章 618: Chapter 618: No One Is Without Weakness
Several days had passed since the National Assembly elections concluded.
The media was buzzing with stories about the centrist party's overwhelming victory.
While the centrist party was in a festive mood, the Progressive Party saw its leader, Kim Seok-jin, resign, taking responsibility for the defeat.
The Progressive Party held a meeting to form an emergency response committee.
However, it was embroiled in infighting right from the start.
"Are we really discussing following the centrist party's lead? We should be doing politics our own Progressive way. Why are we talking about weird things like party leaders and collective leadership?"
Choi Pil-yong, a close aide to Kim Seok-jin and a four-term lawmaker, raised his voice.
"Hey, Choi. Times are changing. Even President Kim Hak-gwon's era was the peak of boss-style politics. We need to prevent too much power from concentrating in one person's hands, don't we?"
A fierce debate ensued over whether to maintain the party leadership or switch to a collective leadership system like the centrist party's.
The conflict between Kim Seok-jin's faction and the reformist faction intensified as time passed.
Despite the presence of faction heads, Kim Seok-jin and Hong Jin-woo, they didn't even attend the lawmakers' meeting.
* * *
At the same time, amidst the fierce struggle between factions during the Progressive Party's lawmakers' meeting,
two men faced each other in a shabby restaurant in Gyeonggi Province's Gapyeong.
"Chairman, you look like you've aged a lot in just a few days. It seems like you're feeling the weight of your responsibilities."
Hong Jin-woo said with a gentle smile, causing Kim Seok-jin to offer a bitter smile in return.
"You know how it is, Hong. The leader defeated in an election can't even take a break in solitude, can they?"
"If it's that uncomfortable, then step down gracefully. Why cling to power? You're not stirring up trouble with your faction members, are you?"
Hong Jin-woo's words abruptly turned aggressive, causing Kim Seok-jin's eyes to widen.
"What?"
"Just step down cleanly. Things have changed. It's time for us to adapt to the times. The reason the centrist party, after absorbing the Conservative Party, maintains public support is straightforward. They've innovated. President Yoon Chang-ho has relinquished power over the party and is solely focusing on government affairs. Didn't you see how difficult it was even for President Kim Hak-gwon to relinquish party control? The centrist party and President Yoon Chang-ho succeeded in doing what seemed impossible, even embracing the remnants of the Conservative Party."
Kim Seok-jin merely raised one eyebrow in response.
It was an old habit of his when he was feeling displeased.
"How about you lay down the party leadership and get ready for the next presidential election instead?"
"You want me to give up party leadership right now? Then what, are you and your faction just trying to eliminate me?"
"How about a short trip abroad? Doesn't everyone say that?"
"I see, you and your faction are plotting to take complete control of the party in my absence."
Hong Jin-woo didn't deny it.
"The responsibility for this defeat falls heavily on you, Chairman. We had cards we could play to change the atmosphere, but it was you who chose not to use them, wasn't it?"
"And now we could put President Kim Hak-gwon in a difficult position. We can't force him into a corner over this centrist alliance, can we?"
"Mistakes should have consequences. That applies even to former President Kim Hak-gwon."
Kim Seok-jin sighed deeply, lost in thought. That was the difficulty of dealing with someone who seemed flawless.
Bringing up the issue surrounding the North Korean funds during President Kim Hak-gwon's term would be a bad move for the Progressive Party. Yet, it was a powerful card to question everything happening in the current Yoon Chang-ho administration.
Hong Jin-woo urged Kim Seok-jin to reveal this information, but Kim Seok-jin flatly rejected the idea.
As a result, Hong Jin-woo intentionally leaked the illicit North Korean funds scandal involving President Kim Hak-gwon to the centrist party. Strangely enough, the centrist party didn't respond at all.
Even when it reached the media, they brushed it off without raising any serious doubts.
That puzzled Hong Jin-woo.
"Unless there's something I'm missing, right?"
"You're trying too hard to play politics with a clean slate. One day you'll experience a big setback for that. "
"You have to be clear at the top for everything below to be clear. That's why I'll keep my approach clean and transparent."
"That's easy for you to say because you're in a comfortable position. Politics is primarily about money and power battles."
Hong Jin-woo's irritation grew as Kim Seok-jin gave vague responses.
"Why are you bringing that up?"
"The moment we bring that up, this defeat won't matter. Someone far more terrifying will jump into action. That's why neither the centrist party nor I have acted."
Hong Jin-woo narrowed his eyes. He still felt discontent with Kim Seok-jin's vague and lofty words.
"What on earth are you talking about? You mean there's someone that both the centrist party and the Progressive Party fear? You expect me to believe that?"
"I know you've passed on North Korean funds-related documents here and there. Did you think I wouldn't find out? But nobody has acted. The media, the centrist party, and even the Prosecutors' Office. What do you think is the reason?"
To Kim Seok-jin's question, Hong Jin-woo answered as if it were obvious.
"Isn't it because President Yoon Chang-ho stopped them? That guy is someone who has put his political career on the line with this summit. Besides, being a former Prosecutor, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to keep things under control, would it?"
"Sure, President Yoon Chang-ho would have acted. But tell me, in this day and age, who listens to the president? No, that's not it."
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Kim Seok-jin habitually dismissed the reformists with incomprehensible remarks.
He must be doing it on purpose, thought Hong Jin-woo as his voice grew louder.
Yet, Kim Seok-jin continued calmly in his usual tone.
"I've had enough. Let's not talk about that issue again. It's already too late. Wipe it from your mind, and don't even think about using that card once you take the leadership. It will be blocked from the start in the Assembly."
"What could that possibly mean…?"
"Do you know a man named Kim Mu-hyeok?"
"Who's that?"
"The richest man in our country. The one who dismantled the Il-seong Group. The one who has our weaknesses firmly in his grip."
Hong Jin-woo narrowed his eyes, as if pondering Kim Seok-jin's words.
"You mean the people who defected from the centrist party due to dissatisfaction with the primary outcomes? Do you think it's just a coincidence that their doubts are surfacing one by one in the media? No. It's a warning to everyone, showing what happens when they cross the line."
"…"
"Let's see. Are you up for re-election this time? You have never even received a political donation, right? So you might not know. But I bet some members of your faction have accepted his money. Or rather, they probably got it without knowing it was his money."
Hong Jin-woo found it hard to believe what Kim Seok-jin was saying.
"Are you telling me there's someone pulling the strings behind the scenes in Korea? You expect me to believe that?"
"It's something you could find out if you really wanted to. Why would I lie about it?"
"…Are you saying this is true? All of this?"
"Yes. While you act all high and mighty, he's been quietly gathering our weaknesses from the shadows. His grandfather is Cheon Tae-san. You've heard of Cheon Tae-san, right?"
Hong Jin-woo, who had been staring blankly, slowly nodded.
"I've heard of it. They call him the president of the underground economy. But isn't his surname different?"
"Maybe he's a maternal grandson? Likely. He overcame all challenges at a young age and became the successor of Cheon Tae-san. From that moment on, he gradually devoured Korea's underbelly. That's the power of money."
"…What the heck does money mean?"
Hong Jin-woo sighed hopelessly, and Kim Seok-jin chuckled before continuing.
"In today's Korea, money solves everything. Don't anger him. As long as you know where the line is, you're safe. But dare to cross it, and you'll be thoroughly crushed."
"I will think about it."
"You really should for the sake of our party. Especially if you want to seize the leadership. Keep my words in mind."
Kim Seok-jin spoke earnestly. Hong Jin-woo nodded, then brought up a side note.
"Chairman, please go study abroad. I'll organize the party while you're gone. When you come back, you'll be mentioned as a presidential candidate."
"I can't trust you."
"What if I don't believe you? Are you saying you'll fight me instead? We're in a complete mess right now. It's as if the opposition has swallowed up not just the majority but even the constitutional amendment line. And you're saying you want to plunge the Progressive Party into an internal struggle over some party leadership?"
Hong Jin-woo sharply retorted, but Kim Seok-jin stood firm in his stance.
"You promise me that you'll back me as a presidential candidate."
"I'm saying again, once you return from studying abroad, I'll organize things so you're nominated as a presidential candidate."
Kim Seok-jin shook his head.
"No, what's said by a politician is often the hardest to believe. I want a document. A signed pledge from you. If it's in writing, I'll consider it."
"What? A signed pledge? Do you really think that makes sense? Would I willingly create a liability that can be held against me for my political career?"
Once it's documented, who knows when or where it could come back to bite me?
It was an unacceptable demand for Hong Jin-woo.
His strength lay in maintaining a clean image in politics.
If the pledge were made public, it was obvious his image would be tarnished.
"Then I'll go to the end. Let's see if you really can do as you please."
"Chairman!"
"I fear you. How can I trust a pure white crane in a place where crows gather? I need to have a hold on something, or else I won't feel at ease."
"…That's out of the question. Please ask for something else."
"Then I'll agree to a collective leadership system as you wish. But the party leadership goes to Choi, understood?"
"Chairman, how can you be so obstinate?"
Kim Seok-jin raised one eyebrow again. Crossing his arms, he spoke coldly.
"You dislike this, and you dislike that. So tell me, what exactly do you want me to do? This is why young people… don't be emotional. I've clearly stated it. You'll have to choose one of the two. Otherwise, I'll do what I can within my means."
With that, Kim Seok-jin stood up.
"I'm off. Don't take my advice lightly."
After Kim Seok-jin left, Hong Jin-woo's aide walked in.
"Did your conversation go well, Chairman?"
"…Hey! Do you know anything about a guy named Kim Mu-hyeok?"
"You mean CEO Kim Mu-hyeok?"
"Do you know him?"
"I've heard stories. Eva, the representative from Future Investment, supposedly takes his orders. There are rumors he's the actual owner of the Jungwoo Group."
Hearing an unexpected name made Hong Jin-woo's eyes widen.
"What? Jungwoo Group?"
"Yes. They've reached out to us once, but you didn't want that sort of thing, so we declined."
"Hah… So I was the only one in the dark. Find out as much as you can about this Kim Mu-hyeok and report back to me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, understood."
After seeing his aide bow, Hong Jin-woo stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"Home. I just want to rest today. What do I stand to gain by going back to the office, but to fight?"
Hong Jin-woo slammed the door open and stormed out.
His aide let out a deep sigh and followed behind.
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