The Chaebol Returns To The Presidency 1967 [EN]: Chapter 97

97. Doesn’t Campaign

The President answered,

“For the continuity of domestic and foreign policies, I honestly wanted to run for re-election. However, the constitution prohibited it, and I didn’t want an unreasonable extension of power that the opposition party opposed. But the constitution was suddenly revised through a secret agreement between the ruling and opposition parties. I thought this was an opportunity given by heaven, so I decided to run.”

“Even if there are no procedural flaws, isn’t this ultimately an attempt to extend your time in power?”

“Yes, it is an attempt to extend my time in power. I want to clean out the corrupt politicians. I place the meaning of this candidacy on the completion of political reform and await the people’s choice.”

“It seems far from a political reform to replace people without changing the person and running as an independent.”

“That’s exactly it. Replacing political figures.”

“…….”

“What good is it if only the political reform laws change? The politicians are still the same. New wine must be put in new bottles. It must be completely replaced with figures armed with a new philosophy of public service. If I am elected president, I will create a new party excluding current three-term or more members of the National Assembly.”

“Ah, you’re creating a new party and regrouping?”

“Not only regrouping, but also nominating promising new figures who have been alienated from the mainstream. The real start of political reform is from now on. Of course, I will also stop at three terms. I will reform myself.”

The reporters diligently wrote down the President’s words in their notebooks.

Questions followed.

“Other candidates have essentially started their campaigns months ago and are receiving strong support from political parties in terms of funds and organization. As an independent with only 20 days left, it’s a very unfavorable condition. What kind of campaign are you planning to run?”

“Today is my first campaign and my last rally.”

“Yes? Do you mean to end the campaign with this?”

“That’s right. Is there anyone who doesn’t know me?”

“…….”

“This is also part of political reform aimed at honorary positions.”

“Are you talking about running as an independent?”

“It’s not because of affiliation or the desire for power from those in authority, but to try to become a president who is pushed by the people at least once.”

“What does that mean?”

“Dictators mobilize tanks, dissolve the National Assembly, or push through with the number of seats to seize or extend their power. This time, I am running alone as an independent without a party background. And today is the launching ceremony and the last campaign rally. I will not hold rallies that mobilize millions of people, hire hundreds of thousands of campaign workers, and cost tens of billions.”

“…….”

“I have been performing my duties as president, so if the people think I am more needed than other candidates, they can vote for me. I will no longer beg for votes.”

The audience stirred.

Another journalist asked.

“Do you have any election pledges?”

“First, I will maintain the (Corporation) Republic of Korea’s national policy based on ability. This includes political reform to select people based on ability. Second, I will achieve three major powers: a science and technology powerhouse, a cultural powerhouse, and a military powerhouse. Third, I will challenge to become a UN Security Council member. Fourth, I will promote both welfare and competition based on ability. Fifth, I will create a national wealth fund. Sixth, I will promote a constitutional amendment to limit the current presidential term, which can be held for life, to within three terms.”

“Why are the export targets and GNP [Gross National Product] targets emphasized in the 5th and 6th presidential election pledges missing?”

“Now, the amount of money is no longer the goal. The goal is the quality of life and international competitiveness. Welfare and competitiveness, talent development, science and technology development, and security are the goals.”

The President’s exclusion of specific economic indicators was a measure considering the 7th mining sector.

It was to avoid the bubble of packaging natural resource money as economic growth.

Sharp questions continued.

“Did you mention a national wealth fund in your pledges?”

“Yes, that’s right. A national wealth fund.”

“What does this mean?”

“It is an investment fund (SWF) [Sovereign Wealth Fund] in which the government invests assets such as foreign exchange reserves in stocks and bonds around the world. The profits will be used for national welfare, national security, and expansion of social infrastructure.”

“Exports are less than 10 billion dollars, and imports exceed exports, leaving foreign exchange reserves at the bottom. Isn’t this a pledge that ignores reality?”

“You have to plow the fields before it rains. It’s too late when it rains. We are preparing in advance.”

It was a measure to prepare for the flood of oil money, but the reporters could not know this.

Another reporter asked.

As the President had declared, he did not engage in any election campaigns after this interview.

*

Newspapers and broadcasters took it upon themselves to publish detailed accounts of the Kwanhun Club election interview.

Reporters wrote headlines such as ‘Incumbent President’s Statement on Running as an Independent – Dreams of a President Elected by the People’s Push’ and ‘Receives Only the People’s Judgment Without Election Rallies.’

People gathered in groups to read the newspapers and talk.

“He’s saying we should vote if we need him.”

“Huh~ The President is completely confident.”

“Then there won’t be any cigarettes or rice wine this time either?”

“That era is over, you old man! We need to bring in someone who can do the job well and put them in the position. Don’t you know it’s an honorary position?”

“Is that what an honorary position meant?”

*

The Blue House.

The President was meeting with Chairman Jung.

“Chairman Jung, if the National Assembly hadn’t amended the constitution, were you planning to run for president?”

“Yes, I was. Instead, I was planning to make this election pledge.”

“…….”

“If elected, I would amend the constitution to revive the clause for re-election, and become a stepping stone for your Excellency’s third term.”

“Haha, the people would see that as me and Chairman Jung openly declaring a long-term grip on power from the ruling party, so it would be hard to avoid criticism, wouldn’t it? It could also raise misunderstandings that I would be elected with my halo.”

“So, I was going to take a desperate measure by immediately resigning as president if the constitutional amendment passed. I judged that your Excellency would have a better chance of winning since your public support is higher.”

In other words, the strategy was to vote for Candidate Jung if they supported President Park’s third-term amendment, and if it passed, Candidate Jung would immediately resign and hold another election.

Chairman Jung said.

“But the constitutional amendment suddenly passed. Since the independent card was created, there was no need for me to step in. Your Excellency was planning to dissolve the old party and create a new party anyway, so an election without party affiliation is even better.”

“So, you said the plan was suddenly changed?”

“That’s right.”

“Chairman Jung, are you really not thinking of doing politics?”

“Yes. If I were, I would say I would, why would I deny it, Your Excellency. I have to take responsibility for the dictatorial period in Korean political history since it’s my fault.”

“Hmm, I understand. Instead of a public position, I will form a committee, so please direct this party establishment and nomination.”

“I understand.”

The written pledges that Chairman Jung wrote to the two ruling and opposition candidates were completely buried.

*

Seoul Stadium.

Candidate Lee of the ruling party was campaigning in the midst of 6,000 people.

At least 100,000 people were expected, but only 5,000 campaign workers mobilized with daily wages and 1,000 voluntary participants.

Candidate Lee sat in his chair and lamented, looking at the sparsely seated mobilized personnel.

“Ha, it’s like finding a bean in a drought. Is business not going well like this?”

The public relations director comforted him.

“Cheer up, Chairman. The opposition party doesn’t even have 5,000.”

“Are you calling that comfort now? Now the mobilization rally competition is old-fashioned!”

“…….”

“Stop it right now!”

After the President’s independent candidacy, the first poll results of support for presidential candidates were released.

The incumbent independent president surpassed the majority at once and took the lead with 63:12:24, beating both ruling and opposition candidates.

*

Chairman Jung’s office.

Chairman Jung resigned from his public position and returned to the management front.

However, he had nothing special to do as he reorganized into a holding company with professional affiliates.

The President also did not campaign, so there was no election camp to campaign for.

All he did was set up a new party personnel committee.

For some reason, he couldn’t focus on corporate work.

He felt a great sense of alienation working in a private company that pursues private interests after working in a public position with public service as its mission.

He realized that public service that contributes to the public good was more rewarding than collecting bills.

Beep-

The intercom from the secretary’s office rang.

– Chairman, Chairman Lee has arrived.

“Yes, tell him to come in.”

Chairman Lee urgently contacted him a week before the election to meet.

He roughly guessed what it was about, but he decided to meet him because he didn’t think there was any need to ignore him.

Chairman Lee came running with a hunched back, bowing and greeting him as if he were reuniting with separated families.

“Oh, Chairman Jung! You look radiant. I don’t know how curious I’ve been about you, Chairman Jung!”

“Welcome, Chairman.”

While drinking tea, Chairman Lee said.

“Is His Excellency doing well?”

“Yes, he is burning with passion until the last day of his term.”

“Oh my! He can’t even campaign properly.”

“Chairman, you must be busy with the election campaign, what’s going on?”

“I have always admired His Excellency’s philosophy of state affairs. If I had known that His Excellency was running, I would not have run in the party primary.”

“…….”

“Even now, the ruling party only wants to unite and help His Excellency’s election. Of course, I have to resign.”

Hmm, that human, can’t give up his habits! Since he’s already in third place anyway, he’s trying to collude.

“Why did you come to me instead of telling His Excellency directly?”

“Haha, Chairman Jung, aren’t you His Excellency’s right-hand man? We have to follow the procedure.”

“Procedure….”

He didn’t want to look at his greasy face for long.

Chairman Jung got up and made a phone call to someone.

And he handed the receiver to the chairman and said.

“Speak directly.”

“Yes? Who….”

“It’s His Excellency.”

“H, His Excellency?”

He jumped up, took the receiver with both hands, and spoke.

“Your Excellency, it’s Chairman Lee!”

– You’ve been through a lot.

“Not at all. How busy must Your Excellency be taking care of state affairs and campaigning.

– You want to unite?

“Ah, yes! I didn’t know Your Excellency was running and suddenly ran. Even now, I want to serve the people under Your Excellency.”

– Isn’t it better to have even a piece of paper, Your Excellency.

“Hey, Chairman Lee! Isn’t it time to stop the old-fashioned factional coalition? Don’t you know that I’m doing this as an independent because of old-fashioned people like you?”

“I’m sorry, Your Excellency!”

– Run to the end and receive the people’s judgment.

Click!

“Cough!”

The blood drained from the chairman’s face.

“Chairman, it doesn’t seem to be going well?”

“…I’ll be going now….”

He left the door with slumped shoulders.

*

The polling station.

Voters stood in long lines to vote.

In the past, they would have taken the cigarettes or rubber shoes distributed near the presidential election polling station as spoils of war, but now the polling station was quiet.

A voter grumbled.

“There’s really not even a glass of rice wine.”

“Who are you going to vote for?”

“It’s a secret ballot, a secret ballot!”

“You’re so great. Hide and do it yourself. I’m going to vote for the quietest person.”

“…….”

After the voting was over, around 11 p.m., when about 20% of the votes were counted, the game was already over.

The morning newspaper company quickly started printing the expected winner.

– (3 a.m., 55% of votes counted) Independent candidate Park Jung-woong, likely to be re-elected as president with 69% of the vote!