novelraw Chapter 58 : A War Without Gunfire (4)
Chapter 58 : A War Without Gunfire (4)
Chapter 58: A War Without Gunfire (4)
I lay in bed and closed my eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come.
‘I’ll endure any personal sacrifice. I’ll give up everything so we can win.’
The Party Leader’s words echoed like tinnitus.
He was a politician known for his keen eye in reading the election landscape, even nicknamed ‘Strategist’, so I felt a deep sense of loss.
This was like removing a chariot in a game of janggi.
After the Party Leader resigned, Yang Chil-su’s camp announced they would actively engage in the unification negotiations.
Their intent, as expected, was to dismantle the leadership.
As someone appointed by the Party Leader, I too was excluded from the negotiation team and moved from the Media Headquarters to the Organization Headquarters.
Was this how we would be defeated?
Sleep wouldn’t come easily.
“Honey, what are you thinking about? It’s past one in the morning. Go to sleep.”
Woo Ah-mi, lying beside me, nagged in a sleepy voice.
“I drank too much coffee during the day. I can’t sleep. You go ahead.”
“Is something bothering you? You’re doing your best. That’s all that matters.”
“Yeah.”
I got out of bed.
“I’ll watch some TV before sleeping.”
“Don’t get too upset. There’s a reason people call it the political scene, right? Whether it’s the ruling or opposition party, they all move based on their own interests.”
“Go ahead and sleep.”
I went out to the living room and sat on the sofa.
Woo Ah-mi was right.
There may be differences in degree, but that’s the nature of power.
Isn’t politics called a ‘murderous scene infused with madness’?
Those who hold power and those under its protection monopolize benefits. That’s why there are always forces eager to play lackeys to power.
At times like this, I regretted not having an interest in politics in a past life.
It would’ve helped if I knew what kind of politician I was dealing with and what they’d done.
Tossing and turning with these thoughts, I eventually fell asleep.
On the road to the southern provinces.
The Division Head of the Organization Headquarters had instructed me to investigate local campaign activities.
The car raced down the highway.
“Assemblyman, please get some rest. We’ve got another hour to go.”
“I’m fine.”
I couldn’t fall asleep.
Though I was tired from sleeping poorly in the early morning, my eyes wouldn’t close.
“Secretary Pyo.”
“Yes.”
“Could you tell me one more story from the Sutta Nipata?”
“I’ll share my second favorite verse. Like a lion unshaken by sound, like the wind not caught in a net, like a lotus unstained by mud, go alone like a rhinoceros horn.”
“I think I read that in the book.”
“It’s a famous quote.”
I savored what Pyo Dong-ho had said.
So many things entering my ears were shaking me.
I mustn’t waver.
I had to calmly walk my path.
Like a lion unshaken by sound, like the wind not caught in a net.
I felt a little more at ease.
I recited what Pyo Dong-ho had said over and over, steadying my mind.
And then I dozed off.
“Assemblyman, we’ve arrived in Dong-gu.”
“Alright.”
I rubbed my eyes and got up.
Assemblyman Nam Mun-sik of Dong-gu.
This was a stronghold of our party—just planting the flag would secure the seat.
The scene in front of Assemblyman Nam Mun-sik’s district office looked peaceful.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Good luck.”
I got out of the car and went up to the second floor.
When I opened the office door and entered, there was one female staffer and one male staffer.
They recognized me.
“Hello? What brings you all the way here?”
“I’m working at the Organization Headquarters. I came to check the situation. Is the Assemblyman in?”
“Oh, he has a lunch appointment.”
“But it’s only 10 a.m.”
“Ah.”
The male staffer looked a bit flustered at hearing the time.
I looked around the office.
Dust-covered window sills. No photo of the presidential candidate on the wall. The desk was relatively clean.
It meant they weren’t moving.
I looked at the male staffer and asked,
“Is the Assemblyman in Seoul right now?”
“Well…”
“It’s fine. I’ll call him.”
I dialed Assemblyman Nam Mun-sik.
― Oh, Assemblyman Kang! What’s going on?
“Where are you right now?”
― I had an appointment, so I stepped out.
“I’m at your district office now. I should see you before I leave. Where are you?”
― What’s this about? Why is Assemblyman Kang at my office?
He seemed completely unaware that I was working at the Organization Headquarters.
“The Division Head of the Organization Headquarters sent me to check the situation.”
― I’m a bit far out right now.
“Understood. I’ll verify.”
― Assemblyman Kang, you know how this works. I won’t let you down. You’re going to continue in politics, right?
“I’m hanging up.”
― Assemblyman Kang! No, listen to me, that’s not what I meant…
His increasingly loud voice was cut off.
Nam Mun-sik was a local influential figure. His father was a successful construction businessman in the region, which gave him a halo effect when entering politics.
He was re-elected and with no competition, a third term seemed certain.
Most constituencies in this area were in similar conditions.
They aligned under faction leaders to divvy up nominations and focused solely on securing regional budgets.
Turning their backs on central politics, they were entirely buried in local affairs.
Nam Mun-sik also seemed uninterested in the presidential election victory.
“Secretary, I saw on my way in—why aren’t there any presidential campaign banners up? All I saw were posters about securing local budgets.”
“We’re preparing them.”
“The official campaign period is about to start, and you haven’t done anything?”
The male staffer fell silent.
“Have you appointed your campaign staff? Show me the organizational chart.”
“That’s still…”
“The Campaign Committee’s kickoff rally is next week, and you’ve prepared nothing? Be honest! Where is the Assemblyman?”
As I raised my voice, the male staffer hesitated.
At times like this, you have to push forward with the facts.
“There are lots of people lining up ahead of the local elections, right? Is the Assemblyman meeting people to reinforce his organization under the guise of the presidential election?”
The male staffer’s lips quivered as if caught off guard.
“Even though I’m a first-term lawmaker, I know what’s going on. When the Assemblyman returns, tell him to start preparing immediately.”
“I’ll relay the message.”
“If the Assemblyman isn’t moving, then you, Secretary, should at least be doing the work.”
“Understood.”
I had anticipated this to some degree since it was a stronghold, but it was still too lax.
Were other regions like this too?
That uneasy feeling proved completely accurate.
Except for one area in Seogu, no other region was functioning at all.
I had to raise my voice and argue with Assemblyman Jo Ung in Namgu during my last visit.
He was in his district office talking about nominations with prospective local election candidates.
I exploded, and the third-term lawmaker, insulted by a first-term rookie, lashed out in return.
“How do you expect the district to function with a complacent senior lawmaker? Get your head on straight!”
“This bastard, just because I’ve been lenient, now you’ve lost your mind. Do I look that easy to you?”
“Watch your mouth. Bastard? Am I your bastard? Don’t forget you’ll also be held accountable if we lose the presidential election!”
“What did you say? You? Do you think you’re somebody? Arrogant punk!”
“The election is just around the corner and you’re lining people up? One day, you will be held responsible!”
“You?”
“Just wait and see! You will have to take responsibility!”
I shouted and stormed out of the office.
His curses followed me out the door.
The region that was supposed to bring in the most votes wasn’t moving.
I felt uneasy.
It was already dark outside.
Pyo Dong-ho was waiting in front of the car.
“Assemblyman, are you alright?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
It seemed the shouting had been audible from outside.
I sat in the backseat, and the car started moving.
“Assemblyman, you must have been shocked.”
“I saw worse than I imagined. I didn’t expect them to be this inactive.”
“They’re certain they’ll win, and as long as they’re in line, they get nominated. That’s why.”
“The party members need to be empowered.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
At present, to become a party member, one had to visit the city or provincial party office in person, or apply via mail or fax.
“We have two million party members, but less than 10% are dues-paying members. Shouldn’t we strengthen their influence while raising those numbers?”
“You’re right. You should gain more influence and make that happen.”
“That won’t be easy, will it?”
“To be honest, it’s difficult. Politics is all about dividing the spoils.”
It felt like I’d been given a new assignment.
Do I play the game and line up properly, or push for reform focused on party members?
For a first-term lawmaker like me, it was a difficult problem.
“Get some rest. It’ll take about two and a half hours.”
“Alright, I’ll rest a bit.”
I hadn’t slept the night before, and after running around all day in a state of agitation, I was exhausted.
How long did I sleep?
I woke up to the ringtone of my smartphone.
― Cheonmyeong.
“Yeah.”
― I’m in Yeouido. Can we meet?
The car was passing Yeongdeungpo Rotary.
“I’ll be there in ten minutes. Let’s meet in front of my place.”
― Okay.
It was Ji Jeongseok.
He wouldn’t just ask to meet without a reason.
What could he be bringing?
* * *
The bench in front of the apartment.
Ji Jeongseok shook his head from side to side.
“Unification looks difficult.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Heard it from a journalist I know. He’s close with both Campaign Committee Chiefs, so he’s well-informed.”
“What’s the situation?”
“They agreed to decide through a poll, but there’s been no progress.”
The polling method was like a ssireum match. Within the same weight class, the winner was determined by who grabbed tighter and pulled inward.
It was natural for it to take time.
“Is the polling method the issue?”
“Selecting the polling company, the questionnaire content, the timing. They haven’t narrowed the gap on any of it.”
“Candidate Yang Chil-su is insisting on a hypothetical match-up, right?”
“Of course, because it favors him. The problem is he refuses to yield even an inch. He said it’s his final offer.”
“What about our side?”
“We proposed deciding based on a candidate who wins two out of three measures: hypothetical match-up, suitability, and support level.”
I couldn’t understand it.
Looking at recent polls, it was a proposal favorable to Yang Chil-su.
In hypothetical match-ups, Yang Chil-su led. For suitability and support level, the results varied by polling institution, but fluctuated within a 2% margin.
“Why would Yang Chil-su refuse? He only needs to win one out of the two.”
“He’s afraid of the power of party members. Seems like he believes it’ll be dangerous if they mobilize.”
“Cowardly. This kind of opportunity might never come again.”
“In my view, neither side can afford to concede. It might take longer than expected.”
Since they hadn’t even agreed on the polling company, the questions, or the timing, it wouldn’t be easy.
At times like this, I regretted it again. If I had been interested in politics in a past life, I’d understand this situation in more detail.
Ji Jeongseok asked,
“How’s the internal polling?”
“We’re definitely trailing. There are some polls where we win if we unify, but…”
I trailed off mid-sentence.
From what I saw today in the southern region, defeat was certain.
Ji Jeongseok looked at me curiously.
“Why’d you stop talking? Did something happen?”
I told him what I experienced today.
“That area’s like that. There’s a reason they say local powers are eternal. Times change, governments change, but they never budge.”
“The system’s the same, right?”
“Since the local power bloc controls the media, you could say it operates the same as the central system. Anyway, if we want unification to happen quickly, we’ll need a grand-scale decision.”
A grand-scale decision.
I didn’t think it would happen—but it did. And what followed was something I never imagined.