novelraw Chapter 63 : Party Convention (4)
Chapter 63 : Party Convention (4)
Chapter 63: Party Convention (4)
Contrary to my concerns, Ryu Jong-min looked cheerful. Maybe he was just trying to appear so.
Ryu Jong-min looked around and said,
“How did you know about a place like this?”
It was a coffee shop with private rooms.
“Running for an internal party election puts you in contact with a lot of people. Turns out there are quite a few places with back rooms.”
“What do you think?”
“It’s impossible to tell what’s going on inside. They say they support you up front, but it feels more like a courtesy.”
“They say internal elections are even fiercer.”
“Everyone’s raising a few snakes in their sleeves. There’s no predicting anything.”
I gave a crooked smile and voiced my concern.
“Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“You look like you’re bleeding all over.”
“I’ve suffered a lot of external injuries, but no internal ones.”
“That’s a relief.”
There was something else that surprised me.
Even Han Chin-woo, known as a member of the ‘Jongchin Association’, had harshly criticized the government’s policies.
“Jong-min, members of the Jongchin Association have real conviction. That includes Member Han Chin-woo.”
“There aren’t many of us, but we’re united. That’s something at least.”
“So, you’re saying only two Members agree with your views?”
“Member Park Sang-un from Busan is also backing me. Not openly, but still.”
Member Park Sang-un.
If he was siding with Ryu Jong-min, there was now a clear reason to keep him around.
“What’s your take on Member Park Sang-un?”
“You know him?”
“Not personally. He just seemed like a reasonable person, so I was curious.”
“I heard he participated in the democratization movement in Busan. Among those who came over during the merger, he has the softest image.”
Even within the Korea Unification Party, there were several Members who had taken part in the democratization movement, labor movement, or reunification movement.
Those who came over during the merger could be seen as having remained loyal, but it was hard to understand those who had previously stood against the Korea Unification Party and later changed sides.
One Member who had aggressively fought for labor rights as a factory worker became a first-term lawmaker for the Korea Unification Party after defecting. Four years later, even after saying, “I wore clothes that didn’t suit me. My judgment was wrong,” he still returned to the Korea Unification Party.
“There are some people I just can’t understand. Their values and paths are completely different.”
Ryu Jong-min gave a gentle smile and answered.
“I haven’t experienced much yet, but maybe it’s all for fame and success. Of course, there are those like Member Park Sang-un who entered the tiger’s den to catch a tiger.”
“Do you think he’ll catch the tiger?”
“Too soon to say.”
Ryu Jong-min took a sip of coffee, then looked at me with a peculiar expression.
What was he trying to say?
“You’re making a face that unsettles me.”
“I used to think you were a conservative. You never had radical ideas, and you’ve always emphasized the nation, the greater cause, and historical duty. You even talked about preserving traditional values while expanding freedom.”
“I’m ambiguous, I think. I also advocate for welfare and diversity. Does that make me a gray-area type?”
“Ha. There’s no one as clear-cut as you.”
As Jung Chanseong of my past life merged with the present Kang Cheonmyeong, I seemed to cross the lines between conservatism and progressivism.
Ryu Jong-min’s eyes sparkled as he asked,
“Could it be that your oldest brother became your point of reference?”
“Of course, the fact that my oldest brother got branded as a commie played a huge role. I still think it was unjust.”
I chuckled and continued.
“The image of a democratization activist imprinted on the media was decisive, and I wanted to be scrutinized thoroughly. …Above all, I judged it would be hard to build a faction in your party.”
“A faction?”
Ryu Jong-min’s pupils dilated.
“In politics, you can’t do anything without a faction.”
“That’s true, but… are you seriously dreaming of the presidency? Already?”
“Why the surprise? The fact that I’ve completely wrapped up my company means I’ve burned the bridge back.”
“Wow.”
Ryu Jong-min pursed his lips into a circle and blinked.
“So that’s why you’re running for Supreme Council Member. I thought it was too early.”
“You’ve got to dream big. Anyone can take on a challenge.”
“You’re way beyond anything I imagined.”
“When conservatism loses its way, progressivism falters too. Your role is important.”
“You’re right. Only competition drives us forward.”
His gaze was soft and warm.
Ryu Jong-min clearly liked me.
“Jong-min, the path you chose will be harder than mine. Stay strong.”
“I never thought it would be easy, so I’m fine.”
“If there’s anything I can do to help, I will.”
“Thank you.”
Though we belonged to different camps, we trusted each other.
I truly hoped Ryu Jong-min would create a conservatism that was genuinely conservative.
Aide Im Seong-chan brought someone into the office.
“Assemblyman, I’ve brought a talent to join the camp.”
The man, his hair graying, was said to be named Bok Dae-seon.
“It’s an honor to work with you, Assemblyman.”
According to Im Seong-chan, he was what they called a seasoned pro. He’d worked through three party conventions and even served as a chief aide to a party leader.
“He’s specialized in elections and has a wide network. He’ll be helpful.”
“Thank you for your support.”
“Change in the party is important, but a pumpkin that rolled in shouldn’t become the owner. In that regard, I share your views, Assemblyman.”
I looked at Im Seong-chan.
He nodded, indicating that he had conveyed my true intentions.
“I have many shortcomings. I might barely get through the cutoff, but the main race will be tough. The delegates are the obstacle.”
“I’ve participated in three party conventions, so I know many delegates.”
“How do you think they’re leaning?”
“Most of them have been in the party a long time, so their desire for power is strong.”
“As a first-term lawmaker, that puts me at a disadvantage.”
“I believe you still have a good chance of winning.”
His confident demeanor was reassuring.
“Thank you. I’ll be counting on your advice and support.”
“Assemblyman, just secure twenty people firmly on your side.”
“Understood.”
“You’ll make it past the cutoff. Among first-term lawmakers, you’re the most well-known. Every election is a battle of name recognition.”
I completely agreed with that sentiment.
The problem lay in the delegates’ votes, which accounted for 50% in the main race.
It was already clear that I would fall behind with the dues-paying party members as well, meaning I was starting at a disadvantage in 80% of the vote.
Realistically, only the 20% from general party members and public opinion polling seemed viable.
“May I hear your strategy?”
“I’ll share it after passing the cutoff. As I mentioned earlier, Assemblyman, just secure twenty people.”
“I will do that.”
It felt like gaining a thousand troops and horses.
Just then, Secretary Ha Eun-hye’s voice rang out.
“Assemblyman Seong Chang-rae has arrived.”
“Bring him in.”
The door opened, and Seong Chang-rae entered.
Bok Dae-seon greeted him politely.
“It’s been a while.”
“Look who it is! So you’ve joined the team?”
“It turned out that way.”
“The last general election was unfortunate. That area was classified as a strategic nomination.”
“I’m not dwelling on the past. I’m just focusing on what needs to be done now.”
“I feel reassured knowing you’re helping. I’ve been concerned because he’s my high school junior.”
The two looked close.
“Please continue your conversation. I’ll come greet you properly later.”
“Let’s grab a drink sometime.”
“Thank you.”
Im Seong-chan and Bok Dae-seon stepped out.
“Sunbae-nim, you seem quite close.”
“He’s good at managing relationships. You’ve secured an excellent commander.”
“Aide Im Seong-chan introduced him.”
“Perhaps you have personal charm? You’re quite lucky with people.”
“I suppose I’m lucky. Haha.”
“No matter how lucky you are, if you’re not prepared, it’ll just pass you by. Are you confident?”
I was confident.
The vague belief that it could work had shifted into certainty with Bok Dae-seon joining.
“Pardon the arrogance, but I feel like I’ve become a magnet.”
“People are sticking to you from all over?”
“I’ve secured ten first-term lawmakers.”
“Already? From what I can see, even the first-terms are split into multiple groups.”
“Factions seem to unite around interests. I used to think it was ideology.”
Seong Chang-rae laughed heartily.
“Factions get nominations and party positions, so it’s natural. You have to acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged in order to win.”
“I’m learning a lot. If you gather under the banner of dismantling factions, that itself becomes a faction.”
“Bingo! I knew First-term Kang was sharp. We should drop the ‘first-term’ title already.”
“Not at all. Hearing that from you, Sunbae-nim, just makes me want to work harder. Please keep calling me that.”
“We’ll drop it after you get re-elected. Haha.”
Seong Chang-rae then wiped the smile off his face and spoke seriously.
“I’ve secured five more Members. About six or seven are withholding judgment because they’re suspicious of your identity.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“I’m still hiding my fangs. We fully support Go Jae-gyeong, so she’ll be elected to the Supreme Council. But for First-term Kang, it won’t be easy.”
“I’ll do my best. Is Bok Dae-seon staying unaffiliated for now?”
“He worked hard to win a badge, but the district he was preparing for ended up being a strategic nomination, and he had to swallow that bitter pill.”
Hearing that reminded me of the candidate who got pushed out when I became the strategic nominee.
Because he didn’t help, I had a hard time early in the campaign.
I couldn’t claim to understand how he felt, but Bok Dae-seon must also have experienced a deep sense of loss.
“Returning to work as an aide must be tough.”
“He has to prepare for the next general election. This will likely be his last shot. That’s why he’s going all in on you.”
“Pardon?”
I looked at Seong Chang-rae, not quite grasping what he meant.
“First-term Kang, you want the power of the party members to grow stronger, right?”
“I believe boss politics is harmful.”
“Bok Dae-seon wants that too. A nomination system driven by party members’ power would benefit him.”
“But he has a wide network. Why does he place more value on the power of party members?”
“First, Bok Dae-seon has built rapport with the party members too. Second, even though the bosses are gone, the heads of factions who hold party leadership still wield power. Ironically, he got eliminated in the last general election because he was close with both sides and got neglected.”
Each Member of the National Assembly is an elite, but together they form a bizarre collective.
A place where there are no eternal allies or enemies.
From Bok Dae-seon’s case, I realized I too could be cast aside at any time.
“So the insurance became nothing more than a scrap of paper.”
“Until you earn your badge, the key is not getting eliminated—not proving your ability. After that, it’s about gaining power.”
“You’re saying it’s important to have your own people.”
“Even if you win party leadership, if you don’t have your own faction, you constantly have to defend against attacks. Eventually, you collapse in vain.”
“So that’s why the in-fighting is so intense. I’m learning a lot from you, Sunbae-nim.”
“What do you think of factions, First-term Kang?”
I answered firmly.
“I believe factions and code-based appointments are frames used to attack. To put it more accurately, they’re comrades.”
“This is why I like First-term Kang. When people with shared beliefs gather, they’re comrades. Factions think only of gain.”
“All politicians think of profit. I’m no different. But my firm belief is that the public interest must be included in that profit.”
Seong Chang-rae clapped with a booming laugh.
“No matter how I look at it, First-term Kang seems like a political genius. Your ability to absorb things is fast.”
“It’s because I have a great teacher.”
“You’re good at flattery too. Haha. You’ll pass the cutoff easily, so start preparing for the main race.”
He was right.
Three days later, I received a call from the party that I had passed the cutoff.
Now, I had to win the main race.