Power & Sex, And... 79
‘Ding-a-ling~’ went the alarm, jolting him awake. The sky outside the window was already growing pale with the dawn. With a luncheon appointment set for 7 a.m., he had no time to waste. He hurried through his wash-up, changed clothes, and headed to the hotel in Sopongdong, the venue for the meal. It seemed mornings without breakfast were about to become the norm until the party convention kicked off, thanks to these endless gatherings.
“Assemblyman Park, come on in.”
“Yes, good to see you.”
After the ritual greetings, he took his assigned seat, and assemblymen began drifting over from all sides, extending hands in welcome. Though they shared the same freshman status as three months ago, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically. It was undoubtedly because his name had spread among the party’s lawmakers.
“Assemblyman Park, aren’t you coming on too strong right from the start?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“Haste makes waste, you know. And a freshman like you, threatening the party elders? Is that how you plan to survive in this party?”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“Anyway, where’s a young punk like you picking up all these bad habits?”
“Hey, Assemblyman! Can you take responsibility for those words?”
He’d run into a morning heckler. Apparently, some smug senior who’d announced he wouldn’t run again had spilled his own dirty secrets while whining about his grievances. But since this challenger couldn’t air his own skeletons publicly either, there was no reason to play along with his game. Park Maru bellowed loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Hey now, what’s with the attitude?”
“Listen here, Assemblyman Kang! Threatening? Who exactly did I threaten? You said I threatened party elders—show me the proof, or you’ll answer for those words!”
“Hey! A national assemblyman showing no respect to his senior like this—what kind of behavior is that?”
“Respect? Is it respectful to slap false accusations on a junior freshman, claiming he threatened party elders? Would someone who knows respect say that?”
Assemblyman Kang’s face flushed beet red, but he couldn’t muster a retort. To wriggle out of this, he’d have to drag in one of those non-candidates among the elders—and that would mean exposing their filth in detail. Who would dare play the fool? Seeing how this topic had bubbled up naturally here, most attendees already suspected Park Maru was behind those announcements. He decided to drive the wedge home.
“Assemblyman Kang Hee-chan! Want me to really show you what a threat looks like? You think there’s no video of you?”
“What? What did you just say?”
“What? I’m just asking you a question, Assemblyman Kang.”
“You? How dare you ‘you’ me?”
“You’re ‘you’-ing me, so why can’t I do the same? Age isn’t a rank. You and I are both just chosen by district voters. And we’re both nothing more than members of the legislative branch!”
Assemblyman Kang trembled, fists clenched, his face twisting with righteous fury.
“If you think I’ve wronged you unilaterally, Assemblyman Kang Hee-chan, go ahead and file against me with the Ethics Committee. But remember: ‘Fair words first if you want fair play later.’ A national assemblyman trying to bully others with age isn’t a lawmaker—he’s just a street thug playing ‘big bro.’”
He’d gone all in, prepared to be called a nasty human being. He didn’t rely on their votes anyway. Those who wouldn’t come under his umbrella would eventually need crushing or treating as enemies. Might as well play the thug now.
“Assemblyman Kang Hee-chan! If I’d threatened some elder and ruined his assembly career like you claim, you’d better watch your back too. You think you’re clean?”
As he spat those words, he scanned the room. Most lawmakers averted their eyes, heads down; a couple met his gaze with relieved smiles.
Having vented fully, he bowed to the group and slipped out of the luncheon. No reporters here, thankfully, but the hotel staff would spread word of the morning ruckus. Sure, tales of his rudeness and foul temper would circulate, but the upside was no one would dare badmouth him to his face again. Not a bad trade.
“Assemblyman Park.”
Someone called from behind as he exited. Turning, he saw one of those who’d smiled at him during the meal.
“Ah, Assemblyman Cha. I got a bit rude back there. Sorry.”
“No, it was refreshing. Let’s grab some tea somewhere.”
“Sure. But others might show up here—let’s head to Yeouido proper.”
“Since we’re going to Yeouido anyway, how about a peek at your campaign HQ?”
No reason to hide it, so he led Assemblyman Cha to the campaign office.
“Bigger than I expected. Rent here must be steep.”
“Yeah. We rented it planning to use it as research institute space after the convention. Short-term lease would’ve been pricier.”
“Research institute?”
“Yes. I’m a total novice on defense policy, so I’ll need help from folks around me.”
He guided Assemblyman Cha to the campaign director’s office and they sat facing each other.
He knew only that the man held a district in Chungbuk—no deeper intel—so starting the conversation felt tricky.
“That Kang guy ran into you today. He’s been strutting around on Moon Assemblyman’s say-so.”
“He’s with Moon?”
“Yeah. This luncheon was really for Moon’s campaign, truth be told.”
“Then why invite me?”
“Probably figured a freshman like you might be worth testing the waters. Toss you some bait, hope you pick Moon over Supreme Member Kim Jeong-gap. Anyway, Kang botched Moon’s plan, so he’ll catch hell.”
“Still, I was rude to the seniors today. My temper’s just rotten. Apologies again.”
“No, it was cathartic. Most there probably felt the same.”
“Yes.”
“Seems like folks are gathering under you. Going well?”
“Under me? I’m just a freshman—how could I?”
“Politics isn’t about tenure. Power’s what counts.”
“……”
He couldn’t read Assemblyman Cha’s intentions. The man had hinted at his Moon ties while cozying up to someone bound to clash with Moon at the convention. Why?
After finishing tea, Cha lingered, chatting about Yeouido currents, then stood.
“After the convention, let’s hit the golf course.”
“Aigoo, sorry—I haven’t learned golf yet.”
“Really? You’ll need it for politics.”
“Yes, bit by bit. Still adjusting to the assembly.”
“Anyway, let’s meet often.”
With that farewell, Assemblyman Cha left. Park Maru asked Chief Aide Kim to look into him. Better know if he’s friend or foe before deciding on meetings.
Soon after Kim left, Assemblyman Han Seong-su arrived at the campaign office—this time with a squad in tow, filling the room. Short on seats, they moved to the conference room despite the discomfort.
“Bringing the full platoon today.”
“These are the ones I mentioned last time.”
“Welcome. I’m Park Maru.”
He bowed and shook hands one by one. They gripped back warmly.
“Assemblyman Han’s filled you in, so no long speeches. We’ll support Assemblyman Park to reform the party.”
“Thank you. I’ll work hard too.”
Different vibe from the four who’d come with Han last time—likely why Han brought them separately. But allies were allies; as long as they saw value in him, they’d stick. He’d just prepare for any betrayal without taking a fatal hit.
They chatted amiably, pledged active help once operations ramped up, and departed.
“Not disappointed, Assemblyman Park?”
“Why would I be?”
“They think differently from the last group, so I brought them separate.”
“Yes, I figured. As long as they need me, they’ll stay; some from the last bunch will leave too. No need to worry early.”
“Right.”
Thus, steadily building forces. Han’s moves would spur Supreme Member Kim Jeong-gap and Assemblyman Park Seong-hwan to recruit their own, easing growth. For convention joiners, watch, sort wheat from chaff, poach or keep loose ties as needed.
Mid-chat with Han, Supreme Member Kim Jeong-gap and Assemblyman Park Seong-hwan arrived sequentially. They lunched together, discussing convention prep. Supreme Member Jeong Sang-won’s lack of enthusiasm for the campaign office bore watching, though more observation was needed.