Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: The Untouchable Man
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His words were unexpected, so I just stared at him.
Perhaps sensing his explanation was lacking, he filled my empty glass and continued speaking.
“Of course, seeing your actions so far, Chairman Jin, I have no doubt you will maintain your neutrality. But as I said before, you have become the most powerful and influential figure in this country. It would be stranger if the political world *didn't* try to reach out to you. My being here right now is a perfect example.”
“…”
“Besides, the presidential election is just a year and a half away. Because of that, the administration is experiencing a lame-duck period, and the ruling party is mired in internal conflict. In such a situation, the ruling party's best option would be to bring you into their fold, Chairman Jin. Therefore, I have no choice but to ask for your neutrality.”
That was something I hadn't anticipated.
Then again, for a ruling party with no clear path forward, I suppose they might see me as a solution.
But there's no way I'd ever agree to that.
They've probably been quiet so far because there's something holding them back, something that makes them hesitant to involve me.
Either they know how much I loathe getting involved in politics, or…
“This is just an aside, but among politicians, Chairman Jin, you're seen as something different from other business leaders.”
Just then, Assemblyman Lee Ju-hwan spoke again.
“Different how?”
“To put it bluntly, you're considered untouchable.”
“…”
“You mean you haven't felt it at all?”
“No, honestly.”
“I suppose that makes sense. You've been so focused on your work that you've had almost no interaction with politicians. But that's the reality. You've already risen to a position where you can't be touched by some flimsy form of power.”
“…”
“Why? Do you think I'm exaggerating? Then let me give you an example. Recently, politicians have been taking issue with the Financial Services Commission's poor management of the capital market. But funnily enough, no one from either party was willing to mention the investment firms operated by Jaewoo.”
“Isn't that because Jaewoo's investment operations are highly transparent?”
I immediately countered.
A faint smile touched his lips as he offered me another glass.
“That may be true, but have you ever known politicians to pass up a chance to dig for dirt? There's no company out there that's completely clean if you look hard enough.”
“…”
“But as you can see, when it comes to Jaewoo, they don't even think of touching it. I see it as a kind of subconscious self-preservation.”
“Subconscious self-preservation?”
“You know what I mean. That instinct to avoid people or things that you know will only bring trouble if you mess with them. Even if you think you have a chance of winning, you don't dare start a fight.”
“…”
“Frankly, I can't say I don't understand their attitude. After all, you're a figure who wields enormous influence in the Arab world, the United States, and Russia.”
“Hmm…”
“And on top of that, they've all witnessed firsthand the extent of your influence on this country through the recent economic war with Japan. What good would it do for assemblymen, who are only busy protecting their own skins, to provoke someone like that? If anything, they'd be trying to get on your good side.”
“Ha, you're leaving me speechless.”
It was how I honestly felt.
I've been so busy just charging forward without looking back that I never realized I'd become someone who's perceived that way by others.
As I was about to run a hand through my hair in embarrassment, he continued.
“Anyway, for those reasons, the ruling party will be contacting you soon. When they do, I'm asking you to remain neutral. That's the only way I'll be able to ascend to the presidency, isn't it?”
It was a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
To put it bluntly, he was speaking as if the next presidency was his for the taking, as long as I didn't get in his way.
But why did it feel less like arrogance and more like a matter of course?
The absurdity of it made me let out a dry laugh.
“If that's all you're asking of me, then you have nothing to worry about.”
I said firmly and drained my glass.
Since he wasn't asking me to actively support him, it was a weight off my shoulders. There was no reason to refuse.
Maybe that's why the alcohol tastes so sweet tonight.
“I heard your trip to Russia went well?”
“Yes, there are still a few lingering concerns, but for now, that's the case.”
After that, we tried our best to change the subject.
But that wasn't easy.
Inevitably, the conversation circled back to this country's politics, economy, and diplomacy. As the bottles emptied, even our caution about avoiding potentially sensitive topics began to fade.
“Are you really confident you can beat the party leader?”
I was referring to Assemblyman Lee Yong-jae.
The current opposition party leader and the man who would have become the next president in the original timeline.
As if it were an unexpected question, a flicker of surprise crossed Assemblyman Lee Ju-hwan's face.
“We'll have to wait and see how it plays out. But there's no reason I can't win. Besides, that man is far too driven by personal greed…”
He swallowed the words he was about to say.
Even if he was a political rival, he was holding back from criticizing one of his own in front of an outsider.
Even without him saying it, I knew full well what he wanted to say.
As I raised my glass with a smile, he poured me another drink and spoke casually.
“Do you know? How much I've envied the President all this time.”
“What…”
“I'm talking about that close cooperation between the government and you, Chairman Jin.”
“That's a dangerous thing to say. Others might misunderstand that as collusion between politics and business.”
“It's only collusion if something was exchanged. And besides that, how could anyone say such a thing when Jaewoo has taken so many losses for the sake of the national interest? Honestly, the public knows what's what by now.”
He was lamenting the reality of the situation.
“Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I hope to build that kind of relationship with you as well. I'm fully aware that a nation needs a strong defense to stand firm, but unfortunately, I'm a complete novice in that field.”
“Isn't that something you should be saying after you become president?”
I subtly landed a jab.
His expression didn't change in the slightest as he replied blandly.
“You have a point there. But there's no harm in dreaming big, is there? And if by some chance it doesn't work out… I'll ask for a position at Jaewoo Group. Or something.”
That last part was probably a joke.
Honestly, why would an assemblyman with his career be desperate enough to ask for a position at Jaewoo?
Still, I felt his reason for saying it was an indirect way of expressing his desire to maintain a relationship with me, yet strangely, it didn't feel burdensome.
“Just become the president.”
******
[The conflict between the government and the ruling party is escalating. This morning, party leader Lee Pil-yong directly criticized the government's arbitrary real estate policies…]
July 2006.
The conflict between the government and the ruling party reached its peak due to skyrocketing housing prices.
The government announced plans to supply 1.64 million homes in the metropolitan area to curb the price hikes, but it was not enough to extinguish the raging fire.
In the end, public outcry grew louder, and the ruling party once again moved to distance itself from the administration.
“Chairman, Representative Lee Pil-yong has requested a meeting.”
Just as Assemblyman Lee Ju-hwan had predicted, the ruling party became obsessed with pulling me in to win back the public sentiment that was growing increasingly disappointed with them.
In short, they wanted to use Jaewoo's image—no, Jin Hyun-seung's image—to try and secure another term in power.
But what sane business leader would ever go along with that?
I drew a firm line, and for a time, I even received a sharp warning from Assemblyman Lee Pil-yong.
-A businessman should know better than to burn his bridges. What will you do when we succeed this administration?
Tsk, how can someone be so shortsighted?
The problem with this country isn't just the incompetent generals, but these so-called assemblymen too.
“The helicopter is ready, Chairman.”
November 8, 2006.
Today was the day the Dosan Ahn Changho, South Korea's first 3,000-ton class submarine, would finally conduct its SLBM sea-launch test.
The land-based launch test had already been completed successfully.
Thanks to that, construction had proceeded without a hitch, and if the sea launch was also successful, it would soon be possible to deliver it to the military.
“Did you have any trouble on your way here?”
When I arrived at Jaewoo Shipbuilding, CEO Lee Yong, CEO Kim Young-gi, and even Group Vice Chairman Jin Hyun-cheol were already there waiting.
And it wasn't just them.
Perhaps due to the importance of the event, the President's attendance, which hadn't been on the schedule, was also confirmed. Fortunately, his helicopter hadn't arrived yet.
“Vice Chairman. A word, please.”
On my way to the VIP section, something came to mind, and I stopped Hyun-cheol for a moment.
As if he already knew what I was about to say, he approached with a sigh.
“Little brother. No, Chairman. I'm still a newlywed. Just keep that in mind.”
As expected, his intuition was sharp.
Putting on an apologetic expression, I cautiously brought up the subject.
“You know better than anyone that the Yamal project can't be entrusted to just anyone, brother.”
“But I'm still a newlywed.”
The look on his face as he repeatedly stressed his newlywed status was almost desperate.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke again.
“Then how about your wife goes with you? Extending your honeymoon in Russia doesn't sound too bad, does it?”
“…”
He looked as if he'd never expected such a suggestion.
After a moment of looking utterly confused, he twisted his lips and spoke.
“Who do you take me for? Hey, maybe if it were a beach in California, but enjoying a honeymoon in that cold place… what nonsense.”
Hyun-cheol, who had raised his voice, glanced around before lowering it again.
The way he let out a deep sigh suggested he wouldn't refuse in the end.
And sure enough, he shook his head and spoke again.
“So, how many years are we talking?”
“Just two years, please. As you know, the initial infrastructure development is the most critical part of the gas field project, and we can't exactly send the elderly Vice Chairman Yoon, can we?”
“You want to send him there and end up holding a funeral?”
“That's my point. And if we send one of the affiliate CEOs, I'm not confident they could handle any unexpected variables. In the end, it has to be you, brother.”
“Going isn't the problem, but what about Jaewoo Energy?”
“I'll take over the solid-state battery business from now on. It's about time we started coordinating with Tesla anyway.”
Hyun-cheol nodded, looking somewhat relieved.
But then he frowned, as if something else was bothering him, and brought up Chairman Jin.
“I'm worried about Father. I hope nothing happens during the two years I'm gone.”
He was approaching 90, so it was only natural to be concerned.
But his time wasn't up for at least another seven years.
Of course, with how jumbled the historical timeline has become, I couldn't be certain anymore, but judging by his current health, it probably wasn't something to worry about.
“If it looks like there might be a problem, I'll contact you immediately.”
“Alright, what can I do? The situation is what it is. I get it, I'll just give your sister-in-law a call… Huh? Looks like the President is here.”
As he spoke, Hyun-cheol pointed to the sky.
*Whump-whump-whump-whump!*
At the same time, the presidential helicopter approached.
We immediately headed toward the helipad, and the President, who had just disembarked, smiled and extended his hand toward us.
“I came in person because I thought this might be the last event I attend during my term.”
Come to think of it, he wasn't wrong.
There were no other projects scheduled for deployment or testing within his remaining term.
I responded with an awkward smile, and he clapped me on the back before saying something completely out of place for the situation.
“Did your meeting with Assemblyman Lee Ju-hwan go well?”
“…”
“Ah! Don't misunderstand. I'm not here to question your meeting with him. I was simply… curious about what kind of person he seemed to be in your eyes, Chairman Jin.”
The expression on his face as he spoke was pitiful.
It was as if, just as Representative Ahn had said, he had already resigned himself to the transfer of power.
Then again, even with over a year left, the atmosphere suggested it would be difficult to turn the tide.
Not when the ruling party's own leader was openly attacking the President and his administration.
‘Come to think of it, Representative Lee Pil-yong is quite the surprise. In the original history, he was a man who tried to protect the President until the very end, far from opposing him. Why has he become such a different person now?’
It's truly become difficult to see even one step ahead.
“He asked me to remain neutral.”
“…”
At my words, the President stared at me intently.
In the dry laugh that followed, I could sense a myriad of emotions.
Disappointment. Regret. And resentment toward reality.
“It's a shame. That a man like that belongs to the opposition party, not the ruling party.”
As expected, he was lamenting the reality of the situation.
But perhaps sensing this wasn't a topic for today's event, his expression brightened, and he gestured with his chin toward the Ahn Changho, which was waiting in the distance.
“Let's go. We can't ruin the mood with politics on a day like today, when another piece of history is being written.”
“…”