The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 86

86. Political Reform (1)

The Minister of Culture, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Home Affairs announced the following policy changes:

– Hairstyle regulations will be relaxed. Individual schools will have the autonomy to set their own uniform policies after a three-year transition period.

– Vehicle color restrictions will be lifted.

– Civil servants will no longer be restricted in their choice of clothing colors.

Previously, the streets of Seoul had been dominated by black and white.

School uniforms, work attire, and cars were overwhelmingly black or white.

Even buildings rarely deviated from achromatic [lacking color] palettes.

The first step toward cultural liberalization was embracing color diversity.

The introduction of diverse colors alone injected vitality into the economy.

The fashion industry experienced a surge in activity.

Manufactured goods began to feature vibrant colors.

Everything was changing rapidly, but some things remained the same.

* * *

Assemblyman Seo’s office.

Seven aides (two at the 4th grade level, two 5th grade secretaries, and three assistants) were bustling around.

The aides’ salaries, office expenses, communication costs, supplies, and vehicle maintenance were all funded by taxpayer money.

It was past 1 a.m.

Aide Nam, who had been looking out the window, rushed to the door.

Assemblyman Seo, sporting a yellow gold badge on his chest [symbol of his position], entered the office, escorted by Aide Nam.

Aides lined up at the entrance to greet him.

“Hello, Assemblyman!”

Assemblyman Seo raised a hand dismissively, acknowledged them, and sat down.

Aide Lee placed coffee on the assemblyman’s desk.

Assemblyman Seo patted Aide Lee’s rear and said with drowsy eyes.

“Let’s have lunch together.”

“Yes, Assemblyman.”

As Aide Lee left the assemblyman’s office, Aide Nam entered with a stack of documents.

“Assemblyman, this is the draft legislation.”

Without even glancing at the documents, Assemblyman Seo snapped.

“What is this?”

“……”

“When am I supposed to read all this? I told you to summarize it on one page! One page!”

“I, I’m sorry. The content is extensive….”

“Do you think I have all the time in the world? Do it again!”

“Yes!”

Aide Nam retreated with the documents.

The assemblyman clicked his tongue.

“If the aide is competent, it’s easier to get re-elected, but that guy only has a fancy academic record and is completely useless. If he can’t handle the paperwork, he should at least have the sales skills to bring in campaign contributions or secure lucrative deals.”

Assemblyman Seo sipped his coffee and scanned the newspaper on his desk.

He was checking for any articles about his district or himself.

The aides checked first, but he double-checked to ensure nothing was missed.

“Hmm, why are there so many articles about Minister Jeong lately?”

He checked his watch and saw that it was almost 12 o’clock.

He said to his aide as he prepared to leave.

“I’m going to tour the district and then stop by the National Assembly. Arrange lunch.”

“Yes, Assemblyman!”

“Aide Lee, come with me.”

“Yes, Assemblyman.”

Aide Lee functioned as the assemblyman’s personal assistant.

Assemblyman Seo left the office after spending less than an hour there.

* * *

Boom~

While in the car, Aide Lee reviewed the schedule.

“The groom is the fourth son of former County Governor Yoo Jang-ho. At 2 p.m. is the Noh family, and at 2:30 p.m. is CEO Kim’s residence.”

“At least it’s only three stops today.”

“There is Chairman Park’s 60th birthday celebration at 6 p.m.”

“Is it today?”

“Yes. Wreaths and congratulatory flower arrangements have already been sent.”

“When is the district party committee chairman’s grandson’s first birthday?”

“It’s tomorrow at 1 p.m.”

“Okay. That’s the most important thing, so remind me again by phone tomorrow.”

“Yes, Assemblyman.”

The chairman of the local party committee wielded the power to nominate candidates, so the assemblyman made sure to attend all family events and even the school parent-teacher association meetings of his grandchildren, taking care of everything.

Even during National Assembly sessions, it was an unspoken rule for lawmakers to attend all the VIP family events and ceremonies they could manage.

“I’m glad there are no funerals today. Double-check the names of the bride and groom. Don’t let me embarrass myself like last time by mixing them up.”

“Yes, Assemblyman! Which wedding speech should I use?”

They were rotating through about 10 pre-written wedding speech templates.

“Number 3.”

“Yes.”

The assemblyman’s weekend schedule was filled with officiating weddings, delivering congratulatory speeches, and offering condolences at family events.

A National Assembly member’s presence at a family event was considered an honor, while their absence would be seen as rude and could negatively impact the next election.

Attending these events was the most crucial aspect of district management for a local assemblyman.

The cost of wreaths and artificial flowers alone amounted to millions of won [thousands of US dollars] per month.

“I’m meeting the president of K Construction at the H Hotel for dinner.”

“Yes, Assemblyman!”

K Construction was seeking a zoning change for the construction of a training center.

A smile crept across Assemblyman Seo’s face at the prospect of a large sum of money coming his way.

* * *

Seoul (Night).

A black sedan was driving erratically when it crashed into a telephone pole.

Bang!

Screech~

The wooden pole tilted, and electrical sparks flew.

The police rushed to the scene.

They approached the vehicle with the shattered car window.

“Are you hurt?”

There was a male driver and two women in the car.

The driver shouted.

“Hic~ I’m okay~ That’s why I drive an expensive car~”

His speech was slurred.

The driver, in his early 50s, was wearing a dress shirt with his greased-back hair disheveled, and the two young women were dressed like bar employees.

The police frowned.

“Ugh, the smell of alcohol!”

“Officer, I only had one drink. It’s my birthday today, hic~”

“I’m going to measure your blood alcohol level. Please blow into this.”

“What? Are you ordering me around now, hic~”

“If you don’t blow, I’ll arrest you.”

“Arrest? Hah, do you know who I am?”

“Please show me your driver’s license.”

“Hey, are you a rookie talking back to a division commander? Tsk!”

“Are you driving without a license?”

“This guy is really something! Tell me your name and rank!”

The police requested backup over the radio.

“This is Zone 7, I need assistance to arrest a driver suspected of driving under the influence without a license. Please send a patrol car.”

– Understood, over!

The driver grabbed the police officer by the collar.

“Hey, can’t you see this? Do you want to lose your job?”

“What is that?”

The driver fumbled in his jacket for something.

“This, you son of a bitch! A gold badge!”

“……”

It was a National Assembly member’s badge.

“They should have National Assembly member license plates like diplomats or the Department of Defense, so that everyone doesn’t try to mess with me!”

“……”

“Tell the police chief to come here! Tell him to kneel down and apologize right now!”

* * *

National Assembly.

The ruling party’s vice president gave a speech.

“The reason for convening the special session of the National Assembly is to investigate the fairness of the prosecution’s investigation and to discuss ways to revive the economy, not to shield anyone from prosecution.”

Boo~

Jeers erupted from the assembly members’ seats.

Assemblyman Jang, who was in trouble, was facing police summons for drunk driving, assaulting an officer, and hit-and-run charges.

However, because he was a senior member of the party, he was attempting to use his parliamentary privilege of immunity from arrest during the session to protect himself.

* * *

National Assembly Small Conference Room.

The floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties were engaged in a private discussion.

“A man can get drunk and act out, let’s not be too hard on him. We cooperated with the opposition party’s Assemblyman Seo’s company receiving kickbacks with the protection of the National Assembly last time.”

“The problem isn’t the drunk driving itself, it’s that it made the newspapers. They should have handled it quietly; now the whole nation knows. If the opposition party pretends not to know, they’ll be seen as accomplices.”

* * *

The president listened to the Minister of Home Affairs’ report.

“Three cases of illegal political fund-raising, three cases of legislative bribery, two cases of employment peddling, two cases of assault, two cases of drunk driving, and one case of sexual assault. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

“Good grief, the National Assembly isn’t a gang, but the people who make the laws are the first to break them, so the country is in this mess.”

“Instead of focusing on legislative activities, they are constantly exposed to vested interests and solicitations while attending local family events. They find it difficult to refuse the requests of local power brokers.”

“The National Assembly members need to change, but the people also need to change. They treat local assembly members as complaint resolution offices and engage in voter abuse.”

“That’s right, Your Excellency.”

“Why do they sell their houses and land to run for National Assembly?”

“Yes? Well….”

“I’m asking why they spend their own money to try to win a National Assembly member badge, which is harder than becoming a civil servant. Is the position that desirable?”

“Isn’t it because of the privileges?”

“Privileges?”

“National Assembly members have almost 200 privileges. Salaries, allowances, protocol, aides, legislative influence, etc. Once they are elected, they become like local lords.”

“……”

The salary (annual income) of a National Assembly member is at least 137.96 million won [approximately $115,000 USD] (based on 2014).

In addition to the general allowance of 6.46 million won [approximately $5,400 USD] and the legislative activity expenses of 3.13 million won [approximately $2,600 USD], there are various allowances and bonuses, including the diligent service allowance of 6.46 million won and the holiday bonus of 7.75 million won [approximately $6,500 USD].

Even if they don’t attend National Assembly sessions, even if they don’t propose a single bill for four years, their salary is automatically deposited into their bank account every month.

The national treasury spends more than 500 million won [over $400,000 USD] per year to maintain one assembly member.

The president asked.

“What are National Assembly members most afraid of?”

“That’s the power to nominate candidates.”

“The power to nominate candidates….”

The president resolved to implement the political reform he had been planning.

However, it wouldn’t be easy because he was nearing the end of his term.

It wasn’t something that could be achieved through force alone.

“Minister of Home Affairs, investigate which country serves as a model for good governance.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

* * *

The president visited the ruling party headquarters.

The party leadership gathered for a meeting.

The president said.

“I’m visiting Sweden soon. I’d like our ruling party leadership to accompany me. Let’s go abroad, clear our heads, and have a drink.”

“We will adjust the parliamentary schedule and accompany you, Your Excellency!”

“And this time, let’s invite the opposition party leadership as well. The top 3 officers of the opposition party and the committee chairmen. The expenses will be covered by the Blue House [South Korean equivalent of the White House] special fund.”

“Yes, the opposition party too?”

“There is something our politicians need to see.”

* * *

Stockholm, Sweden.

While the president was paying a courtesy call to the King of Sweden, 20 executive-level National Assembly members from Korea’s ruling and opposition parties boarded a bus to the Swedish Parliament Building.

Minister Jeong from the executive branch was also on board.

Zoom~

“It’s nice to get some fresh air.”

“Is this Assemblyman Jang’s first time abroad?”

“No. I’ve been to Hawaii and Tokyo.”

“I go to Paris often. The city of romance, wine, cheese, I love women!”

“I was planning to drink whiskey until I passed out in my hotel room, so why are we going to the Swedish Parliament? I’m tired of the Korean Parliament, why do I have to go to the Parliament even when I’m abroad?”

“We need something to write in the foreign activity report. Visiting the Swedish Parliament and exchanging ideas with members, it sounds good.”

“Ah, I didn’t know that.”

“It’s a bit awkward that the president is accompanying us. But the president is also here to get some fresh air at the end of his term, so we can just have fun on our own.”

The assembly members’ bus was lively and noisy, like students on a field trip.

* * *

Swedish Parliament Building.

The Korean assembly members, proudly displaying their gold badges, got off the bus.

But they disembarked at a public transportation bus stop in front of the National Assembly.

Other people were also getting off regular buses.

Some people walked or biked to the Parliament Building.

“What? What is this? Guide! Why didn’t the bus go inside the National Assembly?”

Today’s guide replied.

“There is no private parking lot inside the National Assembly grounds.”

“Good grief, that’s strict. They should be considerate of visitors; only their assembly members can enter by car.”

“It’s the same here for assembly members.”

“What do you mean the same?”

“Unless it’s a vehicle for the disabled, even assembly members cannot park their cars. There is no assembly member parking lot at all.”

“What? If there is no assembly member parking lot at the National Assembly, how are they supposed to get to work?”

“They get to work by walking or biking, like that.”

The people the guide pointed to were ordinary people who didn’t appear to be wearing gold badges.

“Aren’t those people aides or National Assembly staff?”

“They are all assembly members.”

“What? Assembly members?”

The group exchanged surprised glances.

The group followed them to see if the guide’s words were true.