Hwasong

Hwasong is one of the twelve nations of Mars and the oldest continuously inhabited region on the planet. It is located on the Western side of the Mariner Valley Region and encompasses most of Valles Marineris. Hwasong is the homeland of the original Native Martians and the main base of their predecessors who ran their terraforming operations out of Melas Colony in the heart of present day Hwasong.

Geography and Climate

Hwasong is physically located within Valles Marineris and several surrounding lowland regions. Itsf physical borders are the edges of the cliffs that line these valleys and chasms, offering one of the most distinct land borders in the solar system. The only break in the physical boundary is on the Eastern border with Eosong, the only other nation in the Mariner Valley Region. This Eastern border, demarcated by the Pradesh Line, cuts through Coprates Chasma at a rise between the east end of the Valles Marineris water system and the Eos water system.
The Western end of Hwasong extends into Noctis Labyrinthus insofar as that complex region can be mapped. Hwasong extends into Candor and Ophir Chasma protruding North. It also encompasses Hebes Chasma, Echus Chasma, and Juventae Chasma, all isolated from the main canyon system except for highland roads and a complex series of canal tunnels. Juventae and Echus both have connections to Jinse Ping, Hwasong's only other neighbor, to the North.
As of the Highland Territory Agreement of 2224, Hwasong owns 50km of Highland territory extending from its borders, except as marked by the Pradesh Line and the 8th parallel highland border with Jinse Ping. Hwasong has little controlling presence over the Highland except for areas of strategic importance like canals, roads, and border crossings.
Thanks to terraforming, the Mariner Valley Region is home to a convoluted yet abundant water system expressed in the form of lakes, rivers, seasonal rivers, and man-made canals. The system is fed by snowfall and rain, and supplemented by seasonal melts of ice from the polar region, canalized to flow against elevation. Rainfall and snowmelts from craters and depressions around Marineris are also funneled into the valley by canal and tunnel. The waters of Marineris are treacherous during the wet season, prone to flash floods and embankment overflows, but the Native Martians have learned to adapt to these seasonal changes and even use the terraforming efforts of their progenitors to their advantage.
Due to its equatorial position, Hwasong has relatively mild seasons compared to other regions at higher and lower lattitudes. What little seasonal temperature variation is experienced in the Marineris sections of Hwasong can be attributed to solar distance rather than axial tilt. Only the far northern extents of Hwasong in Juventae and Echus experience true axial seasons with vast temperature differences.
Despite being relatively mild, Hwasong experiences extreme daily temperature variation compared to Earth. Outdoor temperatures have been known to reach more than 40°C at noon and as low as -50°C at night. Average daily highs are 20°C and lows are -25. The overall daily average temperature hovers around freezing (-5 to 5°C). Temperature also varies based on altitude by way of air pressure.
The atmosphere in Hwasong is marginally liveable in low lying areas. Atmospheric conditions are similar to summit conditions on Mount Everest. An unaltered human can survive outdoors for several minutes, sometimes upwards of an hour based on fitness, but every minute without a pressure suit brings with it the increased risk of hypoxia, asphyxiation, and cardiac arrest. Native Martians and other Synthads adapted to low pressure easily thrive in most of the region. These harsh conditions help keep Hwasong's population almost entirely native, with unadapted Hwasongi citizens forced to live most of their lives indoors and in pressure suits.
Like most of Mars, Hwasong is subject to severe dust storms throughout the Southern hemisphere's spring and summer (the Northern autumn and winter). The Topography of Valles Marineris makes dust and wind especially chaotic for the region, resulting in sudden gusts and turbulence beyond what is experienced at highland altitudes. Aerospace travel to and through Hwasong is strongly discouraged, if not grounded outright, during the more severe dust storms.

Etymology

The word Hwasong comes from Korean 화성 (Hwaseong) and means “fire star”. It has been the Korean name for Mars since antiquity. Like many other Korean words, Hwasong made its way into Marineri lexicon as a result of Hana Song's attempts to teach the Native Martians both English and Korean, not knowing whether there was anyone left alive on Earth to preserve her native language and culture. In Marineri, Hwasong came to specifically refer to the collective people of Mars as a nation or group, while the name “Mariz” is used for the planet as a whole.
Despite these clear linguistic roots, many native Martians insist Hwasong was named in honor of Hana Song, the “Mother of Mars” who raised the first generation of native Martians. The Marineri term Hwasong is said to mean “The red (lands) of Hana Song.” Her place in Hwasongi history, culture, and the dominant religion are unquestionable, but most historians and linguists agree the namesake is largely coincidental.

Structure

The Hwasong National Council is the current incarnation of the original Tribal Council dating back to the formation of the Hwasong Tribal Confederation. The Council is made up of two houses: the House of the Tribes comprised of Tribal Dooktars and the House of the Nation made up of elected representatives.
Justice in Hwasong is handled at the lowest possible level. Small disputes and misdemeanors are arbitrated by the village Dooktar. If the dispute is between villages or rises beyond the expertise of the village Dooktar, the Tribal Dooktar would be called in to preside over the case. Any felonies, major disputes, and appeals are brought before prosecutors and judges appointed by the House of Tribes. If the judges cannot resolve a case or if there is a matter of interpretation of Hwasongi law, the House of the Tribes may be called upon to hear the case and render final judgement.

History

See main article: History of Hwasong
Hwasong was founded by the first Native Martians in the remains of Melas Colony, the original Martian basecamp within Melas Chasma, now at the heart of Hwasong's capital Melizdosee . In its short history, Hwasong has undergone many changes in leadership and governance, which define the main eras of the nation's history.


United Tribal Confederation (2193-2209)
[img] Banner of the United Tribal Confedation of Hwasong
Unexpected first contact with an expedition from Earth ended in violence as a result of miscommunication. A military force was dispatched from Earth as a result, sparking the First Martian War. The disparate Native Martian tribes to agree to reunite under one banner. The Tribal Confederation was mainly organized around fighting the war against the TASA forces. ASD was appointed as Supreme Dooktar to lead the tribes into battle. He was killed on December 26th, 2197, when TASA Marines pushed the Native Martians out of Melas Colony due to political machinations back on Earth.
In 2206, the Tribal Confederation attended peace talks with various factions from Earth, leading to a formal end in hostilities an recognition by most Terran nations and organizations. Several corporations began sponsoring various tribal factions to exploit Martian resources, stoking old conflicts between the tribes.
United Tribes of Hwasong (2209-2226)
[img] Flag of the United Tribes of Hwasong
GM worked to keep the tribes together after ASD’s death, assuming the role of Supreme Dooktar after the forced exodus from Melas. Seeing the fraying edges of their tribal confederation, GM worked to restructuring Hwasong into a more permanent nation and government. The Council of tribal Dooktars would be formalized into a Parliament of sorts under the framework of her new government, The United Tribes of Hwasong (UTH). Unfortunately GM would not see her government come to fruition, as she was assassinated while attempting to curry the support of ASD’s tribe.
GM and ASD’s son, SGM, took on his mother’s role and continued her work of unifying the tribes, by force if necessary. Those that did not submit to the new government were forced into exile, eventually forming the neighboring territory of Eosong within Eos Chasma. SGM’s reign saw tremendous economic and population growth. His reign lasted until 2216 when he fell severely ill, prompting his evacuation to Luna for medical treatment.
Between 2216 and 2223, Hwasong had six different rulers, the longest reigning for less than two Earth years. Two were assassinated, one was forced into exile, one died of old age, and two were forced out after a no confidence vote. Hwasong seemed on the verge of falling apart once again.
SGM surprised the nation by returning from Luna in full health as the Tribal Council tried and failed to name a new Supreme Dooktar at the end of 2223. SGM announced his intention to reign again, and the council unanimously backed him. SGM had grown even more religious while recuperating on the dark side of Luna, which characterized his second reign. Eventually SGM led Hwasong’s budding military into Eosong, at the time a province of Hellas Colony. African Union troops moved to defend Hellas Colony, defeating Hwasong and capturing SGM.
Hwasong Nation (2227-2273)
[img] Flag of the Hwasong Nation
The Tribal Council’s negotiated surrender to the African Union forces angered SGM upon his return. Blaming him for the costly war, the Council asked SGM to abdicate. Feeling betrayed, he rallied support from loyalists and religious fundamentalists throughout Hwasong. SGM’s loyalists stormed the Tribal Council Chambers in Melizdosee and captured the Tribal Council for judgement. The Dooktars either swore allegiance to SGM or were forced into exile, whereupon they were replaced by more loyal candidates.
SGM introduced widespread changes, reforming Hwasong to give himself more central authority and weakening the Tribal Council. He renamed the country to the Hwasong Nation (HN), emphasizing their unity as a single nation. Citizenship and government institutions became more formalized. A new flag was introduced, and Hwasong adopted a National Anthem for the first time in history. SGM also cut ties with non-Nascentist nations and corporations, nationalizing any of their assets he seized. Despite this, the country stagnated.
Several rebellions against SGM formed throughout the fringes of Hwasongi territory, eventually culminating in a coup led by exiled Dooktar NS, who claimed to be a descendant of Hana. Te coup sprung into action at the end of 2227 when SGM toured Nascentist nations on Luna with most of his advisors and staff, leaving an administrator to govern in his absence. As the coup forces clashed with loyalists, a group of outlaws in Ovar Province seized Melizdosee through the unprotected Northwestern flank.
[img] Flag of Hwasong during HK’s brief rule. Still used by dissident supporters of HK.
HK, the leader of the Ovar rebels, installed himself as Supreme Dooktar. He remained in control of a besieged Melizdosee for three weeks and three days. He agreed to surrender to the coup forces in exchange for amnesty (a deal which was broken in the first months of NS’s reign).
As the new Supreme Dooktar of Hwasong, NS used his alleged relation to Hana Song to legitimize his rule. NS assumed the title of “Scion” and established a line of succession for his relatives as further Scions, much like ancient dynastic monarchs. NS reformed Hwasong’s government and overturned many of SGM’s more extreme edicts. He increased religious freedoms to other Nascentist sects and opened the first secular schools and universities in Hwasong.
NS also continued SGM’s oppression of Hybrids (the widely abhorred offspring of Native Martians and unmodified Terrans). While attending the first graduation ceremony at Meliz University in 2233, NS and his brother were assassinated by a Hybrid student. His daughter, ZS was the next surviving Scion, and she assumed control of the Hwasong Nation.
ZS continued the reformist trends of her father, while also championing women’s rights. She angered many traditionalists by allowing women to choose when to wear the Oojibog and allowing women more visibility in public and in society as a whole.
United Hwasong Republic (2273-2278)
[img] Flag of the United Hwasong Republic
In 2273 while traveling off world for emergency surgery, Zahwee Seeyon was deposed by MDK, her former Administrator (equivalent to a Prime Minister). During his tenure, MDK had kept the fundamentalists in check, while secretly currying their support for his own rule. Rather than plunge the country into civil war, Zahwee abdicated to MDK’s coup and went into exile.
MDK eliminated the role of Supreme Dooktar and Scion of Hwasong, making the Administrator of Hwasong the head of state. The new United Hwasong Republic was semi-democratic, but with Nascentist elements running throughout the constitution and laws, appeasing the fundamentalists and traditionalists.
MDK promised to undo much of Zahwee and Neyvan’s reforms, but made little headway due to political infighting within the Tribal Council. By 2277, MDK had grown frustrated by the political deadlock. He and his followers moved to suppress opposing political parties, sometimes violently. With enough of the Tribal Council on his side, MDK pushed for a constitutional amendment formalizing single-party rule under his dominant National Virtue Party (NVP).
Many of the secular rivals that had been ousted from government coalesced around the Hwasong People’s Party (HPP), a Hegemonist political party backed by the Pacific Asia Coalition. Under MDK, relations with the PAC had soured, tilting the precarious political balance the Seeyons had maintained with the various Terran factions.
Hwasong Hegemonist Republic (2278-2287)
[img] First flag of the Hwasong Hegemonist Republic (2278-2280) [img] Revised Hegemonist Flag reincorporating Nascentist symbolism (2280-2287)
In 2278 the Hwasong People’s Party staged a coup, overthrowing MDK’s government. The HPP had the backing of most of the military, which had been trained and indoctrinated at PAC academies in neighboring Jinse Ping and Aishidu under existing partnerships. The HPP announced that Hwasong would become a part of the greater Hegemonic movement, essentially subordinating Hwasong to the PAC.
Nascentist groups quickly declared their opposition to the Hegemonic government, but initially failed to organize any sizeable rebellion. The first few organized uprisings in outlying regions were put down in brutal fashion.
Internal rivalries within the Hwasong Hegemonist Republic almost led to a split within the HPP, that was only prevented by direct PAC involvement. AMN, who had helped install TRK as Administrator of Hwasong slowly grew to resent his ally and the cult of personality around him. In 2279, AMN had TRK assassinated and appointed himself as the new head of the Hegemonist government. The PAC did not trust AMN to lead Hwasong effectively, and eventually moved to have him remove when they came to believe he was conspiring with enemies of the PAC to destroy Hegemonist Hwasong from the inside out.
In December 2279 the PAC sent in covert operatives disguised as Hwasongi troops to storm the Administrative Offices and kill AMN. At the same time, PAC troops began pouring into Hwasong from orbit and neighboring PAC colonies to help strengthen the Hwasongi military and quell the growing Nascentist insurgency.
Meanwhile TASA and the Four Eyes Intelligence Cooperative moved to support the budding insurgency with aid and arms, provided by Eosong and their Internal Directorate of Intelligence. The IDI would be the main interface with the Hwasongi insurgents, using their familiarity as fellow Native Martians.

Military

The Hwasong Security Forces (HSF) encompass the military, law enforcement, and intelligence apparatus of the current Hwasongi government. The HSF is largely trained, equipped, and funded by TASA as a part of their Campaign Against New Dawn. Other nations and organizations participating in the International Mars Security Assistance Coalition (IMSAC) also support the HSF.
The two largest branches of the Hwasong Security Forces are the Hwasong National Army (HNA) and Hwasong National Police (HNP). The Hwasong National Army was formed in the earliest days of Hwasong's liberation from New Dawn forces. The HNA evolved from the alliance of tribal militias that fought against New Dawn. The Hwasong Aerospace Force (HAF) is a branch of the Hwasong National Army that operates their aerospace craft and guards Hwasongi aerospace sovereignty.
The Hwasong Frontier and Border Guard (HFBG) is a specialized branch of the HNP. The HFBG is divided into a Border Guard branch and a Frontier Patrol branch. The Border Guard is much smaller due to the few border connections with Eosong and Jinse Ping. They mainly deal with customs and vehicle inspections at the border crossings. The Frontier Patrol guard Hwasong's highland territory in small teams, watching for insurgents crossing into Hwasong through the barren wasteland.
In order to provide security to the more remote villages in Hwasong, the HNP formed the Hwasong Local Police (HLP), essentially a paramilitary made up of vetted residents from each village. The HLP have no arrest authority, limited training, and are basically a stopgap to prevent New Dawn freedom of movement in outlying villages.
Hwasong's primary intelligence agency is the Ministry of National Intelligence (MNI). The MNI deals with foreign intelligence, counter intelligence, counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and internal affairs investigations. Both the HNA and HNP also have Intelligence branches that support their more specialized missions.
Since ousting New Dawn, HSF has been plagued by internal issues. Professionalism, motivation, and corruption are frequent challenges faced by the HSF and their IMSAC trainers. The HNP in particular are fighting against accusations of widespread corruption and abuse of power. The Army, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with desertion and collaboration with the enemy by low level commanders. Drug use, especially black root use, is a concern for all branches of the HSF. New Dawn infiltration of the HSF has also eroded trust between the HSF and their IMSAC partners. Each insider attack by New Dawn infiltrators sets back relations between the HSF and IMSAC, stymieing progress towards security.

Religion

Despite the expulsion of New Dawn, the overwhelming majority of Hwasongi people are religious and belong to a denomination of Nascentism. Nascentism is still the national religion and all laws are based on Nascentist teachings. There are, however, provisions allowing religious freedom including Martian Nascent sects the Children of Mars and Followers of the Twelve.
Non-Nascent minorities such as the The Enlightened are allowed to live in Hwasong, provided they abide by Nascent Law. Terran religions and atheism are likewise provisionally allowed provided adherents follow Nascent Law while in Hwasong. In reality, openly practicing other religions in public can draw strong condemnation and could lead to violent confrontations.

Hana al yongwani! (All glory to Hana!)

Maps

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  Mars Global Map

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Capital

Melizdosee

Alternative Names

Republic of Hwasong, Nascent Republic of Hwasong

Demonym

Hwasongi

Head of Government

Administrator of Hwasong

Government System

Democracy, Representative

Power Structure

Federation

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

Moolchit

Legislative Body

Hwasong National Council

• Upper House: The Assembly of The Tribes
• Lower House: The Assembly of The Nation

Judicial Body

Constitutional: The Assembly of The Tribes
Federal: National Courts of Law
Major: Tribal Dooktars
Minor: Village Dooktars

Official State Religion

Nascentism

Location

Mariner Valley Region

Official Languages

• Hellic
• Marineri

Related Ethnicities

• Native Martian