Chapter 168: Counterattack
***
Yuk Dong-heon, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was heading straight to the Blue House with a stack of documents in hand. Puffing on a cigarette in the back seat, he said,
"That rootless punk seems to be thrashing around without a clue how the world works. A good hard smack this time will definitely set him straight."
The minister stepped out of the car with a face brimming with confidence, as if the outcome were already decided. Cha Jeong-su, the secretary who had come out for protocol, greeted him politely.
"Good day, Minister."
"What are you doing out here? We're not strangers. I hope my sudden call didn't cause any trouble?"
"What could be more urgent than this? I reported it right away and pushed back your afternoon schedule by an hour."
"As expected of Secretary Cha!"
Lowering his voice, the minister continued,
"Did His Excellency say anything?"
"Just my guess, but I don't think it'll differ much from your view, Minister."
"Of course. Everything the government does is righteous. Those ungrateful fools break eggs just to squeeze out an extra penny... Tsk tsk."
"I'm sorry, Minister, but time is tight. Please, this way."
"Aigoo, look at me. Let's go."
The grand door to the office swung open, revealing President Kim. The minister bowed deeply in greeting.
"Minister Yuk Dong-heon."
Though they were now president and minister, they had once shared trials and tribulations in the same party for years. President Kim smiled warmly and offered a handshake.
"Not Congressman Yuk anymore—Minister now, right?"
"No, please call me comfortably."
"I like how steadfast you are. Come, sit—you must be tired from the trip."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Moments later, coffee in elegant cups was placed on the table, and their conversation began.
"I heard you want my approval on the compulsory acquisition plan."
"Yes."
"If it were straightforward, you could've handled it yourself. Coming here means there's a problem, right?"
"The land is quite substantial."
"What's the exact size in pyeong?"
"Forgive me, but size isn't the issue."
Land compensation required precise measurements. President Kim pressed,
"Size doesn't matter? What's the problem then?"
"Well... Let me show you what I brought first."
The minister nodded, and Secretary Cha brought in a massive stack of property registry extracts.
"National projects inevitably clash with interests. Sometimes pushing through is the right call."
The president was still assuming a typical scenario. That might work in normal cases, but this was highly unusual. After agonizing over how to broach it, the minister replied,
"Your Excellency, forgive me, but all these registry extracts belong to one owner."
Scanning the enormous pile on the table, President Kim looked puzzled.
"Minister Yuk, are you joking with me right now?"
"Pardon? Absolutely not."
"One person owns all the land where Line 6 is going in? You think that makes sense?"
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true."
A choice utterly beyond common sense. Only Min-ho could pull it off. Still skeptical, President Kim brushed it aside and pressed on with his view.
"If what you say is true... they'd have to know about the plan before it was even drafted, and go further, know exactly where the subway stations would go in each district... You think that's possible by any logic?"
"I've... thought about it long and hard. It seems impossible. But despite your doubts, it's reality."
Taken by the minister's earnest tone, the president picked up a few extracts and checked them himself.
"Owners are all different. If we spin a scenario, some upstart bought up the Line 6 land under proxies in advance?"
"That's the only way it looks right now."
"Skill or luck—we can judge later... Who's the opponent? A businessman, perhaps?"
Wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve, the minister answered,
"You won't believe it... but the owner is Athena. I just got off the phone with them."
"Athena? They bought every bit of Line 6 land?"
"Yes."
Having investigated JK Group and even Min-ho to loosen his own noose, President Kim couldn't help furrowing his brow.
"Wait here."
He nodded to the secretary to double-check intel, then moved to the terrace.
"Secretary Cha."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"You looked into Athena last time, right?"
"Yes."
"Real owner?"
"High chance it's Kang Min-ho, grandson of JK Group's Chairman Kang Jin-gwang."
At Min-ho's name, a vein bulged on the president's forehead.
'That kid grabs the leash once and yanks me around... Can't keep taking this.'
Min-ho had evidence of political funding. It was the president's Achilles' heel. But he couldn't keep being dragged like this. Gazing at distant mountains, he returned to the office.
"Minister Yuk. Compensate all at once, unless the amount is outrageous."
"Pardon? That'll mean a higher payout. We might even get dragged into negotiations."
"Remember what I always say about cooperative governance. Getting it done quietly is your skill."
"But..."
Unable to bare his own noose, the president made an excuse. Standing, he placed a hand on the minister's shoulder and spoke lowly.
"If this blows up, what happens to my approval ratings? Subways are the lifeline for the common folk. Delay the project, and the press will riot—think they'll stay quiet?"
"Understood, Your Excellency. I'll handle it with utmost security."
"Life doesn't always allow clean cuts. Leave the rest to you, Minister Yuk. They won't demand an excessive sum..."
"Any rough estimate?"
The president was no ordinary man. Holding up one finger, he said,
"30% of total project cost. Around a trillion won—they'll likely propose that."
"How do you know?"
"Pull compulsory acquisition, and we're the dog chasing a chicken—fat chance they'll push an insane amount."
"Got it. I'll wrap it under a trillion and report back."
The minister bowed and left. For now, President Kim had no other options. But he couldn't just sit idle. His gentle smile turned icy.
'Suspicious from the 50 billion payoff... Turning me into a puppet... Even viper venom can be cured with an antidote.'
If this repeated, he'd be jerked around for five years straight—it was obvious. To clip the wings of the awakening JK Group, President Kim drew a sharp arrow aimed at Chairman Kang Jin-gwang and Min-ho's heads.
"Secretary Cha."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"Which company has the plumpest back pocket, in your view?"
"Several, but if I pick one—JK Group."
"Right. Time to gut the flopping mackerel... What do you think, Secretary Cha?"
Grasping the intent, the secretary startled.
"Your Excellency—you're considering the financial real-name system?"
He nodded silently. To corporations, it was a nuclear bomb. Fail to counter, and all slush funds evaporate. JK Group would take the hardest hit. Tired of being toyed with, President Kim played his hidden card sooner than planned.
"Gather exactly ten, including the Economic Affairs PM. Once policy's ready, enact via emergency fiscal-economic order."
"Understood. I'll prepare with haste."
***
At Athena, No Jun-hwan, who had taken the call from the Ministry of Land, rushed to Min-ho.
He knocked cautiously on the representative's door.
"President, it's No Jun-hwan."
"Come in."
His face somewhat flushed, he began reporting.
"Seemed headed for deadlock at first, but they just called—agreeing to negotiate."
"Who called?"
"Deputy Minister Nam Su-gil from the ministry."
"Good work."
"When shall I schedule the meeting?"
"Tonight at Soseonjae."
"Got it."
No's face still showed tension. Min-ho smiled leisurely.
"Why so on edge?"
"If they pushed hard, we'd have no real counter—nerve-wracking."
"I had a card up my sleeve, even if unseen. You did great."
"Thank you. I'll head out then."
As No turned to leave after bowing, Min-ho called him back.
"Team Leader No Jun-hwan!"
"Any other instructions?"
"Your real estate team will become Athena Asset Development going forward."
"Pardon? New entity?"
"Yes. Without you, I wouldn't have raked in this much from real estate. You'll be the inaugural president."
Stunned at the promotion from team to specialized firm head, he couldn't hide his shock.
"I just worked hard grateful not to be dragged to Pocheon—such a huge reward, I don't know what to say."
"Floors 10 up are vacant—use as many as you need. Details with Section Chief Cheon Dong-gwan."
"Understood. Thank you."
Lawyer Choi, aware of Min-ho's plans, checked the lock again before asking,
"Young master, why the sudden rush? Asset development and management were slated for next year, as you said."
"Simple answer: President Kim accepted graciously this time."
"Yes, with our leverage, he had no choice."
"How long will it hold?"
"Pardon? What do you mean..."
Min-ho pulled out a newspaper from a year ago and explained.
"A congressman who groveled in Yeouido. Party leader, top presidential contender—now president. Get my drift?"
"No ordinary man, for sure. I know from the scandals."
Perching on the desk, Min-ho continued,
"Problem is, once in the seat, chaebol chairmen ignore him. We're holding the leash, threatening constantly."
"Retaliatory policy?"
"High chance."
"That's breaking promises. If so..."
Min-ho shook his head.
"If it aligns with national interest, plenty of outs. What is it?"
"The financial real-name system from the last meeting?"
"He'll drop it when least expected. Firms take hits—JK Group the fatal blow, he thinks."
"Shouldn't we prepare?"
"We can counter fully. Don't worry."
Checking the time, Min-ho stood and donned his jacket.
"Anyway, looked into President Gu Eun-chae's mother's murder?"
"Feels heavily covered up. Scoured archives with President Jo—only a few articles. If needed, I can ask Executive Director Moon..."
"No need. This is enough. Time to go stamp that trillion-won deal."
"Yes."
A staggering one trillion won was now flowing into Min-ho's hands. He headed to Soseonjae for the ministry negotiations.