Power, Sex, and... 31
Since my dinner appointment with Assemblyman Seo was at six, I hurried up to the restaurant I'd reserved. There were still ten minutes to go, but he'd arrived early.
"Come on in."
"You beat me here. What brings you all the way down to Busan?"
"I wanted to meet you and discuss some things, but I heard you'd left your phone at the office. I took the liberty of coming down anyway."
We shook hands, exchanged the usual pleasantries, and took our seats. From the look on Assemblyman Seo's face, he was clearly desperate. And why wouldn't he be? He was sharp enough to see that, if played right, a first-term assemblyman like him could land a top leadership spot in the party.
In truth, we were both first-termers, but circumstances had thrust me into the role of de facto secretary-general for the National Assembly Reform Alliance, or "Gukgaeyeon." Plus, back when I was just a regular party member posting online, I'd earned a rep as a sharp debater, which landed me the electronic party committee chair gig—and that clash with the leadership had left a strong impression on the members. So everyone knew my endorsement could make a huge difference, not just within Gukgaeyeon but in the supreme committee race too.
Anyway, with this surprise supreme committee election suddenly on the table—thanks to a chain of unforeseen events—I was at the eye of the storm, whether I meant to be or not. It was only natural for an ambitious guy like Seo, eager to get ahead in the chaos, to come seeking my help.
"Assemblyman Park, have you heard anything about the entire leadership resigning?"
"Nothing solid, but I know they're backed into a corner."
"So, any plans to run in this party convention?"
"Me? A first-termer?"
"You can't sell yourself short like that. You're the one who sparked this whole mess."
"Oh, come on. Our party's not so fragile that one rookie shaking things up brings it down."
"Still, the assembly members' office building is buzzing about you these days."
"Heh, those guys."
I leaned back, gazing at him with a relaxed smile. He fidgeted, gulped down his water, then fixed his eyes on me intently.
"No interest in running for supreme committee yourself, Assemblyman Park? If you do, I'll back you all the way."
"I'm too young and green for that."
"But this convention's all about party reform—and that puts Gukgaeyeon in the spotlight, right?"
"Even so, there are plenty of more senior folks."
He kept probing, trying to gauge if I'd throw my hat in, without revealing his own hand.
Oh, man, if you're that desperate, why not just step up yourself? I thought, flashing him another smile before speaking.
"Don't you have ambitions for it yourself, Assemblyman Seo?"
"I'd love to, but I don't have the chops. Just a pipe dream."
"Want me to help?"
"What? You'd back me?"
His voice shot up an octave as he grabbed my hand across the table.
"If you support me, what do I have to worry about?"
There it was—my single comment had peeled back his facade. Now he stared at me like a kid begging for candy. Time to bring him to his knees. Make sure he never even dreamed of challenging me later. We might both be first-termers, but he needed to realize we weren't in the same league. Only then would true loyalty follow.
"Assemblyman Seo, if I help you, what do you offer me in return?"
"If you get me elected to supreme committee, I'll serve you body and soul from here on out."
Just like that, clean and simple—the exact pledge I wanted popped out of his mouth. He didn't even notice the shift in my tone, swearing loyalty to a fellow first-termer.
"Assemblyman Seo, to be frank, this whole convention mess is my handiwork."
"Yeah, everyone knows you got the members riled up."
"That's not all. I engineered Kim Seong-gap and Jeong Sang-won's resignations too."
"Pardon?"
"Just keep that in mind."
Assemblyman Seo Jeong-ho's eyes went wide, staring at me in shock. No wonder—a rookie forcing two party heavyweights to step down? Hard to swallow.
"Anyway, we've decided to push Kim Seong-gap for party leader at this convention. You and Jeong Sang-won for supreme committee. Got it?"
"What about Assemblyman Park Seong-hwan?"
"Can't back him with Moon Uiwon lurking behind. Too risky."
"Won't that split Gukgaeyeon into factions?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle the balancing act."
"Understood, sir."
"Alright, let's eat."
As soon as I spoke, his face lit up, waiting for me to pick up my chopsticks. Seeing that, I knew he'd fully submitted. I dug in.
After dinner, over dessert coffee, I pulled a prepped envelope from my bag and slid it across to him.
"What's this?"
"Activity funds. You'll need to buy meals for the Gukgaeyeon members and such."
"Oh, you don't have to."
"Just take it."
In politics, raw talent matters, but building and holding a faction? Cash is king. Nobody turns down money, and in this game, you can never have enough. As a mere first-termer, how else could I wrangle fellow rookies or second- and third-term vets? I'd taken the chaebol chairman Lee Hoe-jang's advice—fake craftsman or not—and accepted his backing.
Regular envelopes like this would keep them hooked, even if they dreamed of going independent someday. The temptation of steady cash would bind them to me. Until I built my own power base, I'd grow it with his help.
"Be right back—bathroom."
As I stood, he shot up and bowed. Only one reason for that excuse: I wanted to see his reaction when he peeked inside. How much was in there?
I killed time in the bathroom, washed up, and returned. He'd stood again, waiting for me to sit.
"Sir, this is too much..."
He'd checked it while I was gone, his face stiff, implying the sum was excessive. Fair enough—fifty million won wasn't pocket change for a first-termer.
"Not for you alone. Pull in good people around you. If it's short, just say the word."
"Yes, sir."
Game over with Seo. He'd be loyal at least through this term. Come next general election, another bullet of cash, and he'd stick around as my right-hand man. Money moves mountains—lesson confirmed today.
"Who are you close to, Assemblyman Seo?"
"A few folks."
"Bring them sometime. Only the trustworthy ones."
"Got it."
With our deal sealed, I laid out my roadmap bit by bit. For now, I'd back Kim Seong-gap, Jeong Sang-won, and Seo Jeong-ho from the shadows, reshaping the party into my vision while reforming its culture. He nodded along eagerly.
Truth was, badges came second—ordinary members' fervent support was priority one. Assemblymen could be bought or pressured via dirt, like with Kim and Jeong. But grassroots hearts? That took direct engagement.
Jeong-ah would play a key role, so tomorrow I'd meet her, dive deep on strategy, and scout talent to lead the charge.
"By the way, Assemblyman Seo, got any sharp young guys around you?"
"Out of the blue—why?"
"Youth issues are trending. Anyone good with SNS?"
"Didn't focus on that in my campaign. My nephew handled it."
"Have him come to the assembly members' office building next week. I'd like to meet him."
"Sure. But why the sudden interest?"
"Thought he could team up with my online guy for better coordination."
"Makes sense. I'll set it up."
"And look after any young talent nearby. Can't win elections without them these days."
"Yes."
With everything said, I sent him back to Seoul, then moved to a coffee shop to plot next steps. Now the real work began: reforming the party, laying the foundation to run for president a couple cycles out.