Chapter 9: The 6.29 Declaration

“Fellow countrymen, and my dear citizens.

I now stand before you with a firm conviction regarding the future of our nation. In these times, where deep-rooted conflicts and shortsightedness among our people have manifested into a national crisis, I have deeply contemplated and agonized over the true mission of a politician.

Intermission.

First, under bipartisan agreement, we must swiftly amend the constitution to allow for the direct election of the president. Through a presidential election under this new constitution, we shall carry out a peaceful transfer of power in February 1988.

The people are the masters of this nation, and their will supersedes all.”

June 29, 1987.

I listened to this momentous announcement while sipping yogurt in the car on my way home from school.

Through this declaration, presidential candidate Roh Tae-woo announced he would resign from all public offices, including his candidacy, if his declaration was not accepted. Subsequently, the ruling Democratic Justice Party acknowledged this declaration as the party’s official stance.

Following this, the incumbent President Chun Doo-hwan also announced his acceptance of the June 29 Declaration in a special address, making it the government’s official declaration. Along with this, the April 13 constitutional protection measure was repealed.

The June 29 Declaration, a triumph where citizens won democracy with their own hands, will conclude the June Struggle with the funeral of martyr Lee Han-yeol.

Now a new era of the presidential race begins.

As I opened the massive gate to my house with a slightly excited heart, a strange energy filled the air.

The Gardener, who always greeted me with a bright smile, pulled my hand with a stiff expression.

“Do-jun, your grandfather is here, you understand?”

Oh boy.

On such a momentous day, he came to see me instead of holding a meeting with the group’s senior members?

It’s not a delusion. I’m the only person Grandfather wants to see in this house.

I gave the Old man a bright smile and walked inside.

In the living room, Grandfather had two Tutors sitting down, asking them various questions.

Upon seeing me, Chairman Jin jumped up from the sofa and spread his arms wide.

“Oh, my precious boy! You’re back from school?”

I had to suppress a sigh that almost escaped me. I couldn’t bring myself to run and jump into his arms like an ordinary grandson.

I bowed my head very politely.

“You’re here, Grandfather?”

But I couldn’t escape.

Chairman Jin lifted me up in the air. The old man sure is strong.

Fortunately, Mother came into the living room with tea and fruit. Grandfather put me down with an awkward expression.

As Mother set down the refreshments and hurried towards the kitchen, Chairman Jin quickly stopped her.

“Sit down for a moment.”

“Yes?”

“I have something important to discuss with you, why are you so surprised?”

“Oh, yes, Father.”

Her Father-in-law, who never gave her a glance, spoke to her. It seemed like this was the first time such a thing had happened. She froze completely and carefully perched on the edge of the sofa.

“Do-jun, why don’t you go up to your room for a bit? I have something to discuss with your mother.”

Chairman Jin also spoke to the uncomfortable Tutors.

“You two, please excuse us. Go check his homework or something.”

As if they had been waiting for this, the two grabbed my hands and dragged me to the second floor.

What does Grandfather want to talk to Mother about?

***

“How have you been?”

“Well, I’m just a housewife taking care of the house, so nothing special.”

This is the first time her Father-in-law has asked about her well-being since she got married.

Both the asking Father-in-law and the answering Daughter-in-law were extremely awkward.

“Hmm… I have something to ask you.”

“Yes, Father.”

“About Do-jun, he seems a bit different from other kids, what do you think?”

“He is a bit mature for his age.”

“I heard he wasn’t like this earlier this year… was he?”

Chairman Jin’s eyes sharpened as if he wouldn’t miss any of his Daughter-in-law’s reactions.

“Yes, I was also quite taken aback. It’s true that his attitude suddenly changed a few months ago… but I think it’s for the better.”

“For the better? How so?”

“He’s calm, polite… and his studies have improved dramatically.”

“The Tutors say he’s very bright and doesn’t spare any effort in his studies. Were you aware of this?”

“Yes, after school, he studies late into the night. He doesn’t listen even when I tell him to go to bed early.”

Chairman Jin smiled along with his Daughter-in-law, who was beaming with pride for her son.

She also showed surprise at seeing such an expression on her Father-in-law’s face for the first time.

“You should pay more attention to Do-jun from now on. It will be good for you too.”

“…?”

Unable to grasp his meaning, Chairman Jin opened his mouth again to his blinking Daughter-in-law.

“I know you’re aware that I’m not fond of you, so I won’t say much. You also know why you’re not treated properly as a Daughter-in-law in this family, so I won’t say much about that either.”

Chairman Jin still looked sharply at his Daughter-in-law, who hung her head. There was not a shred of sympathy in his eyes.

“Perhaps Do-jun is the last hope given to you and your Husband.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do-jun is a task for you. If you raise Do-jun well, I will distribute shares of the Soonyang Group to you and your Husband.”

Among Chairman Jin’s five Children, the Youngest, Jin Yun-ki, is the only one who does not possess a single share of the Soonyang Group and its affiliates.

Jin Yun-ki had no Property under his name.

The house he lives in, the Car, and even the golf membership are all under Chairman Jin’s name or are company Property.

Jin Yun-ki was completely dependent on the ample monthly allowance he received, a true idle person.

Giving shares of the Soonyang Group meant accepting him as a Son again. His Daughter-in-law, who just blinked her eyes at this surprising statement, frowned.

“You still don’t understand…”

“No, Father, I understand perfectly.”

“But? Why don’t I see any gratitude or joy?”

“I have never asked for the group’s shares, neither has Do-jun’s Dad. We won’t in the future either.”

“What?”

“I have no way of knowing what you have found in Do-jun to give him such attention, Father. But your attention is quite a burden. My Husband and I only wish for Do-jun to live doing what he wants.”

He never imagined that his youngest Daughter-in-law, who always hung her head without a word, would so clearly express her thoughts.

How dare she do what no one else does. Rebellion and defiance are what Chairman Jin is least familiar with. Finally, his voice erupted.

“Are you rejecting the last chance I’m giving you? Is there something wrong with my words to raise the Child well?”

“I know your intention is for Do-jun to be capable of handling the group’s affairs, Father. But Do-jun is only 10 years old. I want to leave it to the adult Do-jun to decide what he will do.”

He was dumbfounded to see his Daughter-in-law not yielding an inch to his outburst. Is it true that maternal love knows no fear?

But Chairman Jin is not one to nod in the face of maternal love.

“Every decision in this family is made by me! How dare you…! Do you think you can survive a single day without the money I give you?”

His shouting was so loud that it made everyone in the house shrink back.

The secretaries who came with Chairman Jin were also surprised and quietly exited the living room. There was no need to listen in on private family matters. They left for the garden, muffling their footsteps as much as possible.

The living room, now with only the two of them, grew even colder.

“Even if you cut off our support, Father, it’s fine.”

“You…!”

Chairman Jin’s face turned red at his Daughter-in-law’s calm but firm attitude.

“My Husband and I can sufficiently raise two Kids. We can endure anything, but we want to raise our Children according to our wishes. I’m sorry, Father.”

Seeing his completely unyielding and stubborn Daughter-in-law, who didn’t have a single thing he liked about her, Chairman Jin, unable to bear it any longer, jumped up from the sofa.

It was now difficult to continue the conversation.

Chairman Jin, who was about to shout and leave, couldn’t follow through with his intentions.

It was because his lovely Grandson was staring blankly at him.

***

At first, I waited for Chairman Jin on the second floor.

I expected him to call for me after the talk with Mother ended, but the atmosphere downstairs took an unusual turn.

When I heard Chairman Jin’s harsh voice, I shook off the Tutor’s hand and left the room.

Sitting on the stairs leading downstairs, I listened to their conversation and was quite surprised.

A completely different side of Mother.

Her attitude, not yielding an inch to the fearsome power-wielding Chairman Jin and stating her convictions, was even moving.

But it was too extreme to just stand by.

Especially when Grandfather looked like he was about to explode, I grew anxious.

I quickly went downstairs and, pretending to be dejected, spoke.

“Grandfather.”

Chairman Jin, upon seeing me, couldn’t hide his embarrassment.

He probably knows the truth that no Grandson likes a Grandfather who scolds his Mother.

“Don’t be angry, Grandfather.”

“Oh, no, why would I be angry? My voice is just loud, that’s all. Come here.”

I slowly walked over and sat next to Mother. Chairman Jin’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment as he watched me not sit beside him.

“Do-jun, Grandfather wasn’t angry. I was just talking with your Mother.”

Mother stroked my hair and spoke affectionately.

Did she really think I wouldn’t know?

Do adults really think that even a 10-year-old wouldn’t fully understand what’s going on in this situation?

Anyway, I had to smooth over this situation and say something that would satisfy Grandfather. And, as a bonus, reveal my intentions.

“Grandfather, and Mother, you don’t need to fight because of me.”

Both of their faces turned slightly red. Especially Grandfather, who even coughed when our eyes met.

“Grandfather.”

“Yes, Do-jun.”

“I want to grow up and do what I want to do, just like Mother said.”

To do what I want, to follow Mother’s words, this must have been a big shock. His expression instantly turned disappointed and forlorn.

He even quivered his lips as if feeling a hint of betrayal.