Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil's office.
True to his status as a five-term lawmaker, he had an office set up right in the heart of Gangnam.
His aides beneath him were also highly capable individuals.
"Assemblyman! You should see the article that came out in the Jeil Newspaper."
"Bring it here."
Wearing magnifying glasses, Assemblyman Yoon carefully read through the newspaper.
The article was about illegal political funds linked to the five-term lawmaker.
"They're targeting me with this."
"You're the only five-term lawmaker preparing for the presidential election."
"Why would Jeil Newspaper run such an article? If they wanted to target me, they wouldn't have omitted naming me."
"Jeil Newspaper is known to be close to Taewoo Group. It's presumed they acted on Taewoo Group's orders."
Assemblyman Yoon tapped the newspaper with his finger.
The article's content wasn't seriously problematic.
It was more of an allegation level without much factual basis, and since no names were mentioned, it was something he could ignore.
But the last part of the article was what troubled him.
'We will continue the report with additional allegations.'
It was a phrase full of intent to keep digging, leaving Assemblyman Yoon deep in thought.
"Are you still in contact with Assistant Park?"
"I lost contact with senior Park about two years ago. We haven't been in touch since he lost the city council election."
"Has Taewoo Group tried to make contact with Assistant Park?"
"We can't rule out that possibility. There's hardly any place in Korea where Taewoo Group's influence doesn't reach."
"Does he really want to confront me? The world sure has changed. Back in the day, businessmen wouldn't even dare look me in the eye."
Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil had been in politics since the military regime era.
He had experience summoning big conglomerate chairmen and speaking bluntly to them.
Because of that, he tended to see the corporate heads as beneath him.
"But just in case, how about talking with Taewoo Group? If it's difficult for you to step in directly, I can handle the conversation."
"Well, it's about time you got involved in these matters. If I run for president, you'll take over my district, and for that, you'll need to know how to deal with businessmen."
"Since meeting Chairman Kim Tae-jung directly is difficult, I'll try talking to Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae."
"He's young and might be overly arrogant. Be prepared. I've never seen any third-generation chaebol with proper manners."
Assistant Joo Kang-tae.
He had been Yoon Hyun-gil's aide for twelve years.
It was already decided that he would run for the National Assembly seat starting from the next general election.
Joo Kang-tae already thought of himself as a lawmaker.
Being always beside Yoon Hyun-gil, who was at the center of power, he believed he was on equal footing with Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae.
***
That evening,
Joo Kang-tae, Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil's aide, was waiting for Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae at a small restaurant near Yeouido.
When the appointment time arrived, the restaurant door opened and a guest came in—but it wasn't the guest Joo Kang-tae was expecting.
"Good to meet you. I'm the Taewoo Group's planning director."
"So Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae isn't coming personally?"
"He's such a busy person that he doesn't have time to attend meetings like this."
Joo Kang-tae's forehead veins bulged.
Not Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae, but just the planning director was looking down at him and speaking like that.
He felt like splashing water in his face, but there must be a reason for this attitude.
"Well, the staffers have to handle the actual work so that the higher-ups can be at ease. Since we are all busy, let's be frank from the start."
"We don't have much to say. We are only defending against attacks."
The planning director's voice was cold.
He deeply resented Assemblyman Yoon, who had attacked his most respected Chairman Kim Tae-jung.
"You're far too emotional. How can we have a proper conversation like this? We have nothing to lose. Isn't it a lawmaker's duty to expose corporate tyranny for the public interest? Next, we plan to expose Taewoo Construction's slush funds. Are you okay with that?"
"Then we have no choice but to defend ourselves. Slush funds should be met with slush funds. Drunk driving, connections with Chinese construction companies, real estate speculation, military exemption, and so on. It would take a day or two just to cover everything."
"Wha… what?"
The aide's face turned pale.
He had thought that at most, they had just recruited a former aide to find some weaknesses.
But there were so many corruption allegations he didn't even know about—enough to end his political career if exposed.
"You're just throwing out baseless accusations without any evidence."
"The problem is there's too much evidence. We're even struggling to decide which to release first."
The planning director threw several photos on the table.
There were photos showing Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil personally receiving money, and others of an aide loading boxes full of cash into a trunk.
Swallowing hard, the aide gazed at the photos.
These photos alone would be accepted as decisive evidence.
If so, not only would Assemblyman Yoon's political career end, but the aide's political life would also be over before it even started.
"How… how did you get these photos?"
"You think it's only photos? There are recordings, videos, ledgers, and documents in abundance. Since nobody attacked Taewoo Group directly until now, the planning room had little to do. I'm just thankful this chance lets us show our capability."
In truth, the planning room hadn't secured much evidence.
Most of the evidence was actually gathered by Vice Chairman Kim Min-jae.
But there was no need to reveal that.
To pressure the aide, it was enough to make him believe the planning room had these materials.
"Illegally obtained materials cannot be used as legal evidence."
"Since when do politicians fight in courts? These materials are enough to sway public opinion."
"...Is there any benefit for businesspeople in Korea to escalate conflicts with politicians like this?"
"This isn't a fight we started. We're only defending."
"Then why do you need such materials for defense?"
"There's a saying that the best defense is a good offense. It's a little awkward hearing that from someone who should know better."
The aide had no idea how to resolve the situation.
Until coming to the restaurant, he had thought he was in a favorable position.
Since it was a major corporation whose image was critical, he expected them to back down.
But image was just as vital to politicians as it was to corporations.
"So you really intend to go all the way against us? There's no shortage of large corporations desperate to take down Taewoo Group. If we ally with them, it will be Taewoo Group that ends up in trouble."
"I'll return the same words to you. There are plenty of politicians eager to devour Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil. If we cooperate with them, who do you think will be in trouble?"
The aide knew well the power of Taewoo Group.
Among business leaders in Korea, few operated without ties to politicians.
Especially as the top conglomerate, Taewoo Group maintained connections across party lines with numerous politicians.
"Are you threatening me now?"
"Why do you keep acting like the victim? We didn't launch the first attack. And the evidence I showed you today is the weakest among what we have. Just keep in mind we possess material that can end not only your political career but your entire life."
"...Alright, I'll consult with the assemblyman and get back to you."
"You can take the photos. You can always take more if needed."
The aide busily gathered the photos.
He had no time to reflect on how pitiful he looked at that moment.
The aide immediately rushed to Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil's office.
He relayed everything he heard at the restaurant along with the photos to Assemblyman Yoon.
Snap!
Assemblyman Yoon couldn't contain his anger and slapped the aide's cheek.
He knew it wasn't the aide's fault, but he needed someone to vent his wrath on.
"How dare you say such things!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't expect Taewoo Group to secure this much evidence so quickly."
"How is this even possible? Taewoo Group is a corporation—not an intelligence agency. How could they obtain such photos? This is something only the Namsan intelligence bureau would do."
Assemblyman Yoon Hyun-gil, usually composed and measured, revealed his true colors as he looked at the photos his aide brought.
"It seems they have gathered even more material. With this much information, it's impossible without government assistance."
"So they've joined forces with the government? No wonder they dare to threaten me."
"Respectfully, I think it's best to hold off until the government's power weakens."
"Hm, that makes sense. The lame-duck period will come no later than next year. By then, the kimchi will be well fermented."
Yoon, barely regaining his composure, was still burning with anger but calmed himself by believing time was on his side.
"We need to at least pretend to reconcile with Taewoo Group."
"Meet with their planning director and offer a hand of reconciliation. Then the Taewoo Group will welcome it. That's how businessmen act—they always try not to take losses."
"Then I'll put this matter on hold for now, pretending to reconcile while finding even more certain and fatal evidence."
"That's the answer I like. Find evidence that makes Chairman Kim Tae-jung beg on his knees!"
A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even if it takes ten years.
Yoon considered himself a gentleman and, though he started this fight, sharpened his revenge.
While the planning director was meeting Assemblyman Yoon's aide, I met Chairman Jang Kyung-jun at a quiet traditional restaurant in Yangjae-dong, where Hyundai Motors' headquarters was located.
"This is my father's favorite restaurant. When the owner wanted to quit, I persuaded her to stay."
"You even did the interior work. Despite the shabby exterior, the inside is very clean."
"How could I keep a place without offering something? Not only the interior, but I also bought this building and rent it out for free."
Chairman Jang Kyung-jun's demeanour had changed.
Before, we shared a common enemy in Chairman Jang Young-jun, but now that everything has settled, it seems he wanted to establish a new relationship.
"Your face looks quite worn."
"The many mourners gave me no chance to rest, but I'm better now. I plan to formally thank Chairman Kim Tae-jung. I feel sorry we couldn't properly treat you to a meal."
"We didn't receive a meal, but we did receive something else."
I handed over a note.
It was the very same note Chairman Jang Young-jun had given me.
[Contact Between Yoon Hyun-gil and Jang Kyung-jun]