Puppet
Chairman Kang swiftly dismissed the rumors swirling around. At the same time, Min-ho shifted the spotlight through media play. Now it was time to manipulate Kang Beom-seong, the Seoul mayor who could no longer move or decide on his own.
Min-ho headed to Soseonjae, the appointed meeting place, with Lawyer Choi. People tend to change after weathering a major storm, but Lawyer Choi was still steadfastly holding his ground. Min-ho, sitting beside him and gazing quietly, smiled faintly and spoke.
“Have you decided where to move?”
“I’m looking into Gangdong-gu. They say it’s a good place to live.”
“To keep that guy from finding you later?”
“Even if he gets out after the restraining order, he won’t be able to come near the house anyway. It’s the best spot—close to Mom’s hospital and convenient for my sibling’s school.”
“If you need any help, just say the word. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you.”
After pondering for a moment, Lawyer Choi asked a question.
“Young master, I have one thing I’m curious about.”
“Your sudden question’s making me a bit tense.”
“President Kang Myeong-seon is still under house arrest, and President Kang Beom-seong has been elevated to Seoul mayor, effectively sidelining him from the succession race.”
“That’s right. What’s your question?”
“Do you have no plans to deal with Kang Min-seong, the president of JK Construction, the second son?”
Chairman Kang’s children were all potential rivals. Min-ho had been handling them one by one, and now only Du-seong and the second son, Min-seong, remained. Lawyer Choi expected some clever scheme, but there had been no mention of it at all. Instead, Min-ho gave a straightforward answer.
“Why kill him if he’s not coming at me?”
“Does that mean he’s content with the JK Construction presidency?”
“Only he knows his exact thoughts. Kang Min-seong is sharp and quick on the uptake. He reads the room perfectly—knows when to step up or stay back.”
“Still, shouldn’t we prepare just in case?”
“If he does come at me, I’ve got endless ways to take his head. No need to worry.”
“Understood.”
As the two arrived at Soseonjae and stepped out of the car, Eun-chae emerged from the door just in time. Her long straight hair swaying, she waved with a bright smile.
“My love’s here?”
Lawyer Choi, a smile playing on his lips, quietly picked up his bag and went inside. Min-ho let out a soft sigh, looking embarrassed by the situation.
“Can you tone it down a bit in front of people?”
“Nope. Why? Am I embarrassing you?”
“It’s not that...”
Eun-chae stroked Min-ho’s head with her sparkling eyes and said,
“My Min-ho is so clever. How do you even think of that?”
“What’s with the sudden jump? Cut the preamble.”
“Grandpa’s interview was your idea, right?”
“I kinda want to say no.”
She covered her mouth and laughed for a good while before speaking.
“You can fool everyone else, but not me.”
“Spell it out.”
“Grandpa hates showing his face on camera. But suddenly he’s on the news? It’s obvious.”
“Not bad. Sharper than I thought.”
“You’re the only one who could convince him. You have no idea how shocked I was watching the morning news.”
As the operator of Soseonjae—the source and end of all rumors—Eun-chae seemed to know something.
“What rumors were flying?”
“Stories that Lawyer Choi’s dad was the perpetrator were everywhere. Rumors about the next chief of staff were buzzing too.”
“You know how baseless, sensational rumors spread fast.”
“I saw it in The Times. They diverted the heat on JK Group to the drunk driving incident.”
“You could be a detective. Sounds convincing.”
Eun-chae slipped her arm through his and said,
“Diverting attention and then meeting the Seoul mayor means there’s some ulterior motive... but I can’t figure it out. Can’t you tell me?”
“Beats me. I know nothing.”
“Ugh... You’re such a sly fox! It’s so obvious, but you play innocent... You’re really gonna do this?”
As the two were deep in conversation, applause came from behind. Turning around, they saw Beom-seong approaching, clapping.
“Bravo! As expected of my nephew! Smart, loaded, and now you’ve even charmed the former president?”
“Uncle, when did you get here?”
“Yesterday, kid. What’re you two whispering about?”
“Some grand discourse on Seoul City politics?”
“Whoa! Nice word choice. Yeah, a discourse with major societal impact... I haven’t even had breakfast—my stomach’s sticking to my spine. Let’s eat and talk.”
Eun-chae said with a coy expression,
“Right this way, Mr. Mayor.”
***
No sooner had the table been set than Beom-seong shoveled food into his mouth voraciously. Min-ho, who had been chuckling, handed him water and said,
“Uncle, slow down. You’ll get indigestion.”
“Don’t even start. If I’d known it’d be like this, I wouldn’t have become mayor. Nope.”
“Why? Something not to your liking?”
“Events everywhere—hundreds of handshakes a day, skipping meals half the time, and meetings and reports piling up. I’d need ten bodies.”
“That’s what they call the ‘little president’ for.”
“Man, finally eating a proper meal after so long. Nothing beats Soseonjae.”
Beom-seong gulped down water as if his throat were clogged and continued,
“Nephew, earlier I saw you and former President Gu with your heads that close... Looked like lovers. Are you two... you know?”
As Min-ho hesitated to answer, Eun-chae entered and replied for him.
“Our mayor’s got sharp eyes—we have to give him that. More than ‘you know’—something deeper and real?”
Startled, Beom-seong dropped his chopsticks and asked,
“No way... Former President Gu, you never even glanced at a guy before. What wind’s blowing now?”
“Min-ho’s one in a million—outstanding among peers. How could a common chicken compare to a crane in noble pose?”
“Whoa! That deadly three-inch tongue’s still sharp, huh?”
“Of course. I’ll make sure no one interrupts. Enjoy your talk, and let me know if you need anything.”
Beom-seong stared after the coyly departing Eun-chae and let out a dramatic sigh like he’d downed vodka.
“I knew my nephew was no ordinary guy, but how’d you snag the great Gu Eun-chae?”
“I’ll explain later. More important things first.”
Beom-seong had at least that much sense. He hadn’t forgotten his role.
“You mean that campaign promise we talked about?”
“Public opinion’s heated up enough, and discussions on stricter drunk driving enforcement are starting.”
“Yeah, I saw it in the papers.”
“Pushing that policy now will skyrocket your approval ratings.”
Chewing on japchae Eun-chae had brought, he said,
“If you’d been born back then, you’d have been a strategist. Or a king? Anyway, you want me to move?”
“Yes. Start with ramping up drunk driving checks.”
Beom-seong licked his fingers and flipped through documents before answering.
“I already ordered nighttime checkpoints extended to morning... But there’s a hitch.”
“What specifically?”
“Night checks are fine, but morning ones? Commuters will bitch about traffic.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
After tearing into a big bite of short ribs, he replied,
“Police HQ can handle it, no problem. But if Yeouido nitpicks?”
“If they oppose, I’ll dig up dirt and splash it everywhere. ‘Lawmaker with DUI history opposes checks.’ What happens then?”
“They’ll lose their precious badge in a heartbeat!”
“Install extra lights at every crosswalk in Seoul. So pedestrians are visible at night.”
“That’s easy. Uncle’s got it covered.”
Min-ho reminded him of the key point once more.
“The president appoints, but can also dismiss. Even if he hates you, high ratings make it impossible.”
“Hang on as long as possible?”
“Next year around then, local elections will shift from appointed to fully elected. I want you to run again.”
“Fully elected? Where’d you hear that?”
In June ’95, big changes were coming. The era of fully elected local autonomy would begin. That’s why Min-ho had planned meticulously for Beom-seong’s re-election.
“Can’t say exactly. Just know it.”
“You want me to run again? Why?”
“Do what I say, and you’ll win by a landslide. Then what’s the next step?”
Min-ho poured kimchi soup down Beom-seong’s throat.
“No way... After little president... the real one? You’ve calculated that far?”
“Let’s say that for now.”
Shoulders tense with excitement, Beom-seong grinned.
“Lucky me, with a nephew like you—I’ll be touring the Blue House soon.”
“That’s later... How about a quick spot on NBC News tomorrow?”
“Ah, say it there?”
“Yes. The 9 p.m. news everyone watches. Big impact. I’ll handle the rest.”
“So... how should I say it?”
Min-ho handed over prepared papers.
“Like this. Look indignant, shed a tear.”
“Got it! But that’s not all we planned, right?”
“If you pick up the hammer, you strike the nail.”
To explain the scheme, Min-ho pulled out a Seoul map.
“You know about the land transaction permission zones in Gangnam, Seocho, Gangseo, Gangdong, Jungnang, Dobong—scattered across Seoul?”
“That bullshit policy blocking land and house trades. I know it well.”
“We’ll buy them up using proxy accounts.”
“I handle permits, so no worries... Then?”
“Once acquired, lift the zones.”
“JK Construction builds apartments?”
“Now our hands and feet are syncing.”
After greenbelt deregulation, land speculation curbs led to these permission zones. Governors could extend or lift them—Beom-seong held Seoul’s power. Making him mayor was no accident. This was the big picture.
Buy all the land anonymously, let JK Construction build and sell apartments—what then? Prime Seoul building land was scarce. It was pure gold rush.
Beom-seong, thrilled, clapped and stood.
“Bravo! Bravo! My Min-ho! Nephew! Come here—uncle wants a big hug.”
Patting his back heartily, Beom-seong kept marveling.
“How’d you think of this? That’s why you made me mayor?”
“Just a taste. Haven’t even tasted the meat yet.”
“What a brainiac... No wonder your dad’s hooked.”
Min-ho deboned fish and placed it on his uncle’s plate before replying.
“You’re not contacting Dad, right?”
“Huh? You told me not to. Haven’t called big bro since becoming mayor. Why ask?”
“Just don’t get tangled. Scandals are a headache. You know—always smile, watch your words?”
He nodded vigorously.
“Of course. I’m careful—drink at home, eat at the cafeteria. Not a monk, but it’s suffocating sometimes.”
“Anyway, stick to this. I told Grandpa the same.”
“Don’t worry! Uncle gets shit done slick! Right?”
“You bet.”
As Min-ho manipulated the dangling puppet, at the same time, Du-seong hadn’t given up. He headed to Yeouido to meet the JD Morgan Korea branch president in person.