The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 15

15. Conspiracy

Assemblyman Kim was speechless at the President’s rebuke. The President finally exploded.

“Don’t forget that I am pushing for reforms that the opposition party cannot achieve! I am aiming for a democratic society, regardless of whether you’re in the ruling party or the opposition. The opposition party must help me succeed. This is the equivalent of a second coup! A civilian coup!”

“…….”

Assemblyman Kim Yong-sam couldn’t help but flinch when the President even used the forbidden word ‘coup’.

“If the opposition party is unhappy with my reform measures, I will immediately withdraw all of them. Go back and tell your leadership, and give me an answer on whether they will cooperate with the reforms or not.”

If the President withdrew the reforms because they were more radical than what the opposition party could propose, the opposition party would only hold rallies outside the National Assembly for the next four years, accomplishing nothing.

With more than 2/3 of the seats in the National Assembly, there was no way to stop the constitution from being revised to extend military rule. It was time to back down.

“Ah, don’t misunderstand, Your Excellency. The reason I’m asking so persistently is to accurately convey Your Excellency’s intentions to the leadership.”

“Listen carefully. This is a private conversation between me and the opposition party leadership. If it leaks to the ruling party or the media, I will completely deny the conversation. It will be as if it never happened.”

With that, the ball was passed to the opposition party.

* * *

Opposition Party Headquarters.

The opposition leadership, upon hearing the details conveyed by Kim Yong-sam (Floor Leader, Secretary-General), who had a secret meeting at the Blue House [the presidential residence], was in a state of panic and bewilderment.

“A civilian coup? How can the President of the ruling party say such a thing? Are you conveying this correctly, Secretary-General?”

“To be honest, I doubted my ears at first. But the list of cabinet reshuffles was clear, so there was no room for doubt.”

“Leaving aside the other things, can he really get rid of more than 50 ruling party lawmakers?”

“That will be proven in due course.”

The leadership was still in a daze.

“No, why did the President suddenly change so drastically?”

“I don’t know. He seemed like a completely different person.”

“Huh, gee. The President is more of an opposition party than the opposition party itself, so I can’t figure him out.”

“The President asked for the opposition party’s opinion: whether we will cooperate or oppose.”

“Why do we need to give an answer? We’re a powerless opposition party. He can just push through the constitutional amendment with the seats he has, right?”

“He says he will withdraw the reform plan if the opposition party opposes it.”

“It’s getting worse and worse. Why is he trying to get the opposition party’s approval?”

“Because it’s a transfer to civilian rule.”

“So, he’s going to let the opposition party take power next time? The goal of politicians and parties is to take power, but he’s giving up taking power, so I can’t figure out what the President is thinking.”

“What are you going to do? Are you for it or against it?”

“It’s like being possessed by a goblin, but if we have to choose, we’re definitely for it.”

“I’m also in favor for now.”

“Me too.”

Assemblyman Kim said.

“And he said that since coups are all about secrecy, if this secret conversation is leaked to the ruling party or the media, it will be as if it never happened. He said it was a measure to prevent internal backlash from the ruling party in advance.”

“Hmm, I understand. Don’t tell anyone outside of the four of us here.”

“It’s like being possessed by a ghost….”

“Let’s wait and see what the President’s actions are to determine his true intentions.”

* * *

Blue House Briefing Room.

The Blue House spokesperson announced the list of cabinet reshuffles in front of reporters.

“In order to form a government based on ability, we have carried out a full cabinet reshuffle. The President emphasized that this reshuffle is not the end, but the term of the ministers will be determined by whether or not they achieve the goals given to each ministry.”

Flash! Flash!

Camera flashes went off.

“First, Kim Jong-pil as Prime Minister, Kim Cheong-ryeom as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Chief of Staff, Kim Gae-won as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Jang Tae-wan as Chief of the Presidential Security Service….”

The list of about 20 people was announced.

The front page of the evening newspaper was all about the cabinet reshuffle.

– Full Cabinet Reshuffle in the Second Term of Office

– Complete Overhaul of Key Blue House Positions

– Kim Jong-pil and Kim Cheong-ryeom Positioned at the Forefront

– The Term of the Head is Determined by Whether or Not Each Ministry Achieves Its Goals.

The reactions of the ruling and opposition parties were mixed.

* * *

Ruling Party Headquarters.

Cha Jin-cheol complained to Kim Jong-pil.

“Investigators are investigating my campaign workers in my electoral district. Why are you investigating the ruling party?”

“Well, there’s public opinion to consider, and the opposition party is refusing to attend the National Assembly, so it’s just a formality to show them we’re doing something. Isn’t it just pretending to investigate?”

“Hmm, that’s a relief, but if they’re trying to push it in a strange direction, I won’t stand still.”

“A strange trick?”

“Look at this cabinet reshuffle. Does this make sense?”

“…….”

“It’s wrong for Your Excellency to be ousting the revolutionary forces. Who is leading this demotion?”

Unlike the excited Cha Jin-cheol, Kim Jong-pil was indifferent.

“The right to 인사 [personnel appointment] is the President’s unique authority, so we can’t say anything about it.”

“Isn’t it too much? Will the executive branch be able to get the cooperation of the legislature if this happens? The President should strongly advise Your Excellency.”

It was a threat that the majority-occupied legislature would check the executive branch.

Kim Jong-pil said.

“Listen. Now is the time to verify ability. It’s not a demotion, it’s verification.”

There was a series of complaints from lawmakers from the military who were excluded from the cabinet, but as the Prime Minister who was promised the next term, he could not be in the same position as them.

Kim Jong-pil was faithfully carrying out the President’s wishes to appease the backlash from the military.

* * *

Opposition Party Headquarters.

Evening newspapers were piled up, and the leadership and key party officials commented on the 인사 [personnel appointments].

“It’s quite unconventional, but isn’t it just a cover-up?”

“That’s right. Since we’re already over 2/3, the executive branch doesn’t have to run wild.”

“The term is determined by achieving the goal, which is ingenious but hard to believe.”

“We’re going to continue the 기조 [basic position] of denouncing 부정 [illegal] elections, right?”

The three key members of the party were listening quietly.

The list of cabinet reshuffles was announced without any changes, as the President had assured them in the private meeting, and it was no longer difficult to doubt the President’s sincerity.

They had to keep their promise to keep their mouths shut.

The chairman said.

“The key is the punishment of those who were elected through 부정 [illegal] elections. If that measure is implemented, the President’s true intentions will be revealed. Until confirmation, we cannot stop refusing to attend the National Assembly and denouncing it.”

“Okay. Let’s watch and see if it really becomes a 민정 [civilian government] revolution.”

“Anyway, the President’s approval rating is still high after the cabinet reshuffle, so it’s very 부담스럽다 [burdensome].”

The President was strongly leading the political situation, and the opposition party’s 명목 [justification] for 장외투쟁 [struggle outside the Assembly] was gradually fading.

* * *

Blue House Office.

The President was talking with the new Chief of the Security Service, Jang Tae-wan, before an external event.

The Chief of Staff was assisting him.

“The previous Chief’s security was not security, but a royal procession. It was a display of authority. Isn’t the ideal security when the President’s movements are not revealed?”

“That’s right, Your Excellency.”

“Don’t paralyze traffic in Seoul and make citizens uncomfortable, and let’s use helicopters often.”

There were no obstacles for helicopters because there were no high-rise buildings at the time.

“I understand. I will check the air defense network and develop various security routes.”

“Refrain from mobilizing street crowds as much as possible. Forced mobilization that is not voluntary cannot be positive for public sentiment.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Chief Jang was so sincere and 청렴 [untainted by corruption] compared to his predecessor.

An intercom came from the Chief of Staff’s office.

– The Prosecutor General has arrived.

“Oh, let him in.”

The new Chief of Police, wearing a 검찰 [prosecutor] badge on his chest, came in and gave a formal bow.

The President, who received the greeting, said.

“Sit down.”

“Thank you.”

“I heard that the results of the investigation into the elected members of the National Assembly are out?”

“That’s right.”

“How many are from the ruling and opposition parties?”

“There are 55 people from the ruling party and 8 people from the opposition party who are suspected of serious crimes that warrant an election invalidation.”

“It’s increased since the beginning?”

“That’s right.”

“Is the evidence 확실하다 [certain]?”

“That’s only for cases where we have secured evidence. But Your Excellency, are you really going to proceed as is?”

The Prosecutor General reconfirmed the President’s intentions because the large-scale by-election, which would change the quorum, was inevitable.

Usually, in these cases, the existing political method was to investigate and then call the person in question to help them out, using the exposure as a weapon to trade loyalty and obedience.

“Hahahaha, are you investigating to help them out? Trust me. Let’s take this opportunity to completely overturn the 부정부패 [corruption] practices from the top down, Chief!”

“I will follow your orders, Your Excellency!”

The President gave strength to the Prosecutor General.

Kim Cheong-ryeom, who was assisting the President with his work, was 설마 설마 [half in doubt] but was 탄복하다 [deeply impressed] by the President’s firm will.

He was the same person, but he was so different from his first term in office that he felt nauseous, but it was a good kind of nausea.

* * *

Presidential Residence.

Tak!

The President turned on the bedside lamp and was lying in bed leaning against the pillow, reading the biography of King Sejong the Great.

As a President with absolute power, he ordered factual biographies that were not overly flattering and dealt with the merits and demerits of the king’s state affairs in order to learn the advantages of the great kings of Joseon [historical Korean kingdom], who had even more absolute power. He read them whenever he had time in his residence and office.

“역세 [Indeed], King Sejong the Great was a great king. He 역시 [also] employed slaves like Jang Yeong-sil, 뛰어넘어 신분 [transcending social status], so ability must be the basis. That’s the same as me, but the difference is that he was a 책벌레 [bookworm] and he 얻은 [obtained] the throne because he 마다 [disliked] the position of king.”

But he had something that was 뛰어난 [superior] than Sejong.

“음 [Hmm], 이건 내가 더 탁월하지 [this is where I’m more outstanding]!”

King Sejong had 6 official wives and 18 sons and 7 daughters, and there were times when three children were born at once in a year.

“I have one official wife, but I’ve 품었었어 [embraced] hundreds of women. Including official children, I have more than 25. My 정력 [sexual energy] is better, hahahaha-”

He studied the strengths and weaknesses of the Joseon kings without knowing that the night was getting late.

Then, in the part about King 숙종 [Sukjong], he 탁 무릎 [clapped his knee].

“That’s it! That’s it! That’s a very 훌륭한 [excellent] idea.”

* * *

The next day, the office.

The Chief of the Security Service had a hard time managing his expression at the President’s instructions.

“미 [Mi, meaning ‘beautiful’ but used as an interjection], 민생 암행 [undercover inspection of the people’s livelihood]이라고 하셨습니까 [you said]?”

“That’s right. 숙종 [Sukjong] narrowed the distance between the king and the people through 민생 암행 [undercover inspection of the people’s livelihood]. The current President’s procession is no different from the king’s procession.”

The Chief of the Security Service stammered.

“가 [Ga, filler word], 각하 [Your Excellency]’s 뜻 [intention] is 훌륭하십니다 [admirable]. But 암행하려면 [to go undercover] 경호 [security]가 취약할 수밖에 없습니다 [will inevitably be weak].”

“The kings of Joseon did it, so what can’t the President do in a democratic country?”

“There were no 남파 공작원 [North Korean spies] from the North in the Joseon Dynasty, right? Now, the South and North are 첨예하게 대치하고 있는 상황이라 [in a situation of sharp confrontation], it’s much more dangerous than Joseon, Your Excellency.”

“음 [Hmm], 분단이 다르긴 하지만 [the division is different], 오히려 서민으로 돌아다니면 [if I go around as an ordinary person] 더 안전하지 않겠어요 [wouldn’t it be safer]? The current 경호 [security] problem is that everyone can tell that the President is coming when they see the 경호원 [bodyguards]. If the 보안 [security] that I’m going on 암행 [undercover] is 철저하다 [thorough], it couldn’t be safer than that.”

“…….”

“The Chief of the Security Service may be 번거롭겠지만 [troubled], the President must 끊임없이 소통해야 [constantly communicate] with the people. If you lose your 감 [sense], you become a 탁상공론 [armchair theory] 관료 [bureaucrat]. If you’re afraid of losing your 목숨 [life] and 틀어박혀 [shut yourself away] in the Blue House 왕궁 [palace], the people will fall into 곤궁 [distress].”

Confirming that the President’s will was 확고하다 [firm], the Chief of the Security Service had no choice but to 물러나다 한발 뒤로 [take a step back].

“알겠습니다 [I understand], Your Excellency. I will 따로 [separately] make up a 경호원 구성 [bodyguard composition] that is 필요한 [necessary] for 암행 [undercover].”

“고맙소 [Thank you].”