The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 210

210. Kingmaker

Wang’s Tavern.

Workers, their day done, relaxed with drinks.

The tempting aroma of mung-bean pancakes mingled with the rich scent of spicy pork kimchi stew.

Before karaoke became widespread, taverns served a similar purpose. The tables’ edges were worn smooth from countless rhythms tapped out with chopsticks.

The hottest topic, predictably, was the upcoming Unification Presidential election.

Even the middle-aged patrons, emboldened by a cup of *makgeolli* [Korean rice wine], used the presidential candidate debates as a springboard for conversation.

“Candidate Jung works like an ox, but he lacks political flair. No charisma. He’d be a good king, but a terrible servant.”

“Exactly! Even during election season, when every vote counts, he’s too humble before the people.”

“Still, his policies seem sound. He’d make an honest and upright prime minister.”

“Why does the ruling party candidate only focus on everyone else’s flaws? If you dig deep enough, everyone has skeletons.”

“He’s experienced, but untrustworthy. Seems too calculating.”

“Just a typical old-fashioned politician.”

“I like the opposition candidate’s promises. He says we can live better even if he only works half as much. He’ll do whatever the people want, so even if it’s just lip service, he’s got a strong spirit of service.”

“Sounds tempting, but if we just goof off, the country will go bankrupt fast.”

“Hey, it’s not goofing off, it’s welfare! Welfare! That’s what they do in developed countries. Why can’t we be like Greece or the Philippines? They say we can sell oil.”

“Sounds good on paper, but I don’t trust it. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

The opposition candidate, with his welfare promises, was gaining ground.

*

Candidate Jung’s election headquarters.

The ruling party’s election strategy chairman paid Candidate Jung a visit, making a confidential proposal.

“The opposition’s populist promises are gaining serious traction. At this rate, they’ll seize power. As you know, Candidate Jung, the ruling party has no chance of winning with the vote split. Candidate Roh has proposed unification.”

“Unification…”

“We’re all family, after all. No need for separate households. How about merging and splitting everything 50:50?”

“Is Candidate Roh suggesting he’ll withdraw his candidacy?”

“Not exactly. You’re an independent, Candidate Jung, and your approval ratings are lower, so it would be more appropriate for you to concede. A candidate nominated by a party can’t just drop out.”

“You always put the party before the people.”

“It’s also a realistic assessment. Aren’t you being overwhelmed by the opposition’s organization? Candidate Roh has also offered you the position of prime minister. You’d be a strong contender in the next presidential election. We promise you the next nomination.”

“The people choose the president, so how can we decide what happens four years from now? Sounds like empty flattery.”

“Well, that’s just how things are.”

“I’ve heard Candidate Roh’s proposal, but please tell him I will accept the solemn choice of the people.”

“Is the ruling party really going to self-destruct like this?”

“I’m neither the ruling party nor the opposition.”

“Are you perhaps receiving proposals from the opposition candidate?”

“Hahaha, you only see what you want to see. The world isn’t all about party politics. That’s why I dislike factional parties.”

“I see.”

The ruling party’s strategy chairman stormed out.

Candidate Jung’s campaign manager said, “I think it would be better to leave some room for maneuver, just in case.”

“I won’t engage in such collusion. Don’t worry, there’s still a twist. This election hinges on the kingmaker.”

“…….”

*

Heungnam.

Opposition candidate Kim held an election rally at an elementary school playground.

“The North will have the same welfare as the South, and receive the same wages even if they only work 5 days a week!”

The playground was quiet.

Three children held puppies, looking at Candidate Kim with curiosity.

Candidate Kim asked the head of the North’s campaign headquarters, “Why is the atmosphere like this here? The North looks at me like I’m nothing. Are they all voting for the ruling party?”

“No. They’re not very interested in the election. They’re also unfamiliar with this kind of free voting.”

“Damn it! They’re like ignorant fools!”

“Let’s drive around the city in the campaign car.”

They drove around the North Korean city in the campaign car, but the North Korean residents still looked at the opposition and ruling party candidates as if they were medicine peddlers.

*

Endorsement speeches for the presidential candidates aired on TV and radio.

The ruling party’s endorser gave a speech.

“Does it make sense for a conglomerate chairman to become president! If he has money and power, who will this country belong to? The separation of politics and business is a fundamental principle of democracy, everyone!”

Candidate Jung’s endorser was none other than Jang Seong-taek.

– There’s no need to fuss over it! The only candidate who sweats, cries, and laughs with the North Korean people is Candidate Jung Joo-hyun! His diligence and ability have already been sufficiently verified. He is perfect as a leader to govern both the North and the South! Moreover, the reason he ran as an independent is to establish a North-South integrated party, a North-South unified government, composed of North and South figures. People of the Northern Hemisphere! Overcome reckless smear campaigns, and the only supreme leader who will unite the North and the South is Candidate Jung Joo-hyun! Vote for Candidate Jung Joo-hyun!

The ruling and opposition election officials who heard Jang Seong-taek’s endorsement speech were speechless.

“What is this? This isn’t an endorsement speech, it’s an order to the North Korean people!”

“If you force people like that during an election period when you have to win them over, isn’t that suicide?”

“That’s right. If the times have changed, you have to adapt. I don’t know why Candidate Jung, who knows North Korea well, made such a blunder.”

However, the reaction of the North Korean people who heard Jang Seong-taek’s broadcast was different.

“As expected, the Chairman is one of us.”

“The South Korean candidates only think about South Korea. The leader should be someone who knows North Korea well.”

“That’s right. It’s absurd for those who have never even picked up a shovel in North Korea to try to govern us.”

Even though they were poorer than the South, they had their own pride, and they couldn’t change their lifelong customs overnight.

Candidate Jung understood this well.

*

A surprising thing happened.

A few days after Jang Seong-taek’s endorsement speech, the candidate support poll results were released.

There was no change in the South’s rankings, but 95% of North Korean residents supported Candidate Jung.

He immediately became the frontrunner in terms of support across both North and South.

The kingmaker was none other than Jang Seong-taek.

*

The opposition election camp.

Candidate Kim foamed at the mouth, jumping up and down.

“How can this be? 25 million people cast all their votes! This is completely communist! It’s not a free democracy!”

“The North still has the habit of casting all their votes, so they all follow Jang Seong-taek’s words. We can’t change the election law now, so there’s nothing we can do, Candidate.”

“Doesn’t the North even know what welfare is?”

“They don’t believe in getting money without working. They’re people who follow orders from above, so they don’t understand the promise of ‘doing everything the people tell them to do’ at all.”

“I’m speechless! They’re so narrow-minded! This is a big problem!”

*

Election day.

Long lines formed at the polling places.

The voting in North and South Korea proceeded smoothly.

The voter turnout in the South was 73%, and in the North it was a whopping 98%.

As soon as the election deadline passed, the exit poll results were announced.

A reporter broadcast live in front of the counting station.

“Exit polls show that Candidate Jung Joo-hyun has won 68%! An overwhelming victory is certain!”

There were no irregularities in the vote counting.

He won 75%, higher than the exit poll.

Even more encouraging was that he won 38% in the South Korean count, on par with opposition candidate Kim, proving that he had the support of both the North and the South.

It was featured prominently on the front page of the newspaper.

– Candidate Jung Joo-hyun elected as the first Unification President with an overwhelming margin!!

– North Korean residents cast all their votes for Candidate Jung!

– Victory of the steadfast promise that overcame populist promises!

– Victory for all the people of North and South Korea!

*

Candidate Jung’s election camp.

He expressed his feelings in front of domestic and foreign reporters.

“Thank you to the people who supported me! I will definitely keep the 10 promises I made to the people.”

He wanted emotional rhetoric, but he only gave a very simple comment without any embellishments.

In fact, his mind was full of thoughts.

Having finished his life as president before the regression and becoming president again, his feelings were bound to be different.

Moreover, the situation was completely different because North and South Korea were unified.

He was clearly experienced, but he was more careful with his words so as not to confuse himself with the time before the regression.

Instead of speaking impulsively and then trying to correct himself, he thought several times, filtered his words, and only the final conclusion came out of his mouth.

A reporter asked, “What are the first things you plan to do as president-elect?”

“I’m going to go home, lock the door, and sleep soundly.”

Laughter erupted from the audience.

“I’m kidding. As per the first promise, we will first create a new party with representatives from both North and South Korea, quickly form a unified government in name and reality, and prepare for the general election in three months.”

“What do you want from President Park for the remainder of his term?”

“The President is my role model. I will do my best to ensure that I do not tarnish the great achievements that the President has made.”

But the real first thing he did was something else.

*

Jung Joo-hyun’s house.

All six of President-elect Jung’s siblings and eight children gathered.

“The reason I’ve gathered you all is, as you know, because I’ve been elected president. In our country, the direct relatives of the president can stop even a speeding high-speed train. Even if the tree is still, the wind blows and the tree is bound to shake. No matter how honest and upright I am, everything my family does will be seen as a privilege.”

“…….”

“I’m very sorry to say this, but I want you to withdraw from all businesses in Korea during my term.”

“Brother, are you saying we should step down from big businesses like Jeong-yu [a fictional company], construction, and shipbuilding?”

“That’s right.”

“The president is the president, and business is business. We started the business first, so why should we quit!”

“I don’t want to argue!”

“…….”

“I have the most shares and I’m the chairman, so you’re all fired!”

“…….”

“During my term, I want you to go abroad to study or travel and enjoy yourselves in the country of your choice. I will provide houses to live in, living expenses, and tuition fees. Think of it as taking a long vacation. Even if you do business overseas, you must never do business related to Korea!”

“…….”

No one dared to rebel against Jung Joo-hyun, who spoke with such intensity.

He drew a firm line, starting with cleaning up his own family.

He learned this kind of family management from the current president.

The family discussed and decided to set up a base in the United States all at once, rather than scattering, and start a family business by opening a large mart.