The Collapse of the Three Heos
While it was Joshua, the director of the FBI, who had shown a more favorable attitude toward Yoon-gi, Mason of the CIA was a more effective contact for Yoon-gi, who was based in Korea. After all, the FBI was an organization that operated primarily within the United States. Of course, Joshua would be a more useful connection when Yoon-gi conducted business in the U.S., but in the context of this recent incident, Mason had truly earned his keep.
“No… how could this….”
Looking at the documents handed over through the CIA’s Korea branch, JSD was so dumbfounded that he couldn't even bring himself to stand up from his seat.
“It seems it was a stroke of immense luck that we listened to Chairman Choi’s advice.”
The secretary adjusted his glasses with a slight push of his palm, then returned to a reverent posture.
“If I had even colluded with Heo Seong-su, who is being attacked just like me….”
“You would have surely lost the President’s trust.”
The reason JSD had yielded the seat of honor in front of Choi Ki-hyun was largely because he had recently begun to subtly lose the trust of JD. Furthermore, YK had shown him absolute loyalty during that time. Because of that, he had sought Choi Ki-hyun’s opinion specifically regarding this matter.
“Chairman, how should I act in this situation?”
He had already received advice from his secretary regarding the path of colluding with Heo Seong-su, as well as the path of maintaining neutrality. He had sought the final opinion from Choi Ki-hyun on which of the two to choose, and the moment he received the CIA’s documents, it was proven that Choi Ki-hyun’s advice had been correct.
“Heo Do-il, Heo Cheong-won, you sons of bitches…!”
JSD was genuinely furious. Even though their relationship had been creaking lately, the person JSD had to serve with the utmost loyalty was JD. Yet, Heo Do-il and Heo Cheong-won had dared to covet JD’s presidency.
“Chief, you must take this data to the—”
Just as the secretary was about to say something, JSD, unable to contain his temper, kicked his chair back and began running toward the presidential office.
“Chief! You can’t! Chief!”
The secretary cried out in horror, but no one could stop the runaway locomotive fueled by loyalty.
JD’s office. It was a place where the atmosphere changed according to JD’s mood, but today, it was in a state of volcanic eruption that defied imagination. JD stood there with a bright red face, holding a baseball bat. Against the wall, JSD and Heo Seong-su stood at attention, stiff with tension. However, the main protagonists of the day were elsewhere: Heo Do-il and Heo Cheong-won.
“What? Kingmaker? What? The presidency?”
JD pressed the stop button on the radio containing the cassette tape and slowly approached them. Naturally, while still holding the baseball bat.
“Mr. President, it’s a misunderstanding. We were only….”
Heo Cheong-won tried to make some excuse, but JD’s bat had already traced a semi-circular arc and was headed for his head.
“Shut up, you son of a bitch!”
Whack!
“Agh!”
Even though he was clearly aiming for the buttocks, a dull, thudding sound echoed through the room, and Heo Cheong-won let out a death-rattle scream as he collapsed onto the floor.
“Are you not getting up? Do you want to leave here as a cripple today?”
At JD’s chilling threat, Heo Cheong-won, tears and snot streaming down his face, regained his posture with a trembling body.
“And you. I put you in the position of aide to assist me, and you’re preparing for a coup? The presidency? Ha!”
The bat traced another semi-circular trajectory, and without fail, it fell onto Heo Do-il’s buttocks.
Thwack!
“Kragh!”
Heo Do-il also screamed and collapsed to the floor, and soon the room was filled with the sight of JD alternating between beating Heo Cheong-won and Heo Do-il.
“Get out! You sons of bitches! Don’t you ever think about setting foot in the Blue House, or even on Korean soil, ever again!”
Heo Cheong-won and Heo Do-il, who had been clearly sentenced to political retirement, were carried out of the office by the Blue House security guards, foaming at the mouth.
“Hey, Heo Seong-su!”
Heo Seong-su, who had witnessed the entire scene, stood at rigid attention and replied loudly.
“Ye, yes! Mr. President!”
“You watch yourself too! I’m letting you off this time because there’s no evidence you were involved. But, damn it! Why have you done so many things?! If you were going to do them, you should have at least not gotten caught. What am I supposed to do when you’ve gone this far?”
“I, I am sorry, Mr. President!”
What could he do when a power of the same level had set its sights on him? Heo Seong-su felt aggrieved, but because he was looking at the bat JD had slung over his shoulder, he had to swallow his pride and apologize for his faults.
“Get out! Go into self-reflection for a while!”
“Ye, yes, sir!”
Heo Seong-su hurried out, fearing he might leave a trail, and soon only JD and JSD remained in the office.
‘As expected, the President keeps me until the very end.’
JSD felt a sense of pride. He didn't show it on the outside, but on the inside, he was satisfied with the current situation. However, what JD said next was completely different from JSD’s thoughts.
“Hey.”
His voice was softer than when he was dealing with the three Heos. But the content was the problem.
“Yes, Mr. President!”
“What the hell have you been doing?”
“Ye, yes?”
JSD had personally brought the evidence of Heo Cheong-won and Heo Do-il’s rebellious acts, so he couldn't help but be flustered by JD’s words.
“What were you doing while the CIA was bringing in data that borders on interference in internal affairs! You should have been monitoring all of this before those bastards did such things!”
“Mr. President, th, that is….”
JSD felt wronged. Who were the three Heos? They were the three masterminds of the 5th Republic. Even as the director of the ANSP, how could he wiretap or monitor such figures? JD himself had even instructed him in the past not to cross the line. And now, to hear such things from him.
“Are you trying to make excuses now? Huh?”
To the already agitated JD, the meaning behind JSD’s confusion was completely invisible.
“……I am sorry.”
In the end, JSD had no choice but to bow his head, suppressing his disappointment.
“You’ve changed a lot lately, haven't you? Huh? You used to handle work well without a word, but what the hell is this lately? Are you aiming for the presidency too?”
Only two years remained until the promised year of 1987. Normally, JD wouldn't have been this impatient at this stage, but recent events had been constantly grating on his nerves. That was why he said something he shouldn't have. The effect of those words was immediate.
“Mr. President, how could you….”
“Forget it, get out!”
If only he had listened. But JD, unable to overcome his anger, sent JSD away, and soon he was left alone in the office.
“Damn it, damn it…!”
After JD had been rampaging alone for a while, the first thing he did after regaining his composure a few days later was to call for Choi Ki-hyun.
“Mr. President, did you call for me?”
Choi Ki-hyun bowed his waist to JD with a reverent posture.
“Ah, come in.”
JD’s attitude, which showed a very friendly demeanor, was completely different from the way he had been rampaging just a few days ago.
“Lately, I feel I have caused you much concern in many ways, and I truly have no words to express my regret. I am truly sorry.”
Choi Ki-hyun did not add any unnecessary words and took all the blame upon himself. Because of this, JD, who had been in a foul mood lately, felt his spirits lift somewhat.
‘Yes, it’s so hard to meet people like Chairman Choi these days. Everyone else is just busy making excuses when they make a mistake. Tsk…!’
The reason JD had called for Choi Ki-hyun was to compensate him in his own way for the damages YK had suffered. Of course, there were benefits he would gain through this compensation as well. However, Choi Ki-hyun went a step further and took the initiative first.
“Mr. President, it is a humble offering, but this is a token of my apology for this incident.”
Choi Ki-hyun presented a small box. It was the 300 million won watch he had pretended to give to Heo Cheong-won before. It had finally found its true purpose.
“Th, this is…?”
JD also visited YK Department Store from time to time, so he knew the value of this watch. By 2010s standards, it would be worth over a billion won. Therefore, JD looked at Choi Ki-hyun with a bewildered expression.
“Compared to the concern I caused you regarding this matter, no, it is a level of object that cannot even be compared, but this was the only way I could express my heart. Please, accept it.”
“Uh… hmm….”
Since JD knew that the suffering YK and Samwoo endured was entirely due to his own tacit approval, he couldn't help but blush, being human. However, he couldn't help but covet the watch. Thus, JD rolled his eyes, unable to decide what to do.
“Mr. President, all things have their owners. You, the supreme ruler of this country, are the true owner of this watch. Please, accept my sincerity.”
“Ho ho… since you put it that way, I cannot refuse.”
JD’s desire finally bit down hard on the greasy bait.
“Try wearing it once. It seems the watch has been desperately waiting for its owner.”
“Hmm! Hmm! Shall I?”
JD carefully lifted the watch as if he were handling a sacred relic and fastened it to his wrist, to which Choi Ki-hyun exclaimed in admiration.
“Ha! I have never seen anyone wear this watch before, but it seems it was indeed waiting for you, Mr. President.”
“Hahahaha, is that so?”
A family-like atmosphere overflowed in the office. It was a sight JD hadn't shown anyone else recently. After a truly friendly conversation, JD finally brought up the main point.
“Actually, I felt sorry for Chairman Choi regarding this incident.”
JD’s apology! Anyone who lived in this era would know what this meant and couldn't help but be astonished. Therefore, Choi Ki-hyun shouted for joy on the inside.
“No, sir. It is rather my own fault for not paying attention to such things.”
At the perfect answer, JD shook his head deliberately.
“No, no. It is not. My subordinates were incompetent, and because I was so busy with public and private affairs, I had no choice but to watch it happen.”
“I truly have not a single complaint against you, Mr. President. Is it not all by your grace that I am able to pay my respects to you like this now?”
A person you hate is annoying no matter how nice they act, and when a person you like acts nicely, you just want to kiss them. Thus, JD burst into a hearty laugh and returned to the main topic.
“Because of this incident, the space beneath me has become quite empty. Are you aware of this?”
“Ah, I am not very well-informed about news from the Blue House. However, I did hear through the news that the aide and the head of the personnel department had gone to the United States.”
“Then this will be a quick conversation.”
JD examined Choi Ki-hyun’s complexion and immediately continued.
“Chairman Choi, have you ever thought about entering politics?”