Coercion
***
The Blue House. Finance Minister Kim Si-deok arrived, having hurriedly prepared his policy report. Secretary Cha Jeong-su, who was already waiting, greeted him courteously.
"You've arrived?"
"Yes. Nothing out of the ordinary?"
"I wouldn't say there's been absolutely nothing."
"People these days... You still have that knack for saying things in the most amusing way."
He patted Secretary Cha's shoulder with a good-natured laugh.
"You've had a tough time on my account."
"Speaking of which, sir. The OECD meeting is next week—why insist on seeing His Excellency this week? It was a real hassle aligning the schedules."
"There's a story behind it... As you know, a minister's position is like living day-to-day, so caution with words is essential, isn't it?"
"I'm in the same boat, so I understand perfectly."
"Anyway, sorry about this one. Next time, I'll treat you properly somewhere nice."
"It's fine. Luckily, this morning's schedule got canceled, so we have about an hour to spare."
Secretary Cha glanced at the envelope in Minister Kim's hand and asked,
"May I ask what specific policy this is about? I need to know in advance to prepare somewhat..."
"It's okay. Sorry, but this is something I have to report directly."
"Understood. This way, please."
Secretary Cha knocked politely on the door before opening it.
"Finance Minister Kim Si-deok."
President Kim Dong-il, seated before the grand phoenix screen, rose and extended his hand for a shake.
"How long has it been? You look even healthier since becoming minister."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
"Why so tense? Relax."
"Yes, sir."
He nodded to the secretary, who carefully closed the door and left. The president eyed the envelope in Minister Kim's hand intently before asking,
"You know full well the meeting's next week, yet you urgently requested to see me. There must be something—speak candidly."
"It's about a policy in the automotive sector."
"Automotive... I understand JK Group has already extended its reach there, boosting sales again. Am I mistaken?"
"No, sir. The point of my report is that JK has made a proposal."
The mention of JK Group, which had been silent for a while, instinctively signaled this was no ordinary matter.
"Chairman Kang usually handles things himself, so if even you, Minister Kim, are stepping in, it must be significant."
"In summary, they've proposed cooperation to introduce an installment sales system for used cars."
President Kim couldn't help but furrow his brow. JK Card already dominated new car financing. Approving used car installments would feel like openly favoring JK Group.
For the approval-rating-sensitive president, it was awkward; he let out a sigh.
"Of course, it was Chairman Kang's choice, and the sales increase is encouraging. But allowing installments on used cars too would give the impression of outright favoritism."
"I discussed it with them again, but JK was adamant."
"Demanding unconditional approval?"
"Yes, sir."
As if something clicked, President Kim asked,
"Did you meet Chairman Kang directly? Or his brilliant grandson?"
"I met Executive Director Moon Sang-oh and President Kang Min-ho."
"That grandson... President already?"
"He hasn't officially taken office yet, but he's effectively running JK Card."
Now the puzzle pieces fell into place for President Kim, who nodded.
"I met him a few times during the campaign. He's a young Zhuge Liang. He must have won over Da-hyeon and Ki-young too."
"Yes. I was shocked. I never imagined Chairman Kang had such a grandson hidden away."
"Approving only JK while rejecting others would stir up noise."
"If it causes confusion, I'll take full responsibility. Just tell me how to proceed."
"Opening used car installments would require coordination with other financial firms too, right?"
"Yes. It wouldn't take long."
President Kim crossed his arms, deep in thought. Unlike other firms, JK couldn't be fully checked. Letting the reins loose early might lead to unpredictable rampages.
On the surface, it was policy, but really just a pretext. The essence was a power struggle between Chairman Kang and the Blue House.
He'd approve eventually, but dragging it out would force a desperate JK to yield to the Blue House.
Forgetting one crucial thing, President Kim concluded his calculations and said,
"Tell Chairman Kang we need a bit more time."
"Pardon? More time?"
"Even a bull's horn must be pulled quickly, but yank too hard and you strip the hide."
"You're saying to break him in from the start?"
"Exactly. Indulge him now, and he'll dance on your head later. I've dealt with Chairman Kang long enough to know how he'll react."
President Kim thought further ahead—but he'd overlooked something. Min-ho was already dancing on his head.
The shrewd Min-ho had predicted this exactly and handed Minister Kim a sealed envelope.
As the president refused, Minister Kim recalled Min-ho's words and pulled the envelope from his inner pocket.
"And this... JK asked me to deliver it to Your Excellency."
"An envelope? What's inside?"
"It's sealed; I couldn't check. And only I know about it, so rest assured."
President Kim wasn't facing Chairman Kang Jin-gwang. It was a fierce nerve war with the superior Min-ho.
Anxiety surged, but he didn't know what was inside. With a sense of dread, he slowly tore it open.
Seeing the photos, President Kim froze, speechless.
They captured vivid scenes from the day he received political funds.
It was utterly unexpected. His hands trembled holding the envelope.
If leaked, his morality would take a devastating hit. Denial wouldn't help.
He knew too well he'd reached this seat with JK Group's 50 billion support.
'The viper's got a leash around my neck...'
Ambition for power had brought disaster. Lamenting the leash now was too late; he'd come too far.
Yet JK's demand wasn't excessive—just fulfilling a promise.
'Don't put shackles on JK Group. That's all we ask.'
Min-ho's words from that day echoed.
The photos were a silent warning. No further explanation needed.
In his first year, a scandal would cost everything. He clenched his fists, but it was irreversible.
Seeing the flushed face, Minister Kim cautiously asked,
"Your Excellency? Are you all right?"
With a long sigh, he tossed the envelope into his desk drawer.
"It's nothing. Ah! On second thought, better to pull the bull's horn quick. Proceed with the policy, cooperating with JK as you said."
"Pardon? But earlier..."
President Kim nodded silently and patted the minister's shoulder.
"We're done here. Handle the rest yourself. I'm tired—please excuse me. See you at next week's meeting."
"Understood. I'll take my leave."
He couldn't fathom the president's change but knew probing further wouldn't help.
Leaving the Blue House, Minister Kim called immediately.
"Executive Director Moon. His Excellency has approved."
***
JK Group Chairman's Office. It was 10 a.m. now. Results from the Blue House would come in an hour.
Chairman Kang kept checking his watch, somewhat tense.
"Dong-il should agree readily since it's a matter of my neck on the line... But refusal would complicate things greatly."
Moon Sang-oh, the butler, poured sikhye into a cup and offered it politely.
"I've discussed that scenario with Young Master as well."
"What does Min-ho say?"
Moon turned to the door just as Min-ho entered on cue.
"Aigoo, our Min-ho's here."
"I timed it to surprise you—only told Butler Moon."
"Good work coming over. Sit."
Min-ho stared at his grandfather, whose face was etched with worry.
Smiling, he broached,
"Grandpa, why the frown since morning? What's worrying you?"
"Kid, if I weren't worried, that'd be strange."
"They have no choice but to approve. I made sure of it."
"Another clever trick up your sleeve?"
"Yes. I slipped a few photos into Minister Kim's hand."
Chairman Kang set down his sikhye and burst into hearty laughter.
"Dong-il will jump like he's seen the grim reaper when he sees those."
"Exactly. Backstabs hit hardest when unexpected."
"Pulling out the leash a bit early, though..."
"A warning to keep promises, even drunk on power?"
"Our grandson's got real guts. Sealed so Minister Kim couldn't peek?"
"Sealed tight. Besides, Kim's too timid to even think of opening it."
"Right. He's always cautious, one step at a time—would never dare."
To ease his grandfather's lingering anxiety, Min-ho shrewdly changed the subject.
"If the Blue House approves, you'll move per plan right away?"
"No need to ask twice. Liberation from those pesky politicians at last. Once you have wings, you soar high."
"Soon enough."
Pleasant words, but without results, Chairman Kang couldn't shake the unease.
At noon sharp, the phone rang.
Moon Sang-oh, who rarely showed emotion, beamed.
"Minister, well done."
No need to confirm directly. The backup leash had worked perfectly.
Farewell to political shackles—though with a five-year expiration, ample time to achieve everything.
Chairman Kang raised both hands in triumph.
"Thanks to my fine grandson, this old man's enjoying his twilight years!"
"Only because you listened to me, Grandpa. A stubborn one never could've pulled this off."
"How do you always say the sweetest things?"
"Congratulations, Grandpa. Time to head to the cement factory next."
Satisfied, Chairman Kang nodded.
"Of course. Time to launch my lifelong dream: cement business first. Make our own phones, help more strugglers... Yes, that's the way."
Now free to spread his wings, tears welled in Chairman Kang's eyes.
But for Min-ho, this was just the start. In two months, the president's emergency order would enact the financial real-name system.
Blind, it was crisis; for Min-ho, an unrepeatable opportunity.
After lunch with Chairman Kang, Min-ho headed straight to Athena.