Give up your candidacy
I had already asked Myeongsu to keep an eye on Park Seok's movements.
Not long after, Myeongsu delivered some fairly meticulously organized data.
"In opinion polls targeting party members, Park Seok has the upper hand."
"Is there much of a difference?"
"About 5%?"
"That's pretty good. That guy Park Seok, he's still an individual, right?"
Myeongsu nodded.
"I understand that the major faction has not joined Park Seok's side yet. If the conservative faction joins, it could rise even higher."
"The primary is difficult?"
Park Seok's name value was higher than I expected. Myeongsu seemed to think the same, furrowing his eyebrows as he spoke.
"I don't know if President Yoon Chang-ho would intervene, even indirectly, but the president said he won't intervene in the primary this time."
That was said to me too.
The president has said that he will not intervene in the primary election, regardless of what he discussed with Woo Young-sik.
There may be an intention to avoid being caught, but there must be another bigger intention.
"I'm giving Woo Young-sik a chance. You survive on your own. If you survive, help me."
"It's so frustrating to leave the easy way and take the difficult one."
"But if you combine your forces with President Yoon's forces, you will have the upper hand, right?"
"Yes. I'm going to focus on Woo Young-sik for now. When Woo Young-sik declares his candidacy, our candidate will declare his support for Woo Young-sik and withdraw his candidacy a few days later."
Myungsoo's plan was reasonable. Although he didn't like Wooyoungsik and such, he seemed to be planning to support him properly.
"Who is the party leader candidate?"
"I originally planned to give up halfway, but when the Blue House announced that it would not intervene in the primary, I decided to finish it."
"Isn't that the lowest approval rating? You're being too greedy."
"Isn't that what politicians are like? They only see what they want to see."
I thought about it for a moment and then called Director Ma.
"Director. What about Park Seok's movements?"
"There hasn't been any significant movement yet."
"is it so?"
"Yes. However, there is a reservation for tomorrow at the Yeouido Oebaek restaurant under the aide's name."
"Is this the time Woo Young-sik is holding his press conference?"
Director Ma nodded his head and answered quietly.
"Please make a reservation for us at the same time. The room next to the one that Park Seok reserved."
"Understood, boss."
Advertisements
After Director Ma left, I spoke to Myeongsu.
"You too, save some time for lunch tomorrow."
Even without me having to explain it to him, Myeongsu quickly figured out my intentions.
"You want to meet Park Seok in person?"
I told you that you've become quite perceptive. I nodded with a satisfied smile.
* * *
Park Seok stopped in his tracks when he saw me.
I got up from my seat and walked slowly on purpose towards where Park Seok was.
I have never met Park Seok before.
Although he was a Conservative, he was not mainstream and thus kept a distance from my sword of vengeance.
After the Conservative Party collapsed, Park Seok declared his retirement from politics after leaving the party, and there was no longer any reason for me to be involved.
"Did you say your name is Kim Mu-hyeok?"
"Yes, sir."
Park Seok looked at me and Myeongsu alternately and then spoke again.
"Please sit down first."
As soon as Myeongsu and I sat down across from each other, he opened his mouth.
"How did you know to come here?"
It was a question implying that he was under surveillance. Myeongsu answered with a sad smile.
"You too, Mr. Candidate. Where is the secret in Yeouido? All the politicians in Yeouido know that you are here."
"······."
"That means everyone is watching the candidate's every move. Should we call him the eye of the political storm?"
"You don't like me."
"I neither like it nor dislike it."
Park Seok furrowed his brows.
It seemed like he didn't like the fact that the young and innocent Myeongsu was answering questions point by point without giving up.
"Chief Lee. Politicians should be humble. The more rice ripens, the lower its head becomes. If you bow your head stiffly to your political seniors like that, you won't last long."
Myeongsu, who had a look of boredom flashing across his face for a moment, answered with a faint smile.
"As you know, I entered politics to do what I wanted to do. I will not suppress my words to grab the reins of power like others do. And Mr. Candidate, shouldn't you now slowly hand over your position to your juniors? If you are a senior who truly cares about your juniors, you should do so."
The old man in the back room was said to be very greedy.
I observed the conversation between Myeongsu and Park Seok with interest.
"It's even more frustrating than it sounds."
"My seniors in the National Assembly always say the same thing. They say I'm a worthless brat. Whenever I talk about uncomfortable truths, they always say things like that, trying to put me down with my age."
"······."
"But I'm not a brat. I'm just straightforward. I have something to say to the President. The President appreciates that side of me."
The smiling Myeongsu and the stiff face of Park Seok were in contrast.
Advertisements
Myeongsu, who had been ignoring Park Seok's gaze that was glaring at him, paused for a moment.
"Candidate, let me ask you one thing."
Then he threw a heavy fastball. It was a question that must have been quite painful for Park Seok.
"Is your goal a member of the National Assembly or the next presidential election?"
"Why does that matter to you?"
"I asked why someone who had retired came back. I was curious as to why he declared his return because there was more to see."
Instead of answering, Park Seok just laughed awkwardly. But you could see the tendons bulging in his clenched fist.
"Myeongsu."
To end the fight between the two, Myeongsu was called.
Myeongsu glanced at me, nodded slightly, and stood up.
"I need to go outside and talk to some of the other inspirations. I'm especially curious as to why the officials who are supposed to be neutral are here."
After Myeongsu bowed his head to Park Seok and greeted him, he passed by me and tapped my shoulder.
"When you're done with work, come out. I'll take care of the others."
I smiled faintly and nodded. Myeongsu left, leaving me alone with Park Seok.
"Do you know who I am?"
"I know. He's the one who tore the Conservative Party apart. How could I not know him?"
"Then I don't have to say much. I would like you to give up running for Jongno this time."
"what?"
"Give up your candidacy in Jongno."
Park Seok looked at me with a look of disbelief.
"Are you trying to force me to give up running for Jongno?"
"Whether it is a request or a request, isn't it up to you to accept it?"
"······."
"Don't dream big. I have no intention of allowing anyone who has ever been an enemy of the Conservative Party to become president."
It was a flat tone, but perhaps it was because I could read the coolness contained within it.
Park Seok was seen swallowing dry saliva.
"I hope you are satisfied with running for mayor of Seoul in the next local election. That is all. I can turn a blind eye to that."
"You two are making fun of me."
Park Seok, who had been chewing on this, glared at me and continued speaking.
"I'm Park Seok. I didn't live so carelessly that I would be ridiculed by young kids like you! But what? Is that all you can turn a blind eye to?"
Park Seok raised his voice and even slammed the table.
"Do you think I'd risk my political career on the likes of you? Go ahead and do whatever you want. I won't let that happen either. I know your methods very well. You find people's weaknesses and use them to shake them up, or you buy people with money. And when you take that money, you tie them up so they can't do anything."
"······."
"Do you know how I survived in this dirty Yeouido Bokmajeon for the past several decades?"
Park Seok's political life was truly eventful. There was never a single moment of peace.
Advertisements
Yet the reason he was able to survive was because, unlike other politicians, he escaped the temptation of money.
Having lived as a non-mainstream candidate for decades, he was ostracized by the mainstream several times, and there was even an instance where he lost the nomination and ran as an independent candidate, only to be elected.
"I stood firm despite all the slander and criticism. And when the Conservative Party collapsed, I declared my retirement from politics. For me, the Conservative Party was the only party."
"I already know. If I had to pick one person I respect personally, I would pick you. However, our thoughts and paths are different. That is why I do not welcome your return."
When I readily acknowledged him, Park Seok flinched.
But in the words that followed, Park Seok's expression changed subtly.
"Are you going to join hands again with the ghosts of the Conservative Party? The same forces that have persecuted you for decades?"
"that······."
"If you want to give up your beliefs, I won't stop you. But it won't be easy to win this primary. I and Secretary General Lee Myeong-su will make it happen. Just because the opinion polls targeting party members show a high score, that doesn't necessarily guarantee that you will win the primary."
"······."
"Just change the primary rules."
Park Seok was startled as if he had heard something he shouldn't have heard.
"what?"
"We have already finished talking with the leadership. We have decided to proceed with the national primary system."
"Huh······. Does that sound easy?"
"It's not difficult. It's over once it's decided at the Supreme Council. I think you're aiming for opposition within the party, but it won't be easy. Everyone will like it except you, Assemblyman."
Park Seok just smiled, unable to think of anything to say in rebuttal.
"No matter how much President Yoon Chang-ho declared that he would not intervene in the primary, the people will not look at Woo Young-sik, who is President Yoon Chang-ho's friend, separately. Then, there is no way that you will win the primary."
"Then do that. Why did you come to me and tell me such a story?"
I couldn't help but laugh at the sharp tone. I had already suggested a way, but you must have been too excited to hear it.
"Because I feel sorry for you. Didn't I tell you earlier? Just because you and I are on different paths doesn't mean you can't go with me. That's why I'm asking you to run for the next mayor of Seoul."
The position of mayor of Seoul was so important that it was called the "small president."
As Seoul is the center of the Republic of Korea, where tens of millions of people live, the mayor of Seoul is given enormous power.
"If you are pushed out by Chief Woo Young-sik in the primary, your political career is over. Who would remember an old politician who was pushed out by a political novice? So I hope you accept this offer."
I don't hate the person named Park Seok. I just feel sorry for him because our paths are different.
But that doesn't mean I could easily throw away this good hand.
"I would like Woo Young-sik to be nominated as a candidate. If you give up, I can do that. What do you think? My proposal."
I don't know if someone who dreams of becoming president can be satisfied with being the mayor of Seoul.
But it was the best carrot I could give.
"······The mayor of Seoul."
"Isn't it not bad for a politician like Park Seok to end up like this?"
"How can I be sure that I can run for mayor of Seoul?"
"I will appoint the person you want as the head of the public office for the simultaneous local elections to be held next year. However, you cannot unilaterally nominate anyone, except for the mayor of Seoul."
Of course, the chairman of the public office cannot single-handedly influence the nomination process.
Still, there were a few positions where you could knowingly or unknowingly fill the positions of the people you wanted.
Advertisements
"You're giving me the position of chairman of the public office?"
"Yes. If you hold a press conference to announce that you are making a big decision for your juniors, I promise you that. I can't put it in writing, but I will protect it with my name on it."
Park Seok let out a sigh. He even furrowed his brows as if he was thinking hard.
"If you reject this offer today, we will change the primary rules and proceed as is."
I suggested in a slightly stronger tone to help him make a decision quickly.
"Would you like to accept it or decline it?"
He thought about it a little longer and then nodded.
"Okay, I understand. Let's hold the press conference. I'll keep my promise."
"Well thought out. I didn't want to throw the honorable congressman into the abyss, but it turned out really well. Thank you."
I smiled with satisfaction and checked my wristwatch.
There's still some time left.
"There is a press conference scheduled for two hours in the National Assembly Communication Room under Secretary General Lee Myeong-su's name. Let's leave immediately."
"······Didn't you think I would reject you?"
Park Seok asked with a look of disgust on his face when he heard that he had prepared in advance.
"If you had refused, that press conference would have turned into a press conference to change the primary rules."
When selling a trap, you have to dig two holes. Naturally, I had both methods prepared.
"Ha. It was only natural that I couldn't beat you."
"Get up."
Out of respect for Park Seok, I waited for him to wake up first.
He nodded, stood up from his seat, and held out his hand.
I also followed him, got up, and took his hand.
"I hope we can maintain good relations. I was one of those who didn't like Cheongpunghoe. I couldn't do anything about them because I didn't have the strength, but it was so satisfying when you took them down."
When I heard the name Cheongpunghoe for the first time in a long time, I couldn't help but raise a corner of my mouth.
"thank you."
"Let's leave right away."
"You go out first. I will leave later. If you speak to Secretary General Lee Myeong-su, he will guide you."
"Okay. Let's meet up often and have a drink."
Park Seok left the restaurant first, and I waited a little longer before leaving.
Two hours later.
Park Seok held a press conference to announce that he would give up running for Jongno for the sake of his juniors.
< Give up running > End
< Let's find out what the problem is >