novelraw Chapter 62 : Party Convention (3)
Chapter 62 : Party Convention (3)
Chapter 62: Party Convention (3)
National Assembly Main Building, Press Conference Hall.
“We must reform the party. To avoid falling back into defeatism, we must endure excruciating pain and march toward the future. I will devote everything I have to transforming the party into a ruling party that can earn the people's love.”
I read my candidacy declaration aloud.
I was certainly attracting attention.
More reporters fired questions at me than at any other press conference held by fellow lawmakers.
“Assemblyman, you mentioned ‘Beopgochangsin.’ It means creating something new by using the past as a foundation. Are you referring to a major reshuffle?”
“Exactly as it sounds. I won’t make any statements that could be misunderstood as dividing the party.”
“Are you distancing yourself from the former party leader and the Floor Leader?”
“I believe I already answered that question thoroughly a moment ago.”
Reporter Yoon Da-rae asked,
“Assemblywoman Go Jae-gyeong, who is classified as part of the Mainstream, announced her candidacy for Supreme Council Member while fiercely criticizing factional dominance within the party. Are you positioning yourself in opposition to her?”
Assemblywoman Go Jae-gyeong belonged to the Mainstream camp.
As a proportional representative, she had been recruited after leading a non-regular workers’ union and graduating from Gorim University.
We were alumni, and since she was three years younger than me, we had a close senior-junior relationship.
“I’m on good terms with Assemblywoman Go Jae-gyeong. There’s absolutely no need for confrontation.”
“Assemblywoman Go Jae-gyeong is receiving full support from the Mainstream. Does that mean you haven’t decided on a factional alignment?”
“I don’t wish to repeat myself. I’ve already stated that I will refrain from giving any answers that might cause misunderstandings.”
Another reporter posed a question.
“What are your thoughts on the factional issues within the party?”
“I’ve only been in the party for a year. There are things I don’t know well, so I cannot answer that.”
“There are first-term lawmakers calling for the retirement of the 486 Generation. What’s your view on that?”
“I believe everything should be evaluated based on one’s personal accomplishments and achievements.”
The questions continued.
“Why do you want to become a Supreme Council Member?”
“I want to turn the party into a more dynamic organization.”
“We heard Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil is running for party leader. Are you going to be his running mate?”
“I support Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil. But the term ‘running mate’ isn’t appropriate. We each have our own roles.”
If I continued answering questions, my hidden intentions might get exposed.
I folded the microphone.
“My time ends here. The next Supreme Council Member candidate also has a scheduled slot.”
Twelve candidates had declared their bid for Supreme Council Member.
Only the top seven would make it to the final round.
The die was no longer in my hands.
Room 510, Members’ Office.
A meeting was held.
My strategy was simple.
Gather votes evenly from both the Mainstream and Non-Mainstream to secure a spot in the top seven.
Three lawmakers from the Mainstream had entered the race for Supreme Council Member, and the atmosphere leaned toward supporting Go Jae-gyeong.
Staffer Im Seong-chan asked,
“Your declaration speech used an ambiguous strategy. The southern region's votes are crucial. What about Assemblyman Jeong Nak-dong, who has strong influence there?”
“He said he supports Yeon Han-gil, so he’ll help. Eventually, we’ll receive a proposal for a deal.”
“What kind of deal are we talking about?”
“Since I’m close with the first-term lawmakers, they’ll ask me to steer those votes toward Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil.”
Ahn Jin-su asked,
“Does Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil have an edge in the party leader race?”
“Assemblyman Park Jang-beom is running from the Non-Mainstream side. He’s well-supported in the Capital Area, so it might be a tight match.”
“Then that could benefit our Assemblyman in securing votes.”
“To pass the cutoff, we need Assemblyman Jeong Nak-dong’s influence, and in the finals, we’ll need Assemblyman Park Jang-beom’s as well.”
“But you’ve already publicly endorsed Assemblyman Yeon Han-gil. Will that be okay?”
I replied with a smile.
“Leave that to me. First, we need to secure the Central Committee Members’ votes to pass the cutoff. I’ll handle the Members of Parliament, so please assign tasks for the others.”
“Secretary Wang and I will take charge of district chairpersons and local government heads outside the Assembly. Let the rest target Central Committee Members within the party or from the committees.”
“I also know a few people from the Labor Committee. I’ll give it my all.”
It was fortunate that one of the labor activists Ahn Jin-su had known during her civic engagement days was now a Central Committee Member.
I explained,
“Currently, four first-term lawmakers have promised to support me, and two others will support me discreetly. Each member casts three votes. With 2,100 total votes, I have a high chance of passing the cutoff if I secure just 10%.”
“Though each person has three votes, many Non-Mainstream lawmakers are running for Supreme Council Member. There’s no guarantee we’ll receive votes.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you more clearly sided with the Non-Mainstream?”
To Han Do-nam’s question, Staffer Im Seong-chan replied,
“Of course, if the Assemblyman showed a clearer stance, he could absorb the Non-Mainstream votes and even win a Supreme Council seat. But that would trap him in the ‘traitor’ frame. The Assemblyman is choosing strategic ambiguity.”
As expected, Im Seong-chan could see right through me.
Han Do-nam agreed.
“It was a relief to see you didn’t side with the Non-Mainstream, Assemblyman. I also believed it wouldn’t have been the right move.”
“Whew. Same here. I was genuinely worried that you might be blinded by ambition and choose the wrong path.”
Secretary Wang Gyo-muk also looked relieved.
I needed to explain myself.
“I don’t like the terms Mainstream and Non-Mainstream. Those positions will soon be reversed anyway. Since the values I hold don’t change, just think of it as a slight detour.”
“You’re absolutely right. In politics, nothing is possible without a power base.”
“I’ll meet the Non-Mainstream figures first. I’ll do everything I can to secure even one more vote.”
“I’ll also do everything I can to make sure you’re elected.”
“I too will approach this with the determination of one facing life or death.”
My staff’s trust and faith in me were growing ever more solid.
“You’re all working so hard. Unfortunately, we’re pulling another late night due to the Interpellation Session. But please, eat anything you’d like tonight.”
“Let’s get jokbal.”
“I’m craving pizza.”
“I want pasta.”
“You can have everything tonight.”
“Wow! I actually wanted all three. I’ll work even harder.”
When the biggest among us, Wang Gyo-muk, earnestly showed his appetite, we all burst into laughter.
If I couldn’t win the battle with such outstanding aides under my command, it would be entirely my fault as the general.
First, I had to make a strong move in the Interpellation Session.
Plenary Chamber of the National Assembly.
“Minister, there is a widespread view that the current administration’s economic policy lacks clarity. What exactly is it you’re trying to create?”
The minister answered my question.
“We are investing heavily to foster small and medium venture businesses.”
“Isn’t this similar to the past New Intellectual Movement? Repeating past policies won’t work. Unless the imbalance between large corporations and small businesses is corrected, polarization will only accelerate.”
“We are pushing policies with awareness of the concerns you’ve raised. You needn’t worry.”
I had hoped to take on the political segment where I could question the manipulation of online comments, but I had been pushed out in terms of seniority.
It was disappointing, but this was still a chance to highlight my knowledge in economics.
Since it was early in the administration’s term, I focused more on voicing concerns than on direct attacks.
“The government’s three major goals are vague: creating jobs through creativity and innovation, strengthening global leadership, and building a society that respects creativity. Of course, continuing to increase the R&D budget is a good policy, but detailed plans need to come out quickly.”
“Specific plans will be announced soon.”
“The government has pledged a 70 percent employment rate. The previous administration promised three million jobs but only created 1.25 million. In my experience, the more part-time and non-regular jobs increase, the more job insecurity rises. The government must support stable employment so small businesses can grow into quality enterprises. In short, when workers are in a stable position, companies thrive, and the national economy grows. What’s your take, Minister?”
“As a successful businessman yourself, I will take your advice to heart. If you submit related bills, we will review them positively.”
The minister responded with due respect.
According to the Constitution of South Korea, only Members of Parliament and the President are central political figures entrusted with sovereignty by the people.
This meant that, as representatives of the people, Members of Parliament could ask questions, while appointed ministers usually maintained a cautious tone. Of course, some bureaucrats raised their voices at times, but in such cases, public opinion generally turned against them.
I brought up the issue of support for artists.
“At his inauguration, the President mentioned culture nineteen times, calling it an era where culture is national power. But what’s the reality? We’re seeing artists give up their creative work due to financial hardship. The lonely death of a writer a few years ago speaks volumes.”
“We are deeply considering this matter. We will ease the eligibility conditions for artists’ employment insurance and strengthen tax support to provide safeguards.”
“The Ministry of Culture’s budget has been allocated at a record high. Please ensure that the support reaches creators directly, not just institutions. It will serve as momentum for Korean culture to expand globally.”
“I will take your words to heart.”
“Thank you for your questions, Assemblyman Kang Cheonmyeong. Next, we invite Assemblyman Ryu Jong-min of the Korea Unification Party to proceed with his inquiry.”
This was still the honeymoon period of the new administration, so there wasn’t much sharpness.
Just showing that I cared about small businesses and artists was already a win.
I sat down and observed Ryu Jong-min.
“Deputy Prime Minister, you’re aware that Korea’s suicide rate has been rising rapidly, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
“In 2000, the suicide rate was 13.6 per 100,000 people. But now it’s over 32—more than double. Would you agree that it’s the government’s duty to protect the lives of its citizens?”
“Of course.”
“Let’s look at Slide 1.”
A chart showing Korea’s population projections appeared on the screen.
“This is data from Statistics Korea. As you can see, we entered an aging society in 2019 and are expected to become a super-aged society by 2026. The suicide rate among the elderly is extraordinarily high—unmatched by any other country. Please refer to Slide 2.”
The next screen showed a chart outlining reasons elderly people face hardships.
“The number one cause of suicide is poverty. Elderly poverty in Korea is more than three times that of other OECD countries. What is the state doing?”
“We are reviewing the situation in detail and planning to prioritize welfare.”
“Do you believe welfare is possible without tax increases? Isn’t the government heading in the wrong policy direction? There are rumors that while cutting taxes for big corporations, you’re squeezing small businesses.”
“That’s not the case. The government is working hard to uphold tax justice.”
“I’m asking if welfare without tax increases is really feasible. If economic democratization was your campaign pledge, shouldn’t the policies reflect that? Let’s talk about revitalizing the underground economy—or let’s say formalizing it. How is this any different from cracking down on small businesses and sole proprietors?”
Is this guy crazy?
Even the opposition was being cautious in this early phase of the administration, yet Ryu Jong-min, from the ruling party, went all in.
Would he come out of this unscathed?
It wasn’t even my business, but I was worried.