Ambition
[Contrary to predictions of a victory within the margin of error, candidate Kim Dong-il secured a confirmed win by an 8.1% margin.]
[At the home of Kim Dong-il, now the 14th presidential election winner, crowds of supporters have gathered, chanting the name of their elected leader...]
Countless researchers in Yeouido, media outlets, and even Chairman Kang Jin-gwang had all predicted a nail-biter within 3%. But when the results came in, reality flipped the script entirely. Kim Dong-il claimed a resounding victory.
Min-ho was the only one who nailed it exactly. He alone had shouted out 8% and boldly declared Kim's win. The three others, who had dismissed it as idle chatter, could only gape at him in stunned silence.
He knew how brilliant his grandson was. Even with all his experience confirming it, this was beyond belief. Words like "sharp," "astute," or "intelligent" fell short in describing him. He always saw one step ahead—precisely, where others couldn't.
It was truly unbelievable. Kim Dong-il was now the president-elect. More puzzling than the joy of placing his man in the Blue House was Min-ho's foresight—a level of insight even Kang himself lacked.
He steadied his trembling hand with a sip of water, gathering his thoughts. 'How does he always show such astonishing insight? Always spotting what others miss...'
Unable to grasp it easily, Chairman Kang spoke in a grave tone. "You know even the big shots strutting around Yeouido—and those TV networks staking their lives on election coverage—never saw this coming, right?"
"Yes, Grandfather."
"How did you know he'd win by nearly triple that margin? Did you pick it up from somewhere?"
Min-ho speared a piece of fruit with his fork and politely offered it to his grandfather before replying. "It's a secret just between you and me. They don't know about it."
"A secret... You mean the funding?"
"Exactly. If we hadn't funneled in the cash, it would've been the close race they predicted. We couldn't have been sure Kim Dong-il would win."
"True enough. But how did you factor in the money I handed over to get that result?"
Unlike his grandfather, who seemed tense waiting for the answer, Min-ho grinned broadly, spreading his right hand wide open as he explained. "The funds you gave President-elect Kim Dong-il came to exactly 500 sheets. Remember?"
"Of course. It was the first big sum I'd spent in ages. But what does that have to do with it?"
"100 billion per 1%. That's how I calculated it."
"One big bill per 1%..."
"Every poll showed a dead heat. In the final stretch, what sways voters is how much money gets poured in."
It was impossible to quantify precisely, but Chairman Kang knew well how cash influenced elections. Factoring that in, Min-ho's logic rang true.
"I told you when we were prepping the political funds. You'd be the kingmaker. This president wasn't chosen by the people's votes—it was your money, Grandfather."
"So you're saying... if I'd backed Seong-un on the other side, he could've won too?"
"Yes. It was fluctuating within 3% either way. Your choice could've swung the presidency anywhere. Feel a bit lighter now?"
"You bet. It's like decades of pent-up stress just melted away."
When Min-ho met Kim Dong-il one-on-one, he'd laid down the condition: no meddling in their interests, just hands off JK Group. If the new Blue House master kept his word faithfully, JK could finally shake off years of regulatory shackles and policy chains.
"With the shackles gone... our boy gave us wings. Time to flap them hard and soar."
"Happy with the results?"
"No question."
Min-ho's flawless strategy had fitted the group with wings. Chairman Kang drained his glass with a contented smile.
"Now the snake that crawled on its belly, wary of the regime's gaze, has wings. All it needs is to become a dragon and fly free across the skies!"
Truth be told, even Chairman Kang hadn't been certain of this election outcome. He'd spent sleepless nights fearing an unexpected twist. If Kim Dong-il lost, the 50 billion would vanish into thin air, and JK would be hobbled by policies once more.
His worries proved unfounded. With everything washed clean, a relieved smile bloomed naturally. In his strongest era yet as the most powerful man around. Nothing could stand in his way now.
It was time to unleash the voracious appetite he'd kept hidden. He could buy whatever he wanted. Even better, he'd confirmed his grandson's prowess once more. Plans laid and executed always yielded results. Meticulous yet bold. And not a single failure so far.
Chairman Kang's resolve was tilting sharply toward Min-ho. Pleased, he let out a hearty laugh and grabbed the liquor bottle. "Come on, everyone—glasses up!"
He even rose from his seat, patting Moon Sang-oh the butler, Lawyer Choi, and Min-ho on the shoulders, filling their glasses to the brim.
"This is a clear victory for us. We've swept away the obstacles in our path in the blink of an eye. Come on—toast! For JK Group!"
"For JK Group!"
***
As he tilted his glass, Chairman Kang pondered the president-elect Kim Dong-il. How they played this would shape JK Group's next five years.
Filling Moon Sang-oh's glass to the top, he asked, "Sang-oh, tell me how we should proceed from here for the best outcome."
"President-elect Kim Dong-il's campaign promises include some rather grandiose elements."
"True... Makes you wonder if he can really pull them off."
"I hold a very negative view of those promises."
"They're the flashy kind anyone can spout off. We must account for that... Still."
Moon Sang-oh accepted the poured liquor with both hands, drank, and replied. "We can ignore the small stuff. But for major national policy projects, JK's name must be on them."
"Ditch the small fry and go for the big fish worth devouring?"
"Precisely. Grabbing too much will draw scrutiny to the president's ties with JK Group."
"Good... Next, Jong-hoon."
His face flushed from downing Chairman Kang's liquor nonstop, Lawyer Choi—still rigid with tension—responded. "I see two approaches."
"Two, eh..."
"First, we know the president-elect's weaknesses. We leverage them aggressively."
"Not a bad idea... And the other?"
"Building on the executive director's view, if they exclude us from big national projects, we apply quiet pressure."
Both agreed: hook the big ones.
"Right. Summing you up: skip the trivia, we've got leverage anyway, so focus on the majors. That's it."
"Yes."
"Then send Hwan first for the congratulatory wreath, and handle the call yourself, Sang-oh."
"Understood. I'll prepare it."
Unlike the beaming Chairman Kang, Min-ho set down his fork with a blank expression. The idea of the political funds, the negotiation details, the evidentiary leash—it was all Min-ho's plan, not his grandfather's.
"Our boy looks none too pleased... What's eating him?"
Knowing the policies Kim Dong-il would roll out, Min-ho couldn't stomach their advice.
"Grandfather, I see it differently."
"Popping champagne doesn't change facts. This is just good business manners."
Min-ho firmly opposed. "No. We need to put even more distance between us and the soon-to-be president, Kim Dong-il."
"It's just a few wreaths and a phone call. Skipping it would be the real rudeness."
"This time, we go the opposite way. No congratulatory calls, no wreaths—zero contact with President-elect Kim Dong-il."
Min-ho's view clashed head-on with the others.
"I know your heart's pure with those wreaths, Grandfather. But flip it: to Kim Dong-il, JK is his biggest burden."
"Could be... If we'd funded the opposition, they might've won."
"Any face-to-face or call will feel like external pressure to the president-elect."
"A sense of debt, feeling the squeeze... What judgment do you think Dong-il would make then?"
"He'd force JK Group into all sorts of projects, no matter what."
What if the president fawned over JK Group? At first, folks might shrug it off, but by term's end, suspicions of cronyism would erupt.
Unlike the others, Min-ho was calculating beyond this term—to the next president.
"Once or twice could be coincidence. But if it keeps up, where do the press and public eyes turn? They'll suspect improper ties naturally."
Gaining favors by pressuring the president-elect might profit short-term, but long-view, it'd be Chairman Kang hobbling himself.
"So you're saying it could backfire spectacularly—better keep our distance entirely?"
"Yes. Unless they fail our exact conditions, no meetings whatsoever."
Chairman Kang puffed on his pipe, deep in thought. Min-ho elaborated. "I was clear in negotiations: no restrictions on JK. But if we start salivating over scraps now, what happens?"
Moon Sang-oh, listening quietly, replied. "Given President-elect Kim Dong-il's personality, he'll feel compelled to repay—likely pushing reckless policies or decisions."
"Spot on. Even a pure-hearted meal from you would feel loaded, Grandfather. Just a greeting would demand reciprocation. That's his mindset now. Piling on pressure drags us both into the fire."
Nodding with pipe in mouth, Chairman Kang asked, "And if he doesn't play ball with us?"
"I've already got the bomb strapped to me. If he regulates..."
Min-ho pulled out photos and the recorder from his bag—all from the Soseonjae meeting with Kim Dong-il.
"I'll hug President Kim Dong-il tight and play Nora—like a corrupt president taking dirty money from a chaebol heir. Perfect picture, right?"
"True... We've got the leash. He can steer wherever."
"We each go our own way. That's the deal. He gets what he wants; we get ours—no interference."
"Right. Our Min-ho's a Socrates. Fine, Grandfather promises to follow your lead."
No matter how he turned it, Min-ho's logic was soundest. Wings in place without regime aid—Chairman Kang just needed to fly.
A bit tipsy, eyes glazed, but his gaze on his grandson brimmed with affection. "Sang-oh... Jong-hoon... You agree with me, right? How's our Min-ho so brilliantly sharp?"
"Indeed, Chairman."
"Plans on point. Guts like a man. Spot-on judgment and advice even before Grandfather... Feels like I'm the one learning."
Grinning heartily for a long while, Chairman Kang grabbed Min-ho's cheeks and stared fondly. "How'd a viper sire such a clever fox? Eh? The more I look, the cuter you get... Got Dong-il safely to the Blue House, wiped away Grandfather's worries clean."
"Like it?"
"You kidding? Love it. Of course. But... You've never asked Grandfather for anything."
"Can I list everything I want?"
"Anything—even stars from the sky or moon. I promise."
Outboxing so far, now time to go infighter. Min-ho needed to enter the group core and expand his foothold.
Resolved, he spoke. "JK Card's presidency is vacant, right?"
"It is... Wait, you don't mean..."
"Let me run it."
Stunned by his unimaginable words, Chairman Kang dropped the glass from his hand.