The Guarantee of the American President
For a moment, the entire studio was engulfed in shock and horror. At the same time, a heavy, stifling silence descended. Just as everyone was staring at N with their mouths agape, N continued without hesitation.
“To be precise, I was a ringleader of the military coup. On December 12, 1979.”
Countless citizens listening to N’s speech through their TVs flocked toward their screens, gripped by a burning curiosity as to why N would be exposing his own flaws.
“At that time, I was serving as the commander of the 9th Infantry Division. And, I abandoned my duty to defend the front lines and provided decisive assistance to JD’s military coup.”
Not just in homes, but in restaurants, hospitals, banks—everywhere with a television, people began to crowd around the screens.
“And then, I became the second-in-command of JD’s military regime. When you think of the second-in-command of a military junta, what comes to mind? A power that could knock a bird out of the sky with a single finger, isn’t that right?”
Thanks to N’s calm yet forceful tone, people became even more immersed in his speech.
“However, that was not the case. How many times do you think I appeared in public until two years ago? Everyone, think about it. From 1980 to 1985, have you ever seen me on TV or in the newspapers?”
Everyone began to search their memories of the past. And they realized it: it was incredibly rare to see N in the media.
“I have always been under surveillance by JD. And, during that time, I realized something.”
What was it that N had realized? People swallowed hard, as if waiting for the next episode of a drama, hanging on N’s every word.
“Everyone!”
When N suddenly shouted, the people gathered in front of their TVs were startled for a moment. And after enough time had passed for them to calm down, N continued in a low, steady tone.
“I felt for myself what it means to have freedom suppressed by power. Therefore, I know, at least to the ‘one-millionth degree,’ the pain you, the citizens, felt under the military regime.”
People began to empathize with N’s speech little by little. N’s appearance—admitting his faults honestly without over-packaging himself—was the best way to reach the hearts of the people.
“The pain you have suffered. To punish that pain, we need someone who knows JD better than anyone else. I, N! I pride myself on knowing JD better than any other politician in this world. If you give me a chance, I will do my utmost to punish JD. And, the records of the countless innocent people that JD distorted? I will fix those back to the way they were. So, please give me a chance. Just one year is all I need.”
One year? Many people expressed doubt at the mention of one year. In principle, a president is supposed to serve for five years. JD had won the seven-year single-term presidency with the promise of serving only seven years. But one year? The public’s interest was amplified even further.
“Within one year, I will punish JD and correct the distorted history. And then, I will leave my own fate in the hands of you, the citizens. I am saying I will hold a national referendum once again!”
N’s booming voice shook the hearts of the people.
“Some of you may be worried. P could not let go of his dictatorship, even creating the Yushin Constitution, only to be shot by Jaguar. JD, too, could not abandon his greed and even incited a second military coup.”
N had precisely scratched the itch that the citizens watching TV had been worrying about in their hearts.
“Therefore, I!”
N suddenly turned his head. The cameraman instinctively swiveled the camera to where N was looking, and the citizens also focused their attention in that direction.
‘A TV?’
The question popped into the minds of countless citizens. What appeared on the TV screen was another TV screen. And there, surprisingly, was the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.
[The safety of the Korean people is guaranteed by this Ronald Reagan. If N does not follow the results of the national referendum after one year, the United States will step in and pull N down.]
There is no honorific system in English. That didn’t mean every word was informal, either. However, the subtitles, deliberately translated into informal speech, created a very powerful safety device for the citizens.
‘The American President guarantees it!’
If Trump from the 2010s had made such a promise, people wouldn’t have believed it. But the America of the 80s was one that tended to keep its promises to its allies. Besides, after the Korean War, who hadn’t eaten powdered milk, canned ham, and flour provided by the U.S. military? Because of this, the people were completely captivated by N’s speech.
The camera returned to N.
“Everyone, I have no selfish motives. I just want to punish JD. And after JD falls, I want you, the citizens, to truly feel the sense of liberation that I felt. Please give me a chance, everyone!”
N never once directly asked to be elected president. But on this day, because of N’s speech, the speeches of DJ and JP became completely ineffective.
Did N really have no selfish motives? No. N had plenty of selfish motives. It was just that Yoon-gi had filled those motives for him.
“To think you even managed to recruit President Reagan… your capabilities are truly immeasurable.”
Yoon-gi shrugged at N’s words of admiration.
“You have to do at least this much to secure the votes. Actually, since past Korean presidents have had such poor credibility, the words of the American President carry more weight, don’t they?”
“That is true. But I never expected Reagan to support me instead of DJ.”
In reality, DJ had decent connections in the American political scene. If it hadn’t been for the U.S., there was a very high chance he would have been killed by P.
“That’s why they say politics is a living organism. There are no eternal allies or eternal enemies. Still, doesn’t it mean that I am more useful to President Reagan right now?”
“Certainly… I must also strive to remain useful to you.”
Yoon-gi smiled broadly in response to N’s words. However, to N, that smile felt like a form of terror.
‘This guy is not the type to hold someone accountable for failure after listening to advice. But the extent to which he would hold someone accountable for *not* listening… I don’t even want to imagine it.’
He was currently building a powerful PMC in Russia, and in Korea, he walked around with bodyguards who were former special forces. To become enemies with him in such a situation? He would likely spend the rest of his life regretting it, president or not.
Having experienced Yoon-gi for several years, N’s useless thoughts didn’t just retreat to the back of his mind—they vanished entirely.
“But won’t people say that the U.S. is interfering in Korea’s internal affairs?”
At N’s worried remark, Yoon-gi looked puzzled.
“Have people been saying that?”
“No, not really, but…”
In reality, there were almost no claims in the media right now about American interference. There were a few local newspapers expressing concern, but they were buried in the 4th or 5th pages, not the front page, so they were effectively negligible. DJ and JP were claiming it was interference, but since the media and public opinion weren’t siding with them, it was ineffective. That was why Yoon-gi was so relaxed.
“If you hadn’t given your speech and President Reagan had simply declared his support for you, the country would have been turned upside down. But you gave a firm promise to hold a national referendum in one year. Here, President Reagan’s role isn’t ‘supporting you.’”
“Ah… you mean a ‘guarantee of the promise’?”
Yoon-gi nodded.
“Exactly.”
“Anyway, even if I win the presidential election, I don’t know if I can pass the national referendum in a year.”
“It will pass.”
“But I am a ringleader of a military coup. There is plenty of justification for someone to attack me at any time.”
N was very well aware of his situation.
“They say merits are merits and faults are faults, but in reality, great merits can cover up faults, and great faults can cover up merits. Don’t worry. I will make the ‘faults’ that you and your aides possess into ‘faults that the public can accept.’”
“How?”
“Let’s save that for later.”
At Yoon-gi’s sly smile, N felt as if he were crossing a sturdy bridge. Even though he also had the thought that Yoon-gi was holding a dynamite detonator at the end of that bridge.
It was May. The election campaigns of N, DJ, and JP were truly fierce. Although President Ronald Reagan had hinted at his support for N, DJ and JP couldn’t just give up. N, seeing them, also constantly traveled around for his campaign, and DJ and JP, not to be outdone, traveled across the country as well.
On the other hand, Yoon-gi was very free. Truly. The Soviet situation was left to Kang Seok-ho, and the PMC was still in training, including Korean language lessons, so there was nothing to worry about. The Korean election campaign? It was still too early for Yoon-gi to show his face directly. Citizens were clearly thinking, ‘N must be close with YK!’, but he saw no reason to appear together. It would only create room for the opposing camp to criticize them for a money-driven election.
Therefore, Yoon-gi bestowed a favor upon Choi Deok-bae for a change.
“Grandfather, here is a gift.”
In Yoon-gi’s room, Yoon-gi handed a mechanical device to Choi Deok-bae.
“Wait a moment.”
It was a machine that looked like a book stand. Yoon-gi placed a book on it. After plugging it into an outlet and flipping the switch, the machine slowly began to turn the pages.
“Why do you think this is a gift? Think about it.”
For a moment, Choi Deok-bae thought about the meaning the book stand brought to him. As Choi Deok-bae made a face as if he had reached enlightenment, Yoon-gi smiled broadly.
“Satisfied?”
Choi Deok-bae lifted his sleeve to wipe his eyes. In fact, his eyes were moist—he was truly moved.
“I’ve already installed one at my villa, so if you need it, go there and use it. If you take ‘Kkeobeongi’ with you, you can even control the device, right?”
Choi Deok-bae sniffled and reached for the box of tissues on Yoon-gi’s desk. Watching Choi Deok-bae, who slapped his palm in excitement, Yoon-gi sighed, contrary to his outward smile.
‘*Sigh…*’
In fact, the reason Yoon-gi had made this device was because he didn’t want to turn the pages by hand. An invention (?) made by Andrew at the research institute Yoon-gi currently operated. What kind of expression would Andrew make if he knew it was being used like this? There are things in the world where ignorance is bliss.
“I know you’re in a hurry, but I need you to help me with one thing.”
“Then, should I just cancel it?”
At Yoon-gi’s puzzled expression, Choi Deok-bae hurriedly waved his hands.
“I want you to go to the Manse Welfare Center with me.”
An unexpected keyword flowed from Yoon-gi’s lips.