It was natural for a normal country to send intelligence agents to rival or hostile countries or to use locals as informants.

Kazakhstan also had intelligence agents in each country and mobilized hackers to gather information. Thus, China could also recruit Kazakhstan’s civic groups and politicians for information or create public opinion in favor of China.

Information warfare was like a war without gunfire.

No matter how much national defense capabilities were strengthened, even high-tech weapons and equipment would be useless if the information boundaries of a nation were broken.

There was a gap somewhere, so China had easily infiltrated into the Kazakh people.

“It feels like we have holes all over our defense system.”

Youngho said to Park Jong-il.

“We can’t lock down our country in the era of globalization. It’s not like we can look into every single one of tourists and migrants that are flooding in.”

“I’m just frustrated because I think this can happen any time. To prevent it more effectively, we need to expand the police intelligence department.”

In Korea, a proverb said, ‘ten people cannot stop one thief’.

Even so, any possible measures should be taken to protect Kazakhstan.

“I wish the Intelligence Service would provide legal grounds for doing domestic work…”

“I think the Intelligence Service should focus on foreign affairs as it is now. We need to reinforce the police intelligence department to strengthen civilian surveillance.”

“I hope we’re not being too sensitive.”

“If we have strong vigilance, our enemies will not dare to underestimate us. If there’s no hole in our defense, they can’t be rash. As much as we make a fuss, China will be careful.”

***

The Chinese government seemed to have determined that Kazakhstan’s lax intelligence system would never discover its actions.

It apparently assumed that the Kazak Intelligence Service would not be able to catch its money transfer into Kazakhstan from Singapore.

The Chinese government had not known that Kazakhstan had already developed a computer network of advanced countries by partnering with the Korean government to build a nationwide network of administrative computers and introducing supercomputers.

The internal investigation of civic groups revealed that they had received funds directly or indirectly from China, such as receiving money through secret accounts or visiting Singapore.

As the investigation progressed, political figures involved with civic groups were also caught.

In some cases, politicians received entertainment or political funds from civic groups, and in some cases, they sided with civic groups to strengthen their political standing.

They would have never been involved with them if they knew the civic groups were funded by the Chinese government.

The executive groups of two civic groups that spearheaded various rallies were arrested for espionage.

Ordinary members who acted according to the executive groups’ orders also were punished with detention or disciplinary action according to the nature of their crimes.

When the spy civic groups’ case was revealed through the media, the entire country of Kazakhstan was thrown into chaos.

People were furious to learn that the spies disguised in civic groups had been active by China’s order.

They treated the people involved in the civic groups as traitors. Some even argued that they should be deported from Kazakhstan.

Various rallies were being held to denounce the Chinese government, and some media outlets set fire to this movement, saying that the government should consider severing diplomatic ties.

“Mr. Prime Minister. With this kind of atmosphere, I don’t think there would be any objection to further strengthening the police intelligence department.”

-I think it went your way, Your Highness. We will make sure that safeguards are in place to prevent human rights violations. I’m worried about Kaliyev being too ambitious, but I’ll keep him alert so that he won’t do anything overboardedly.

“He must be feeling a lot of pressure. Don’t be too tight and leave him to his own discretion. I regret not believing in the police organization the whole time.”

-He’s very nervous because Your Highness is showing interest in the police. You can look forward to it since he said he’ll definitely show a different side of the organization.

“We shall see.”

-It’s an organization that’s unrivaled in terms of counter-espionage. If the police were alive, this wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

“Let’s take this opportunity to create a new organization that can give people trust. The royal family will also consider raising the morale of the police.”

-The police will be grateful if you show a little interest.

“Then we’ll have to modernize the police equipment as well.”

Modernizing the equipment alone would naturally change the organizational structure.

After all, it was not an era where people found information only by physical survey and investigation.

-We will set some extra budget to modernize police equipment.

“If you’re short on your budget, please let me know. The royal family will also support it.”

-It’ll only be a joke on the government if you fund police equipment. Instead, why don’t you take some time to visit the National Police Agency? I think it’ll help with their morale.

“Should I?”

***

Until now, Youngho had visited all government ministries and agencies except the National Police Agency.

To be honest, he was not a big fan of the organization.

On the day of Youngho’s visit to the National Police Agency, all the top police officers, including Kaliyev, were gathered in the building.

The Duke of Kazakhstan’s visit to the National Police Agency was a huge deal for the police.

“To His Highness, gun up!”

When the commander’s order was dropped, police officers dressed in uniforms lifted up their rifles in unison at the police station’s training ground.

All Kazakh police officers were given a personal rifle as they were also responsible for the unusually long border of Kazakhstan.

Simply put, they were given a task close to combat police and were armed to the level of soldiers.

Youngho also returned a salute to hundreds of policemen.

As the event hosted by the National Police Agency was complete, Youngho headed to Kaliyev’s office with him.

“You must have felt sorry that I haven’t been paying attention to the police, haven’t you?”

“No, Your Highness. I know that the former police organization deserves it. I’m just very grateful for your visit now.”

“In fact, I’ve been reluctant to come because I didn’t trust the police organization, but that didn’t make me feel comfortable. I’ve watched your desperate attempt to save and reform the organization. Indeed, it changed a lot thanks to your efforts.”

“Your Highness, I’ve only managed to clean its image, it’s nothing to be complimented.”

Kaliyev wanted to hide somewhere out of embarrassment.

The notorious organization was well-known for its wrongdoings. People thought of it as bullies that harassed them.

How bad was it that even the Duke refused to visit it?

The royal family, who seized power in a coup, should not have neglected the police, one of the key power organizations when it could be the royal family’s hands and feet.

When Kaliyev was nominated as police chief, he was full of motivation and passion.

To meet the expectations of the new regime, he had been trying hard to cut out the rotten parts and renew it.

But the only thing that came back was cold and contempt, so he was thinking about quitting recently.

However, as the police returned to the spotlight due to the spy scandal, he had a private meeting with the prime minister and now, the Duke was visiting the National Police Agency in person to encourage the whole organization.

“Chief, the Prime Minister also praised you for your hard work. Thank you for your hard work. I’ll come visit you often from now on.”

“Thank you. Your Highness!”

At Duke’s word praise, Kaliyev felt that all his troubles were gone in an instant.

“I know well that police morale should live to ensure the well-being of the nation. Now, show your newfound self to the people. If you remove the stigma of a power-driven organization, we will support you always.”

“…”

“I want the police to become an organization of the people, not of the royal family and the government. Please make a confident organization that doesn’t get swayed by any pressure.”

Few police could remain politically neutral even in advanced countries.

Nevertheless, Youngho was asking not to be swayed by power but to be the police on the side of the people. This was because an institution of authority must be at the center if a country was to stand upright.

“I will take your words to heart, but I don’t think I can follow all your orders. If the people degrade the royal family, who will defend the royal authority? I would like to tell you that we are the police of Her Majesty before we are the police of the people.”

At Kaliyev’s fair words, Youngho could not help but be pleased inwardly.

Such flattery was something he never refused.