russia…"

"Kazakhstan is very free in that regard. Because it's blood alliance with Russia. Russia might rather welcome our navy to anchor in Greenland. Russia will think of the Kazakh Royal Navy as another card to pressure the West."

"Prime Minister, is Denmark not willing to strengthen its military strength?"

"How much strength would we increase with a population of only five million? It's better to keep the basics and rather strengthen national compet.i.tiveness at that cost."

Who would dare to harm to Denmark when it was a NATO member?

Youngho was envious of Denmark's geopolitical situation in which it could feel at ease even though its security was left to their allies.

"Do you share the cost of defense?"

"Of course we are. But it's much more economical than arming ourselves."

"I don't know if this sounds funny, but Kazakhstan is planning to have more naval power in the future. So your cooperation is very precious."

"It would be complicated to accept foreign troops but if it's Kazakhstan's force, lending our port won't be difficult."

***

To develop into an oceanic navy, a large, multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p that could carry leaflet commands and supplies was most necessary.

However, it would take too long for it to be deployed if he ordered a new vessel now as it at least took three years for s.h.i.+ps in the design to be completed.

So, Youngho was thinking about buying the landing s.h.i.+p cla.s.sified as a reserve force in other countries. There were a few options, but they were so old that the repair cost was close to the cost of building a new one.

While visiting Szechenyi's financial investment advisory company to talk about such concerns, a plan to make a breakthrough came up.

"Hyung, shouldn't we have to renovate it even if we purchase a foreign spherical landing s.h.i.+p anyway?"

"Of course. We must renovate it to create a structure that suits our taste."

"Why don't you renovate relatively new freighters then? We can get as many bulk carriers of about 15 years of service."

"You're saying we should buy a cargo s.h.i.+p and renovate it?"

"I don't think it's going to be too difficult. If we just overlay the flight deck for helicopters and vertical take-off and landing fighters, the upper part will be closed. The lower part of the room is empty, so you just need to part.i.tion it as you like."

"That sounds like a good idea. Alright. Call an official from the Danish s.h.i.+pyard first."

Hours later, the Design Manager of the Danish s.h.i.+pyard visited the office.

Hanson, a blonde man in his late 50s, was outstanding enough to be considered unique in the field.

Knowing why he had been contacted, he was outspoken in his knowledge.

Polite but sharp questions followed.

"Duke, is it a landing s.h.i.+p or a light aircraft carrier that you want?"

"I don't know what Dr. Hanson's intentions are for asking such a question."

"I asked you because you have to choose between a multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p and a light aircraft carrier to maximize your power."

"Can't you meet them both?"

"That's going to make a s.h.i.+p that's neither here nor there. Multipurpose landing s.h.i.+ps are supposed to carry firepower that can literally deploy forces on land. Light aircraft carriers, let's say, have to focus on air power. The facility itself needs to be different to achieve its desired purpose."

"I've heard that a multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p could be later converted into a light aircraft carrier, but I guess that's not the case."

"This raises the question of cost and time. If you're planning to make another alteration, I'd like to dissuade you. It will only increase the fatigue of the hull. To maximize attack power, it's better to make it a light aircraft carrier. But if you consider the land battle, a multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p with helicopters and landing gear would be better."

Youngho was going to use it as a multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p and renovate it if necessary, but Hanson insisted that it was better to distinguish it from the beginning.

Youngho thought for a while, but the agony did not last long.

The most urgent thing for the Navy was the multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p, which was both a command s.h.i.+p and a supply s.h.i.+p.

"Please transform it into one of the best multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+ps in the cla.s.s."

"Sure. Then we'll have to set up a missile launchpad. We're going to make room for a small submarine to be stored. Don't you think you should have that much if you want to call it the best in its cla.s.s?"

"You carry a submarine on a multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p?"

The idea of carrying a submarine on a multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p was quite new.

This was because the multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p, in Youngho's mind, was less than 20,000 tons.