공칠과삼

Seven parts meritorious, three parts faulty.

Pyongyang, September 24th, 1947

When the Japanese imperialists were swept from the land, they nonetheless left behind hordes of equipment that were then transferred to the Korean Constabulary force. It was this equipment, primarily, that equipped the scant Korean armed forces, as well as those fighting abroad in China. This equipment consisted of Type 38 6.5mm rifles, Type 99 7.7mm rifles, and Type 92 7.7mm machine guns. Since the Korean peninsula was barely damaged by direct combat during the War against the Fascists, huge hordes of ammunition were doled out.

If Ri Mun-hwan had one regret over the affair, it was that the Jinsen Arsenal in Incheon was below the 38th Parallel. The huge facility had produced much of the ammunition used by the occupation force, and replicating its success in the north would be effortful - though not impossible. It was to that end that he pored over plans for a new arsenal. The plans were ambitious, based upon an increase in steel production of at least 80% expected by the end of 1947. He had been assured so by the Chairman himself.

A group of three of the most prominent North Korean engineers stood around - two were Koryo-Saram, provided through the Soviet assistance program, and spoke very little Korean. A fourth man in the room served as a (somewhat ineffective) translator.

When Ri looked up, he nodded in his perfunctory way to the three. "Production may start by late 1948 of ammunition, and it is expected that an indigenous weapon may be produced by 1949," the only indigenous engineer said.

"What ammunition types will be provided?"

"7.7mm for the rifles and machine guns is the first priority, followed by 6.5mm for the second-line rifles. As well, our comrades -" he gestured to the two Koryo-Saram, who agreed in their eyes if not their mouths "- say that Soviet assistance will help produce ammunition for the weaponry they have provided. 7.62mm ammunition for the Mosin rifles and machine guns."

"It is all in order, then. The Dongpyeong Arsenal shall be the founding principle of a Korean arms industry."

"Provide the steel, and we will provide the guns," one of the Koryo-Sarams said through the translator. They could all look forward to that.