Capítulo 682: Chapter 682: Even the Blue House Can’t Keep Quiet
Uncle Byeong-geun held my hand tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Thankfully, it was something I could resolve. And I wasn't alone. Both Myeong-su and the government stepped in to help, so it was all possible."
"That's not quite…"
Despite his endless tears, he wouldn't let go of my hand.
Memories from my childhood, now hazy and scattered, began to flicker in my mind.
In those memories, Uncle Byeong-geun was a grown man with a rugged face and a big build, like a mountain bandit.
Unlike the dependable Uncle Byeong-geun from back then, whose hearty laughter filled the room, the gray-haired man before me now seemed frail.
It was a change brought about by the passage of years.
"You can't keep crying like this on a good day. It's not like you, Uncle."
I led Uncle Byeong-geun, holding his tear-streaked hand, toward the central square of the market.
The market vendors and their families had all gathered there.
They welcomed me with applause. The sound echoed through the spacious square.
"Mu-hyeok! Our market's pride! Kim Mu-hyeok!"
Wow, this is embarrassing. I just smiled awkwardly without saying a word.
Just then, a man stepped forward. It was Kim Mugil, whom I had met in Iraq.
"Um… I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life."
He stuttered, glancing around nervously as he expressed his gratitude.
Though still somewhat timid, he seemed to have regained some stability psychologically and physically compared to when we met in Iraq.
"It's even nicer to see you here than in Iraq! I heard you graduated from the same middle school. Honestly, I don't remember too well, but feel free to speak comfortably since you say you're a senior from school."
"No, no! You saved my life; how can I…"
Kim Mugil's voice trailed off as he checked the reactions of those around him.
This probably wasn't his true self. A man who could go on a business trip to a war zone like Iraq would surely be brave and full of confidence.
"It's all good. Worrying like this just makes it awkward for Uncle Byeong-geun. To me, he's more than just a neighborhood uncle, so talk freely."
Uncle Byeong-geun, having stopped crying, chimed in from the side.
"Yeah, Mugil. It's fine. Treat him like your own brother."
"I'll do it next time. Next time, I promise. Father."
With everyone's eyes on him, Kim Mugil replied in a small voice.
I didn't press him any further.
"Still, you look much better than the last time I saw you. When I met you in Iraq, well… it was quite different then."
"Ah, definitely! Home sweet home. I shouldn't have been running around Iraq trying to make money. I just worried my father, mother, and the people in the market…"
"That makes sense. You must have had a tough time even after coming back to Korea, right?"
When Kim Mugil first arrived in Korea, he had been welcomed warmly.
However, rumors from the U.S. led to a wave of criticism against him.
Because of that, both Kim Mugil and Uncle Byeong-geun had quite a tough time.
Reporters and ordinary citizens swarmed him, making it nearly impossible for him to do business, they say.
Uncle Byeong-geun was worried he might bring trouble to the market folks, so he closed his bicycle shop for a while and stayed hidden at home.
"I saw it coming. That's why I spoke like that at the press conference…"
It seemed Kim Mugil had suffered emotionally during this period, as he let out a deep sigh.
He reached out, trembling, and grasped Uncle Byeong-geun's hand firmly.
Looking at them now, it was clear they resembled each other quite a lot. I watched them closely and asked.
"Things are going to be alright from here on out. You quit the company, right? Oh, wait. No, it looks like it'll go under soon anyway."
After getting the full picture, President Yoon Chang-ho demanded a thorough investigation into Cheongseong Trading using every means within his power.
If he had reported the kidnapping to the diplomatic authorities first, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
Seeing the president's fury, the National Tax Service initiated a special audit, and the prosecutors dug deep, checking if there were any favors during the military supplies contract in Iraq.
Given the prosecutors' and tax office's determination, it was certain that unless it was a large corporation, they would definitely go down.
"I quit because I heard that when they demanded a ransom, they didn't even report it to the government, desperately trying to haggle it down. It was a company I had worked at for quite a while, though."
Having worked for a long time at such a company made the feeling of betrayal even stronger.
Kim Mugil didn't hide his feelings and let it all pour out.
"You did well. It's best to take it easy for a while. After going through something that huge, you need time to settle your mind. Oh, and…"
I glanced at Uncle Byeong-geun before continuing.
"Once things have settled down a bit, contact me here."
I handed him a business card.
"What's this…?"
Kim Mugil looked confused as he asked.
The card I handed him was from the HR manager at Jungwoo Construction.
"Don't get into dangerous situations again. If you contact there, you can get a job. The salary will probably be higher too."
"This is the business card of the HR manager at Jungwoo Construction?"
"Yes. I heard Jungwoo Construction will have many projects in Iraq and Afghanistan coming up. Since you've been there, you should know the lay of the land, and you can speak both English and some Arabic, right?"
Kim Mugil answered, still bewildered.
"Yes, but my Arabic is only at a conversational level."
"That's more than enough. Just as luck would have it, I heard Jungwoo Construction is looking for someone. You'll have a simple interview, but I believe you'll pass without any issues."
At that moment, Uncle Byeong-geun, who had been listening to our conversation, snatched the card away.
Uncle Byeong-geun's eyes widened when he saw the name Jungwoo Construction written on the card.
"Jungwoo Construction? Is that the Jungwoo Construction I know, Mu-hyeok?"
"Yes. As long as there are no strange incidents, getting a job shouldn't be an issue. I also have a contact there, so I've spoken to them on your behalf."
"… Mu-hyeok. Mu-hyeok. Thank you so much."
Uncle Byeong-geun, once again teary-eyed, bowed his head in gratitude.
For the elders in the market, a job at a large corporation was a dream come true.
Despite their lack of formal education and having grown up rough in the market, they had always hoped to send their children to good schools and into good jobs.
Yet, realistically speaking, it was tough for anyone to rise up from humble beginnings.
"Please don't say that, Uncle. I just made a suggestion. Jungwoo Construction needed someone to manage their projects in Iraq, and it just fit perfectly. I did nothing extraordinary."
"Is that even something to say? Jungwoo Construction is one of the top companies in Korea!"
"I'm serious! Remember Jungwoo? You know Dong-soo, right? Some of his juniors work at Jungwoo Construction. So, I talked to them. This is all thanks to your son. He's smart and speaks English and some Arabic too."
Even a hedgehog would be proud of their offspring if they were good enough. As I praised Kim Mugil, Uncle Byeong-geun's expression softened a little.
I turned my gaze back to Kim Mugil and said.
"Just avoid dangerous places like Iraq from now on. Uncle Byeong-geun and the market folks worry about you. Although Jungwoo Construction will recruit for Iraq, don't apply, alright? Got it?"
Kim Mugil nodded vigorously and clenched his fist.
"Yes. I won't leave Korea anymore."
"Good thinking."
Grandma watched us with a contented smile as Uncle Byeong-geun and I shared our conversation.
With the main topic discussed, I thought I might as well see if there was anyone else around when Myeong-su showed up.
"Son of Busan! The pride of the market! Lee Myeong-su has arrived! You all aren't planning to have fun without me, right?"
Without a hint of shame, Myeong-su bragged about himself and, spotting Uncle Byeong-geun and me, made his way over.
"Uncle Byeong-geun, why are your eyes so puffy?"
"What do you mean? I'm fine."
"Come on, you're clearly crying. I've heard that men cry more as they get older. Looks like you're no exception!"
"You little rascal!"
As Myeong-su dodged Uncle Byeong-geun's hand, he chuckled and playfully hit my shoulder.
"You're still alive, huh? I was worried since I hadn't heard from you! Grandma thought you were dead!"
"Cut it out! I got scolded enough as it is."
"Ah, I wish I had seen that. I showed up late, didn't I?"
After greeting Grandma, Myeong-su led me and her deep into the crowd.
"What's a feast without a drink? Everyone should have a glass of makgeolli before we start! Raise your cups everyone!"
Myeong-su's parents shook their heads disapprovingly at his antics.
Yet, the market folks seemed pleased with Myeong-su's showmanship and laughed as they raised their bowls.
Without caring that the makgeolli in the bowls sloshed around, Myeong-su lifted his bowl even higher.
"May the market folks all live long and prosper!"
Thus, the lively market celebration began.
* * *
A few days had passed since I had come down to Busan.
After having breakfast with Grandma, I settled on the sofa in the living room and turned on the TV.
"— The chief of administrative affairs in Russia, known to be close to President Medvedev, is set to visit Korea. This visit is meant to discuss the construction of oil and gas pipelines connecting Russia's Siberia, North Korea, and Korea, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
The Russian ruler was quick to act.
Not even a week after making an agreement with me, Medvedev was to be sent as a special envoy to Korea.
I had already received a message, and it was said that the Korean government was also negotiating the schedule.
"— According to a core official from the Blue House, this visit is expected to cover not only the oil and gas projects but also discussions about the Eurasian transcontinental railway. The Eurasian railway has been a key promise of President Yoon Chang-ho…"
The Eurasian railway was premature.
This was not a project that could proceed just because North Korea and Russia reached an agreement.
Japan demanded a submarine tunnel connecting Korea and Japan, while the U.S. showed a negative attitude toward the Eurasian railway.
It was a project involving many countries, and negotiations were happening behind the scenes.
It was likely a serious project that could remain unstarted throughout President Yoon Chang-ho's term.
Yet, to let such sensitive information slip to the media was simply foolish.
"Even the Blue House can't keep quiet."
"What? Mu-hyeok, what did you say?"
Grandma called me over from the kitchen, pausing her dishwashing.
"Nothing. Just talking to myself."
"What are you so curious about? Want me to bring you fruit?"
"Grandma, we just ate… I feel like I could burst."
"Oh, let me peel an apple for you."
After barely getting through the mountain of rice she had piled on my plate, Grandma seemed intent on offering me another snack.
Seriously, I could burst. It was obvious she wouldn't listen, so I focused back on the news.
"— In other news, former Progressive Party leader Kim Seok-jin has taken his first steps toward founding a new party after leaving the party."
After Kim Seok-jin, the strongest faction within the Progressive Party left, several representatives associated with the so-called Kim Seok-jin faction also began to depart in droves.
Discussions on political reshuffling were stirring the political scene of Korea.
"— After leaving the Progressive Party, former leader Kim Seok-jin has remained relatively low-profile. However, yesterday, he rented the Central Building in the Jongno District to set up office. According to former assemblyman Jeong Seok-woo, known to be close to Kim Seok-jin, he mentioned in a press conference that a founder meeting for the new party would soon be held. The founder meeting is the first step to forming a political party…"
In Korea, the procedures for founding a new political party are more complex compared to other countries, with many obstacles in the way of founding parties.
The main intention was to prevent indiscriminate party founding, but as a result, it became a structure that made it hard for smaller parties to thrive.
"— No one knows where the signal shot fired by Kim Seok-jin, who hasn't even founded his new party yet, will spread. In the meantime, Kim Hyeon-woo, spokesperson for the Progressive Party, has severely criticized former leader Kim Seok-jin. Let's listen in."
Following this, the spokespersons from both the Progressive Party and the Moderate Party stated their comments.
The Progressive Party didn't stop their sharp criticism of Kim Seok-jin.
The Moderate Party also tried to downplay Kim Seok-jin's founding of a new party, releasing statements suggesting it was nothing to fuss over.
Yet, the Progressive Party and the Moderate Party couldn't afford to underestimate Kim Seok-jin.
His political career was synonymous with the history of politics in Korea.
As the Conservative Party, which once held a cornerstone of Korean politics, crumbled away, and the Progressive Party, another cornerstone, split in two, Kim Seok-jin's influence was bound to grow larger than anyone else's.
'I heard that the support rating for a new party that hasn't even launched yet surpassed 20%.'
The poll released yesterday surveyed support ratings including the new party.
In that survey, the support rating for Kim Seok-jin's party, which hasn't even been founded yet, exceeded 20%.
That support must be a result of a convention effect, but even so, a support rating over 20% for a party not yet launched reflected the weight of Kim Seok-jin's presence.
I turned off the TV, organizing my thoughts.
"Have you finished, Grandma? Let's get ready and head out."
I said to Grandma as she finished washing the dishes.
"Wow, is it already that time? Just wait a moment, I'll get ready quickly."
Soon, Grandma came out, changed into her outing clothes, and only carried a light load.
We decided to head to Seoul together for her health checkup the next day.
I took Grandma's bag and led her to the car. The car that picked us up started moving slowly toward Seoul.
Estado de energía semanal
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