Insurance
Athena. Three days remained until Kang Myeong-seon seized the bait. Kang Min-ho wasn't one to sit idle in the meantime. Today was the day for a private meeting with Kim Dong-il, the leading presidential candidate from the Democratic Party. The matter concerning Kim had been on his radar for quite some time, so Min-ho was meticulously reviewing everything to ensure he hadn't overlooked a thing.
While checking Kim's asset records, he tilted his head and turned to Lawyer Choi.
"Lawyer, could you take a look at this?"
"What part are you curious about?"
"Kim bought a villa in Gangwon Province a few years back, and the timing lines up suspiciously with the highway development."
Subjective interpretation was a dangerous game. Depending on how the opponent spun it, it could sway public opinion decisively. After poring over the documents, Lawyer Choi replied,
"Circumstantially, it looks like he acquired it after getting insider info, but there's no concrete evidence."
"No hard proof, but plenty of suspicion, right?"
"Of course. If the opposing camp latches onto it, it could become a headache."
"We can manage that level of backlash, so no major worries there."
"If it still bothers you, suggesting a sale during tonight's meeting might not be a bad idea."
Pinpointing Kim's vulnerabilities—unknown to the average person—was crucial. Min-ho had scrutinized not just his relatives, but friends and aides' assets too. The office was filled only with the rustle of turning pages.
Suddenly, Lawyer Choi looked up, scanning outside. He stood, lowered the blinds, and double-checked the door lock. Before he could speak, Min-ho, sensing it, smiled and brought it up first.
"Wondering how fresh the apples in the box are?"
"How did you know?"
"You checked if the door was locked once already—obvious."
"It's such a huge sum, I can't even imagine how it's prepared."
"I talked to Butler Moon this morning. Everything's ready."
"You've already prepared the 50 billion won?"
"It's a big amount, sure. But no big deal."
Lawyer Choi couldn't hide his shock. He set the documents aside momentarily and pressed on.
"Young master, I'm still not convinced Kang Myeong-seon will bite on that deal."
"You worry too much, Lawyer. Has my plan ever failed?"
"Not once."
"Auntie's greedy. She has that kind of money. Even that scoundrel Gwak Hee-do couldn't resist a 20% yield from a branch manager."
"But did it have to be Senior Gwak specifically?"
"You'll find out soon enough. On the news."
Right on cue, President Jo Dong-uk knocked. Min-ho peeked through the blinds and opened the door himself.
"Perfect timing."
"I have some very important intel."
"Let's see it."
President Jo's true value shone in moments like these. He'd unearthed a scoop no other reporter could touch. Min-ho nodded with a smile.
"As expected from you, President Jo. Quite the sturdy straw."
"Word is, Kim Dong-il's already acting like he's president-elect, planning his next moves."
"Slogan: a clean, sturdy Korea... Even a stray dog would laugh."
"First off, conglomerates around Kim are reaching out aggressively. No confirmed meetings yet."
"They're probably punching numbers on how much and where to offer. Kim's camp can't just take any cash thrown their way."
The conglomerates' game of chicken over the presidential candidate was fierce. Who met when, how, and with how much cash could dictate the next five years. It wasn't much different from investing. The early big spender versus the reluctant latecomer—both popped champagne, but the rewards differed sharply.
With the election two months out, Kim's campaign funds were dwindling. His fate now hinged on whose hand he took.
"So, to sum it up?"
"Samjeong, Daeyeon, Daegwang, Pohang Steel are leaning toward Kim Dong-il. Daehwan, Samsan, Jinhan are backing the Min-guk Party candidate."
"Still window-shopping, calculator in hand?"
"Given Kim's tendencies, likely."
Kim had no real choice anyway. Min-ho was certain he'd grasp JK Group's hand over the others.
"Good work. Let me know any updates."
"Yes, sir."
"We're backing Kim Dong-il regardless. Massage the articles his way."
"Shall I pass this to the Se-min papers too?"
"Do it."
Kim was tightrope-walking with his current leverage. To Min-ho, though, he was just a five-year civil servant. The shallow tricks drew an involuntary scoff.
"If President Jo's right, tonight's meeting might get canceled."
"Doubt it. I hold the cash to make him president. Back out, and he'll pay dearly. Plenty to do—let's head out."
As Lawyer Choi grabbed Min-ho's coat, he asked once more.
"Any hint on your proposal?"
"You'll see soon enough."
***
Meanwhile, at a Yeouido rally, Kim Dong-il bellowed at the top of his lungs.
"This Kim Dong-il will remake Korea from the ground up! I'll stake my life on a clean, sturdy economy!"
-Kim Dong-il! Kim Dong-il!
-Kim Dong-il! Kim Dong-il!
A massive crowd of supporters roared his name in fervent cheers. Finishing his speech, Kim shook hands with fans as he stepped down, then hopped into his car for the next grueling schedule—Busan to Seoul to Gwangju again. A murderous pace.
Settling in the back seat, he loosened his tie and gulped water from his aide.
"Couldn't do this twice. No joke."
"Just a bit longer, sir. I'll get you safely to Hyoja-dong."
"Right. I trust you."
The smile faded quickly. With the election looming, his donor funds were scraping bottom. Time to choose—sift gold from gravel among the outstretched hands, no easy task.
"How much Woosuli left?"
"About 3.5 billion won."
"Gotta pick now, eh?"
"Yes, but taking cash blindly risks being puppeted post-term."
"Take it, regret later; refuse, no gas to Hyoja-dong... Damned if you do, damned if you don't."
"I've screened some decent ones."
Kim closed his eyes wearily.
"Skip the small fry. Big fish only."
"Samjeong, Daeyeon, Daegwang, Pohang Steel. And JK Group last."
No more delaying. Kim scowled.
"Samjeong's big, but demanding. Daeyeon, Daegwang too small—maybe 5 billion tops."
"Agreed. Thoughts on JK Group?"
Chairman Kang controlled his circle tightly. Only Butler Moon and Min-ho knew the key details—no leaks. Kim's camp had tried every angle, but got zilch.
"Nothing at all?"
"Zero. Every line dead-ended. No clue on the amount."
"Kang'll offer plenty. The issue's... what that sly old fox demands."
"Sorry, sir—no way to know."
"Not your fault. That millennium viper nickname ain't for show. Reading Kang Jin-gwang's mind? That'd be weirder."
Safe bets from predictables, or gamble? Decision time.
"Meeting Kang tonight, right?"
"Yes. Was about to ask how to handle it."
Kim held the upper hand now, but post-election, roles reversed. One slip, and he'd be leashed by cash till term's end.
"Four hours left. Sorry, but choose."
Every option bred regret. Kim agonized, undecided.
"Feed the minnows scraps, or brace for the viper's bite... Aide, your take?"
"If JK offers big, worth the risk."
"Could turn thief on us too."
"Sir, what'll it be?"
Funds evaporating fast. Grabbing scraps risked future indigestion. Kim stubbed his cigarette in the soda can and nodded.
"Gotta ride the flying viper's back. What choice do I have?"
"Understood. Sir, if JK pushes too hard?"
"Polls say I'm ahead, but no cash means flip anytime—you know that."
"Yes, sir."
This was Kim's golden shot at the presidency. No room for pickiness.
"Desperate times. In the desert, you'd guzzle coolant to avoid dying of thirst."
Kim had ties to Chairman Kang since his rookie lawmaker days. Didn't know his full game, but the old man never did losing deals. Worst case, stepping into the tiger's maw. Insurance was essential.
"Call now—blanket nearby restaurants with shills."
"Pardon? Suddenly?"
"Who knows what trap that sly viper's set. One photo, and we're screwed."
"Ah... Got it. Book every spot—no unvetted access."
"Tight control. This meeting's our lifeline."
"Yes, sir."
And so, Kim Dong-il slowly crawled into Min-ho's jaws.