บท 617: Chapter 617: Congratulations, Mr. President
As exit polls were released, the mood in the command centers of the Moderate Party and the Progressive Party was sharply divided.
In particular, Lee Myeong-su sprang to his feet, so thrilled he could have thrown an uppercut.
His joy was broadcasted nationwide via cameras.
"Good job, Director Lee," the president said.
Han Ji-ho stood up and embraced the ecstatic Lee Myeong-su.
He didn't forget to adjust his angle for the cameras.
"You've worked hard as well, Representative! 180 seats to 200! A victory like this is rare in our history!"
Lee Myeong-su's claim rang true; a party achieving such a decisive victory was indeed uncommon.
Of course, there was one time a party managed to secure a constitutional amendment threshold.
After the April 19 Revolution, which toppled the Lee Seung-man regime and transitioned to a bicameral system, the Democratic Party achieved a landslide victory in the first election.
However, that situation was unique due to the aftermath of the April 19 Revolution, the breakdown of the two-party structure, and the absence of a party to check the Democrats.
Moreover, their victory didn't last long.
It was during a time of intense factional struggle within the Democratic Party, leading ultimately to a fracture during the Prime Minister nomination process.
Afterwards, a coup turned the regime upside down, and military leaders seized power, yet no party managed to breach the constitutional amendment threshold then either.
While the counting of votes needed to be thorough, it was clear the National Assembly would be fully under their control now.
With just 180 seats secured, most proposed legislation could easily pass.
"I know Director Lee has been actively supporting Ji-soo on the campaign trail, even setting aside his election for this. I won't forget your efforts."
"That's not true. It was all for the party," he replied humbly.
Reporters snapped pictures, eager to capture the warm embrace between the two leaders.
Beneath the cheerful exterior, both men wore masks of insincerity, hiding their true feelings.
While the Moderate Party reveled in their victory, the Progressive Party seemed as somber as a wake.
Despite the Moderate Party reforming by taking on the title of party leader, the Progressive Party clung to the antiquated presidency, concentrating power in a single person's hands.
With power comes responsibility, and the blame for this electoral defeat would inevitably fall squarely on the President.
Considering all this, the face of Kim Seok-jin, the party president, was tense and rigid.
Even his loyal aides, who fiercely contested against other party factions, had hard looks on their faces as they gazed at the television.
The journalists, sensing the heavy atmosphere, hesitated to request interviews.
The anticipated seat count, estimated to be between 90 and 110, was still a significant number.
In a two-party structure rather than a multi-party system, independent members emerged to challenge the Moderate Party's nominations, resulting in three-cornered races in various regions.
Thus, the Progressive Party expected to secure at least between 110 and 130 seats.
But the results were dismal. Even if they won every competitive district, the maximum was still 110 seats.
Everyone present knew there was no chance they'd win in every area.
"Ha… this is maddening," Kim Seok-jin broke the silence.
He stood up and bowed before the lawmakers and party members gathered.
"This is all my fault. My overly complacent assessment and poorly planned election strategies were to blame."
There was a card that could turn the tide. Yet, Kim Seok-jin found it hard to play it.
He didn't have the confidence to face the wrath of a certain man named Kim Mu-hyeok.
But he wasn't foolish enough to overlook the need for accountability.
"The counting results haven't come in yet, but regardless of their outcome, I announce that I will step down from the presidency of the party to all members here."
Kim Seok-jin declared he would resign from the party leadership.
"Let's wait and see the counting broadcast first, President. It's too early to talk about resignation now," Hong Jin-woo, leader of the younger faction, interjected.
"When it is time to step down, let's do it after discussing this at tomorrow's general meeting. Isn't it premature to discuss defeat when results haven't even been announced? That's not like you, President."
The gazes of Hong Jin-woo and Kim Seok-jin clashed in the air.
"Alright everyone, let's calm down. We must finish watching the vote counting broadcast first. No one knows how things will turn out."
The floor leader hastily intervened between the two, smiling to lighten the mood, and reluctantly, Kim Seok-jin returned to his seat.
All of this was captured on camera and broadcasted nationwide.
The reporters present, along with the viewing public, could all sense it.
The Progressive Party was already showing signs of internal discord.
* * *
The counting broadcast continued. I sat in my study, watching the coverage.
As midnight approached, the outlines of the election results began to emerge.
At that moment, my phone rang. I checked the caller ID and answered.
"Yes, Mr. President. You're still awake, I see?"
— Hahaha! Sleep? Not a chance, Boss Kim. This is a complete landslide victory! Are you watching too?
Yoon Chang-ho laughed loudly. It was rare to see him so openly emotional.
You could tell how pleased he was. I couldn't help but smile slightly as I replied.
"Yes. I'm watching as well. If things keep going this way, we might not secure the constitutional threshold, but it looks like we'll claim around 195 seats."
— Isn't that a shame? We could have achieved the constitutional threshold if it weren't for the greedy snakes resisting the nominations and going independent.
"Exactly. They will have to pay a steep price for their decisions. I'll make sure of it."
From the receiver, I heard Yoon Chang-ho inhale cautiously.
— Boss Kim, you seem pretty upset?
"There won't be another opportunity like this in this election. If we had secured the constitutional threshold, we could have done anything we wanted."
— Why not just recruit the people who were elected independently? They would ultimately want to rejoin anyway.
Of course, they'd aim to rejoin. Politicians know their worth better than anyone.
But I had no intention of accepting them back.
"No, absolutely not. I will instruct everyone to reject any requests for their reintegration. Besides, Myeong-su probably has his own grievances against them, so he would likely agree with my decision."
— Hmm… that may not be as easy as you think. Han Ji-ho isn't someone to underestimate. Everyone requesting to rejoin is likely part of Han Ji-ho's circle. He probably wants to reintegrate them to display his own power…
I cut Yoon Chang-ho off.
"Who knows… it's unlikely he'll get his way. Starting tomorrow, we'll begin uncovering any corruption allegations against them, starting with the Goryeo Daily. We'll expose everything one by one through the press, including any violations of election law and links to their families."
— …
"Once the media starts, the Prosecutors' Office will follow suit, and when they do, Han Ji-ho will start covering his back. He's not exactly a clean figure himself. For self-preservation, he'll abandon them. That's how he's survived this long."
For now, I couldn't act against Han Ji-ho.
His faction controlled a third of the Moderate Party, and many within the party who supported the Moderate Party had previously backed the Conservative Party.
The moment I ousted Han Ji-ho, the Moderate Party would plunge into turmoil, and any plans Yoon Chang-ho and I had would fall apart.
So I had to push back the peripheral factions and demonstrate to everyone just how wrong it was to defy me.
"All the President has to do is declare a fair investigation, please."
— Hmmm… I will. In any case, relish this victory for now. Days like this are rare.
"Yes. Mr. President, congratulations."
After a bit more conversation with Yoon Chang-ho, I ended the call.
As I put my phone away, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"It seems President Yoon is in a good mood. I can hear the joy in his voice."
Manager Ma replied to my comment.
"A victory like this has never been seen in history. It seems the impact of the North-South summit was significant."
Indeed, Jang Seong-taek gifted us a substantial advantage. I nodded slightly.
Thanks to the North-South summit, many supporters of the Progressive Party shifted their votes to the Moderate Party.
This is how we could achieve such a decisive victory.
We won in all regions except Honam. Well, we might be able to secure three seats there…
As I organized my thoughts, my phone rang again.
I had an inkling of who it was and smiled as I answered.
"Secretary General Lee Myeong-su, congratulations on the victory! I saw that uppercut you threw. Are you training for something?"
— When would I have time for that? Anyway, no nonsense! We secured 195 seats! We're five short, but are you proceeding with the plan we talked about last time?
Myeong-su cut straight to the point after dismissing my banter.
I had previously informed him that I'd eliminate the independent members.
However, out of respect for Myeong-su's desire to avoid a dirty fight, I hadn't leaked a word during the election.
It was his firm resolve not to paint this as a family feud.
So even when independents attacked Moderate Party candidates, they kept mum about it.
"That's the plan. Tomorrow, we'll begin launching one scandal after another through the Goryeo Daily. That will get prosecutors moving… As far as we're concerned, we'll treat them like they don't exist. Whether we end with 200 of the 300 seats or 195, the goal remains the same."
Whether it was securing 200 seats out of 300 or 195 out of 290, achieving the constitutional threshold remained unchanged.
"Get the list of candidates ready for the by-elections so that we can secure a win."
— We'll need to reshape the nominations with those who lost this time. Originally, they were supposed to win.
"That's for you to handle. What about Han Ji-ho? Is he on board?"
— He looked quite ecstatic. For him, the growing value of his contacts outside must be even more appealing than securing the constitutional threshold. It's quite evident, and it's frustrating.
I smiled slightly at Myeong-su's clear displeasure.
"For now, let's indulge him a bit. When do you think the party convention will be held?"
— It's not going to be held immediately, probably by the end of this year. That would coincide with the end of Han Ji-ho's term as party leader.
"Have you already decided on your candidate?"
— About three people have hinted they'd like to run. But we'll have to decide whom to send forth with you, Mr. President.
"Oh? Who are they?"
It was surprising to see ambitions stirring among the party members. I chuckled at how swift some were when usually they were slow.
— Representatives Song Dae-chul, Seong Ji-hoo, and Seo Mi-joo.
"Song Dae-chul? He's stepping up as a candidate for party leader? He didn't seem too ambitious before."
— You never know. There's already intense competition behind the scenes.
"Who do you think would be the better choice? No, who do you think can defeat Han Ji-ho's faction?"
— Personally, I think Song Dae-chul would be the best option. Seong Ji-hoo is still lacking for a party leader position, while Seo Mi-joo has too many weaknesses.
Myeong-su eagerly provided his opinion.
If he deemed Song Dae-chul to be better, then supporting him would be optimal.
"Then make the necessary arrangements. If you need my support, just say the word. I'm leaving for the U.S. tomorrow and will return in June, just in time for the groundbreaking ceremony at Kaesong Industrial Complex."
— What? You're headed abroad while I'm burning the midnight oil? You truly…
"I'm not off to have fun; everything I do is for your benefit. You know it's all about North Korea. So do your part and work hard."
— Oh really? Sounds like there's something else going on. Ah, the party leader is looking for you. Let's talk later.
Myeong-su hung up, and I chuckled. It was amusing how he seemed thrilled despite his complaints.
"Myeong-su looks rather excited too," I remarked.
I put my phone down and rose from my chair. The TV buzzed with election results, but I had lost interest.
"I think I've seen enough. It's time to get some rest. Let's meet tomorrow."
Manager Ma nodded as I left the study and headed to my bedroom.
The next day.
The final counting results released in the morning were as follows.
[Moderate Party 195 seats.]
[Progressive Party 87 seats.]
[Independents 18 seats.]
It was a resounding victory for the Moderate Party and a painful defeat for the Progressive Party.
Among the independent elected members, 15 had leanings toward the Moderate Party, while only 3 were closer to the Progressive Party.
Summing it all up, it resulted in 210 to 90. If the Moderate Party pushed with intent, the Progressive Party would struggle to defend against them.
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