novelraw Chapter 60 : Party Convention (1)
Chapter 60 : Party Convention (1)
Chapter 60: Party Convention (1)
After the presidential election defeat, the party moved busily to analyze the cause.
A Presidential Election Evaluation Committee was formed and conducted a multi-faceted survey, and I also responded to questions as a member of the Organization Division.
I thought the entire party would be in low spirits, but it wasn't like that at all.
With the new year, those planning to run in the party convention were busy building their own camps.
"Assemblyman!"
Yoo Yeon-jeong, the intern, came out holding several books to her chest.
"You picked quite a few, didn’t you?"
"I only picked the ones I thought were the most substantial among the presidential election evaluation reports."
"Good job. Can you carry them all by yourself?"
"Yes. It’s only five books."
"Alright. I’ll join you shortly."
"I’ll head over first."
The sunlight in front of the National Assembly Library was so warm that I didn’t feel like moving.
I had sorted out the reasons for the presidential defeat in my own way, but I was curious how it had been in the past, so I searched for materials at the National Assembly Library.
There were a few books and papers I had picked out, but I wanted to check Yoo Yeon-jeong’s insight, so I instructed her to make the selections.
Judging from the covers, three of them were the same as the ones I had chosen.
"Not bad."
She wrote well, had strong analytical skills, and had good sense.
I liked her.
Once she gained a bit more experience, I thought she could be promoted to secretary.
The weather forecast had mentioned a spring cold snap, but it was warm and pleasant.
A sun-drenched bench.
Today, I didn’t want to do anything here. After being busy with the interpellation session that began a few days ago, even a short rest felt like a blessing.
"Assemblyman Kang!"
I turned around and stood up at the sound of a deep voice calling me.
It was Park Sang-un of the Korea Unification Party.
I knew him well, but as a veteran lawmaker whose constituency was in Busan, it was hard to run into him.
"Hello."
"So I meet Assemblyman Kang here. What brings you here?"
"I was looking for some materials. What brings you here, sir?"
"I had business in the lawmakers’ reading room. This must be our first time alone like this?"
"Yes. But I know a lot about you, sir."
"Is that so?"
Park Sang-un smiled warmly and looked at me.
I knew him well.
In my past life, he was a close friend of my father and had faced a political crisis over bribery charges.
Since I returned before then, I didn’t know how it ended.
In any case, he had been indicted for allegedly receiving 5 billion won from Jung Yongho, who had been my father in my past life.
Even now, it didn’t make sense.
Even if the shopping bag was big, it couldn’t hold more than a billion at most. Of course, they would find some way to piece it together afterward.
Would he be aware of his fate?
"How do you know about me?"
"Assemblyman Ryu Jong-min is my friend. He often said you were very kind to him."
"I heard you were friends with Assemblyman Ryu. It breaks my heart that you're on the other side. Hahaha."
"There has to be a counterbalance too."
"Of course. Balance is what matters."
"If you have time, how about a meal with Assemblyman Ryu sometime?"
"I’d love to. It's always nice meeting younger lawmakers. Let’s do that."
Park Sang-un showed his palm and entered the National Assembly Library.
Assemblyman Park Sang-un.
There had been a reason why he placed second in presidential preference polls in my past life.
His warm smile and courteous demeanor were more than enough to earn the public’s attention and affection.
What if I warned him of the danger that would befall him and saved him?
Wouldn’t that be of help to me? If not to me, then at least to Ryu Jong-min.
Beep— Beep—
My smartphone rang.
"Yes, Staffer."
― Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae is here.
"I’ll be right in."
Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae had announced his candidacy for Floor Leader.
Was that what this visit was about?
I hurried toward the Members’ Office Building.
Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae’s expression was usually like that, but today it seemed even brighter.
When we met in the hallway, he tilted his head slightly and looked at me.
"Freshman Kang pops up here and there. I see you brought a heap of evaluation reports."
"I got curious."
"Already thinking about running for president? You’re a scary one."
"Not at all. Let’s go inside."
I guided him to his office.
"Would you like some coffee?"
"If I drink too much, I can’t sleep."
I sat across from him.
Suddenly, I felt curious about Assemblyman Park Sang-un.
Though he had been a friend of my father in my past life, I had only seen him a few times and didn’t know much about him.
"Sunbae-nim, I have a question."
"I’m a know-it-all, remember? Ask away."
"You know Assemblyman Park Sang-un?"
"From Busan?"
"Yes. I met him in front of the National Assembly Library, and he seemed like a very composed person."
"He’s a reasonable man. I think he’s a four-term lawmaker now. But you shouldn’t evaluate him by general standards. I mean based on his party’s standards."
I agreed with that part.
I had seen him defend government policies on TV that were simply indefensible.
"Still, he’s someone you can reason with. He’s influential in Busan too."
"Yes."
"When I first became a lawmaker, I thought the people from that party were aliens."
"In what way?"
"I considered myself a pretty sensible person, but their thinking process was just completely different. Over time, I came to understand. It’s not about being good or bad. They’re simply a different breed of people."
I still wasn’t sure.
Since I’d been meeting lawmakers close to Ryu Jong-min, I felt that apart from differences in economic and North Korea policy, the rest wasn’t all that different.
"Freshman Kang."
"Yes."
"How about running for Supreme Council Member?"
For a moment, I was stunned.
To suggest the Supreme Council to a rookie who hadn’t even completed a year in the National Assembly?
Delegates' votes count for 50 percent. Forget the main race—just passing the cutoff would require votes from Central Committee members.
What kind of organization or network did I have?
I’d be eliminated in the cutoff round.
"Sunbae-nim, I’ll only end up embarrassing myself."
"The previous Party Leader and Floor Leader favored Freshman Kang because you showed your ability. Your fellow lawmakers like you too. As long as you work on the City/Provincial Party Office heads, you should be able to avoid being cut."
"I hardly know any Regional Committee Chairs, local government heads, or Party Secretariat staff."
"Each person gets three votes. If you can lock down just 70 out of 700, you can avoid the cutoff. Once you're in the main race, push forward with the spirit of a first-termer."
Now that I heard him out, it didn’t seem entirely impossible.
With each person casting three votes, that's 2,100 votes total.
I didn’t know how many candidates there would be, but wouldn’t 200 votes be enough to pass the cutoff?
If I passed the cutoff, I might be able to stir up some momentum.
Just like I did in the general election.
"Freshman Kang, I believe you can make it."
"Who else is running?"
"Many from the Non-Mainstream will enter. So the votes will be split."
Seong Chang-rae’s words stirred my desire.
If I became a Supreme Council Member, I would gain various powers—nominating party officials, recommending public election candidates, voting on party matters.
More than anything, I’d get more media exposure and grow politically much faster. That was tempting.
"I’m worried I might become a protruding nail."
"A tree raised too gently never grows tall. Even if you fail, it will help you—so challenge it. From what I see, you’re not someone who fears falling."
"I’ll think about it."
"What are you afraid of?"
"I’m not afraid. I’m just worried whether I can carry out the duties of a Supreme Council Member."
Seong Chang-rae looked serious as he spoke.
"Freshman Kang."
"Yes, sir."
"No matter how tough the situation gets, we must uphold legitimacy. It's obvious the Non-Mainstream will take over the party, and if that happens, who knows where the party will head."
"I suppose I have to become Taekwon V."
"Hahaha. You have to protect the planet."
I couldn’t fully grasp what Seong Chang-rae meant.
As a political rookie, I didn’t yet know what lay ahead, nor what exactly worried him. But it was clear that the Mainstream, including our presidential candidate, would lose power.
"Above all, this is a great chance to prove your capability. If you win the Supreme Council seat, you get the biggest microphone. A first-term Supreme Council Member in their forties makes for a hot headline."
"I’ll discuss it with Staffer Im Seong-chan."
"It’s not a decision you can make alone. If you become a Supreme Council Member, your aides will be even busier."
As Seong Chang-rae stood up, he added one last thing.
"I wouldn’t be embarrassed to openly support Freshman Kang. You can win this."
Seong Chang-rae patted my shoulder and left the office.
I saw him off to the hallway and turned to look at Staffer Im Seong-chan, who had a puzzled look on his face.
"Can we talk for a moment?"
I needed to hear the advice of Im Seong-chan, who had sharp political instincts.
I explained Seong Chang-rae’s proposal. After hearing everything, Im Seong-chan bit his lower lip slightly.
"What do you think, Assemblyman?"
"Even if I lose, I think it’s better to run. Experience is one of the best assets."
"After the presidential defeat, the Mainstream responsible won’t be able to exert influence. I think it's worth a shot since you don’t belong to any faction."
"Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae said we must protect legitimacy. What do you think he meant?"
"Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil will run for Party Leader."
At the mention of Yeon Han-gil’s name, a chill ran down the back of my neck.
The man who brought down the party leadership by resigning as Supreme Council Member.
I already didn’t have a good opinion of Yeon Han-gil, believing that his resignation as Party Leader somewhat impacted the election result.
"I can’t trust Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil."
"There are many dangerous people around him. I’m worried about whether the party can be protected. We might lose it."
"Lose the party?"
"In my judgment, there's a high chance they’ll use this opportunity to dismantle the Mainstream."
Judging from Im Seong-chan’s firm expression, he seemed seriously concerned.
"Do you think I can stop that?"
"Right now, it seems you’re the only one."
"Me?"
Only me?
How could I be the only one among over a hundred Members of Parliament?
Im Seong-chan continued.
"Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae carries legitimacy. He worked his way up from an ordinary Party Member. I believe you will protect the party as well. Above all, you've always emphasized loyalty."
"Since I stand here today thanks to Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae’s recommendation, it’s only right that I repay that debt."
"What if you were in a different position?"
"That hypothetical doesn’t mean anything. In politics, hypotheticals are fantasies. Every day shapes the nation’s history and deeply affects the lives of the people."
Im Seong-chan gave a gentle smile.
"Elected officials hold tremendous power."
"I don’t have connections, so it won’t be easy. What do you suggest I do?"
"You’ll need a strategy where a wolf in sheep’s clothing enters the pasture. I’ll do everything I can too."
"I understand what you mean. Thank you."
"Assemblyman."
"Yes."
Im Seong-chan stared intently as he spoke.
"You have to play big politics. And to do that, you must know just how filthy and murky this field can be."
"Are you saying the Party Convention is like that?"
"All elections are. That’s just the nature of power."
After talking with Im Seong-chan, I made up my mind.
I would run for Supreme Council Member.
When I was a businessman, the standard of judgment was whether something was possible or impossible. But now that I was a politician, whether something could be achieved no longer mattered.
I would only ask myself whether this path was the right one.