Chapter 12: The Reincarnation of the Strongest Tycoon

Chairman Jin Yang-cheol sat in his study and casually tossed aside the newspaper he had been reading, a smile playing on his lips.

The headlines were unfolding exactly as his grandson had predicted.

The Split of the Two Kims.

The accompanying photo showed the two men at a recent political debate held on October 27th at Korea University’s Democracy Plaza.

Despite sitting side-by-side on the platform the two protagonists of the day’s debate barely exchanged a word, their faces stern and unyielding.

Even more telling were the starkly different reactions they received during their speeches.

When Kim Young-sam first took the stage, he delivered his assertions about the current state of affairs and democracy in his characteristically resonant voice. Then something unexpected happened.

Boos erupted from the audience, growing louder and more insistent, “Resign! Resign! Resign! Resign!” they chanted. Shaken by the unprecedented humiliation in his thirty-year political career, Kim Young-sam quickly exited through Korea University’s main gate.

In contrast when Kim Dae-jung dressed in a black traditional robe took the stage, the atmosphere transformed as if it were his personal rally. To the chants of “Kim Dae-jung! President!” he delivered his speech with an excited yet composed demeanor.

Afterward he was carried on the shoulders of his supporters, marching down Anam-ro as dusk began to fall. In a scene reminiscent of a presidential victory parade, Kim Dae-jung declared.

“Thank you all! Today I have made a firm decision!”

Everyone present understood the implications of this decision.

Chairman Jin’s smile wasn’t simply because his grandson’s predictions were accurate.

Four months ago when the current government declared its surrender all the major conglomerates had courted the two Kims. No one doubted their unification and they firmly believed one of them would be the next president.

But Chairman Jin of Soonyang Group had thrown his biggest gift to the ruling party, giving only pocket change to the two Kims.

He had heeded his grandson’s wise words.

When you’re struggling and worried, with dark circles under your eyes, any hand offered in help is incredibly welcome.

And if that hand holds a vast sum of money it’s an enormous boost.

When the majority turned their backs, the fact that only one person, and the leader of Korea’s foremost conglomerate Soonyang Group at that, had stood by him would never be forgotten.

Chairman Jin’s smile was an automatic reaction, brought on by the thought of the benefits he would enjoy over the next five years.

He was about to lean back in his comfortable chair and savor this pleasant feeling when a knock sounded, followed by several people rushing in.

His three sons, the group’s secretariat and one woman.

His fourth and only daughter, Jin Seo-yoon.

“Why are you here? I didn’t call for you.”

“I’m a representative director of Soonyang too. How could I stay put?”

Jin Seo-yoon retorted, prompting a hollow laugh from Chairman Jin.

He had spoiled her as his only daughter, and even now at her age she still seemed immature.

He had only entrusted her with the department store because she was a woman. He knew she was hopeless at management, but she was doing surprisingly well.

Having been exposed to only the highest quality goods since childhood, she had transformed Soonyang Department Store into a premium brand. Sales had decreased, but net profits had increased, further inflating Jin Seo-yoon’s already considerable ego.

“Sit down, all of you. It’s not a war, why all the fuss?”

“Chairman, have you seen the newspaper?”

“Yes.”

“Things are looking serious. It seems the two are about to completely turn their backs on each other.”

His eldest son and vice-chairman, Jin Young-ki, said urgently, tossing the newspaper aside.

“If this becomes a three-way race, who knows who will become president….”

“Today DJ is said to be leaving the Unification Democratic Party. He’ll obviously form a new party and run independently. He’s burning the bridge behind him.”

“I’ve heard that JP is also declaring his candidacy in a couple of days, forming the New Democratic Republican Party.”

“Why is he even bothering? He’ll just split the Chungcheong votes.”

“The presidency is a powerful thing. They were lifelong comrades in the democratization movement, but they’re turning on each other in an instant….”

As everyone chimed in, Chairman Jin scowled and banged on the desk.

“What are you, reporters? Pundits? Do you think I called you here to listen to your commentary?”

At Chairman Jin’s roar everyone fell silent.

“Just give me the conclusion. Who is it? Who’s going to sit in the Phoenix Throne?”

In times like this, the one who had to step up first was, of course, the eldest son, Jin Young-ki.

“South Gyeongsang Province, North Gyeongsang Province, Chungcheong, Jeolla. If we divide it into these four regions, South Gyeongsang Province has the largest population. That leaves the capital area and Gangwon Province. JP will take votes from the ruling party, so wouldn’t YS be the most likely?”

Starting with Vice-chairman Jin Young-ki, various opinions were voiced.

YS was the most likely, followed by the re-election of the ruling party.

Of course, there was no need to rush. The election was in December, still two months away. It wouldn’t be too late to watch the trends and see.

But Chairman Jin wasn’t the type to be satisfied with being merely not too late. He was someone who had to be faster than anyone else.

“Listen carefully. I plan to spend about 10 billion won in election funds for this presidential election.”

At the mention of 10 billion, everyone’s eyes widened and they started to stammer.

“Ch-Chairman. That’s too much. Half of that would be more than enough, don’t you think?”

This was the voice of someone who was frugal with money.

“We really need to be careful this time. This is a fight where the two extremes are tearing each other apart, isn’t it? If we deliver it wrong, we could be in big trouble.”

This was the voice of someone timid, fearing retribution.

Chairman Jin went even further.

“I’ll deliver the 10 billion next week. You all need to decide whose hands to put that 10 billion into.”

Next week? That was far too hasty.

There was no reason to rush like this unless he had gone mad.

“Ch-Chairman, that’s….”

“Shut up, all of you!”

At Chairman Jin’s renewed outburst, everyone lowered their eyes.

“You do know that the earlier you feed the money, the bigger the impact, right? Don’t argue and move quickly. This is a gamble that determines the fate of the group.”

His children, unaware that this was all a test, simply thought their father was being unnecessarily stubborn.

“What are you doing? The meeting’s over. Get out and get to work.”

With a long sigh, everyone filed out of the study.

“Why aren’t you leaving? Are there not one or two politician’s wives among your department store customers? You look into it too.”

Jin Seo-yoon remained seated in the study, unmoving. She studied Chairman Jin’s expression, then smiled slyly.

“Father, I have something to tell you.”

“Of course you do. Isn’t that why you’re still here?”

Seeing the faint smile on Chairman Jin’s face, Jin Seo-yoon emboldened, opened her mouth.

“It seems my husband wants to run in next year’s general election.”

“Husband Choi?”

“Yes. His family seems to be subtly hoping for it too.”

“Hmm….”

“His family is well-established in the legal field, but they seem to be getting ambitious about politics too…. What do you think, Father?”

She wasn’t asking for his thoughts, she was seeking his permission.

“How old is Husband Choi now?”

“He’s forty-four. He’ll be forty-five next year.”

The fact that he didn’t immediately refuse made Jin Seo-yoon’s eyes sparkle.

Her husband’s family was the most prestigious legal family in Korea, having produced two Supreme Court justices, one Prosecutor General and over ten judges and prosecutors. This immense network was naturally a great help to Soonyang Group, and their value as in-laws was more than sufficient.

It was true that it was difficult to easily refuse when it wasn’t just her husband’s wish, but also his family’s.

A Central District Prosecutor in the special investigation department from such a prestigious family would be welcomed by any political party. The fact that they were seeking Chairman Jin’s permission meant they were wary of his influence.

“The election funds can be covered by the cash flow from the department store. What else do you need me to help with?”

With her father’s permission granted, Jin Seo-yoon clapped her hands in delight.

“He doesn’t want to be an ordinary first-time member. Since he’s the son-in-law of Soonyang and the son of a prestigious legal family, shouldn’t he run in a local district rather than a national one?”

“With such a strong background, if he wins in a local district, he’ll be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the party’s heavyweights, even as a first-timer, is that it?”

“Of course, isn’t it?”

Seeing his daughter’s beaming face, Chairman Jin nodded.

“I’ll find a suitable district. And tell Husband Choi this. If he runs and loses, he can forget about ever seeing my face again.”

Chairman Jin couldn’t even imagine the terrible scenario of becoming the laughingstock of the business world if his son-in-law lost.

***

As the presidential election intensified, regional sentiment ran high. Eggs were thrown at Kim Young-sam in Gwangju, and Kim Dae-jung faced difficulties during his campaign in Busan.

Rumors spread like wildfire, “So-and-so is taking orders from Kim Il-sung” and “So-and-so has a hidden daughter.” The reputations of the two Kims, once symbols of democratization, plummeted.

And….

A decisive tragedy occurred that would determine the election.

On November 29, 1987, Korean Air Flight KE858, a Boeing 707, departed from Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. It was scheduled to make its final stopover at Bangkok International Airport before heading to Seoul after a layover at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE. During its flight to Bangkok, the plane lost contact and disappeared over the Indian Ocean.

The government concluded that North Korean agent Kim Hyon-hui had detonated a liquid explosive on the plane under orders from North Korea and closed the investigation.

On December 15, 1987, images of Kim Hyon-hui, the KAL bomber, with a gag in her mouth to prevent suicide, appeared on TV news.

This happened to be the evening before the presidential election, greatly influencing the outcome.

Finally on December 17th, the morning newspapers carried a banner headline.

[Roh Tae-woo Confirmed Victorious]

The final tally was Roh Tae-woo with 37% of the total, or 8.28 million votes; Kim Young-sam with 6.33 million; Kim Dae-jung with 6.11 million; and Kim Jong-pil with 1.82 million. The combined votes for Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung exceeded 55%, but victory went to Roh Tae-woo, the key figure in the December 12th coup.

I finished reading the article and set down the newspaper.

Thus a new era begins. In the turbulent decade to come, I need to amass the capital to swallow up Soonyang Group by the time I turn twenty.

In ten years, Chairman Jin Yang-cheol will be lying in a hospital bed, waiting for his death. Before that, I need to transfer as many shares as possible to myself and my father so we can begin to contend with my uncle Jin Young-ki.

And,

I must also prevent an event that should never be forgotten.

The traffic accident that occurs before my twentieth birthday, the death of me, Jin Do-jun, that is what I must prevent.