RR 09
[009] A Big Change 1.
“Comrades, and my dear fellow citizens.
I have now come to hold firm convictions regarding the future of our nation. In this timely situation, where deep-seated conflicts and differing perspectives among the people have manifested as a national crisis, I have engaged in deep contemplation and countless struggles regarding the true mission of a politician.
(Omitted)
First. We must swiftly carry out a constitutional amendment for direct presidential elections through bipartisan agreement and ensure a peaceful transfer of government in February 1988 through presidential elections under the new constitution.
The people are the masters of the nation, and the will of the people takes precedence over everything.”
June 29, 1987.
I listened to this momentous announcement while sipping yogurt in the car on my way home from school.
Through this declaration, candidate Roh Tae-woo announced that if his declaration was not accepted, he would resign from all public offices, including the presidential candidacy. Subsequently, the ruling Democratic Justice Party recognized this declaration as the party’s official stance.
Following this, Chun Doo-hwan, the ‘incumbent’ president, also announced his acceptance of the June 29th Declaration through a special address, making it the government’s official declaration. Along with this, the April 13th Constitutional Protection Measure was abolished.
With the June 29th Declaration thus announced, the June Democracy Movement, which achieved the splendid feat of democracy by the hands of the citizens, would conclude with the funeral of martyr Lee Han-yeol.
Now, the race for power in a new era would begin.
When I opened the front door of the house, a strange energy enveloped the entire house, and I felt a slight thrill.
The gardener and house caretaker, who always greeted me with a bright smile, pulled my hand with a stern expression.
“Do-jun. Grandfather is here. Got it?”
Oh, really.
Did he come to see me on such an important day without even holding a meeting with the group’s key figures?
It wasn’t a delusion. I was the only person Grandfather wanted to see in this house.
I gave the man a bright smile and entered the house.
In the living room, Grandfather had the two tutors seated and was asking them various questions.
Upon spotting me, Grandfather Jin stood up from the sofa and spread his arms wide.
“Oh, my brilliant child! Are you home from school?”
I had to suppress the sigh that automatically tried to escape. I absolutely couldn’t run up and embrace him like a typical grandson.
I bowed my head very politely.
“You’re here, Grandfather?”
But it was unavoidable.
Chairman Jin lifted me high. The old man was strong.
Fortunately, my mother came into the living room with tea and fruit. Grandfather awkwardly put me down.
As my mother placed the refreshments down and quickly turned to go to the kitchen, Chairman Jin swiftly stopped her.
“Sit down for a moment.”
“Yes?”
“I have something important to say. And why are you so surprised?”
“Ah, yes, Father.”
Her father-in-law, who had never even looked her way, was speaking to her? It seemed like a first, and she froze completely, carefully perching on the sofa.
“Do-jun. Would you go up to your room for a moment? Your grandfather has something to discuss with your mother.”
Chairman Jin also spoke to the uncomfortable tutors.
“Both of you, please step out for a moment. You can check his homework.”
As if on cue, the two of them took my hand and pulled me up to the second floor.
What was Grandfather going to say to Mother?
.
.
.
“How have you been?”
“Oh, I’m just a housewife managing the household. Nothing special.”
This was the first time her father-in-law had offered a greeting since she married into the family.
Both the questioning father-in-law and the answering daughter-in-law were exceedingly awkward.
“Hmm… I have something to ask you.”
“Yes, Father.”
“It’s about Do-jun. He seems a bit different from other children, doesn’t he? What do you think?”
“He is a bit mature, yes.”
“I thought he wasn’t like that earlier this year… Was I wrong?”
Chairman Jin’s gaze was sharp, as if he didn’t want to miss a single reaction from his daughter-in-law.
“Yes. To be honest, I was a bit bewildered too. His attitude definitely changed suddenly a few months ago… but I’m glad it’s for the better.”
“For the better? How so?”
“He’s calm and polite… Oh, and his studies have changed dramatically too.”
“The tutors say he’s extremely brilliant and spares no effort. Did you know this too?”
“Yes. When he comes home from school, he studies until late at night. He doesn’t listen even if I tell him to go to bed early.”
Chairman Jin smiled along with his daughter-in-law’s bright face, sensing her pride in her grandson.
She showed a hint of surprise at encountering such an expression from her father-in-law for the first time.
“From now on, pay a little more attention to Do-jun. It will be good for you too.”
“…?”
To his daughter-in-law, who blinked, unable to grasp his meaning, Chairman Jin spoke again.
“You already know I’m displeased with you, so I won’t mince words. You also know why you don’t receive proper treatment as a daughter-in-law in this household, and I won’t elaborate on that either.”
Chairman Jin continued to stare sharply at his daughter-in-law, who bowed her head. Not a shred of sympathy was visible in his eyes.
“Perhaps Do-jun is the last hope given to you and your husband.”
“What do you mean?”
“That boy, Do-jun, is a task for you two. If you raise Do-jun excellently, I will also give you and your husband shares in Sunyang Group.”
Among Chairman Jin’s five children, the youngest, Jin Yoon-gi, was the only one who did not own a single share in Sunyang Group or its affiliates.
Jin Yoon-gi had no assets registered in his name.
Even the house they lived in was in Chairman Jin’s name, and the car and golf membership were also company assets.
Jin Yoon-gi was a complete jobless person, relying on the ample living expenses sent to him each month.
Giving shares in Sunyang Group meant accepting him back as a child. Seeing his daughter-in-law just blinking, even after hearing such astonishing words, made him frown.
“You still don’t understand what I mean…”
“No, Father. I understand perfectly.”
“Then? Why do you show no sign of gratitude or joy?”
“I have never once wished for shares in the group. Neither has Do-jun’s father. And we won’t in the future either.”
“What?”
“I have no way of knowing what you have discovered in Do-jun or why you are showing him interest. However, your interest is very burdensome. My husband and I only wish for Do-jun to live doing what he wants to do.”
He had never imagined that his youngest daughter-in-law, who had always remained silent and couldn’t even lift her head, would articulate her thoughts so clearly.
How dare she do something no one else would! The Chairman was least accustomed to defiance and rebellion. Finally, a loud shout erupted from him.
“Are you trying to kick away even the last chance I’m giving you? No, is there anything wrong with my words about raising the child well?”
“I know your intention is to raise Do-jun to be capable of handling group affairs. But Do-jun is only 10 years old. I want to let Do-jun decide what he wants to do when he becomes an adult.”
He was dumbfounded to see his daughter-in-law not flinching at all from his yelling. Was it true that maternal love knew no fear?
But Chairman Jin was not one to nod his head in the face of maternal love.
“I make all decisions in this household! How dare you…! You, who cannot live a single day without the money I provide, defy my will?”
His shouts echoed throughout the house, making even the household staff flinch.
The secretaries who had accompanied Chairman Jin also left the living room quietly, startled. They didn’t need to hear private conversations about the family. They tiptoed out to the garden.
The living room, now left with only the two of them, grew even colder.
“It’s alright even if you cut off support, Father.”
“You… you!”
Chairman Jin’s face reddened at his daughter-in-law’s calm but resolute demeanor.
“My husband and I can sufficiently raise two children. We can endure and bear everything else, but we want to raise our children according to our own will. I apologize, Father.”
Seeing his daughter-in-law, who had not a single redeeming quality in his eyes, become so stubborn and unyielding, Chairman Jin could no longer tolerate it and sprang up from the sofa.
It was now difficult to continue the conversation.
Chairman Jin, who intended to yell and then leave, couldn’t do as he pleased.
Because his beloved grandson was staring at him intently.
.
.
.
At first, I waited for Chairman Jin on the second floor.
I expected him to look for me after his conversation with my mother, but the atmosphere downstairs was becoming unusually tense.
When I heard Chairman Jin’s harsh voice, I shook off the tutor’s hand and left the room.
Sitting on the stairs leading downstairs, I was quite surprised as I listened to their conversation.
A completely different side of my mother.
Her attitude of expressing her convictions without yielding even slightly to Chairman Jin, who wielded terrifying power, was almost moving.
But staying put like this was leading things to too extreme a point.
My heart grew anxious, especially when Grandfather looked like he was about to explode.
I quickly went downstairs, feigned a downcast look, and spoke.
“Grandfather.”
Chairman Jin couldn’t hide his flustered expression upon seeing me.
It was likely because he knew the truth: no grandson likes a grandfather who abuses his mother.
“Don’t be angry, Grandfather.”
“Oh, no. Why would I be angry? It’s just that your grandfather’s voice is loud. Come here.”
I slowly walked over and sat next to my mother. Disappointment flashed in Chairman Jin’s eyes as I didn’t sit next to him.
“Do-jun. Grandfather isn’t angry. He was just talking to Mom.”
My mother said gently, stroking my head.
Did she really think I wouldn’t know?
Did adults truly not realize that even a 10-year-old could sufficiently understand what this situation was about?
Anyway, I had to sort out this situation and say something that would satisfy Grandfather. Expressing my will was a bonus.
“Grandfather and Mother. You don’t need to argue because of me.”
Both their faces reddened slightly. Grandfather even coughed awkwardly when our eyes met.
“Grandfather.”
“Yes, Do-jun.”
“I hope that when I grow up, I can do what I want, just like Mother said.”
“Doing what I want,” “following Mother’s words”—these words must have been a huge shock. His expression instantly changed to one of disappointment and sorrow.
And perhaps feeling a hint of betrayal, his lips trembled.
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