The Former Chaebol Heir Excels as President

Chapter 29: The Time for Decision (1)

One of South Korea's top five chaebols, the Hanseon Group.

Ryu Jong-min was in charge of international affairs at this company.

When I met him at the hotel coffee shop, he looked very sophisticated.

"Impressive."

"You're even more impressive. A successful businessman, outstanding looks, and a brilliant mind."

"Maybe it’s because you're a trade expert, but you sure know how to make someone feel good."

"Because it's true."

We ordered coffee and continued our conversation.

"Turning down two billion dollars... you've got some guts."

"I can earn that in five years."

"What?"

Ryu Jong-min let out a scoff, as if he couldn’t believe it.

"I can earn four hundred billion won a year. Over time, I’ll make even more."

"I’ve heard the internet has endless potential, but is it really to that extent?"

"The video platform is still in its early stages. Eventually, people all over the world will be using You&I."

Ryu Jong-min stuck out his tongue in admiration.

"I'm a high-level talent earning over two hundred million won a year, but next to you, I’m nothing."

"I’ve read a lot of articles about you. The top trade expert dealing with the U.S."

"I was lucky to ride my senior’s coattails. That’s why connections are so important, I guess."

It was something I completely agreed with.

Depending on who you meet, your life could take a completely different turn.

Ryu Jong-min had started his career through the introduction of a senior working in the Hanseon Group’s International Business Division.

Meticulousness, courteous demeanor, excellent analytical skills, and a bold personality.

His strengths were fully displayed in international trade.

"You work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs too?"

"I just help out when the government asks for support from time to time."

"I knew you'd succeed."

"Feels like I’m digging with a shovel in front of an excavator. Hahaha."

There was something I’d been curious about.

Oh Guk-woo, whom Ryu Jong-min once brought to the volunteer club, saying he’d make a decent person out of him.

The last I heard was that he went to study abroad, and there had been no news since.

I brought it up.

"Do you know what Guk-woo’s up to? I haven’t heard anything about him lately."

"You know he went to the U.S. to study, right?"

"Yeah."

"Seems like he might be coming back after failing to get his political science degree."

"PhD in Political Science?"

"Yeah. I guess he couldn’t endure it since it usually takes more than six years."

I didn’t like Oh Guk-woo.

He slacked off in the volunteer club, and his attitude toward friends was arrogant and disrespectful.

I only put up with him because he was close to Ryu Jong-min, but the thought of him returning to South Korea made me uneasy.

The coffee arrived.

Ryu Jong-min smiled warmly as he spoke.

"It’s on me, so eat up."

"Is it unlimited refills?"

"Haha. We can order more if you want."

"Let’s eat and think it over."

I understood why Ryu Jong-min had chosen to meet at this hotel.

The coffee had a deep flavor and a wonderful aroma.

"Tastes good."

"I come here alone sometimes just for the coffee. The aroma is so alluring."

"Yeah, I can see that."

"Cheonmyeong."

A voice softly called out to me.

What was he about to say?

"Why are you speaking so cautiously?"

"Because no one else should hear this."

Now that I thought about it, I was seated in a corner. There was no one nearby, just a few tables away were other people.

His calm voice continued.

"Cheonmyeong, I’m joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Director of Planning and Coordination."

"All of a sudden?"

"That’s how it turned out."

I could read from Ryu Jong-min’s expression what was going on.

This was politics.

"I get it. You’ve been scouted."

"Knew I couldn’t fool you."

"You’re famous as a trade expert, so it makes sense they'd want you. Did my name come up too?"

"They know I’m close to you. The current ruling party’s floor leader is an old acquaintance of your father from his hometown."

"Honestly, I’m still thinking it over."

"If you want to enter big-time politics, you have to choose one of the two major parties. I know you grew up in difficult circumstances and that you value public good. But the nation’s happiness hinges on economic growth. And your profit-sharing with society is only possible if your company keeps growing."

It was a fair point.

While I favored income-led economic policies, I also agreed with the principles of a “small government, big market.” The income-led stance came from my own past hardships, while the trickle-down effect had been proven through the successes of my past life and my current business operations.

As someone deeply interested in the economy, I couldn’t help but be conflicted.

“I have a lot on my mind right now.”

“You have to work with a powerful political party to solve national issues. I know you’re running your business with good intentions and that you’re a good person. I hope we can overcome the weaknesses of conservatism together and build a prosperous nation.”

A dream from my past life.

The goal of reforming conservatism.

With Ryu Jong-min by my side, I might actually gain strength.

Either way, I was thinking of grinding for about ten years.

The only question was—

Could I become a Member of the National Assembly?

“You’ve been promised a party nomination, haven’t you? If they’re telling you to build experience in the government, it’s not just a casual offer, is it?”

“I think I’ll be getting Seocho as my district. As for you, I’ll try to get you around number 20 on the proportional representation list. With your credentials, you could definitely secure a top spot.”

“I’ll think it over.”

“I hope we can work together.”

There were many hurdles to overcome.

Ji Jeongseok had said that within the ruling party, there was a culture of absolute hierarchy, so it was hard for first-timers to voice their opinions. On top of that, the current ruling party had long-standing tensions between the President and the next potential presidential candidate.

Could I really pull it off?

Ryu Jong-min watched me carefully before speaking.

“Shouldn’t we prioritize pragmatism over ideology?”

“I agree. But there’s one thing that bothers me.”

“What is it?”

“Our big hyung went to prison, remember? Branded as a commie.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Let’s stop the outdated ideological debates and focus on developing the country.”

The reason I couldn’t easily choose the ruling party was due to ideological issues.

Color politics.

Accusations of being pro–North Korea.

My big hyung was a victim of all that, and the ruling party still hadn’t abandoned that frame.

It seemed like Ryu Jong-min genuinely wanted to work with me.

“We could be the ones to break that frame. If I’m with you, I believe it’s possible.”

“There’s still time, so I’ll think it over more.”

“Did I pressure you too much?”

“A lot.”

“Haha. Sorry.”

Ryu Jong-min held up his palm in apology.

“You really have the persuasive power of a trade expert.”

“Do I? Then I’ll take that as a yes.”

“I’m not a pushover, you know.”

“Haha. I’ll be waiting.”

“It was good to see you.”

“Likewise.”

He was a good guy.

Compared to my background, he lived at the opposite end of the spectrum, yet we shared a lot in common.

Now, it was time to meet Hyeon Se-ung.

I found the law office near Gyodae Station through a search.

I headed that way.

A corridor lined with capsule-like offices crammed together.

I found his workplace about halfway down.

[Labor Law Specialist Attorney

Hyeon Se-ung]

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

I opened the door and walked in, and I was taken aback. Just two desks and a small couch.

Were law offices usually this small?

Having only seen law firms in my past life, it felt odd to see an attorney in a place like this.

In the one-room-style office sat a male employee and Hyeon Se-ung.

“Welcome. Was it hard to find? This is our office manager.”

“Hello?”

“Nice to meet you.”

The office manager said he had work and stepped out.

Hyeon Se-ung guided me to the sofa.

“All I’ve got is instant coffee.”

“That’s more than enough.”

I looked around the office.

Stacks of documents on the desk, and law books packed tightly on the bookshelf.

“Drink your coffee.”

“Thanks.”

“I didn’t think you’d come visit. You’re always so busy.”

“I can make time to see a friend. It’s not even far from our company.”

“You’re really something. Even back in school, you succeeded with the delivery business. It’s like you have a foresight for the future.”

“It’s cowardly, but yeah.”

“Huh?”

It was because of the power of regression, not that I had some special ability.

Of course, it was true that Kang Cheonmyeong was exceptionally intelligent.

“I was just lucky. Are you working for laborers now?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s unexpected. I heard you passed the bar exam early too.”

“I worked as a judge. For about seven years. But I started to feel doubt about my rulings.”

“What do you mean?”

Hyeon Se-ung made a bitter face as he spoke.

“There was this middle-aged man who broke into a closed bakery, ate three pieces of bread, and stole twenty thousand won in cash. I sentenced him to three years in prison according to the law.”

“Three years? For stealing bread? Just twenty thousand won?”

“Under Article 5, Paragraph 4 of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, habitual theft is punishable by life imprisonment or at least three years in prison.”

“The sentence seems harsh, considering he didn’t even hurt anyone.”

“Meanwhile, a chairman who embezzles hundreds of billions of won gets a suspended sentence. That’s why people say, ‘If you’re rich, you’re innocent; if you’re poor, you’re guilty.’”

Hyeon Se-ung took a sip of coffee and continued.

“I read the petition, and the man’s life was just tragic. He hadn’t been paid six months of wages at his job, so he stole some company items and got a criminal record. When he got out, his wife had run away. He had to raise young kids but couldn’t get a job because of his record. He bounced between day jobs and eventually got injured. And instead of getting industrial accident compensation, the company didn’t even treat it as a work-related injury.”

“Must’ve been a small site.”

“Yeah. Because he didn’t get treatment in time, he ended up disabled and lost all work capacity. He became homeless and stole the bread out of hunger.”

“So you think if his wages hadn’t been delayed, he wouldn’t have committed theft?”

“It wasn’t resentment I saw—it was despair.”

I understood what he meant.

The man who had lost his ability to work gave up on everything, after blaming the world.

“So that’s why you turned to being a labor law specialist attorney?”

“I’ve handled plenty of cases like that. I had to sentence them according to the law. But it tormented me. After reading all those pouring-in petitions, I realized there were so many people who shouldn’t have ended up in prison.”

“The law judges based on actions, not motives.”

“Maybe I’m just cowardly. I was comforting myself with the excuse of following principles.”

“So are you at peace now?”

He smiled at my question.

“Winning wrongful dismissal lawsuits and getting people their unpaid wages feels like compensation.”

“You’re good at putting yourself in others’ shoes.”

“I don’t make much money, but I’m happy.”

I couldn’t easily understand.

After all that hard studying, and the end result was becoming a labor law attorney?

“Why did you fight with Man-seok at the Total Alumni Reunion?”

“That kid’s too arrogant.”

“That’s the only reason? I heard it was over the monopoly on the right to indict.”

“It’s not something to worry about. Lawyers and prosecutors are meant to fight.”

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“Cheonmyeong, sorry. I think my client arrived early.”

“No worries. I was about to leave anyway. Let’s grab some soju next time.”

“Sure.”

I stood up and came face-to-face with an elderly lady walking in. She was holding a bundle with a pumpkin sticking out of it.

I gave a slight bow to her and left the office.

Hyeon Se-ung.

This guy is no ordinary person either.

After a chaotic end of the year, the new year arrived.

Since the messenger program we launched early last year became globally popular, I spent more and more time overseas.

Two seasons had passed in a blur of work, so much so that I couldn’t even remember what I ate for breakfast.

Then, a completely unexpected article forced my hand.

[NetinKorea CEO Kang Cheonmyeong.

Given his life story, his political stance is obvious!]

My photo was splashed across the cover of the weekly magazine Issue Factory.

A photo taken when I went to find Big Hyung at Yeonje University.

I was glaring fiercely, even as I was being beaten by the riot police.

Like the spirit of an independence fighter galloping across the Manchurian plains on horseback.

Ji Jeongseok, that bastard!