RR 12
[012] Tumultuous Political Situation 1.
Chairman Jin Yang-cheol tossed aside the newspaper he was reading in his study, a wide smile gracing his lips.
The newspaper headlines were headed towards the outcome his grandson had predicted.
The two Kims had turned their backs on each other.
The photo showed the current affairs debate held on October 27th at Korea University’s Democracy Square, which both men had attended.
The two protagonists of the debate, though seated side-by-side on the platform, barely exchanged words, their faces grim.
More seriously, disparate reactions were evident in their speeches.
When Kim Young-sam first took the stage and expressed his views on the current political situation and democracy in a ringing voice, something unexpected happened.
Boos of “Woo-! Woo-!” erupted from the audience. The jeers grew increasingly intense, turning into shouts of “Resign! Resign! Resign! Resign!” Kim Young-sam, trembling with humiliation he had never experienced in his 30 years of political life, walked out of Korea University’s main gate.
In contrast, when Kim Dae-jung, dressed in a black Korean traditional coat, ascended the podium, the debate hall transformed into his personal campaign rally. Before the cheering crowd shouting “Kim Dae-jung! President!”, Kim Dae-jung calmly finished his speech with an uplifted expression.
He was then hoisted onto his supporters’ shoulders and paraded down Anam-ro in front of the school as dusk fell. In an atmosphere resembling a presidential election victory parade, Kim Dae-jung shouted,
“Everyone! Thank you very much! Today, I have decided to make a resolute decision!”
No one failed to grasp what this “resolute decision” was.
Chairman Jin wasn’t just smiling because his grandson’s prediction hit the mark.
Four months ago, when the current government declared its surrender, all the major chaebol corporations courted both Kims. They didn’t doubt their unification and firmly believed one of them would be the next president.
However, Chairman Jin of Sunyang Group threw his biggest gift to the ruling party and only gave pocket money to the two Kims.
This was because he had heeded his grandson’s astute words.
When one is struggling and distressed, when worries pile up and cause dark circles under one’s eyes, a helping hand is more than welcome.
Moreover, if that hand holds an enormous sum of money, it becomes a great source of strength.
They would never forget that when the majority turned their backs, only one entity, and that too Sunyang Group, leading the economy at the forefront of South Korea, took care of them.
Chairman Jin’s smile was a natural reaction as he thought of all the benefits he would enjoy over the next five years.
Just as he leaned back in his comfortable chair, trying to savor this good feeling, there was a knock, and several people rushed in.
His three sons, the group’s secretarial office, and finally, one woman.
It was Jin Seo-yoon, his fourth child and only daughter.
“Why are you here? I didn’t call you.”
“I’m also a CEO of Sunyang. How can I just sit idly by?”
As Jin Seo-yoon bristled, Chairman Jin let out a hollow laugh.
He had pampered his only daughter so much that even as an adult, she seemed immature.
He had entrusted her with the department store simply because she was a woman. He thought she was completely inept at management, but she was doing quite well.
Having been exposed only to the highest quality products since childhood—eating, touching, and wearing them—she had transformed Sunyang Department Store with a “premium department store” concept. While sales decreased, net profit increased, and Jin Seo-yoon’s pride grew even stronger.
“Everyone, sit down first. It’s not a war, why are you all so agitated?”
“Chairman. Did you see the newspaper?”
“Yes.”
“The atmosphere is turning serious. It seems the two gentlemen will completely turn their backs on each other.”
His eldest son, Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki, tossed the newspaper down and spoke urgently.
“If this becomes a three-way race, who will become president…?”
“Today, DJ is said to be leaving the Unified Democratic Party. Naturally, he’ll form a new party and run independently. It means he’s burning his bridges behind him.”
“We’ve also received information that JP will declare the formation of a new party the day after tomorrow and run. It’s called the New Democratic Republican Party.”
“Why is that old man making such a fuss, honestly… He can only split the Chungcheong votes anyway.”
“The president is indeed strong. To see them turn their backs in an instant, even after being comrades in democracy all their lives…”
As everyone started speaking, Chairman Jin frowned deeply and pounded on the desk.
“You lot…! Are you reporters? Or critics? Do you think I gathered you here to listen to your commentary?!”
At Chairman Jin’s scolding, everyone fell silent.
“Just give me the conclusion. Who is it? Who will sit on the phoenix chair?”
At times like this, the only one who could step forward was naturally his eldest son, Jin Young-ki.
“Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Chungcheong, Jeolla. If divided into four regions, Gyeongnam has the largest population. What’s left are the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon, but since JP will take votes from the ruling party, wouldn’t YS be the most likely?”
Starting with Vice Chairman Jin Young-ki, various opinions emerged.
YS was considered the most likely, followed by the ruling party’s re-election.
Of course, there was no need to rush yet. The election was in December, still two months away. It wasn’t too late to observe the trends.
But Chairman Jin was not a person to be satisfied with merely “not being late.” Wasn’t he someone who felt truly content only when he was faster than anyone else?
“Listen closely. I intend to contribute about 10 billion won in election funds this presidential election.”
At the mention of 10 billion won, everyone’s eyes widened, and they began to stammer.
“Ch-Chairman. That’s too much. Wouldn’t half of that be enough?”
Those were the words of someone who cherished money.
“We really need to be careful this time. Isn’t this a bloody battle between two extremes? A mistake in delivery could lead to serious trouble.”
Those were the words of a fearful person, afraid of retaliation.
Chairman Jin went a step further.
“I will deliver 10 billion won next week. You all are to conclude whose hands that 10 billion should be put into.”
Next week? He was too rushed, too urgent.
Unless he was crazy, there was no reason to rush like this, was there?
“Ch-Chairman, that’s…”
“Everyone, shut up!”
At the chairman’s outburst once again, everyone lowered their gaze.
“You wouldn’t be unaware that the money has the greatest effect when it’s given first, would you? Stop arguing and move quickly. It’s a gamble for the group’s survival.”
The children, unaware that all of this was a test, simply thought their father was being overly stubborn.
“What are you doing? The meeting’s over. Get out and get to work.”
With a long sigh, everyone exited the study.
“Why aren’t you leaving? There aren’t just one or two politicians’ wives among the department store’s customers, are there? You look into it too.”
Jin Seo-yoon still sat motionless in the study. She watched Chairman Jin’s expression, then smiled faintly.
“Father, I have something to tell you.”
“Of course you do. Is that why you’re not leaving?”
As Chairman Jin showed a faint smile, Jin Seo-yoon, emboldened, began to speak.
“It seems my husband wants to run in the general election next year.”
“Choi Seobang (son-in-law)?”
“Yes. The in-laws also seem to subtly wish for it.”
“Hmm…”
“The in-laws are a legal family with nothing to lose, but they seem to be slowly getting ambitious about politics… What do you think, Father?”
She wasn’t asking for his thoughts; she was asking for his permission.
“How old is Choi Seobang now?”
“He’s forty-four. He’ll be forty-five next year.”
Choi Seo-yoon’s eyes began to shine as he didn’t immediately say no.
His wife’s family was Korea’s top legal family, having produced two Supreme Court justices, one Prosecutor General, and over a dozen judges and prosecutors. This enormous network had naturally provided much assistance to Sunyang Group, and their value as in-laws was overflowing.
It was true that it was difficult to refuse easily when it wasn’t just the son-in-law who wanted it, but the in-laws’ family as well.
A chief prosecutor of the Central District Prosecutors’ Office from a prestigious family would be a welcome candidate for most political parties. The fact that he was seeking Chairman Jin’s permission indicated how much the in-laws’ family was mindful of Chairman Jin.
“Election funds from the department store’s cash should be enough, so what else can I help with?”
As her father’s permission was granted, Jin Seo-yoon even clapped her hands in delight.
“He doesn’t want to be an ordinary first-term assemblyman. After all, he’s Sunyang’s son-in-law and the son of a prestigious legal family, so shouldn’t he run in a local constituency rather than a nationwide proportional representation?”
“You’re calculating that if he wins in a local constituency with tremendous backing, he could stand shoulder to shoulder with senior party members, even as a first-term assemblyman?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Chairman Jin nodded, looking at his smiling daughter.
“I’ll look into a suitable constituency. And tell Choi Seobang this: if he runs and loses, he should forget about ever seeing my face again.”
Chairman Jin couldn’t even imagine the dreadful situation of his son-in-law losing and becoming a laughingstock in the business world.
.
.
.
End of 1987
As the presidential election intensified, regionalism ran rampant. Eggs were thrown at Kim Young-sam in Gwangju, and Kim Dae-jung also had a difficult time during his campaign rally in Busan.
“Someone is taking orders from Kim Il-sung,” “Someone has a hidden daughter.” As such petty black propaganda circulated, the stature of the two Kims, once symbols of democratization, rapidly plummeted.
And then…
A decisive tragedy that would determine the election occurred.
On November 29, 1987, Korean Air Flight KE858, a Boeing 707 that departed from Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, disappeared after losing communication over the Indian Ocean while flying to Bangkok International Airport, its last stopover before heading to Seoul via Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE.
The government concluded the investigation, stating that “North Korean agent Kim Hyun-hee, under orders from North Korea, air-bombed the plane with a liquid bomb.”
Furthermore, on December 15, 1987, the image of KAL bomber Kim Hyun-hee, gagged to prevent suicide, appeared on TV news.
Coincidentally, this day was the evening before the presidential election, which had an enormous impact on the election.
Finally, on December 17, the morning newspapers carried headlines proclaiming:
[Roh Tae-woo Confirmed as President-Elect]
The final votes were: Roh Tae-woo with 8.28 million votes (37% of the total), Kim Young-sam with 6.33 million votes, Kim Dae-jung with 6.11 million votes, and Kim Jong-pil with 1.82 million votes. The combined votes of Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung exceeded 55%, but victory went to Roh Tae-woo, a key figure in the 12.12 incident.
I finished reading the article and put down the newspaper.
Thus, a new era begins. In the tumultuous next 10 years, until I turn 20, I must secure the capital to swallow Sunyang Group whole.
In 10 years, Chairman Jin Yang-cheol will be ailing, lying in a hospital bed, just waiting for the day he dies. Before that, I need to transfer as many shares as possible to my or my father’s name so I can begin a power struggle with my uncle, Jin Young-ki.
And,
I must prevent an event that should never be forgotten.
The car accident that happened before my 20th birthday—my very own death as Jin Do-jun.
Support me on :
Post Comment