MTLNOVEL Ch. 48
Chapter 48: Room 510 of the Members’ Office (3)
I took a canned coffee from the fridge and handed it to Park Du-sik.
“The weather’s hot.”
“You’re the one working hard, Assemblyman. As long as my business does well, I’m good. That’s what we merchants want most.”
“It’s my pledge, so I have to fulfill it.”
“That’s exactly why I’m here.”
A flicker of desire stirred in Park Du-sik’s eyes.
“Go ahead.”
“To attract more customers, a parking lot is essential.”
“I agree.”
“I was thinking, how about building a parking building behind the market?”
Of course, he came to push his own civil complaint. While looking into the parking lot site, I had already noted a two-story building owned by Park Du-sik.
There were already rumors circulating in the market about a parking tower being built in that area.
I figured Park Du-sik had initiated the rumor himself. Perhaps he’d even struck a secret deal with the previous Member of the National Assembly, Kim Bu-seong.
“President, the parking lot site is planned to be on state-owned land. We’re currently coordinating with the district mayor.”
“What?”
Park Du-sik looked flustered.
“There’s state-owned land at the entrance of the market. It’s currently being used as a warehouse by a logistics company, but they plan to relocate this year. That’s where the parking lot will go.”
“But... I already came to an agreement with Assemblyman Kim Bu-seong…”
Flustered, he realized too late that he had made a slip and shut his mouth.
“President, are you here with a civil complaint? Or to make an illicit request?”
“I’m just saying that site would be suitable for a parking lot. It’s better to have access from the rear than the crowded front.”
“Why buy private property and turn it into a parking tower when we have state-owned land? We can’t waste taxpayer money, can we?”
“But all the merchants are under the impression that a parking lot would be built there…”
“Why? Why do the merchants think your building will be turned into a parking tower?”
Park Du-sik couldn’t withstand my piercing gaze.
A brief silence passed before he raised his voice.
“If the parking lot is in the back, it’ll help the neglected shops survive!”
“There’s an apartment complex behind the market. The sales difference isn’t significant. I don’t make slapdash policies. I say this after thorough research.”
Park Du-sik was clearly flustered as his logic collapsed.
Was it because he thought I was easy?
He raised his voice again.
“I’m not just the President of the Merchants’ Association. I’m also the secretary in our Hometown Association. Do you know how many votes I can swing? You’re a first-timer, so you probably don’t know…”
“I’m not interested.”
“What?”
“You’re using civil complaints to flex your influence in the neighborhood. But the environment has changed. It’s time for you to change too. I’m nothing like the former Member of the National Assembly.”
“You’re not thinking of running for re-election?”
“Better to give up re-election than end up in prison.”
“Unbelievable.”
Park Du-sik glared at me as if he was ready to crush me. I didn’t look away.
It was time to throw the noose around his neck.
“There are a few reports related to you, President.”
“What are you talking about?”
“During the last election, it’s said that you handed out 100,000 won each to around twenty merchants.”
“Who says things like that?”
His pupils shook as his voice rose.
“I don’t speak without evidence.”
“Ridiculous!”
“It will come to light during the investigation.”
“That money was support funds! I gave 100,000 won each to struggling merchants!”
“They say you made remarks implying they should vote for Assemblyman Kim Bu-seong at the time.”
“Listen! The President of the Merchants’ Association has access to funds!”
Instead of answering my question, Park Du-sik diverted the conversation.
A textbook evasive tactic.
I raised the next issue.
“Violations of election law will come up in the investigation. Then, what about the 100 million won in small business compensation you received? How did you spend that?”
“Are you investigating me right now?”
“I’m just confirming the facts. The consolation money received from the big mart wasn’t your personal money. It was supposed to be used for all the merchants.”
“Ridiculous! Do you have any idea how much money goes into market events? What about fees for guest singers? The prizes? Just those…”
“You spent 30 million won. Where did the remaining 70 million go?”
“What are you talking about!”
Park Du-sik slammed the table with his fist and stood up.
“You! You clearly don’t know who you’re messing with—you’ll be in serious trouble!”
“Did you collect fees from street vendors? Did you threaten them at the time?”
“You crazy bastard!”
Park Du-sik glared at me and stormed out of the office as if fleeing.
A vile stench lingered.
Room 510 was bustling.
I ordered the staff to investigate those around Park Du-sik.
Allegations included distributing money during the election, misappropriating compensation funds, collecting street vendor fees, and lobbying over the parking lot.
During the morning meeting, Secretary Han Do-nam expressed concern that clashing with the Merchants’ Association might damage our image, but I emphasized principles.
If we gave ground from the start, we would continuously lose the initiative.
“Yeon-jeong, your summary of the overseas and domestic market information was excellent. It was neat and easy to read.”
“Thank you.”
Yoo Yeon-jeong, whom I had selected as an intern, was as skilled at organization as I had expected.
Staffer Im Seong-chan advised me to assign her press releases since she wrote well.
I agreed.
“Seems like I picked the right person. Keep up the good work.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Staffer Ahn, let’s talk for a moment.”
“Yes.”
I stepped outside to the garden with Ahn Jin-su.
After confirming we were alone, I spoke freely.
“Jin-su, I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.”
“You’re worried you’ll get branded as a show-off, right? But it’s not like you’d ever avoid doing what’s right.”
“I still feel the pressure. If this blows up, I’ll definitely be in the spotlight.”
“Isn’t that something you’re used to?”
Ahn Jin-su looked at me and gave a faint smile.
Just by looking into his eyes, I knew what he meant.
I had already made headlines on the front page of Donghwa Ilbo back in high school and became well-known in business too.
But it felt completely different now compared to back then.
“At the time, I didn’t know anything. Now that I understand the world a bit more, I feel anxious. I don’t know where an attack might come from.”
“By the way, did Staffer Im find anything?”
“It’s true Criminal Division 3 was digging into me, but they’ve stopped now.”
“It must have been Oh Man-seok who led it, right?”
“Most likely.”
According to what Staffer Im Seong-chan found, there was no record of any complaints or lawsuits filed, so it seemed the prosecution had internally targeted me.
There was a high chance Oh Man-seok had moved the investigators.
“Don’t tell me this is about those few hits you took back then?”
“Who knows. It could just be political opposition.”
“Now that I’m inside the National Assembly, I feel like our political parties in this country are based more on personal connections than on ideology or values.”
I agreed to some extent.
“There are limitations to regional parties.”
“Erase the party names, and it’s hard to guess which lawmaker belongs where.”
“Same here. There are plenty I don’t understand why they joined our party—or why they’re in the opposition.”
“Politics really isn’t for everyone. Seeing people fight like enemies in front of the cameras and then act like best friends behind the scenes—it gives me chills.”
There were quite a few lawmakers like that.
They fought like sworn enemies across party lines, but in private, they got along like nothing had happened.
At that moment—
“Rookie Kang!”
A coarse voice—Representative Seong Chang-rae’s—called out.
Ahn Jin-su turned his head, greeted him, then said he’d head back inside.
“Take care, Staffer Ahn.”
“You too, Assemblyman.”
After Ahn Jin-su left, Seong Chang-rae approached me.
“Good morning.”
“Hearing your energetic greeting this morning put me in a good mood.”
“You need energy in the morning.”
“Is the bill coming along well? You may be a first-term lawmaker, but you’re pushing hard.”
“I just have to work hard because there’s so much I don’t know.”
“Rookie Kang, your energy is improving the atmosphere. The other newcomers are scrambling like their pants are on fire.”
Representative Seong Chang-rae had been paying a lot of attention to me.
As a senior from my high school, his presence was reassuring.
“Rookie Kang.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take the floor at the interpellation session.”
“Pardon?”
He came in suddenly, without even a signal.
“Don’t be so shocked. Since you didn’t get onto the Knowledge Economy Committee, you should speak during the economic session. It’s a great chance for a rookie to make a name. You wanted to know if taxpayers’ money is being wasted, right?”
“Will it get to my turn?”
“Why? Are you not prepared?”
“No, sir. I’m just surprised because you told me so suddenly.”
“I’m a three-term lawmaker. I’ve got that much pull. It’s already settled with the Representative, so go ahead with it.”
“Thank you.”
A big opportunity had come to me.
Though I did worry I might be receiving too much camera massage early on.
But now that it had come to this, I had to make it count.
[President of a Merchants’ Association Steeped in Power Corruption!]
— In a traditional market in Yeongdeungpo, President P of the Merchants’ Association misappropriated 100 million won in consolation funds received from a big mart. Money that should have been used for the traditional market was instead spent on group tours for select members and over 30 million won on executive dinners. Furthermore, there were allegations that donations from sponsoring companies during market events had also been embezzled.
“What a killer headline. Power corruption of a Merchants’ Association President.”
“We’ve struck gold.”
Intern Yoo Yeon-jeong had distributed the press release, and the headline was spot on.
I continued reading the follow-up article.
— That’s not all. It was also revealed that he collected 200,000 won monthly as street vendor fees from elderly women, managing the money in a personal account. The elderly vendors said they handed over 200,000 won in cash every month, adding that there was no other way to continue their business.
The election-related bribery article concluded with a note that prosecution investigation was necessary, as it relied solely on witness testimonies.
Secretary Han Do-nam clenched his fist.
“The war begins now.”
“What war?”
“Since the article is out, people from the Merchants’ Association will protest. Intern Yoo!”
“Yes!”
“Today will be rough. The phone will ring nonstop, and you’ll hear all kinds of swearing. Don’t get angry, just handle it calmly.”
“Yes.”
Unfortunately, Han Do-nam was right.
Even before the meeting ended, the phones started ringing.
Not just the office phone—also the staffers’, the secretaries’, and even my own smartphone.
“Hello.”
— This is Jang Jungha, Political Editor at Donghwa Ilbo. Do you happen to remember me?
Jang Jungha.
How could I possibly forget that name?
The reporter who made me a symbol of democratization.
Maybe he had even twisted my fate.
“Of course I remember. This is unexpected.”
— I was posted in Europe as a correspondent for five years. Just returned a month ago and still adjusting. Mr. Cheonmyeong—no, Assemblyman Kang—I was stunned when I saw the article. You’re that same person from back then. Could we meet?
A political editor who had nailed the headline and secured a column space.
He could be helpful to my political moves.
“Sounds good. Are you free this evening?”
— Thank you. Let’s meet in Yeouido.
After hanging up, I looked around.
Everyone was busy on the phone.
Intern Yoo Yeon-jeong, seated and on a landline, had a reddened face.
She was probably being cursed at.
“Assemblyman.”
Secretary Han Do-nam spoke with a tense expression.
“Yes.”
“We’re in for a tough few days.”
“Now that the fight has begun, we have to win. Let’s not waver and push through.”
Once you grab the bull by the horns, you must pull it out—
Even if you end up bloodied.