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Colony Name: New Chosun
Creators: Paul Canniff & D'Maris Coffman
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GEOGRAPHY
System/Location: Alpha Virginis III
Distance to Nearest Starbase: 2 weeks to SB DELTA at Warp 6.
Planet Classification: Class M
Satellites/Space Stations: One natural satellite (composition
similar to Luna); numerous geocentric communications and
observation satellites, no permanent orbital platforms
Land/Water Ratio: 40/60
Climate Controlled: Yes
Native Sentient Life: No
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COLONY INFORMATION
Colony Age (approximate): 2137
Population (approximate): 100 000 000
Species Present: 95% homo sapiens sapiens (terran humans), 3%
assorted Federation nationals, 2% non-Federate aliens.
Colony Status: Affiliated Colony
Government: Nominal Parliamentary Deomocracy (see below)
Major Cities/Settlements: Taeju Cosmodrome, New Ulsan, New Pohang
History:
New Chosun has its origins in the aftermath on Earth of the Second
Korean War of 1999-2001. The summer of 1999 saw the military/fascist
coup in Russia that led to the Second Russian Civil War that lasted
until 2003.
Until that winter, the communist North Korean regime was being worn
down by economic exhaustion, world isolation and pressure from the
United States towards a reapprochement with its southern neighbour.
In fact, there were signs that the new northern leader, Kim Jong Il
would attempt some sort of "soft landing" for his regime rather
than face a popular uprising like that which confronted his European
counterparts in the previous decades.
With the capitalist powers absorbed in the Russian crisis, however,
Kim and his generals believed they could exploit a window of
opportunity and attempt a forcible communist reunification. The
war that followed was much briefer than the first one fifty years
earlier. North Korea's first use of nuclear weapons provoked a
counter-strike from the United States of America that ended the
war with the uprising Kim had feared all along. The economic
and environmental aftermath was resolved only several decades
later.
The Korean recovery occurred in the shadow of a struggle between
China and Japan for supremacy in the new Asian economic bloc of
the twenty-first century. There was economic prosperity for Korea
but only with a sense that in political and cultural terms, the
colonial period of a century earlier was being repeated.
Consequently, a number of dissatisfied social elements from the
former North and South felt their only hope for a pure Korean
society was in a new nation off-world. They left in the mid-
twenty-first century, arriving at their current site in the
2130's.
The Federation did not re-establish contact with New Chosun
until 2307, at which point New Chosun became an affiliated
colony under the aegis of the terran world government. Star
Fleet is thus obligated to defend it from external threats
and respond to calls for internal peace-keeping if requested.
It is important to note this is a society hardened against
any perception of outside influences.
Economy:
The government of New Chosun has resisted movement to a latinum-
based economy, preferring its central bank to set monetary policy
over its fiat currency. The current economic situation on the
planet is an outgrowth of the government's attempt to curb the
power of the 'neo-chaebols.'
The notion of a 'chaebol' refers to terran Korean horizontally
and vertically integrated conglomerates (not unlike Japanese
kaishas and kairetsus). They wield not only political but also
economic power, particularly when the government is weak
or corrupt. On a financial level, they tend to very high
debt/equity ratios (heavily leveraged) and are succeptible to
economic downturns. Though austerity measures may eventually
break them, it is a tedious and dangerous process.
In an effort to stabilize the economy, the government began
slashing public expenditure in 2404-2406. This not only had
the immediate impact of social unrest, but also given the
power of chaebols failed to provide any noticeable 'supply-side'
impetus for growth. In the background of massive inflation,
investor confidence was close to non-existent.
Deevaluation of currency gave the chaebols an initial reprieve
from concerns about their borrowing practices, but a banking
crisis materialized in early 2408. Currently, New Chosun is
suffering from a severe economic downturn with requisite social
unrest. The new premier General Kim Dong-su has enjoyed relative
success in maintaining internal political stability.
Political Structure:
Nominally a parliamentary democracy, for three decades official
power has rested with the General Secretary of the Popular
Democratic Party. The Premier, despite the title, is not a player
in any real sense. New Chosun is organized along corporatist lines.
The political parties reflect functional economic groups more than
traditional class groupings, but in the end it's the PDP
that has called the shots historically. It has bound together
the consensus amongst the chaebols since the current colony's
founding.
Tech Level: Modern
Culture:
The New Chosunites concept of a 'pure' Korea is an outgrowth of
an attempted resolution to a Korean cultural identity crisis
resulting from the collapse of the communist regime under Kim
Jong Il.
Although his father, Kim Il Sung, had 'outlawed' Confucianism
as an 'opiate of the masses,' Confucian cultural traditions
were still prevalent in the North. In fact, they served to
reinforce communism, after a fashion. On the other hand, while
the South raced toward Westernization, 'hardliners' still
embraced the old ideals. Those who left to start New Chosun
clung to Confucianism, particularly with respect to the world
view it implies, i.e. respect for formal authority, no dissent,
etc.
The other primary force was the 'juche' philosophy used as
the 'model' for Third World communism, according to Kim Il
Sung. This emphasis on self-reliance runs in part counter
to Confucianism, insofar as the latter is largely a Chinese
influence. The sense of 'sadaejuui' (respect for greatness)
shames the Koreans immensely. 'Juche' was in part a reaction
to that. However, 'juche' embraces much of Confucianism
'sub rosa.'
For the Federation, these have been hard to balance. Though
the New Chosunites have accepted Star Fleet peacekeeping
initiatives and the austerity measures, the 'outside influence'
presents a political dilemna.
Some observers have imputed a sense of 'sadaejuui' attitude
towards Starfleet, especially in view of the missions there
in 2407. Unfortunately, this very concept will fuel support
for the 'neo-chaebols' who dread Federation involvement.
Once the current economic crisis passes, many expect the
'neo-chaebols' to play to the 'chajusong' (fear of foreigners)
to further isolate New Chosun.
As 'juche' is more than just an economic policy but also a
philosophy, foreign investment has been a hard sell. Especially
after the hostage crisis of 2407 (see below), foreign businessmen
have been wary of New Chosun, though some see the current economic
distress as a source of opportunity.
Regrettably, Federation foregin aid has also fostered feelings of
paternalism. The current situation can be described as uncertain
at best.
Notes: In early 2407, the USS QUASAR (CAPT E.E. Dalton commanding)
and the USS ALEXANDER NEVSKY (CAPT A.S. Chizh commanding)
were dispatched to New Chosun to effect the release of hostages
held by the Dae Jong chaebol and to eliminate a bioweapons
manufacturing plant held by the Hanwool chaebol. Both objectives
were successful. Moreover, the USS ALEXANDER NEVSKY dispatched
peace-keeping forces to take the Taeju cosmodrome, restore civil
order, and reinforce the PDP (Popular Democratic Party) and
the Premier Park Sung-Yi.
The USS EISENHOWER (CAPT E.B. Spence commanding) replaced
the USS ALEXANDER NEVSKY, deploying an armored regiment to keep
order in the cosmodrome. While the party leadership eventually
replaced Park in favor of the defense minister, General Kim
Dong-Su, the PDP still remains independent of the chaebol's power
and the Federation has been able to withdraw the marine contingent.
The New Chosun system is still under an interstellar cordon against
suspect interstellar traffic hoping to trade with chaebols engaged
in the manufacture of biological weapons (the Hanwool group being
only one of a number of chaebols engaged in this sector.) The
current government has yet to make assurances such practices will
be met with retributive measures.
Any Federation citizen on New Chosun is considered to be at risk
for hostage-taking. Though some remain, the Federation embassy in
the Taeju cosmodrome routinely harbors those seeking refuge or a
way off-planet.
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