Chapter 94: Negotiations Begin: Dodging Political Pitfalls

“Alright, Father-in-law.”

The color drained from his uncle’s face. Unlike the seasoned politicians of Yeouido, Go Kyung-yeol had a different air about him. Having dedicated his life to public service, he exuded a sense of cleanliness and freshness compared to National Assembly members.

What’s more, he had the ruling party’s backing.

Without any major upsets, it was hard to be optimistic about his uncle’s chances of winning.

“Why the surprise? Don’t tell me you lack confidence, no matter who the opponent is?”

“It’s not that, but the unexpected nature of his candidacy….”

Unable to voice his true feelings, his aunt snapped, her voice sharp.

“Father, all you had to do was say one thing! Our son-in-law is running; does this person really have to oppose him? Just one word from you, and Go Kyung-yeol wouldn’t even consider running!”

“Stopping him solves everything? What if an even more formidable figure appears behind him? Should I stop that one too? Honestly, how pathetic. If you’re dreaming of a path paved with roses, you might as well quit now.”

His grandfather’s message wasn’t directed at his aunt or uncle.

He was telling me that securing reliable public officials wasn’t an easy task. Was this another one of his ways to test me?

Isn’t this trial too weighty for a twenty-year-old upstart to bear?

“Husband Choi.”

“Yes, Father-in-law.”

“Go and discuss this with the party officials. The Seoul mayoral race is the biggest prize in the local elections; they won’t just sit idly by. Tell them to come up with countermeasures quickly!”

As the two hurried out, his grandfather clicked his tongue once they were alone again.

“Tsk, tsk, those pampered ones start whining the moment things get a little tough. Both my family and the Chois have spoiled our children rotten.”

“Everyone wants to whine when things get tough. The only difference is whether they voice it or not, don’t you think?”

“A proper man clenches his fist, his fighting spirit ablaze, when things get tough. Why would he whine?”

His grandfather’s voice rose slightly, likely because he thought I was taking his uncle’s side.

“So, what about you? Do you even know what kind of person Go Kyung-yeol is?”

Of course, I knew him well. His accomplishments and missteps during his tenure as Seoul mayor were constantly in the news. But right now, I had to play ignorant.

“I’ve never even heard of him.”

“He’s from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He even served as the US ambassador and held several key government positions. He’s a bit older, but that can be spun as stability, and he likely has no major scandals.”

“Does my uncle have many scandals?”

“What kind of scandal would the Soonyang Group’s son-in-law be involved in? With his father-in-law as the chairman of Soonyang Group and his wife running a department store, anyone offering him bribes would be insane.”

“Then he should be a formidable opponent?”

“Being a chaebol’s son-in-law is the problem. The media keeps saying the IMF crisis is because of the chaebols. People on the streets won’t look kindly upon him.”

I regretted not paying attention to politics when I was younger.

When Go Kyung-yeol became mayor, I couldn’t recall who his opponent was or what kind of election it was.

“Grandfather, it seems like you don’t intend to help my uncle?”

“Me? Why would I? I have nothing to lose. Even if Go Kyung-yeol becomes mayor, he wouldn’t refuse my requests. The same goes for Husband Choi. I’ve got a winning hand either way. Haha.”

The joy in his grandfather’s eyes was evident as he chuckled.

“You’re the one in trouble. Media City? You were planning to use that to revitalize Dae-ah Construction, weren’t you?”

“Among other things, yes.”

“If your uncle loses, that project will be in jeopardy.”

“That’s why he has to win. Without such a large-scale project, Dae-ah Construction will become a real headache. A bottomless pit of money.”

“This is troublesome. We’ve sent a lot of Soonyang people there; they might lose their jobs.”

This must be a joke. Whether it’s Dae-ah Construction or Ajin Group, he sees them as one family under the Soonyang banner. There’s no way he’d wash his hands of it.

He wants to see my reaction. If I beg for help, I’ll be no different from my aunt and uncle. Like he said, I need to clench my fist and show my fighting spirit.

“Go Kyung-yeol is still human; he must have a few weaknesses that would make him scream if poked. If we find those, we have a chance. And while being a chaebol’s son-in-law is a weakness, it can also be an advantage.”

“How so?”

“Being a chaebol’s son-in-law is an advantage. People will think that someone with so much money wouldn’t commit corruption to embezzle taxes, right? And we can also use your name, Grandfather.”

“Use my name?”

“Yes. We can promise that the Soonyang Group’s chairman will undertake many projects for Seoul. Build apartments, too.”

“Why would I start businesses in Seoul?”

“It’s just talk. Everyone knows politicians’ promises are often empty, but they still vote, hoping for the best, don’t they?”

His grandfather merely chuckled.

“That sounds plausible, but you know it’s not a foolproof strategy, right?”

“Isn’t an election about building up these small advantages and fighting?”

A smile spread across his face, as if he were relieved. At least I wasn’t whining.

“Grandfather, just tell me one thing.”

I asked cautiously, watching his reaction.

“What is it?”

“Who should I use as a stepping stone to negotiate with Go Kyung-yeol?”

“Stepping stone? You mean his closest aide?”

“Yes. I’d like to have a conversation with him.”

His grandfather couldn’t hide his curiosity.

“Meet him? What do you want to talk about?”

“Well, if our goals align better with Go Kyung-yeol than with my uncle, shouldn’t I consider switching sides?”

“Haven’t you already invested a significant amount of money in your uncle? Switching sides means giving up that money, doesn’t it?”

“A business worth tens or hundreds of times the 40 billion won is at stake. It’s not about losing 40 billion won; it’s about gaining 400 billion.”

“Focusing on the future and not picking up what you drop is a good mindset… but is it possible?”

Is Go Kyung-yeol such a resolute and unwavering figure?

“Your uncle will include the Media City project in his campaign promises and talk it up. But do you think the elected Go Kyung-yeol would implement the loser’s policies? That’s unlikely, isn’t it?”

Of course, he was right. So, talking about switching sides is just a smokescreen. Go Kyung-yeol absolutely has to lose.

“That’s why I want to meet him. If our goals align, wouldn’t he refrain from criticizing or disparaging the Digital Media City project during the election?”

His grandfather seemed displeased with my line of thinking and didn’t say anything more. He probably thought I was being stubborn for no reason.

“Anyway, fine. I’ll put you in touch. But I have a feeling you’re about to make a bad move.”

“I’ll be careful. If the atmosphere seems unfavorable, I’ll just exchange pleasantries and end the meeting.”

Offer more than just pleasantries and bring it to a decisive end.

* * *

“Warning system?”

“Yes. It’s not enough to just deliver information. The system analyzes the information and sends a warning signal when there’s danger.”

“For cars?”

“Yes.”

“So, this Israeli company called Mobileye is developing such a device?”

“It’s in its early stages, but that’s the goal.”

“And you invested over 10 billion won in them? Goodness….”

His long sigh suggested he found it hard to believe. Cars sending warning signals?

“Uncle, just trust my judgment and gut feeling. This will work. But there’s an even bigger problem.”

“What is it?”

“Go Kyung-yeol is running as the ruling party’s candidate for Seoul mayor. If he faces our uncle….”

“He’ll lose one hundred percent. But how did you find out? The official announcement hasn’t been made yet, has it?”

“It’s my grandfather’s information network. It’s reliable.”

“They say the Soonyang Group’s intelligence network is like Korea’s CIA. Impressive!”

“Now’s not the time for admiration. If things go wrong, DMC might be dead in the water.”

“That man has followed the elite path. He started as a public official and climbed his way up step by step. He’s got good fortune. How do you beat a lucky guy?”

“Are there any issues with his children’s military service?”

“Hmm? Let me check. He’s been in public service for a long time, so if I ask some reporters, something might come up. Wait a moment.”

Oh Se-hyun immediately started making phone calls. After looking into it for over an hour, his expression brightened.

“Just as I thought. The common people defend South Korea’s borders.”

“Exemptions?”

“He’s exempt, his older brother is exempt, and one son served in the defense corps. Two exemptions. They’re blessed by the heavens.”

As I clapped my hands in delight, he chuckled.

“What about your cousins? Aren’t there three boys? Aren’t they all exempt too?”

“The oldest is twenty-eight, I think? The second is twenty-six. The youngest is two years older than me. They’re not old enough for military service yet. They’re all studying abroad.”

“Good. We can push the military service issue.”

Using military service as an attack wasn’t a foolproof strategy.

Before the official campaign period even began, the de facto election battle had already started.

The ruling party quickly leaked Go Kyung-yeol’s candidacy for Seoul mayor, and the opposition party also announced his uncle as their likely candidate.

Go Kyung-yeol’s only weakness was his military exemption, while his uncle’s was being the son-in-law of a chaebol.

As both sides engaged in a mudslinging contest, his grandfather introduced me to someone.

Go Kyung-yeol’s right-hand man, the top strategist in charge of the mayoral campaign. Someone who would likely become the deputy mayor for political affairs if Go Kyung-yeol won.

The Seoul deputy mayor for political affairs receives an annual salary of over 60 million won, plus an annual operating expense of around 100 million won. They have a spacious second-floor office with a great view overlooking Seoul City Hall Plaza and a green carpet. They also have four secretaries and a Hyundai Grandeur with a personal driver. This position belongs only to the most trusted right-hand men.

May 12th, a few days before the official election period.

After confirming the debut of Fin.K.L, the pioneers of girl groups, with their R&B ballad “Blue Rain” on MBC’s Music Camp, I headed to a Japanese restaurant in Gwanghwamun.

I took a seat and waited for Go Kyung-yeol’s right-hand man to appear.

About thirty minutes past the agreed time, the right-hand man opened the door and entered.

Appearing to be in his late forties or early fifties, his face was ashen with exhaustion.

Seeing a young man already seated, his ashen face showed clear displeasure.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jin Do-jun.”

He took my business card, which was filled with English, and examined it from all angles.

“Are you perhaps a graduate from abroad? Or maybe Korean-American?”

“I happen to work for a foreign investment firm, but I’m neither.”

“I came because of someone I couldn’t refuse, but I didn’t expect it to be someone from the company that acquired Ajin Group….”

“Thank you for taking the time to meet. I’ll be brief. It won’t take long.”

“Ah, forgive my rudeness. I’m Kim Kwan-hyeok.”

The business card he handed me was also crammed with titles.

“Considering how busy you are, I imagine it’s hard to find time to eat, so I’ve ordered some simple refreshments. I hope it’s not presumptuous.”

My polite demeanor, unusual for my age, seemed to ease his furrowed brow slightly.

“Presumptuous? Not at all. Right now, even ramen would be a feast… Let’s eat first.”

Kim Kwan-hyeok picked up his chopsticks and shoved a piece of sashimi into his mouth. When I offered him a drink, he waved his hand.

“My schedule is still packed. No alcohol.”

Only after filling his stomach did he put down his chopsticks and start glaring at me.

“Is it to your liking?”

“As long as it fills my stomach. Anyway, I don’t know what you want to talk about, but I’m refusing everything in advance. Especially the request to meet our candidate. Absolutely not. So… do you still have anything to say?”

What a rash guy.

Or is he looking down on me because I’m young?

I’m an expert at dealing with superiors. I’ll make your ears perk up. Just you wait.

“The person I wanted to meet isn’t the candidate. It’s you.”

As I pointed a finger at his face, his eyebrows twitched.