Free Web NovelAs people grow older, it becomes harder for them to apologize. Especially politicians.
They know that every action of theirs carries meaning, so they rarely ever say sorry.
Kim Hakgwon was no different.
“I misunderstood you. I know I made many mistakes toward you during my term. Please, forgive me.”
Yet here he was, offering a sincere apology.
Well, he should apologize. He’d tried to put a leash on me—and even went so far as to have me monitored.
But he had paid the price, and now, I no longer held any resentment.
“It’s all right. It’s in the past.”
“Yes, and looking back, I gained far more than I lost. Back then, I didn’t know any better and doubted you. I thought you were some swindler trying to make a fortune off the financial crisis.”
As he said, I’d helped him materially, but I’d also done much behind the scenes.
For instance, improving relations between Korea and Russia.
Because of my personal connection with Putin, Russia had begun treating Korea with a special degree of attention among East Asian nations.
That pro–South Korean gesture—rather than toward the North—was something no one but me could have achieved.
“But you never acted for selfish gain. You never once did anything that hurt our national interest. You even protected the country. It was all just my baseless worries.”
Protected the nation, huh. I just wanted the stage I lived on—Korea—to remain stable.
“If not for you, we couldn’t have handled this so easily. Your methods are extreme, but swift and effective. Am I wrong?”
“You flatter me.”
“I no longer care what your long-term plans are. But I ask this one thing of you—never leave Korea.”
His earnest gaze made me falter for a moment. The words of those who had told me to abandon my nationality and live freely passed through my mind.
“This is the land I was born in, and it’s where I’ll continue to live. So you needn’t worry.”
“Good. That’s all I needed to hear.”
As the night deepened, our conversation grew longer.
We drank for hours. Kim Hakgwon opened up about things he had never said before, and I answered with equal honesty.
His face was now flushed red from the drink.
“You know... when I first entered politics...”
Was he always this talkative? Even if he cleared his schedule for today, he’d still have work tomorrow.
I checked the time and began waiting for the right moment to wrap things up.
“Mr. President, it’s getting late. You should rest if you want to handle tomorrow’s schedule.”
“Haha, I’m fine. Back in the day, I’d drink until dawn and still attend morning events. I’m not that weak yet.”
Downing another shot, he looked at me intently. Despite the alcohol, his eyes were sharp.
Looks like I wouldn’t be leaving just yet.
“By the way, what do you plan to do about Ilseong Group?”
“I’m planning to deal with it soon. That’s actually what I wanted to discuss. Please replace the head of the Fair Trade Commission with the person I designate.”
“What?”
The Fair Trade Commission.
An administrative body under the Prime Minister’s Office—feared by corporate leaders as a grim reaper of sorts.
It designated major conglomerates, investigated collusion and unfair trade practices, and wielded immense power.
In the business world, there was even a saying: when the Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy invites a chaebol chairman to lunch, they can refuse—but when the Fair Trade Commission chair calls, they show up in their underwear.
The Commission had both investigative powers and exclusive authority to file charges—meaning the prosecution couldn’t even investigate a conglomerate without its complaint.
It could also impose heavy fines without court approval.
Even Chairman Song Youngjoo of Daehyeon Group had been summoned there multiple times after his presidential defeat.
That’s how much sway the FTC held over the business elite.
“Please appoint my nominee as the FTC chair.”
I repeated myself.
Kim Hakgwon seemed to sober up immediately, taking a sip of cold water.
Setting the cup down, he looked at me seriously.
“You know what kind of position that is, don’t you?”
“Of course. It’s the President’s sword to keep the conglomerates in check.”
“And you’re asking for that sword. You know exactly how you’d wield it, don’t you?”
Indeed, if the FTC decided to go after a chaebol, it could bury them under massive fines and destroy them outright.
But the President rarely used that weapon recklessly—for fear of destabilizing the economy.
That didn’t concern me.
“It’s the last piece I need to take down Ilseong Group. I’ve been planning this for a long time. No matter who the next president is, I intend to fill both the FTC and Financial Supervisory Commission with my people. Think of this as an advance request.”
“...”
“You can grant me that much, can’t you? You know how much I’ve risked to help this time.”
That was exactly why I had revealed so much information to him earlier.
“That’s true, but... Mr. Kim, I’ve always maintained neutrality. If I suddenly do this, what will people say about me?”
“Yes, you’ve been neutral. You should remain so. But this, Mr. President—this one thing—you must grant me.”
I was determined to secure the FTC chairmanship tonight.
Ilseong had lived far too long. It was time to choke the life out of it.
“So, you’re set on this, then.”
Reading the resolve in my eyes, he murmured,
“Yes. I must have it. I trust in your wise decision, Mr. President. If you do this, history will remember you kindly even after retirement.”
“Haha! That almost sounds like a threat.”
He laughed heartily, then his face grew [N O V E L I G H T] pensive as he stroked his chin.
He thought long and hard. After what felt like an eternity, Kim Hakgwon finally spoke.
“Fine. But it can’t happen immediately. I need to speak with the current chair and discuss it with my aides first.”
“I understand. Would next month be soon enough?”
He nodded.
“That should be fine. Who do you intend to appoint?”
I took another folded note from my pocket.
“This person.”
Unfolding it, he looked at the name and exclaimed in surprise.
“Ha... Director Park was one of yours too?”
The name on the paper was Park Younggeun.
Director Park had once passed the law banning circular shareholding and strengthening the separation of industrial and financial capital—with my backing.
But the backlash from the business world had forced him to resign afterward.
Still, he had seemed satisfied just to have accomplished that reform.
“It just happened that way.”
Kim Hakgwon folded the note neatly and slipped it into his pocket.
The heavy look on his face softened slightly.
“If it’s Director Park, I can trust him. I was the one who appointed him, after all. He always had a fierce resentment toward the conglomerates, though. Impressive that you managed to win him over.”
“I’m not your typical chaebol, am I? He didn’t want to take money, so it took some effort. I simply gave him what he wanted. Without my support, could such a law have passed the National Assembly? He’s too capable to be left forgotten, so I’d like to bring him back.”
He had succeeded in reform but had to step down because of it.
Just like the first time I met him, Park Younggeun remained a man of principle—and it would be a waste to leave him in obscurity.
“This should pass the Cabinet meeting easily, right?”
I nodded at his obvious question.
“Of course. No one dislikes him except the business leaders. Are the Financial Services Commission chair and the Financial Supervisory Service governor also your people?”
I didn’t answer—just smiled.
Kim Hakgwon let out a low whistle.
“Ha... if people ever found out, the whole country would flip. Especially the business sector.”
“Even if they’re my people, they don’t do anything illegal. You know my companies don’t evade taxes. I’m a model taxpayer, after all.”
“That’s true. If only every corporation were like yours. But tell me—why don’t you list your company on the stock market? My economic advisor keeps asking me about that.”
Was that really so curious? Kim Byungwoo had once mentioned others were curious about the same thing.
I had plenty of capital; I had no need to raise funds through public listing and be swayed by shareholders.
“It’s easier to run a private company. Going public is for raising capital—I have no need for that.”
“Ha, I shouldn’t have asked. Money’s not your problem anyway. Still, consider it. Strong companies like yours would add vitality to our stock market.”
“I’ll think about it.”
As we talked, the alcohol’s effects wore off, and color returned to his face.
“Anything else you want to discuss?”
“No, that’s all.”
“Then let’s call it a night.”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
Rising first, he extended his hand.
“Thank you again. Others may never know what you’ve done, but I do.”
I clasped his hand lightly.
“No one needs to know. I only removed what stood in my way.”
“You’re too honest for your own good.”
He smiled faintly, and I returned the gesture.
“Leaving now?”
Mrs. Lee Seonkyung asked as we came out of the dining room.
“Yes. I apologize for keeping you up so late. The dishes you made were delicious. I’ll be sure to visit even after your husband’s retirement.”
“Hoho, I’d like that.”
Just as I was about to leave, Kim Hakgwon let out a small sigh, as if remembering something.
“Stay here a moment and talk with my wife.”
Leaving those words behind, he walked toward the bedroom.
“He can be a bit frustrating sometimes, can’t he?”
I turned at Mrs. Lee’s question.
“Please understand him. He wasn’t like this before, but time changes people. Still, he truly loves this country and its people.”
I agreed.
He wasn’t spotless—he had extorted political funds from conglomerates and taken criticism for his family’s and aides’ scandals.
But his political life had been genuine.
He had raised his voice against the military regime when no one else dared, risking his life to do so.
A few flaws now couldn’t erase that.
“Yes, I know.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
Just then, Kim Hakgwon emerged from the bedroom.
“Mr. Kim, take this.”
He handed me a small box. I looked at it curiously as he smiled awkwardly.
“It’s a watch. Not an expensive one, but take it as a keepsake.”
Inside was indeed a watch—engraved with his name and the Blue House emblem.
“I’d give you a medal if I could, but that’s impossible. So please, accept this instead. It’s from the heart.”
It looked entirely different from the presidential watches I knew of.
As I alternated my gaze between it and him, he added,
“Only ten of these were made. It’s not as nice as the one you’re wearing, but still—take it. And don’t worry, it wasn’t bought with tax money. I paid for it myself.”
I closed the box and bowed my head slightly.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.”
“Haha, good. It’s late—get going now.”
After saying goodbye to Mrs. Lee as well, I left the presidential residence.
Escorted by the Blue House security team, I walked toward the parking area where Chief Ma was waiting.
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk.”
A man came running up from ahead, calling my name.
“Chief Secretary, you haven’t gone home yet?”
Signaling the guards to step back, the presidential secretary spoke,
“How could I leave now? What on earth were you discussing at the residence until this hour? Tell me.”
What the hell was this? Running up to ask what I’d discussed with the president?
He should know that anything not said in the office was confidential.
“I have no obligation to tell you. Ask the president directly.”
“Come on, Mr. Kim. The president’s busy—you think he has time for me to ask him everything? I can’t be left in the dark about what’s going on. Just tell me.”
Looks like he’d already fallen out of favor—left out in the cold.
Even after the scolding he got earlier, he still hadn’t learned. freewebnσvel.cѳm
“I have nothing to say. Nor do I want to. It’s late—I’ll be going now.”
I walked past him.
“Mr. Kim! Kim Muhyuk!”
He rushed ahead again to block my way.
“Talk. If you don’t, you’ll regret it.”
A presidential secretary nearing the end of his career, using threats on me?
Bold—or maybe he was backed by someone else entirely.
“Chief Secretary, don’t say things you can’t handle. Unless you want your name splashed across tomorrow’s front page, stop wasting my time.”
He bit his lip and glared at me.
I met his gaze head-on, lips curling into a faint smile.
