Seoul Mayor's Corruption
Three days into the implementation of the financial real-name system at financial institutions across the country, including JK Mutual Savings Bank, chaos reigned supreme. Just a few days earlier, a single passbook had sufficed for deposits and withdrawals, but the new policy had upended everything. Not only did accounts need to be converted to real-name registration, but ID verification was now mandatory too. Banks and customers alike were suffering.
Some customers bellowed in outrage.
"What do you mean I need ID to withdraw my own money?"
"I'm sorry, sir. The law has changed. I'd love to help, but I can't."
"You know I live right down the alley! I'm in a rush—just give me 30,000 won quick."
"Sir, I've known you for years. I truly apologize, but since the financial real-name system started three days ago, you have to update the account to your real name first before withdrawing."
"You look so prim and proper, and I thought you had some flexibility! Not a shred of it!"
What used to take a minute now dragged on for at least half an hour as customers flooded in after the policy kicked in. Protests poured endlessly amid the unexpectedly stringent procedures, turning the scene into a war zone. Customers kept surging, and some refused to accept the changes no matter how much they were explained, raising their voices instead.
Half-dazed, Manager Park pounded urgently on the president's door and entered. Du-seong, in a foul mood, didn't even turn his head.
"What is it?"
"President, I'm sorry, but operations are grinding to a halt. Can't we cut some slack for the locals we know?"
Du-seong snapped his head up, eyes flashing as he roared.
"You want to see me dragged off?"
"The customers are protesting excessively..."
"Are you in your right mind? How many years have you eaten bank rice to spout that nonsense?"
"I'm sorry."
"Verify every ID meticulously and explain it step by step."
"Understood."
"Get out."
Du-seong furrowed his brow deeply, sighing as he lit a cigarette. His carefully laid suspicions had been obliterated by Min-ho's press conference. Myeongjin Ilbo, once an ally, had vanished into thin air. The sudden financial real-name system had piled work sky-high, and to top it off, Myeong-seon was unreachable—who knew what was going on. He tried calling again, but it was futile.
The slush funds under his control had mysteriously fled overseas at the perfect timing, and his underlings were peeling away one by one.
'No way... Did Father know when the financial real-name system would hit? Otherwise, why move the funds at that exact moment...'
Anxiety crept in. Now, the only one he could trust was Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun. He stubbed out the cigarette filter in the ashtray and picked up the receiver.
"Secretary General Jeong Dong-gyun speaking."
"No one's in the room?"
"No one. Go ahead."
Du-seong let out a frustrated sigh and cut to the chase.
"Myeong-seon... hasn't been in touch for days. Is something wrong?"
"The Chairman ordered house arrest."
At the unbelievable reply, Du-seong shoved back his chair and shot to his feet.
"What? What the hell? Say that again."
"Exactly as I said. The young lady can't step foot outside."
"What about the phone? Don't tell me..."
"All external communications are cut off. My staff are stationed at the door."
"So Father knows?"
"Yes."
Du-seong couldn't help but harbor grave doubts.
'That means Father knows the full story... So why hasn't he said a word to me?'
No matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't fathom it. He could only guess that Myeong-seon had neatly clipped her own tail.
"Anything else you know?"
"That's all."
"Call anytime if there's a change, day or night."
"Understood."
Grabbing his car keys, Du-seong headed straight for JK Securities, where his younger brother Beom-seong worked.
***
On Athena TV, news about the financial real-name system was playing.
[Bank counters are jammed, with occasional shouting matches, but most reactions to the financial real-name system are positive. Let's hear from citizens.]
"I hope this drags money out from under the table and revives the economy."
"It's inconvenient, but I respect President Kim Dong-il for pushing it through so boldly."
"Now that it's happened, I hope it creates a society where ordinary folks can work without worry."
[Since the policy's rollout, President Kim Dong-il's approval ratings have surged dramatically.]
Kang Min-ho, watching with More Times President Jo Dong-uk, switched off the TV.
"Overall public sentiment is overwhelmingly favorable, just as expected."
"Probably the anticipation of curbing corruption. Most reactions are positive."
"How are the companies faring?"
"Everyone except JK Group is like a squid on a skewer. A massive fireball just crashed into their homes—they're scrambling for countermeasures overnight."
"If they didn't prepare, they had it coming. The grand feast at the lord's mansion is in full swing; now it's the beggars' turn to knock."
He was gearing up for a colossal plan no one saw coming. Flipping to the next page of documents, Min-ho turned to Lawyer Choi.
"How's the legal review on Seoul Mayor Im Tae-hyuk going?"
"To put it bluntly, it's a department store of corruption."
Min-ho chuckled dryly at Choi's report.
"Smuggled porcelain from Europe in diplomats' moving crates and sold it off."
"That's minor. Plagiarized theses, fake residency, real estate speculation, draft dodging, tax evasion, DUI—the list goes on. Any one of these exploding would devastate the government."
"The media staying silent despite knowing this much proves they're wary."
"Exactly. With the first year of the administration at its strongest, they're playing it safe."
In 1993, Seoul's mayor wasn't popularly elected but appointed directly by the central government. Shaking the one President Kim Dong-il picked himself? His soaring approval ratings would plummet, and the administration would suffer personnel headaches for a while. The financial real-name system had solid justification, but it was also a blade aimed at JK Group. When the opponent swung, gaps inevitably appeared—and Min-ho wasn't missing them.
"Im's got enough dirt. Time to take it one step further?"
"Have you looked into something extra?"
Min-ho pulled out the secret file from Eun-chae.
"Eun-chae gave me this. She's a real info broker, alright. Being a woman gives her a different angle from us. Want to check it out?"
President Jo and Lawyer Choi huddled over the documents, scrutinizing them. The file detailed the outrageous exploits of Mayor Im's wife, Jo Bu-ok. Stunned by the unimaginable deeds, Choi asked,
"Can you tell us how President Gu Eun-chae obtained this intel? Physical evidence would be icing on the cake."
Eun-chae was no ordinary woman. The envelope held department store receipts stamped with dates and amounts.
Min-ho handed them over.
"Is this enough?"
"Dates and amounts in black and white—ironclad evidence. Makes you wonder where she got it."
"Who knows? She just handed it over and clammed up on the details."
"Buying millions in Ferragamo, Max Mara, and other Italian luxury brands at Sampoong Department Store in Seocho-dong? Impossible on a mayor's salary."
"The public will go wild."
"This kind of story? Front-page blowout for sure."
Seocho-dong was one of Seoul's ritziest neighborhoods back then. The lavish Sampoong Department Store drew every rich housewife—not for the cultural center or food hall, but the imported luxury brands on the first floor. The evidence was airtight, undeniable. The government had wielded the financial real-name system to purge corruption, yet the biggest rot festered right in Seoul City Hall, dubbed the "little presidential palace." One detonation, and a national apology plus the mayor's resignation were inevitable.
As Choi pored over the files, a doubt nagged.
'Tanking the president's ratings gains us nothing... What is Young Master thinking?'
It was a petty revenge against the blade-wielding president, but out of character for Min-ho's usual moves. Unable to hold back, Choi tilted his head.
"One thing doesn't add up."
"What are you curious about?"
"Toppling the mayor only boosts More Times sales. No real gain for us."
"Go on."
"If we pick a fight with the government now, we'll suffer through the rest of the term. Is there another reason for going this far?"
Min-ho smiled faintly.
"Can't fool a lawyer, huh? You're right—there's more to it."
"What plan?"
He shared the unbelievable story he'd told Chairman Kang.
"I'm making Little Uncle the Seoul mayor."
Even from the trusted Min-ho, it sounded absurd to them.
"Young Master, sorry, but that's impossible."
"Why?"
"President Kang Beom-seong has no political track record. A mere securities president becoming mayor? No way."
"Fair enough. When the public learns of the incumbent's corruption, how will they react?"
Choi pondered.
"A few days of outrage, then they'll demand a clean candidate."
"That's exactly what I'm aiming for."
Min-ho stepped to the whiteboard and continued.
"Unaffiliated with any party, distant from corruption. Not 100% squeaky clean, but no one fits better than Little Uncle."
"Mayors are centrally appointed. So you're pressuring the government?"
"Yes. Who suffered most from this financial real-name system?"
"Most companies, but loan sharks took the biggest hit."
"Public hates loan sharks. Kang Beom-seong crushed them—big hero points. Add a little meat to that bone, and it's doable."
To fan the fading flames of the policy and swiftly resolve the personnel mess, the government had no choice. The key? Public opinion. Owning top-selling More Times and with Min-ho's expertise, it was child's play.
"Making the third president mayor... I suspect that's just the start."
"Mayor powers are vast. Greenbelt deregulation, redevelopment permits across Seoul."
"Exploiting that?"
"Exactly. JK Construction, Cement, Heavy Equipment—we sweep up via asset development. Pocheon Shutter Factory could become a major affiliate if we play it right."
"It hinges on President Kang Beom-seong becoming mayor, but if he does..."
"The rest is up to your imagination."
Min-ho sat with a smile and instructed President Jo.
"You have four days. Enough time to prep the articles?"
"Plenty. Planning a Sunday morning drop to ride the Monday wave?"
"Spot on. Timing is everything here. Keep security tight and prep meticulously."
"Got it."
Meanwhile, the clueless Du-seong flung open the door to JK Securities, where his oblivious younger brother Beom-seong worked.