The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 221

221. Moon Se-gwang!

Tokyo, Japan.

President Park was on a business trip to Japan concerning his fund.

The second oil shock, triggered by Iran’s suspension of crude oil exports from December of last year to March of this year, was once again shaking the Japanese economy.

On the other hand, South Korea, an oil-producing country, was raking in dollars thanks to this crisis.

President Park, who managed the National Wealth Fund and Tiger Fund, was shopping in Japan with overflowing capital.

The president of Japan’s largest bank said to President Park.

“There are many electronic product companies with excellent technology in Japan, but why are you trying to buy buildings of all things?”

“These days, Japan is in a recession, so there are many vacant offices. Since there are many vacancies, there are plenty of buildings for sale on the market. I’m talking about properties put up for auction by banks. Our neighbor is having a hard time, so we must help the presidents who need cash to prevent bankruptcy.”

“To think so deeply about Japan! I am truly impressed, President! I have brought only the buildings in the best locations. Take your pick.”

“Well, let’s see! Hmm, at this price, I can buy more than five buildings.”

There were plenty of half-price buildings that were auctioned off or were about to be auctioned off.

Knowing that this oil shock would not last long, if he bought them now, he would recover the cost in a year or two.

Moreover, as the mid-1980s approached, Japan’s real estate would begin to rise to unprecedented heights.

If he sold them at the peak of Japan’s bubble economy, he would easily make four or five times the profit.

In addition, since the monthly rent came in steadily, he could raise the interest rate, which had been lowered by investing in North Korea, several times over in one fell swoop.

However, the Japanese had no idea that it was the prelude to the ‘Lost 20 Years’ [a period of economic stagnation in Japan following the collapse of the asset price bubble in the early 1990s].

Government complex.

The prime minister, who had completed his six-month term, was handing over the reins to the new prime minister from the C party.

“Have you studied a lot?”

“I’ve done quite a bit in my own way.”

“The prime minister’s term is only half a year, so if you don’t study, you’ll end up memorizing the names of your subordinates and then retiring.”

“Hahaha, that’s probably true.”

“It’s good to share the position, but when you try to do some work, you have to retire, so the staff treats you like a guest. You’re completely a figurehead prime minister. It’s not even a six-month defense duty; you have no authority, no authority!”

“I don’t know if it was intentional, but as a result, the second-in-command becomes weak, so the first-in-command doesn’t need to keep them in check.”

“Maybe the president was aiming for that. By lowering the authority of the position and having the staff do the work, the prime minister effectively has no real power, and only the president’s authority is strengthened.”

“Ah, that’s really true! The policy of impartiality was to strengthen the king’s power!”

“The first-term president is really a master of politics.”

“That’s right. It’s like he’s been president several times.”

“Okay, let’s hand over the reins. There’s nothing difficult about it. The only thing this prime minister has to do is manage the general election.”

“Tsk, he’s really just a part-time prime minister.”

As they said, the prime minister became a service position rather than the second in the power hierarchy.

The general election was over.

President Jung, who secured 60% of the seats, laid the foundation for stable state administration.

One of the characteristics of this general election, which was held after the unprecedented policy of impartiality, was that factionalism, where people gathered and dispersed to share positions, disappeared, and policy debates took place.

The atmosphere was clearly different from the previous state of affairs, where black propaganda was rampant and accusations and complaints were intertwined.

Myeongdong.

The Korea Exchange had moved to Yeouido, and the reputation of Myeongdong as a financial center had faded, but private loan businesses and banks were still thriving, so the center of Myeongdong on weekends was packed with people.

The president, disguised and accompanied by three bodyguards, went on his first undercover outing.

His tall height was noticeable wherever he went, but he was wearing horn-rimmed glasses and using a cane, disguised as an old man.

He was worried that someone might recognize him, but the passersby were busy with their own business.

“Your Excellency, no one recognizes you at all.”

“Ahem! Your Excellency!”

“Oops! Uncle!”

“Today, I’m playing the role of a rich uncle who came out to buy gifts for his nephews and nieces!”

“Ah, I forgot, Uncle!”

“It’s refreshing to see ordinary people after dealing only with civil servants in suits. That’s why I go on undercover outings.”

“Uncle, your voice is too clear. If you’re in your late 60s, you should have a slightly hoarse voice.”

“Really? Hmm, hmm, is this okay now?”

“Ah, now you sound like an old man.”

“Let’s go eat a bowl of banquet noodles [Janchi-guksu, a Korean noodle dish typically served at celebrations] at a street stall in Chungmuro. I’m hungry after walking from Gwanghwamun.”

The four people went into a street stall and ordered extra-large servings of banquet noodles.

The president struck up a conversation with the woman.

“Is business good these days?”

“I’m making a living.”

“Is it because the president is not doing a good job in politics that business is not good?”

He wanted to hear directly the voices of ordinary people evaluating him.

The woman said, handing over the steaming noodles.

“The current president looks like a clumsy bear, but he seems to have good talent.”

The president almost spat out the noodles he had put in his mouth at the word ‘clumsy bear’.

He barely swallowed the noodles and asked.

“Hmm, hmm, does a bear have the talent to roll around?”

“He’s from a large company, so he’s used to spending money like water. He gives positions to both the ruling and opposition parties. Since many people take turns wearing the hat [a Korean idiom meaning to hold a position], the world is quiet. How difficult is it to shut up politicians?”

The president smiled without realizing it as he swallowed the noodles.

He paid the bill and came out without taking the change.

He said to the bodyguards.

“Let’s go watch a movie and go home. I heard that Jung Yoon-hee [a famous South Korean actress] is an absolute beauty.”

The president safely completed his first undercover outing that day.

Jangchung Gymnasium.

The August 15th Liberation Day ceremony was being held.

The singing of the fourth verse of the national anthem was in progress.

The president called the chief of the security service and whispered in his ear.

“Have you thoroughly searched the attendees?”

“Yes, we have. You can rest assured, Your Excellency.”

“Listen carefully to what I say.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

“When I give my congratulatory speech, place bodyguards who are special marksmen behind me.”

“During your speech?”

“That’s right. Shoot anyone who gets up during the speech, no matter what.”

“No matter what?”

“Anyone who gets up and whose hand comes out of their clothes, bag, envelope, or book must be dealt with first.”

“I understand, Your Excellency!”

There was no harm in being careful, but the chief of the security service was puzzled because His Excellency seemed particularly sensitive today.

The chief of the security service called the close bodyguards and instructed them as the president had said.

“Load live ammunition, release the safety catch, and be ready to fire at any time!”

“Yes!”

Finally, it was the president’s turn to give his congratulatory speech.

The president stepped forward to the podium.

He looked around the audience.

The eyes of 20,000 people were focused on the president.

The president scanned the audience, looking for a man.

But the man was nowhere to be seen.

He read the prepared speech.

“This Liberation Day is a day of celebration for the North and South to be united, so I am grateful to have a face to show to the spirits of the fallen heroes…”

It was then.

A man was clearly seen getting up and reaching forward.

The president shouted.

“That’s him!”

The president clearly remembered Moon Se-gwang.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang!

The gunshots fired by the bodyguards and the man (Moon Se-gwang) were mixed together.

Moon Se-gwang fell, bleeding.

The bodyguards rushed to the sniper and pounced on him.

The chief of the security service ran to the president, who was not visible from the podium.

“Your Excellency! Are you unharmed? Your Excellency!”

“I’m fine.”

As soon as he made eye contact with the guy, he quickly hid under the podium.

The terrible scene of the First Lady being shot in front of the people was a nightmare that often appeared in his dreams.

He shuddered even more than when he was shot in Gungjeong-dong [the location of the presidential residence at the time].

Moon Se-gwang’s assassination attempt on the First Lady should have occurred on August 15, 1974, but it did not occur in 1974 because he was a regressor.

He thought it was probably due to President Park’s preventive measures of evacuating his entire family overseas, and he had completely forgotten about it.

But recently, he was tormented by nightmares, and Moon Se-gwang appeared in his dreams.

The thought flashed through his mind that fate might not change even if the face changed.

That’s why he had taken extra precautions for security today.

Wee-oh, wee-oh~

Moon Se-gwang was shot three times by the bodyguards and was taken away in an ambulance.

The president calmed the shocked audience and continued reading his speech.

That evening, a report came in that Moon Se-gwang, who had been shot in the head, had died.

An investigation revealed that he was a member of the remnants of the North Korean People’s Republic’s government-in-exile.

The president had overcome another crisis.

The Presidential Office.

A small birthday party was held in the cafeteria with about 10 bodyguards and staff members from the presidential secretariat.

The chief of the security service looked embarrassed when he saw the three-tiered birthday cake and asked.

“Your Excellency, isn’t your birthday November 25th?”

“That’s what it says on my resident registration card, but I was actually born on October 26th. In the old days, the infant mortality rate was high, so we waited about a month before reporting the birth if the baby was still alive.”

Today was October 26th, the day he met his end before his regression, so the president made that excuse to celebrate safely getting through it.

“I’m treating you all today, so eat as much as you want!”

The chef brought out seafood on a large plate.

“Wow~ Where did you get these precious abalones?”

“I asked the chef a few days ago to buy them specially.”

“Even spicy skate salad [a Korean dish called Hongeohoe] is here, so it would be perfect with a shot of soju [a Korean distilled beverage].”

“I’m really sorry, but no alcohol is allowed. I’ll pour you each a glass of cola instead. We can’t have a drinking party inside the sacred Blue House [the official residence of the South Korean president].”

He could have prepared a separate feast at the safe house, called a band, and had a hearty drink, but he didn’t know what might happen at a drinking party.

He deliberately chose the Blue House cafeteria to hold a sober celebration.

The president brought a paper bag full of envelopes.

“Well, it’s a small amount, but it’s a bonus I’ve saved from my salary.”

“Wow~ a bonus!”

“Your Excellency, it’s your birthday, so we should be treating you, but we’re too sorry to receive pocket money.”

“You don’t know how grateful you should be to be alive and breathing. Today is the day I was reborn, so I should be throwing a congratulatory party.”

The president handed out envelopes with the names of the staff members written on them to the attendees one by one.

The subordinate employees, who suddenly received a bonus, had smiles on their faces from ear to ear.

“Thank you, Your Excellency!”

“Well, if you’ve filled your cola glasses, let’s have a toast!”

“To Your Excellency’s long life and good health!”

“Cheers!”